At Alexis Gallery, the search for a diamond or gemstone begins with a conversation. Every stone we present is sourced for your specific ring, since we don’t keep a standing inventory of diamonds waiting in display cases. This results in a highly personalized experience with your exact needs in mind (not the needs of us trying to move inventory).
Our work starts with a consultation where we discuss the ring you’re envisioning, the type of stone(s) you’re considering and the parameters guiding the search such as budget, size or colour. Once we understand your direction, we begin reviewing stones through our network of long-standing diamond and gemstone partners.
A large number of candidates may be considered during this stage. Stones are compared, filtered, and reviewed carefully before reaching the design meeting. By the time you see your options, the selection has already been narrowed to a small group of diamonds or gemstones that perfectly match your vision.
Our consultation allows us to understand the vision you have for your ring itself and the role the stone will play within it.
It also allows us to understand where you’re at in your journey, so we can support you with education and guidance as you evaluate your options. Whether you’re trying to figure out if earth mined diamonds or lab grown diamonds are best for you, or are stuck on diamond shape or cut – we have the experience and resources to help you narrow down your options.
For those clients who come in with very narrow specifications in mind, we can work with that as well, meeting you wherever you are.
Budget parameters are addressed at this stage as well, giving the sourcing process clear boundaries, while stone shape and approximate size expectations help guide the search.
We work together to gather everything we need to achieve a successful curation, this includes confirming:
Once these elements are established, we can begin looking for the perfect stone for your ring.
Our relationships with trusted diamond and gemstone partners both locally in Canada and internationally allow us to access the best options on the market.
Through this network we’re able to review a wide pool of stones. Each candidate is considered in relation to the design direction and parameters discussed during your consultation. Cut quality, proportions, value and price all play a role in the evaluation.
As the search progresses, the field gradually narrows. The remaining candidates form a shortlist of diamonds or gemstones that deserve a closer look in person.
We approach each client’s needs one-by-one, hunting down the perfect options whether it’s a colourless round diamond, or a vibrant geometric sapphire.
Our commitment to finding the best options for our clients means looking beyond a spreadsheet or video. Where possible, we bring stones in person to view side-by-side during the design process.
Our relationships with trusted diamond and gemstone partners both locally in Canada and internationally allow us to access the best options on the market.
Through this network we’re able to review a wide pool of stones. Each candidate is considered in relation to the design direction and parameters discussed during consultation. Cut quality, proportions, visual size, and price all play a role in the evaluation.
As the search progresses, the field gradually narrows. The remaining candidates form a shortlist of diamonds or gemstones that deserve a closer look in person.
We approach each client’s needs one-by-one, hunting down the perfect options whether it’s a colourless round diamond, or a vibrant geometric sapphire.
Our commitment to finding the best options for our clients means looking beyond a spreadsheet or video. Where possible, we bring stones in person to view side-by-side during the design process.
A grading report provides technical information about a diamond, though numbers alone cannot fully describe how a stone appears.
Our team quality checks every stone directly before presenting them to our clients. Seeing a diamond or gemstone in person reveals details that grading reports cannot fully convey. Proportions, faceting, and light behaviour become easier to interpret when the stone is physically in front of you.
This step allows us to confirm that the stones we present reflect the priorities discussed earlier in the process.
The design meeting includes a detailed diamond or gemstone education presentation. Your designer will take you through the four Cs (cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight) and beyond, in plain english, highlighting what really matters based on what you’ll be viewing. We take the time to answer questions to ensure that you feel prepared and informed as you examine your options.
The design meeting includes a detailed diamond or gemstone education presentation. Your designer will take you through the four Cs (cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight) and beyond, in plain english, highlighting what really matters based on what you’ll be viewing. We take the time to answer questions to ensure that you feel prepared and informed as you examine your options.
When the curated stones are presented, the conversation becomes much more visual. Seeing diamonds or gemstones next to each other makes subtle differences easier to recognize. Your designer will have all of the specifications of each stone presented alongside your viewing, so you can easily refer back to, and compare details.
Clients can handle the stones directly and examine them through a jeweller’s loupe if they wish. Your designer will share industry tips on the best way to view the stone on your finger, make comparisons and of course, photos and videos are encouraged.
Choosing a diamond isn’t something we want people to rush. When a preferred stone emerges during the design meeting, we can place it on hold until 4 p.m. the following day.
This window provides time to step away from the meeting and reflect before moving forward. If the first group of stones does not have anything that catches your eye, the sourcing process can continue.
Choosing a diamond isn’t something we want people to rush. When a preferred stone emerges during the design meeting, we can place it on hold until 4 p.m. the following day.
This window provides time to step away from the meeting and reflect before moving forward. If the first group of stones does not have anything that catches your eye, the sourcing process can continue.
At Alexis Gallery, stone selection begins with careful curation and a thoughtful conversation. We review a wide range of diamonds and gemstones before narrowing the search to a small group that reflects the priorities discussed during your consultation. By the time we meet to review options together, every stone on the table has been chosen because it suits the ring being created.
This approach is part of how we design each piece at Alexis Gallery. From the first consultation through sourcing, design, and final craftsmanship, our team guides the entire process so that the finished ring reflects the person it is being created for.
If you’re beginning the search for a custom engagement ring, contact us today, and explore what we can create together.
