Our bespoke service is a collaborative journey, tailored to you from start to finish. Together we explore design sketches, source unique gemstones, and meet one-on-one to refine the details. From there, 3D renders bring your vision to life before it’s crafted in gold. You can discover the full process here.
All of our jewellery is made in Australia, with skilled jewellers and artisans based in South Australia. We combine traditional manufacturing techniques with modern CAD technology to ensure precision in our designs and exceptional craftsmanship.
The majority of our chains are also manufactured in Australia through trusted suppliers. The only exception is our tennis bracelet mounts, which are crafted in Italy, renowned for their world-class quality and durability.
Yes, we do offer remodels. If you have a piece of jewellery you’d like to reimagine, we can transform it into something new while retaining its sentimental value. Every remodel is assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure the design will be structurally sound and suitable for long-term wear. Please get in touch to discuss your ideas.
We are happy to work with client-owned gemstones, provided they are in good condition and free from unstable or risky treatments. For metals, we generally prefer to use newly alloyed gold or platinum, as we can’t guarantee the quality of existing metal. Older jewellery often contains solder joins and potential impurities that affect the strength of a new piece. In most cases, we can trade in your existing gold towards a discount on your project. Whether we use your metal or not depends on the design and your preferences, and we’re happy to discuss this with you in detail.
Yes! Our director personally selects every gemstone and works closely with trusted suppliers to source specific gemstones upon request. Contact us to discuss your requirements.
Bespoke pieces typically take 4–8 weeks to complete once your design is finalised and your deposit has been received.
We will do our best to meet tight deadlines, but we cannot guarantee rush orders. Please contact us before placing an order to discuss options.
Yes, we can design and craft custom-fitted wedding bands to perfectly complement your engagement ring.
Our engagement rings start at $3,000 and can exceed $30,000. Wedding rings typically range from $800 to $4,000, while fine jewellery pieces start at $400. Prices are in AUD.
Yes, we offer a partial payment system. A 50% deposit is required for all bespoke orders before production begins. The remaining balance is invoiced upon completion, with final payment required within three months from the final invoice date.
Yes, we can hold gemstones with a minimum 30% deposit for up to four weeks. Deposits can be transferred to a different gemstone but are non-refundable.
Yes! Our gift vouchers are valid for three years from the date of purchase and can be used for bespoke and/or ready-made pieces.
We use high-quality, ethically sourced gold, platinum, diamonds, and precious gemstones. Our metals are sourced from Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) members and are recycled where possible.
No, jewellery and gemstones will not be shipped or collected until full payment has been received.
No, we do not offer discounts or promotions. We always price fairly, considering the cost of materials, labour, and the individual specifications of each piece.
Yes, we source all our gemstones from ethical and reputable suppliers, including direct partnerships with small-scale miners and skilled gem cutters. Additionally, we work with trusted local gemstone specialists who provide transparency regarding origin and treatments. Our diamonds are conflict-free and comply with the Kimberley Process to ensure responsible sourcing.
Yes, all modern-cut colourless diamonds over 0.50 carats are certified. Some accent stones, champagne diamonds, and antique or rose-cut diamonds may not come with certification.
We use 18k gold and platinum for engagement and wedding rings, with additional options for 9k and 14k gold in fine jewellery.
Pure gold (24k) is naturally very soft, which makes it unsuitable for everyday jewellery. To improve its strength and wearability, it is alloyed with other metals such as silver, copper, palladium, and zinc. The “karat” (k) refers to how much pure gold is in the alloy:
18k gold (75% pure gold) — Our preferred choice for fine jewellery. It combines durability with the rich, warm colour that makes gold so desirable. It’s strong enough for daily wear while retaining the luxurious look and feel of high-gold content.
14k gold (58.3% pure gold) — A practical option that balances durability, colour, and affordability. Its slightly lower gold content gives it a paler tone than 18k, but it remains a popular and hard-wearing choice.
9k gold (37.5% pure gold) — The minimum legal standard of gold in Australia. It contains more alloy than gold, giving it a lighter colour and making it more prone to brittleness. While affordable, it lacks the depth of colour and long-term resilience of higher-karat alloys.
For pieces intended to last a lifetime and beyond, we generally recommend 18k gold for its balance of beauty and strength.
The colour of gold is determined by the metals it is alloyed with. While all three begin with pure gold, different alloys create the distinct tones:
Yellow gold — Retains its classic warm hue with a balanced mix of gold, silver, and copper. This alloy most closely resembles the natural colour of pure gold.
Rose gold — Achieves its romantic blush tone through a higher proportion of copper in the alloy. The more copper, the stronger the pinkish-red colour.
White gold — Created by alloying gold with white metals such as palladium. It is finished with a rhodium plating to give it a bright, platinum-like appearance. Over time, this plating will gradually wear and may need reapplication every few years to maintain its crisp white finish.
Each alloy offers its own character and appeal — the choice comes down to personal preference and the look you’d like for your piece.
Platinum and white gold may look similar, but they have key differences in composition, durability, and maintenance:
Platinum — A naturally white, dense, and highly durable metal. It does not require rhodium plating, and its colour remains consistent over time. Because it is heavier than gold, platinum gives jewellery a luxurious weight and is especially valued for engagement and wedding rings that are worn daily. Platinum is also generally more expensive than white gold due to its density and rarity.
White gold — An alloy of gold mixed with white metals such as palladium, finished with a rhodium plating to achieve a bright, platinum-like shine. Over time, this plating will wear and may need reapplication every few years to maintain its crisp white appearance. White gold is lighter in weight than platinum and often more affordable.
Both metals make excellent choices for fine jewellery — the right option depends on your budget and how much maintenance you are comfortable with over the years.
White gold naturally has a slightly warm tone, so it is coated with a thin layer of rhodium — a rare, bright white metal from the platinum family. This plating enhances the brilliance of white gold, giving it a crisp, reflective finish similar to platinum.
Over time, rhodium plating will gradually wear away, particularly on rings that are worn every day. To maintain its bright white appearance, we recommend reapplication every 6–12 months, depending on wear.
You can visit our studio for professional sizing or read our tennis bracelet size guide online. You can also contact us for personalised advice.
You can visit our studio for professional sizing or read our online ring size guide. You can also contact us for personalised advice.
Yes, we offer one complimentary resize within the first year of purchase. Additional resizing is available for a fee.
There are limits to how much we can resize a ring without causing structural issues. We assess each ring individually and will advise you of your options.
Yes, we provide a Lifetime Manufacturing Warranty covering any manufacturing defects. Wear and tear or accidental damage is not covered. Read more about our Lifetime Manufacturing Warranty.
We strongly recommend insuring your jewellery. Contact us for recommendations on reputable jewellery insurance providers.
Due to the bespoke nature of our pieces, custom orders are non-refundable.
We offer an exchange or store credit (excluding postage fees) for unworn, ready-made pieces (excluding earrings) that are in their original condition and packaging. Returns must be made within 14 days of purchase. To arrange a return, contact us at info@carmenandlucyfinejewellery.com.
Yes, we ship Australia-wide. Once dispatched, you will receive tracking information to monitor your order. All shipments are fully insured until signed for upon delivery.
At this time, we only ship within Australia, though we may offer international shipping in the future.
Fine jewellery should be stored carefully, cleaned regularly, and checked annually. Read our Jewellery Care Guide for detailed maintenance tips.
Yes, we provide lifetime complimentary cleaning and annual check-ups for our jewellery. Book an appointment to have your piece professionally cleaned and inspected.
Our Adelaide studio in Gawler Place is currently under renovation and is set to open for appointments in mid-2025.
At this time, we do not offer virtual or Zoom appointments, as we find email communication to be the most efficient for our process. However, we are happy to arrange phone consultations if required.
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