Why Custom Jewelry Pricing Can Change (And Why Your Price Won’t)
One of the most common questions we get at Alloy is simple:
“Why did the price change from the last time I looked?”
It is a fair question, and I actually love when people ask it. Custom jewelry should feel exciting and meaningful, not confusing or stressful. So I want to explain it clearly.
Here’s the short version:
Once you purchase a piece or approve a custom quote, your price is locked in.
But if time passes before you buy, pricing can change based on the precious metals market.
Gold and platinum prices change all the time
Gold and platinum are not priced like most retail products. They are commodities, and their market price changes constantly.
Sometimes the change is small and you would never notice. Other times the market moves enough that it affects the real cost of making a piece.
Even if the design stays exactly the same, the raw material cost can change.
Why we do not just “pad” the price
Some jewelers build in a big buffer so pricing stays the same no matter what the market does. That can make quotes feel more stable, but it also means customers often pay more than they need to.
That is not how we want to operate.
At Alloy, we want pricing to be fair, accurate, and based on real numbers.
We built a system to quote custom work consistently
Because custom jewelry has a lot of variables, we built a quoting system that helps us stay consistent and transparent.
When we create a quote, we are considering things like:
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current gold or platinum market rates
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the amount of metal required for your specific design
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the size, shape, and availability of stones
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labor and complexity (a clean solitaire is different than a detailed vintage setting)
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finishing details like engraving, hidden stones, and custom design elements
This is how we avoid vague estimates and surprises later.
The most important part: we do not change the price after you commit
Once you approve a quote or purchase a piece, that price is yours.
We do not come back later and ask for more because the market changed.
If you are moving forward with Alloy, you can feel confident that the number we agree on is the number we honor.
When pricing can change
The only time pricing can change is when time passes before the purchase is made.
If someone is browsing, comparing options, or comes back later to move forward, we may need to refresh pricing based on the current market.
Most of the time the difference is minor. But when the market moves significantly, it can affect the final price.
Our goal is simple: no surprises
Custom jewelry should feel personal and fun. Our job is to guide you through the process, help you make great decisions, and make sure you feel taken care of the entire way.
If you ever have questions about a quote, what affects pricing, or why something costs what it costs, just ask.
We are always happy to walk you through it.