What to expect from a custom job.

Sorry this post is a little late. We like to update the blog at least every Thursday, but things got a little crazy here.

This post will give you an example of what you can expect when you get a custom ring made at Freshmans:

This guy had made a rough sketch of what he was thinking of. Its always helpful when the client has a vision of what they are after (but even if you don't, we can help you create something beautiful). Here is the sketch that was faxed to us.


Normally at this point, Charles works with the client and "fleshes out" the idea a bit more. You would discuss stone sizes, types of settings, etc. Charles would point out any problems that could arise and find a way to work around them. All of these ideas come together into a "counter sketch" that gets sent into the shop. Since this client was contacting us from out of state, Charles's sketch was a little more precise. See below:


Now here's where the fun begins!! Once the job reaches our shop, I meet with Charles and discuss what we are trying to accomplish. Using CAD software, I build your virtual ring. After your ring is built, I can create a realistic rendering of your project. You can come in to see it and discuss with us, or it can be emailed to you.


Once we have a go ahead, we can cut your ring out of wax on our computerized milling machine (more about that on another post) and we are on our way. While it may seem like a lot of work, all of these steps help us ensure that you get the same satisfaction that our customers have appreciated for over 100 years. If you have any questions, or would like to schedule an appointment to discuss your own custom made creation, please feel free to contact us.

Get to Know Us

This is the first of a series of blog posts designed to help you get to know us. To start it off we will be profiling Zach Freshman:

Zach is the son of owners Charles and Claudia Freshman. He has been working for Freshmans since he was about 12 years old. In the last 20 years he has done various jobs around the store. These have included, working in the mail room, answering phones, waiting on the counter, shop repairs, and custom design. More recently Zach has been running our computerized milling machine and has specialized in CAD design. In the last several years Zach has also been focusing on stone setting and learning hand-engraving.

Outside of jewelry, Zach's interests vary between classic VW's to gadgets of almost any kind. Zach spends a fair amount of time (both at work and play) on computers and setup our website as well as the preliminary setup for our online store. He is the one behind the blog you are reading right now as well as setting up our facebook page and twitter posts.

Zach is available to answer CAD/CAM questions at zachary@freshmans.com or via twitter.

Do you know your finger size?

Most of us know our shoe size, our shirt size, our waist size (I choose to ignore that one), maybe even our hat size. How many of you know your ring size?

One of the trickier parts of our job here at Freshmans is figuring out ring sizes when a surprise is involved. To get around this we have a new plan:

Come in to our store and get your fingers sized, free of charge. When you leave you will know all of your ring sizes, plus we will keep a copy on file so your friends and family can surprise you.

P.S. We came up with this idea after helping Misty (aka @Saintless from Twitter) figure out her ring sizes.

Photo via Flickr

Champagne "Friendraiser"

Charlie and I traveled to Kemmerer, Wyoming this past weekend to participate in a “Friendraiser” to benefit the South Lincoln Training and Event center. We furnished the gemstones for and helped sell glasses of champagne with gemstones in each glass. A few of the glasses held big winners but all of the glasses held stones of value for the participants. Over $9,000 was raised while toasting this new community center. Governor and Mrs. David Freudenthal, pictured here with us, were participants and the unusual fundraiser was a fun evening for members of this great area.