Handmade Jewelry, Made Entirely at the Bench in New York
Some pieces are best made the traditional way. Our rings, chains, pendants, and more are made entirely by hand at our Manhattan bench, with hand tools and no CAD, by a jeweler with more than 30 years of experience.
Request a Handmade Quote Call (347) 542-7061
Consultations are by appointment at our Manhattan studio or by video call.
- 30+ yearsat the jeweler's bench
- 100% by handno CAD on these pieces
- Family-ownedNew York jewelry studio
- Made to orderevery piece built for one client
See how it is made
A handmade heart pendant from our bench. Watch on YouTube.
What we make entirely by hand
Chains
Made link by link in the metal, width, and length you choose.
Rings
Bands, hammered and textured finishes, and hand-set stones.
Pendants
Shaped, soldered, and finished at the bench, with or without stones.
Other pieces
Bracelets and bangles, cufflinks, earrings, and anklets. Send us your idea and we will tell you if it suits handwork.
Prefer to see a 3D preview before your piece is made? Take a look at our custom jewelry design service, which uses CAD. Only need the 3D file itself? See our CAD design service.
How handmade jewelry is made at our bench
- ConsultationTell us what you would like made. Share sketches, photos, sizes, and your preferred metal. Meet us at our Manhattan studio by appointment, or by video call.
- Design and quoteWe agree on the design, dimensions, metal, and price with you before we start.
- Building at the benchWe cut, shape, form, and solder the metal by hand. For a chain, that means forming and joining the links ourselves.
- Setting and finishingStones are set by hand, then the piece is filed, polished, and inspected.
- Ready to shipYour finished piece is packed and ships insured.
Handmade or CAD: which is right for you?
Choose handmade for
- Chains and clean, classic shapes
- Hammered and textured finishes
- One-of-a-kind pieces with the character of hand work
- Simple designs where you trust our eye
Choose CAD custom design for
- Intricate or highly symmetrical detail
- Exact stone layouts
- Seeing a 3D model and wax model before casting
- Matching pieces or reorders
Not sure which to pick? Send us your idea and we will recommend the best approach.
Metals and stones
We make handmade pieces in 14k and 18k gold (white, yellow, and rose) and sterling silver (925). Ask us about platinum. We set diamonds and other gemstones by hand. Tell us your preferred metal, stone, and size and we will advise on what suits the piece.
How long does handmade jewelry take?
Hand work depends on the piece. These are typical times from your first consultation to ready to ship. Shipping time is extra, and we confirm your exact timeline with your quote.
| Piece | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Plain or hammered rings and bands | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Pendants | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Chains and bracelets | 2 to 3 weeks, depending on style, width, and length |
| Stone-set or intricate pieces | 3 to 5 weeks |
Working toward a birthday, anniversary, or wedding date? Tell us early so we can plan around it.
Who makes your jewelry
CHC Fine Jewelry is a family-owned studio and workshop in Midtown Manhattan. Our founder has spent more than 30 years at the bench and still does the work himself, from the design through the stone setting and the final finish. When you send an inquiry, you are speaking with the person who will actually make your piece.
What affects the price of handmade jewelry
- Metal and weight. Gold and platinum cost more than sterling silver, and heavier pieces use more metal.
- Time at the bench. A chain with many small links or a highly textured finish takes longer to make by hand.
- Stones. Type, size, quality, and number of stones all change the price.
Share your budget when you contact us and we will suggest ways to get the look you want at a price that works. You receive a quote for your specific piece, and the cost is confirmed with you before production begins.
Made at our bench
A few pieces we have made by hand. Your own piece is made to your idea, so it will not look exactly like these.
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Handmade heart pendant with a 16mm blue sapphire in rose gold
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The same pendant on a 1.9mm wide chain
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Handmade 14k necklace with peridot and pearl
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Peridot and pearl necklace, detail
Good to know
- Handmade pieces are made to order and are final sale. They cannot be returned or exchanged. See our shipping, return, refund, and exchange policy for full details.
- Your finished piece ships insured, with tracking.
- Need a ring size? See our size chart.
- Our jewelry care guide shows you how to keep your piece looking new, and we also offer jewelry repair in NYC.
Handmade jewelry questions
What does handmade mean at CHC Fine Jewelry?
On these pieces we start from metal stock and build the piece with hand tools. We cut, shape, form, solder, set, and polish it ourselves at the bench, with no CAD design and no 3D printing.
How long does a handmade piece take?
Rings, bands, and pendants typically take 1 to 2 weeks. Chains and bracelets typically take 2 to 3 weeks, and stone-set or intricate pieces 3 to 5 weeks. These are times from consultation to ready to ship, and shipping is extra. We confirm your timeline with your quote.
Can you make a chain in a specific length, width, or style?
Yes. Tell us the length, width, metal, and style you have in mind, or send a photo of a chain you like, and we will tell you whether it suits hand making and what it would involve.
Can I see a 3D preview before my piece is made?
Not for handmade pieces. Instead, we agree on the design, dimensions, metal, and price with you first, using your sketches and reference photos. If you want a 3D model and wax model to approve before anything is made, choose our CAD custom design service.
How much does a handmade piece cost?
Price depends on the metal, the amount of bench time, and any stones. Send us your idea and budget through the form below and we will quote your specific piece.
What metals and stones can I choose from?
We make handmade pieces in 14k and 18k gold (white, yellow, and rose) and sterling silver, and set diamonds and other gemstones by hand. Ask us about platinum.
Can I return or exchange a handmade piece?
Handmade pieces are made to order and are final sale. That is why we agree on every detail with you before we start. Our full policy is on the shipping and returns page.
Do you ship outside New York?
Yes. You can work with us by video call and we ship insured. See our shipping policy for details.
Start your handmade piece
Fill out the form below and include as much detail as you can, so we can give you an accurate quote:
- What you would like made (chain, ring, pendant, or something else)
- Metal and stone preferences
- Length or size, budget, and the date you need it by
- Links to inspiration or reference photos
34 W 46th St, Suite 403, New York, NY 10036
Phone: (347) 542-7061
Email: info@chcfinejewelry.com
Studio visits by appointment