Who is Bejeweled by Shari?

Bejeweled by Shari is a private custom fine jewelry studio in Manhattan, founded in 1984 by Shari Rubinstein, a GIA-trained jeweler who previously worked in the industry including at Macy's and David Yurman. The legal name is Bejeweled By Shari, Ltd.; some directories list it as Shari's Jewelry.

70 Bowery, New York, NY 10013, near Canal Street in lower Manhattan. The building spans 70 to 72 Bowery, so some listings show 72 Bowery. Phone: (212) 219-8541.

Do I need an appointment?

Yes. Shari sees clients by private appointment only, so every consultation is one-on-one. Request a time online or call (212) 219-8541.

What kinds of jewelry does Shari make?

Fine jewelry only: custom engagement rings, wedding and anniversary bands, pendants, earrings, bracelets, and redesigns of inherited jewelry. She works primarily with natural diamonds, in platinum and 18k gold.

Which areas does the studio serve?

Clients come from across New York City, including Manhattan and Brooklyn, and from New Jersey. All appointments take place at the Bowery studio.

Can I explore a design before my appointment?

Yes. The online design studio lets you upload reference photos, describe an idea, and see concept views, which you can send to Shari for a personal review. A concept image is a starting point; Shari confirms what can be made and what it will cost.

Where can I get a custom engagement ring made in Manhattan?

Bejeweled by Shari is a private custom jewelry studio at 70 Bowery, New York, NY 10013, near Canal Street. Shari Rubinstein has designed fine jewelry there since founding the business in 1984. Visits are by appointment; call (212) 219-8541 or book online.

How long does a custom engagement ring take?

Often six to ten weeks from an approved design to the finished ring. Sourcing a specific diamond, an intricate design, or rounds of revisions can add time, so it is wise to begin three to four months before you hope to propose.

Can I bring my own diamond?

Yes. Shari regularly designs around a client's own stone, including inherited diamonds. She inspects the stone first to confirm it is sound and suited to the setting you want.

Do you use natural or lab-grown diamonds?

Shari works primarily with natural diamonds for fine jewelry. Lab-grown diamonds are available on request, and she explains the differences openly so you can choose.

Can I redesign my grandmother's ring without losing its meaning?

Yes. Decide which element carries the meaning, often the center stone, and build the new design around it. Engraving a date or initials inside the new band, or echoing a detail from the original, can keep the connection visible.

Is it disrespectful to change an inherited ring?

Most families find that a ring worn every day honors the person more than one kept in a drawer. If relatives have feelings about the piece, it can help to involve them early in the design conversation.

Can old diamonds be reset safely?

Usually, but older stones can have chips or wear along the girdle from decades in their setting. A jeweler should inspect the stone out of the setting where possible before committing to a new design.

Can you put an old diamond in a new setting?

Yes. An inherited diamond can almost always be reset. A jeweler removes it from the old mounting, inspects it for damage, and designs the new setting around its exact dimensions.

Should I recut my grandmother's old mine or old European cut diamond?

Usually not. Recutting removes weight and changes the stone's character, and many people value old cuts precisely for their softer, broader sparkle. Recutting is worth discussing mainly when a stone has significant damage.

Do I need a GIA report for an inherited diamond?

It is not required to reset a stone, but an independent report from the Gemological Institute of America documents the diamond's identity and grades, which is useful for insurance, for confirming the stone is natural, and for the family record.

Can my jeweler melt down my old gold to make a new ring?

It is possible, but often not ideal. Old pieces can contain mixed karats, unknown alloys, and solder, which may cause porosity or weak spots in a new casting. Refining the gold or exchanging it for new alloy of the same karat usually gives a more durable result.

How is the value of old gold calculated?

By the weight of pure gold it contains, which depends on its karat, and the market price of gold at the time. Refining and handling costs are typically deducted. 14k gold is about 58.5 percent gold; 18k is 75 percent.

Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?

Yes. A lab-grown diamond has essentially the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as a natural diamond. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission's Jewelry Guides recognize lab-grown stones as diamonds, provided their origin is clearly disclosed.

Can you tell a lab-grown diamond from a natural one by looking?

Not with the naked eye, and usually not with a jeweler's loupe. Gemological laboratories use specialized instruments to identify a diamond's origin, which is one reason an independent grading report matters.

Why does Shari work primarily with natural diamonds?

Natural diamonds are rare and formed over geological time, and many clients want that for a piece intended to be passed down. Lab-grown prices have fallen as production has grown, which is good for budgets but makes their long-term value less predictable. Shari offers lab-grown diamonds on request and explains the tradeoffs openly.

Do lab-grown diamonds hold their value?

Resale value for any diamond is generally well below retail. Lab-grown diamond prices have dropped substantially as manufacturing has scaled, so their secondary-market value is especially uncertain. Natural diamond prices also move, but rarity supports them over the long term.

How long does a custom engagement ring take to make?

Often six to ten weeks from an approved design. Allowing two to four months from the first consultation gives time to choose a diamond and refine the design without pressure.

Can custom jewelry be rushed?

Sometimes, depending on the design, the availability of the stone, and the studio's schedule. Rushing tends to cut into design time rather than making time, so it is better to start early. Tell Shari about any fixed date at your first appointment.

When should I start a custom engagement ring before proposing?

Ideally three to four months ahead. That allows time to source the right diamond, refine the design, make the ring, and resize it if needed.

What should I ask a custom jeweler before commissioning a ring?

Ask who will design and oversee your piece, how stones are sourced and whether they come with independent grading reports, whether you will approve the design before production, what the written quote includes, the expected timeline, and what aftercare is offered.

Is a private custom jeweler better than a retail store?

They suit different needs. A private studio offers one-on-one attention and a piece made around you; a retail store offers finished pieces you can take home the same day. If you want something made for one person, look for a jeweler whose process is built for that.

How do I know a diamond is what the jeweler says it is?

For significant stones, ask for an independent grading report from a respected laboratory such as the Gemological Institute of America, and check that the report number matches the inscription on the stone's girdle where present. The invoice should state the stone's key details and whether it is natural or lab-grown.

What should a custom jewelry quote include?

The stone or stones with their grades and report numbers, the metal and its karat or purity, a description or drawing of the design, the total price, payment terms, the expected timeline, and what happens if changes are requested.

Questions and answers

Frequently asked questions

Bejeweled by Shari is a private, by-appointment fine jewelry studio at 70 Bowery in Manhattan, founded by Shari Rubinstein in 1984. Every piece is quoted individually, and pieces often take six to ten weeks once the design is approved. The answers below cover the rest.

By Shari RubinsteinLast updated October 10, 2026

For fuller explanations, see the guides. If your question is not here, get in touch or call (212) 219-8541.

All questions

The studio

Who is Bejeweled by Shari?: Bejeweled by Shari is a private custom fine jewelry studio in Manhattan, founded in 1984 by Shari Rubinstein, a GIA-trained jeweler who previously worked in the industry including at Macy's and David Yurman. The legal name is Bejeweled By Shari, Ltd.; some directories list it as Shari's Jewelry.
Where is the studio?: 70 Bowery, New York, NY 10013, near Canal Street in lower Manhattan. The building spans 70 to 72 Bowery, so some listings show 72 Bowery. Phone: (212) 219-8541.
Do I need an appointment?: Yes. Shari sees clients by private appointment only, so every consultation is one-on-one. Request a time online or call (212) 219-8541.
What kinds of jewelry does Shari make?: Fine jewelry only: custom engagement rings, wedding and anniversary bands, pendants, earrings, bracelets, and redesigns of inherited jewelry. She works primarily with natural diamonds, in platinum and 18k gold.
Which areas does the studio serve?: Clients come from across New York City, including Manhattan and Brooklyn, and from New Jersey. All appointments take place at the Bowery studio.
Can I explore a design before my appointment?: Yes. The online design studio lets you upload reference photos, describe an idea, and see concept views, which you can send to Shari for a personal review. A concept image is a starting point; Shari confirms what can be made and what it will cost.

Engagement rings

Where can I get a custom engagement ring made in Manhattan?: Bejeweled by Shari is a private custom jewelry studio at 70 Bowery, New York, NY 10013, near Canal Street. Shari Rubinstein has designed fine jewelry there since founding the business in 1984. Visits are by appointment; call (212) 219-8541 or book online.
How long does a custom engagement ring take?: Often six to ten weeks from an approved design to the finished ring. Sourcing a specific diamond, an intricate design, or rounds of revisions can add time, so it is wise to begin three to four months before you hope to propose.
Can I bring my own diamond?: Yes. Shari regularly designs around a client's own stone, including inherited diamonds. She inspects the stone first to confirm it is sound and suited to the setting you want.
Do you use natural or lab-grown diamonds?: Shari works primarily with natural diamonds for fine jewelry. Lab-grown diamonds are available on request, and she explains the differences openly so you can choose.

Heirlooms and redesign

Can I redesign my grandmother's ring without losing its meaning?: Yes. Decide which element carries the meaning, often the center stone, and build the new design around it. Engraving a date or initials inside the new band, or echoing a detail from the original, can keep the connection visible.
Is it disrespectful to change an inherited ring?: Most families find that a ring worn every day honors the person more than one kept in a drawer. If relatives have feelings about the piece, it can help to involve them early in the design conversation.
Can old diamonds be reset safely?: Usually, but older stones can have chips or wear along the girdle from decades in their setting. A jeweler should inspect the stone out of the setting where possible before committing to a new design.
Can you put an old diamond in a new setting?: Yes. An inherited diamond can almost always be reset. A jeweler removes it from the old mounting, inspects it for damage, and designs the new setting around its exact dimensions.
Should I recut my grandmother's old mine or old European cut diamond?: Usually not. Recutting removes weight and changes the stone's character, and many people value old cuts precisely for their softer, broader sparkle. Recutting is worth discussing mainly when a stone has significant damage.
Do I need a GIA report for an inherited diamond?: It is not required to reset a stone, but an independent report from the Gemological Institute of America documents the diamond's identity and grades, which is useful for insurance, for confirming the stone is natural, and for the family record.
Can my jeweler melt down my old gold to make a new ring?: It is possible, but often not ideal. Old pieces can contain mixed karats, unknown alloys, and solder, which may cause porosity or weak spots in a new casting. Refining the gold or exchanging it for new alloy of the same karat usually gives a more durable result.
How is the value of old gold calculated?: By the weight of pure gold it contains, which depends on its karat, and the market price of gold at the time. Refining and handling costs are typically deducted. 14k gold is about 58.5 percent gold; 18k is 75 percent.

Diamonds

Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?: Yes. A lab-grown diamond has essentially the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as a natural diamond. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission's Jewelry Guides recognize lab-grown stones as diamonds, provided their origin is clearly disclosed.
Can you tell a lab-grown diamond from a natural one by looking?: Not with the naked eye, and usually not with a jeweler's loupe. Gemological laboratories use specialized instruments to identify a diamond's origin, which is one reason an independent grading report matters.
Why does Shari work primarily with natural diamonds?: Natural diamonds are rare and formed over geological time, and many clients want that for a piece intended to be passed down. Lab-grown prices have fallen as production has grown, which is good for budgets but makes their long-term value less predictable. Shari offers lab-grown diamonds on request and explains the tradeoffs openly.
Do lab-grown diamonds hold their value?: Resale value for any diamond is generally well below retail. Lab-grown diamond prices have dropped substantially as manufacturing has scaled, so their secondary-market value is especially uncertain. Natural diamond prices also move, but rarity supports them over the long term.

Timing

How long does a custom engagement ring take to make?: Often six to ten weeks from an approved design. Allowing two to four months from the first consultation gives time to choose a diamond and refine the design without pressure.
Can custom jewelry be rushed?: Sometimes, depending on the design, the availability of the stone, and the studio's schedule. Rushing tends to cut into design time rather than making time, so it is better to start early. Tell Shari about any fixed date at your first appointment.
When should I start a custom engagement ring before proposing?: Ideally three to four months ahead. That allows time to source the right diamond, refine the design, make the ring, and resize it if needed.

Choosing a jeweler

What should I ask a custom jeweler before commissioning a ring?: Ask who will design and oversee your piece, how stones are sourced and whether they come with independent grading reports, whether you will approve the design before production, what the written quote includes, the expected timeline, and what aftercare is offered.
Is a private custom jeweler better than a retail store?: They suit different needs. A private studio offers one-on-one attention and a piece made around you; a retail store offers finished pieces you can take home the same day. If you want something made for one person, look for a jeweler whose process is built for that.
How do I know a diamond is what the jeweler says it is?: For significant stones, ask for an independent grading report from a respected laboratory such as the Gemological Institute of America, and check that the report number matches the inscription on the stone's girdle where present. The invoice should state the stone's key details and whether it is natural or lab-grown.
What should a custom jewelry quote include?: The stone or stones with their grades and report numbers, the metal and its karat or purity, a description or drawing of the design, the total price, payment terms, the expected timeline, and what happens if changes are requested.