Custom-Designed Jewelry

Design a Unique Piece of Jewelry

Create one of a kind piece of jewelry by working with the Master Jeweler at J. Dery Jewelers. You will be thrilled with the quality and beauty of your new piece of jewelry. We're a family-owned jewelry store that's been in business for over 40 years.

How We Create Our Jewelry

We use three different methods to create custom jewelry for you: hand carving wax, hand fabrication, and computer-aided design (CAD). No matter the method used, you will love our quality. The beauty is in the details. 

Our gemstones are securely set with precision. Finishing and polishing details are very important to us. Structural integrity and exceptional beauty are what you can expect and what sets our jewelry apart from the rest. Please allow us to custom craft a piece just for you. 

In our master jeweler's own words ""I have had a ‘lifelong’ love and deep interest in gemology and metal work. I have enjoyed mining and collecting minerals since I was

8 years old."

Utilize the Latest Technology

CAD Service

This technique produces a wax pattern with the most extreme precision using Computer Aided Design. CAD can be used to create any item of jewelry limited only by your imagination. With this technology, an image is produced on the computer, a wax is then fashioned, and through Lost Wax Casting,

your item is handcrafted into a unique piece.

Handmade Custom Wax Carving (Lost Wax Casting)

Let us hand sculpt a custom wax pattern that will fit your engagement ring. It will appear that the rings were made together as a set. We also turn two-dimensional designs into a hand-sculpted three-dimensional wax pattern that is then, via lost wax casting, transformed into an elegant piece of fine jewelry. 

Hand Fabrication

Hand forges gold and platinum into custom jewelry pieces.

Learn About How We Started

Master Jeweler, Graduate Gemologist Joel Dery was born and raised in Wisconsin. While taking two elective courses in jewelry manufacturing at Seymour High School, he developed an interest in jewelry and was inspired to continue his jewelry education. Joel eventually made the decision to pursue a career in the jewelry industry while attending the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay. After two years at UWGB, he transferred to Northeast Wisconsin Technical College to earn a degree in Jewelry Manufacturing, Sales, and Service, where he completed the program in 1985.

While already working in the industry as a bench jeweler, Joel decided to take his education to the next level in 1986. He enrolled in the Gemological Institute of America in Santa Monica, California, where he earned a Graduate Gemologist degree in 1987. Upon graduation, he took a position as a custom jeweler in the Pacific Palisades, followed by his eventual move to San Diego in 1989 for a position in La Jolla. He worked for many years at Exclusive Opals and Diamonds in La Mesa. In 1993, Joel opened the doors of J. Dery Jewelers in La Mesa, California, where today Joel continues to work with clients fulfilling all of their custom jewelry and repair needs.