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dotOnly recycled precious metals and not directly mined and therefore no further displacement of fragile eco-systems.
dotLocally-gathered surface stones.
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Cruelty-free and suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
dot15% of profits donated to wildlife protection and re-naturing - also land-care education in developing countries.
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A genuine approach to chemical-hazard-free crafting.
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No plating. No casting. Nothing designed or made with computer software.
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Carbon-inverted targets (Dedicated to putting more back into nature than taking from it).
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Every detail handmade by Laibach.
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No greenwash answers to customer questions.
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No newly-mined gems ... ever.
dotAtelier Laibach is the first jewellery maker worldwide to use
The  About The NOVA Key Ethical Label Key ethical label.

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Ethical Jewellery Gift Voucher
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Atelier Laibach jewellery pouch
Your jewellery piece comes in a Kerstin Laibach handmade pouch made with bamboo / hemp, raffia and vegan sealing wax.

HOME... A UNIQUE ETHOS » COLLECTIONS » ORDERING INFORMATION » PRICING GUIDE

Path Rings - Copyright Kerstin Laibach Kerstin Laibach
Bespoke Jewellery Entirely Handmade with Unparalleled Ethical Principles

If you are requesting a price estimate for Laibach goldsmith work in high value precious metals (and perhaps with antique precious stones) and are unfamiliar with the associated costs, please read the following:

The few remaining entirely (genuinely) handmade goldsmith practices are traditionally found (and truly understood in the central strip of European countries, particularly Germany and Switzerland, where focus on technical precision and creative perfection is paramount. Originally, such unique craft works were only available to view directly in the local goldsmith ateliers of the regions. Visiting such an atelier in person will always be the best way to recognise the stark difference between genuine goldmith artistry and high street / internet "designer" jewellery; and some of Kerstin Laibach's most valued clients will always prefer to meet and discuss their exact wishes with Kerstin in person in the lovely surroundings of her atelier. Ethical wedding couples in particular love the concept of being able to come to the studio and take part in the first forging processes of their rings. But the internet has however created a window that can (but only superficially) present this exceptional standard of true goldsmithing to the wider world.
With the wide reach of the internet in mind, it is quite unusual for a fine-goldsmith from this region to also be offering individual pieces in silver; such immaculately handcrafted works would usually only be offered locally in high-end precious metals. But Kerstin Laibach believes that providing options in recycled Sterling silver gives on-line English speaking customers from all parts of the world (perhaps with a restricted budget) an opportunity to acquire an heirloom quality, purely handmade piece at a reachable price. Laibach pieces made in Sterling silver, as opposed to their counterparts made in high-end golds and platinum, also reveals the dramatic difference in precious metal value. The exact same standard of workmanship is applied to a Laibach piece in recycled Sterling silver as it is in recycled platinum or gold ... it is simply the cost of the precious metal that dictates the much higher price.
Kerstin Laibach receives many price requests for gold / platinum pieces (based on the examples shown on this website). A high proportion of these requests are based on web-browsing curiosity or "price comparison" rather than prior understanding of the significant costs of much higher value precious metals combined with commissioning true goldsmith standard design and workmanship. There is a significant difference between a Laibach ethical goldsmith piece and the standards of an increasing number of dilettante jewellery makers and factory cast repetitions overwhelming the internet (particularly in English language countries). Such jewellers may use high-end precious metals but crafting skill, ethics and most significantly the quantity of precious metals a piece contains ... (and quality of stones where applicable) is of a questionable standard.
Kerstin Laibach creates her pieces with lifelong expectations ... robustness through strong, tactile design and exacting goldsmith standards. If sourcing antique precious stones, she uses a keen professional eye to choose only the most exceptional (attractive) for the design.
Therefore, please only request a high-end cost estimate if you have already familiarized yourself in advance with gold and platinum precious metal values (and if applicable, have understood how costs of antique precious stones differ from new-mined). Please also appreciate the value of notable skill-sets required for individually hand-forged, highly personalised fine-goldsmithing; heirloom pieces made without casting, computer design or other technological fabrication.
With these factors in mind, please ensure that you have prepared your budget for such an investment. If you are considering rings in recycled 18ct gold or platinum for example, please also take careful note of the width, thickness and of course size you would prefer as these factors can alter the price greatly due the quantity of high-end precious metal(s) in your rings.
Because Kerstin Laibach hand makes to your exact requirements you may however find that a high end precious metal ring made narrower and a little thinner (but still solid) may still provide you with a beautiful ring but which will also fit comfortably within your budget.
For wedding and engagement couples commissioning high-end precious metal / diamond rings, Kerstin prefers to meet you both in person - either at her atelier in the Black Forest or a pre-arranged location in south or west England. Please
get in touch if you wish to commission Kerstin Laibach to create your rings. It is worth noting however that longer distance commissioning, purely dependant through on-line correspondence, achieves an equally satisfactory result for Kerstin Laibach's clients. Please also note that there is a charge for estimates of complex design and also charge(s) for design sketches. These charges are mostly credited towards the final cost of your piece if you go ahead with comissioning. (The estimate charge and design sketch charges are not returnable if you do not go ahead with commissioning.)

REMINDER NOTE: If you are requesting a personal cost estimate for rings, particularly in platinum and gold, it is essential that you provide as close as possible your ring finger size(s) and also indicate the rings width(s) you would prefer.

AN EXAMPLE OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SILVER AND GOLD PRICES:

Personal cost estimates are undertaken personally by Kerstin Laibach based on a client's unique requirements, and the type of precious metals requested can make a considerable difference to the end value. Calculating an estimate for a meticulously crafted handmade bespoke piece, based on individual requirements takes considerable time to prepare and is based on the current market price of precious metals.

While the price estimate of a Laibach "Hasel" ring 6mm wide - 2mm thick in Sterling silver may be approximately 160 Euro, its equivalent in 18ct gold may estimate at roughly 1,700 Euro. Not only does the type of precious metal dramatically alter the ring's end value but also its size, width and thickness.
Being hand forged from the raw precious metals, all Laibach ring designs can be made in the measurements most suited to its wearer.
Please also consider that a ring for a large finger could contain a third more precious metal than the identical design ring for a small finger.

However, please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have a restricted budget and would like to enquire about affordable precious metal options/combinations which Kerstin Laibach can suggest and calculate for you. In such cases it would be most helpful if you can state your budget when enquiring - particularly with rings.
If you require rings, please remember to provide as much sizing detail as possible.

WHY ONLY A COST ESTIMATE AND NOT AN EXACT QUOTE?

The prices of pieces in Sterling silver, such as band rings can be priced exactly when enquiring (based on your quoted ring size). This is because the value of silver is very much lower than for example, the same ring in platinum. The higher the value of precious metal means it is not possible to determine the exact end cost because:
a.) The pure hand crafting process means a little less or a little more precious metals may be used during crafting - and every gram of such a high value metal can alter the cost of the piece based on the final weight.
b.) The amount of precious metal needed for a ring can vary dramatically based on ring size. I.e. much more precious metal is needed for a large ring. A much closer cost estimate can be provided once Kerstin Laibach has your exact ring measurements (upon return of the supplied ring-sizer which is sent after ordering).
Note that the initial cost estimate you will be provided with is more often than not a very close estimate.

FOOTNOTE REGARDING END COST BASED ON EXACT PRECIOUS METAL USAGE:
Kerstin Laibach is a skilled goldsmith and not a "brand" or factory / cast jewellery company and there is a distinct difference. Kerstin makes every last detail of your piece entirely by hand and as previously mentioned, from the outset she does not use computers to design or have any piece processed or cast by computer controlled machinery etc. Therefore, your piece is uniquely crafted with its final end material cost being determined exactly on the amount of precious materials used and the associated material's weight. Depending on the intricacy of the design, the end cost of the finished piece can occasionally total to plus or minus up to 10% of the estimate. (But is quite often almost exact to the original estimate.)

Please also see the Laibach ring-sizing requirements here.

MORE ORDERING INFORMATION

How to Order a Piece
Delivery / Shipping Information
Returns
Sending Us Items

For all enquiries please see the Atelier Laibach contact page