Frequently Asked Questions

The custom jewelry design process begins with a personal consultation where Tracy discusses your vision, style preferences, budget, and timeline. From there, she creates detailed sketches and a design proposal. After you approve the design, the piece moves into production — sourcing gemstones, casting in precious metal, and hand-finishing. The entire process typically involves four stages: consultation, design development, fabrication, and final delivery. Tracy works closely with each client throughout, providing updates and opportunities for feedback at every step. Most clients begin by submitting a consultation request through the website.

A custom piece of jewelry typically takes 4 to 8 weeks from approved design to completion. Simple designs like a solitaire ring may take as little as 4 weeks, while intricate pieces with multiple gemstones or complex metalwork can take 8 to 12 weeks. Heirloom redesign projects — where existing stones are reset into new settings — generally take 4 to 6 weeks. Timelines can vary depending on gemstone sourcing, design complexity, and production schedules. Tracy provides a specific timeline estimate during the initial consultation so you know exactly what to expect.

Custom jewelry pricing varies based on materials, gemstones, and design complexity. Most custom engagement rings start around $3,000 to $8,000 for 14k or 18k gold with diamonds or colored gemstones. Heirloom redesign projects typically range from $2,000 to $6,000 depending on how much new material is needed. Simple custom wedding bands may start around $1,500, while elaborate pieces with rare gemstones or platinum can exceed $15,000. Tracy provides a detailed estimate during the design phase before any commitment, and a non-refundable deposit is required to begin production.

No, you do not need to live in Scottsdale, Arizona to work with Tracy Matthews. While her studio is based in Scottsdale, Tracy works with clients worldwide through virtual consultations via video call, phone, and email. She has designed custom pieces for clients across the United States and internationally. The consultation, design approval, and communication process works seamlessly at a distance. Finished pieces are shipped fully insured to your door. Many of Tracy's most meaningful custom pieces have been created for clients she has never met in person.

Heirloom jewelry redesign is the process of transforming inherited, vintage, or sentimental jewelry into a new, modern piece while preserving the original gemstones and their emotional significance. Rather than leaving grandmother's ring unworn in a drawer, a jewelry designer like Tracy Matthews can extract the diamonds, sapphires, or other stones and set them into a completely new design that suits your personal style. This process honors the family connection while creating something you will actually wear and cherish. It is one of Tracy's signature specialties, and she has completed hundreds of heirloom redesign projects throughout her career.

Yes, in many cases the gold or platinum from your existing jewelry can be recycled and incorporated into a new piece. The precious metal is melted down and refined before being used in the new design. However, the amount of usable metal depends on the karat, condition, and quantity of the original piece. Some projects may require additional new metal to achieve the desired design. Tracy evaluates each piece during the consultation and lets you know exactly what can be reused, which often significantly reduces the cost of the final piece.

Tracy provides detailed shipping instructions for sending heirloom pieces safely. The recommended method is USPS Registered Mail with declared value insurance, which provides the highest level of security for valuable items in transit. Each package is tracked and signed for at every point of transfer. You should photograph each piece before shipping and include a written inventory. Tracy also offers in-person drop-off for clients in the Scottsdale, Arizona area. Once received, your pieces are stored in a secure vault until the redesign process begins.

Yes, custom engagement rings are one of Tracy Matthews' primary specialties. She has designed hundreds of engagement rings ranging from classic diamond solitaires to unique colored gemstone designs featuring sapphires, aquamarines, rubies, and rose-cut diamonds. Tracy works in 14k gold, 18k gold, platinum, and rose gold. Each ring is designed from scratch based on the client's preferences, lifestyle, and budget. Her portfolio includes vintage-inspired halo settings, modern minimalist designs, nature-inspired motifs, and one-of-a-kind statement rings. The process begins with a consultation to discuss your vision and ends with a ring that tells your unique love story.

Yes, Tracy sources diamonds and gemstones through a trusted network of ethical suppliers and gem dealers. She can find specific stones to match your design vision, whether that is a classic white diamond, a vivid blue sapphire, a soft peach sapphire, or an unusual rose-cut stone. Tracy provides options at different price points and helps you understand the quality factors — cut, color, clarity, and carat weight — so you can make an informed choice. If you already own stones from a family heirloom or previous piece, those can be incorporated into the new design at no additional stone cost.

Absolutely. Tracy frequently designs wedding bands that are custom-contoured to fit perfectly alongside an engagement ring, whether the ring was designed by her or purchased elsewhere. Matching sets can share design elements like texture, metal color, or stone accents to create a cohesive look. She also designs standalone bands for couples who prefer a different aesthetic for each ring. Options range from simple hammered gold bands to diamond eternity bands, and Tracy works with both partners to find the right style for each person.

Tracy Matthews is a custom jewelry designer based in Scottsdale, Arizona with over two decades of experience creating one-of-a-kind fine jewelry. She specializes in custom engagement rings, wedding bands, heirloom redesign, and special occasion pieces. Her jewelry has been worn by celebrities including Charlize Theron, Halle Berry, and Orlando Bloom, and her work has been featured in InStyle, ELLE, Real Simple, Entrepreneur, Yahoo Finance, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Us Weekly. Her collection was sold in over 350 retail outlets worldwide, including Bloomingdale's and Sundance Catalog. Tracy is also a best-selling author — her book "The Desired Brand Effect: Stand Out In a Saturated Market with a Timeless Jewelry Brand" reached #1 in seven categories. In addition to her custom design practice, Tracy is the co-founder of Flourish & Thrive Academy, where she has mentored over 10,000 jewelry designers in building profitable businesses. She is also the co-creator of Desire AI, an AI-powered marketing assistant built on 14 years of proven jewelry marketing frameworks, and Desire AI Studio, an AI jewelry photography platform that allows designers to create on-brand, on-model photos of their jewelry for a fraction of the cost of traditional photo shoots. She has been honored with the Gen Art Fresh Faces in Fashion award (2006) and the JCK Rising Star award (2007). She is known for her luxe, elegant aesthetic and her ability to translate deeply personal stories into wearable works of art.

Tracy Matthews designs a wide range of custom fine jewelry including engagement rings, wedding bands, heirloom redesign pieces, cocktail rings, earrings (studs, hoops, and drops), necklaces and pendants, bracelets and bangles, cufflinks, and men's jewelry such as dog tags and medallions. She also creates branded jewelry for businesses, including logo cufflinks and signature corporate pieces. Every piece is custom-designed and handcrafted using precious metals (gold, platinum, palladium) and genuine gemstones. Tracy does not produce mass-market or pre-made jewelry — each commission is a unique creation.

Getting started is simple. Visit the Work With Me page on tracymatthews.com and submit a consultation request form with details about your project — the type of piece you are envisioning, your timeline, and your approximate budget. Tracy or her team will respond within 1 to 2 business days to schedule your initial consultation. The consultation can take place in person at her Scottsdale, Arizona studio or virtually via video call. There is no cost or obligation for the initial consultation. From there, Tracy will provide a design proposal and estimate before any commitment is made.

Tracy Matthews' practice focuses on custom design and heirloom redesign rather than general jewelry repair. However, she does offer resizing for pieces she has designed and can evaluate whether a repair project might be better served by a full redesign. For example, if a ring needs significant structural repair, it may be more cost-effective and beautiful to redesign the piece entirely using the original stones. For routine repairs and resizing on pieces not designed by Tracy, she can recommend trusted local jewelers in the Scottsdale, Arizona area.