Bend Jewelry Stories

Local Jewelers Share Some of the Most Memorable Custom Pieces They've Created

Updated 3/26/25

Jewelry tells a story — one that’s often personal, emotional, and tied to some of life’s most meaningful moments. In Bend, local jewelers aren’t just selling rings or necklaces; they’re helping create family heirlooms, engagement memories, and one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect each person’s style and story.

In this post, we’ll explore what makes custom jewelry so special, what the process looks like when working with a local jeweler in Bend, and why having a piece made just for you is often worth the investment. We’ve also reached out to some of Bend’s most talented jewelers to share stories of their most memorable custom creations — the pieces that truly left an impact.

Check out some of the best jewelers in Bend

Jim Dailing: Story Rings from a Master Metalsmith

Jim Dailing doesn’t call himself a typical jeweler—because he’s not. With decades of experience as a metalsmith, Jim has carved a unique path creating custom engagement and wedding rings that tell deeply personal stories. These are more than rings; they’re meaningful objects that reflect a couple’s journey together.

Jim first fell into jewelry while in college, eventually earning both a BFA and an MFA from the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia. This broad education in design and art history still informs his work today, from the fluid curves of Art Nouveau to the crisp geometry of Art Deco. You can see echoes of these movements in his designs, though always with a personal twist.

Over the years, Jim has worked with clients from around the world—literally. Just recently, he had a conversation with a new client in Australia about their wedding ring. Every ring he makes is custom and deeply considered, a process he calls creating “Story Rings.” For one couple who met in a mountain group in the Northwest, Jim hand-carved a ring featuring the Cascade Mountains—and added a tiny diamond in the sky to represent the North Star, a symbol of their journey together.

What truly sets Jim apart is how hands-on his process is. While many jewelers rely on CAD software, Jim prefers to hand carve a wax prototype—a 3D sketch that helps couples visualize and refine the design before it’s cast into metal. Clients can even wear the wax version to see how it feels before finalizing every last detail.

As Jim puts it, “Close isn’t good enough when creating a custom wedding ring.”

Want to see how it all comes together? Jim has a short video on his website that walks through his process and shows how each ring comes to life.

Pave Fine Jewelry

We spoke with Pave Fine Jewelry in Bend, and here’s what they shared with us about what makes their custom work so meaningful:

“There is something really joyful about taking part in a couple’s commitment to one another. The hope and the promise of a beautiful future together is special to witness. To see the love and the consideration that partners put into designing a piece of jewelry can’t help but make you smile. It is a fun process to take part in.

But the custom pieces that really stick with us are the ones where we commemorate great love and loss in a new piece. For example, when we make a new pendant from wedding rings of a spouse who has passed or turn diamonds worn by mom into matching sister rings. Those pieces kind of hit in a different way. We feel the love, the grief and the recognition that creating a new piece is a way of moving forward and honoring those relationships.

One of our favorite pieces was a custom pendant using materials from our clients wedding rings. It was a collaboration with Denise Harrison from Sterling Echoes. Denise etched the gold to create a really beautiful texture and pattern on the top of the pendant. We then set our client's diamond into the etched gold, fabricated the sides and back of the pendant along with a special cavity to hold her late husband's ashes. It was just a really artful piece that probably many people admire when they see it around her neck. They may not even know that it is her husband she is wearing close to her heart. Overall, custom design can be a really beautiful collaborative experience for everyone involved.”

Why Choose Custom Jewelry?

While there’s no shortage of mass-produced jewelry online or in big-box stores, custom jewelry offers something they can’t: meaning. A custom piece is designed around you — your style, your story, and your vision. Whether you’re looking to design an engagement ring, repurpose a family heirloom, or create a one-of-a-kind anniversary gift, working with a local jeweler allows for personal touches and craftsmanship that simply can’t be replicated.

Benefits of choosing custom jewelry:

• Completely unique design

• Ability to choose stones, metals, and settings

• Option to incorporate family heirlooms or sentimental elements

• Close collaboration with a skilled artisan

• Higher quality craftsmanship and attention to detail

• A personal story behind the piece

The Process of Creating Custom Jewelry

If you’ve never commissioned a custom piece before, the process might feel intimidating — but local jewelers in Bend are here to make it approachable and enjoyable. Every shop has its own style and process, but generally, here’s what you can expect:

1. Initial Consultation
You’ll meet with the jeweler to discuss your ideas, inspiration, and budget. This is where you can show photos, share stories, or describe the feeling you want the piece to evoke.

2. Design Concepts
The jeweler will sketch or digitally design concepts based on your conversation, offering options and refining the look with your input.

3. Stone Selection
If you’re incorporating gemstones or diamonds, this is where you’ll select the perfect stones — often with education on clarity, color, and cut.

4. Approval and Production
Once the design is finalized, the jeweler will begin the production process, often starting with a wax mold or 3D rendering, then moving on to casting, setting, and polishing.

5. The Final Reveal
This is the moment where you see your vision come to life in a piece you can wear and cherish for years.

Why Work with a Local Jeweler in Bend?

There’s something special about keeping it local. Bend’s jewelers aren’t just artisans; they’re part of the community. When you shop locally for custom jewelry, you’re supporting small businesses, encouraging craftsmanship, and building relationships with people who care about your story.

Reasons to choose a local jeweler:

• In-person communication and collaboration

• The ability to see and touch materials before committing

• Trusted relationships and ongoing service

• Local accountability and craftsmanship you can rely on

Types of Custom Jewelry Projects

Not sure what you might want to have made? Here are just a few types of custom projects that local jewelers in Bend often help with:

• Engagement rings and wedding bands

• Heirloom redesigns — turning old or inherited jewelry into something fresh

• Anniversary gifts

• Mother’s or family rings

• Custom earrings or bracelets for special occasions

• Birthstone jewelry

• Unique, artistic statement pieces

How Long Does Custom Jewelry Take?

One of the most common questions people have before starting a custom jewelry project is, “How long will it take?” While the timeline can vary based on design complexity and stone sourcing, most local jewelers in Bend follow a similar process.

Here’s a general idea of what to expect:

• Initial consultation and design concepts: 1–2 weeks
  After your first meeting, the jeweler will work on sketches or digital renderings and make adjustments based on your feedback.

• Stone sourcing: 1–3 weeks
  If your design calls for specific gemstones or diamonds, your jeweler will need time to find the right stones that match your budget and vision.

• Production and craftsmanship: 3–6 weeks
  Once the design and materials are finalized, the jeweler will create the piece — from casting and setting to polishing and finishing.

• Total timeline: Around 6–10 weeks
  More intricate or unusual designs may take longer, while simpler pieces could be completed more quickly. It’s always best to start early, especially if you’re working toward a special date like a proposal or anniversary.

Why Custom Jewelry Makes the Perfect Gift

Custom jewelry is more than just a gift — it’s a lasting memory. Whether it’s an engagement ring, an anniversary piece, or a meaningful birthday present, having something made specifically for someone shows thought, care, and intention.

Reasons custom jewelry makes a great gift:

• It’s completely personal and unique — no one else will have the same piece.

• You can incorporate meaningful details, like birthstones, initials, or design elements with special significance.

• The recipient knows you took the time to create something just for them.

• It’s something they can wear for years (or even generations) to come.

If you’re looking for a gift that feels truly special and unforgettable, working with a local jeweler to design a custom piece is a meaningful choice that won’t go unnoticed.