Notes from Shenzhen
How custom jewellery gets made, what the gold and the stones really are, and what to ask before you pay. Written in Shenzhen by Ksenia Enbom, for people ordering from Australia.
Do lab-grown diamonds hold their value? A guide to resale Lab-grown diamonds can be resold, but recovering the retail price is unlikely. Learn what affects an offer and how to avoid overpaying. 
Are lab-grown diamonds real? What testers and jewellers can tell Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. Learn what a tester can show, how a jeweller checks origin, and what an IGI report confirms. 
How to match a wedding band to an engagement ring in Australia Choose a wedding band that works with your engagement ring: straight or contoured, flush or with a gap, and matched or contrasting metals. 
Moissanite vs lab-grown diamond: price, sparkle and which to choose Moissanite usually costs less and shows more rainbow fire. Compare it with a lab-grown diamond for appearance, everyday wear and what your quote covers. Oval vs round engagement ring: size, sparkle, price and fit Compare oval and round engagement rings by visible size, sparkle, price and how each shape looks on the hand. What does a right-hand ring mean when you buy it for yourself? A right-hand ring can mean whatever its wearer chooses. Learn how to choose a self-purchased diamond ring for your hand, habits and budget. 
Toi et moi ring meaning: two stones, one ring, and how to wear it A toi et moi ring pairs two stones on one band. Learn what it means, where the design came from, and how to wear it with a wedding band. 
18ct vs 14ct vs 9ct gold: 750, 585 and 375 for an everyday ring Compare 18ct, 14ct and 9ct gold for purity, colour, wear and price. ENBOM makes 18ct as standard and 14ct on request. 
How long does a custom engagement ring take? Usually three to four weeks A custom ring usually reaches you in Australia three to four weeks after you order. Production itself is 21 days from payment to dispatch. 
How much does custom jewellery cost? Two real quotes at USD 950 and USD 3,150 See two real custom jewellery quotes and Australia's 2026 average engagement ring spend, with the limits of comparing them. 
IGI certificate check: match the report number to the stone Check an IGI report against the stone, recognise the limits of a matching number and save IGI’s PDF when the report page offers it. Import duty and GST on jewellery in Australia: what you pay above AUD 1,000 Above AUD 1,000, ABF charges 10% GST, customs duty and border fees on imported jewellery; under it, GST is usually charged at checkout instead. Lab-grown diamond tennis bracelet: a real 2.76-carat order for Australia A bezel-set lab-grown diamond tennis bracelet, 2.76 carats in total, made for a client in Australia and quoted at USD 3,150 — plus a pear pendant and studs. 
IGI or GIA for a lab-grown diamond? IGI still grades colour and clarity Since October 2025, GIA sorts lab-grown diamonds into Premium or Standard, while IGI still grades colour and clarity. Which report compares stones. Ordering a custom ring online: six checks before you pay Ordering a custom engagement ring or fine jewellery online from Australia? Check the 3D model, stone report, gold test, payments, delivery risk and warranty. Custom ring from Pinterest photo: what changes before casting A custom ring can start with a Pinterest photo. See what to send, how the design changes for your hand, and what you approve before casting. 
1 carat diamond size difference: how 0.5 mm becomes 17% more visible area Two 1-carat rounds can measure 6.0 and 6.5 mm across, giving the wider stone about 17% more visible area. 
Shenzhen jewellery market: how I choose and check work in Shuibei Shuibei is Shenzhen's jewellery market in Luohu. Ksenia Enbom explains how she chooses workshops and checks custom pieces for Australia.