Top 20 custom jewelry designers in queens ny

Choosing a custom jewelry designer in Queens is often more stressful than it should be. Most people start their search because they want something unique. They have a specific vision or a family stone they want to reset. They quickly realize that many shops use the word custom very loosely. You might walk into a store on Steinway Street or in Forest Hills and see the same three catalogs. If a jeweler just asks you to pick a setting from a book and change the stone size then that is not true custom work.

We have seen this happen often at Maroth Jewels. Clients come to us after a bad experience elsewhere because their custom ring looks like everyone else's. Or worse the piece was not built to survive daily wear. Queens is a massive borough with hundreds of jewelers. Finding the top 20 designers requires looking past the window displays. You need to understand who is actually sitting at the bench and who is just a middleman.

1. Maroth Jewels

Our approach to custom jewelry is built on technical precision and transparent sourcing. We do not just sketch a pretty picture. We focus on the engineering of the piece. Our team looks at metal density and stone security before we even start the wax model. We work with clients who are tired of the traditional retail markup. You get direct access to the manufacturing expertise that usually stays behind the scenes. We believe every client should understand why we choose a specific prong style or metal alloy. It is your investment and you deserve to know how it is being made.

2. Gold Art Jewelry in Astoria

This shop is a staple on Steinway Street. They handle a lot of traditional gold work. They are great for people who want to take an old piece of family gold and melt it down into something new. This is a service not every modern designer offers. Melting down old gold can be tricky because of the solder and impurities. They have the experience to handle those technical hurdles without ruining the metal.

3. Forest Hills Jewelers

Located on Austin Street this place caters to a very specific crowd. They do a lot of high end engagement work. Their custom process is very collaborative. You will likely see a lot of CAD renderings here. Computer Aided Design is standard now but you have to know how to read the renders. A render always looks bulkier than the finished product. The designers here are good at explaining that transition from screen to hand.

4. Almaz Jewelers

This is another Astoria favorite known for intricate detail. They tend to lean into more ornate styles. If you are looking for something minimalist this might not be your first stop. But if you want heavy metal work and complex pavé settings they are very capable. They understand how to space small diamonds so they do not fall out after a few years of wear.

5. Havero Jewelry in Flushing

Flushing has a huge jewelry scene but it can be overwhelming. Havero stands out because they focus on the quality of the stones. A custom design is only as good as the center diamond or gemstone. They spend time educating you on the difference between a high color grade and a high clarity grade. Sometimes you can save money on clarity if the inclusions are hidden under a prong. They are honest about those shortcuts.

6. The Jewelry Design Co

They focus heavily on the modern bride. Their designs are clean and often feature lab grown diamonds. This is a big topic in Queens right now. Many people are switching to lab grown to get a larger stone for the same budget. This designer helps you weigh the long term value of natural versus the immediate size of lab stones. They do not push one over the other.

7. Queens Diamond and Jewelry

This shop is located in the heart of Jamaica. It is a great spot for heavy gold chains and custom nameplates. Custom work is not just about engagement rings. Cultural jewelry is a huge part of the Queens identity. They know how to work with 22k gold which is much softer and harder to craft than standard 14k gold.

8. Maravelas Jewelry

Based in Bayside this family owned shop has a very loyal following. They are the type of designers who remember your name ten years later. Their custom work often involves vintage inspirations. If you have an Art Deco idea they are the ones to talk to. They understand the milgrain and filigree techniques that give jewelry that old world feel.

9. Dion’s Jewelry

Dion is known for being very hands on. You are often talking directly to the person who will be doing the work. This eliminates the communication gaps that happen in larger stores. When you tell him you want a specific height for your setting he understands the physics of it. A high setting catches on sweaters while a low setting might not let a wedding band sit flush. He explains these practicalities.

10. S and L Jewelry

Located in Middle Village they handle a lot of local repairs and custom builds. They are very practical. They will tell you if your design idea is going to be a nightmare to maintain. Some custom pieces look great for a week but are impossible to clean or resize. They prioritize wearable designs over experimental ones.

11. Jewels by Viggi

Viggi operates with a high level of artistry. This is more of a boutique experience. If you want a piece that looks like it belongs in a gallery this is the place. They work with unique gemstones like opals and tourmalines. These stones require special settings because they are softer than diamonds. They know how to protect the stone while still showing off the color.

12. Vera’s Jewelry in Corona

This is a hidden gem for local residents. They do a lot of custom work for religious ceremonies and milestones. Their pricing is very competitive because they are not in a high rent shopping district. You get honest labor prices. They are excellent for solid gold pieces that need to feel heavy and substantial.

13. I and P Jewelers

This shop is in Jackson Heights and specializes in high karat gold. They are experts in the 22k and 24k market. Working with pure gold is a different skill set. It requires different heat levels and tools. They create custom pieces that serve as both jewelry and a store of wealth. This is very common in the South Asian community in Queens.

14. George’s Custom Jewelry

George is a classic bench jeweler. He does not spend much on marketing. Most of his business comes from word of mouth. He is the person other jewelers go to when they have a difficult project. If you have a very complex technical request he is your best bet in the borough. He focuses on the structural integrity of the piece above all else.

15. Astoria Diamond and Gold Exchange

They focus on the value side of custom design. If you have a tight budget they help you figure out where to cut costs without sacrificing the look. Maybe you use 10k gold instead of 14k for a piece that will be worn less often. Or you choose a sapphire instead of a diamond. They are very transparent about what you are paying for.

16. Renaissance Jewelry in Forest Hills

They have a very polished design process. They use the latest technology to show you exactly what your piece will look like. This is great for people who have a hard time visualizing a 2D sketch. Their designs tend to be very trendy and current. They follow the latest New York fashion cycles closely.

17. Gold and Gems in Long Island City

LIC is becoming a hub for creative professionals. This shop reflects that. Their custom designs are often more architectural and bold. They use a lot of brushed finishes and matte textures. This is a nice break from the high polish look you see everywhere else. They treat jewelry like wearable sculpture.

18. New York Jewelers in Flushing

They have a massive selection of loose diamonds. The custom process here usually starts with the stone. You pick your diamond first and then they build the world around it. This is the right way to do it if the stone is the most important part of the investment for you. They ensure the proportions of the ring match the facets of the diamond.

19. S and S Jewelry

This is another reliable family shop in Jackson Heights. They do a lot of custom wedding bands. People often forget that the wedding band needs to be designed to match the engagement ring. If they are not designed together they can rub against each other and wear down the metal. They specialize in creating perfectly contoured bands.

20. Unique Settings of New York

While they are primarily a manufacturer in LIC they are the backbone of many custom projects in the city. If you work with a local designer they might be using Unique Settings for the casting. Knowing they are in Queens gives you a sense of where your jewelry is actually being made. They represent the industrial side of the craft that keeps the quality high.

Mistakes When Choosing a Designer

Most buyers focus entirely on the price per gram or the diamond carat weight. This is a mistake. You are paying for the skill of the setter and the quality of the casting. If the casting is porous the ring will eventually crack. If the prongs are not pushed down correctly you will lose a stone.

We often see people bring in designs they found on social media. Those photos are often of pieces that are not practical for real life. A ring with diamonds all the way around the band cannot be resized easily. If your finger size changes in five years you are out of luck. A good designer will warn you about this before they take your money.

Another issue is the timeline. True custom work takes time. If a shop promises a custom ring in three days they are likely just assembling pre made parts. A real custom piece involves a sketch and a CAD model and a wax mold and then the final casting. This process usually takes three to six weeks.

Final Thoughts

Take your time when visiting these designers. Do not feel pressured to put down a deposit on your first visit. A good designer will be happy to answer your questions and show you their previous work. Look at the quality of the finish on the pieces in their case. The metal should be smooth and the stones should be level.

If you are looking for a partner who values technical expertise and honest pricing we are here at Maroth Jewels. We treat every custom project as a piece of engineering. Our goal is to make sure your jewelry looks just as good in twenty years as it does today.

Would you like me to explain the specific differences between hand-forged jewelry and CAD-cast pieces to help you decide which method is right for your project?