Jewelry has always been more than metal and stone. It tells stories. It holds memories. It captures emotions that words sometimes fail to express. At Colonial Jewelers, located in the heart of historic downtown Frederick, Maryland, jewelry becomes personal through the art of custom design. From one-of-a-kind engagement rings to heirloom transformations, Colonial Jewelers is redefining what it means to create meaningful jewelry—crafted not just for beauty, but for legacy.
This deep dedication to individualized design is what sets Colonial Jewelers apart. As fourth-generation owners of a business rooted in nearly 105 years of history, the team at Colonial understands the sentimental weight jewelry can carry. Their custom design services invite clients to be part of the process—to collaborate, learn, and witness the transformation of ideas into tangible, wearable works of art.
In a world filled with mass production and fleeting trends, Colonial Jewelers proudly stands as one of the few jewelers in Frederick offering truly personalized, in-house custom jewelry services that blend state-of-the-art technology with old-world craftsmanship.
The Journey Begins: Personalized Design Consultations
The custom design experience at Colonial Jewelers always begins with a conversation. Whether a client walks in with a fully-formed idea or just a vague sense of inspiration, the first step is a personalized design consultation. This is where creativity begins to take shape, and where the store’s expert team starts learning about the client’s story, goals, and vision.
Clients sit down with GIA-certified gemologists, CAD designers, and in some cases, master jewelers, to explore possibilities. Some are looking to design the perfect engagement ring from scratch. Others come with a cherished heirloom that needs new life. Some want to create something meaningful for a major life milestone—a birth, a retirement, a celebration of recovery. No matter the occasion, the process is always highly collaborative and centered on the client’s emotional and aesthetic preferences.
“Every piece starts with a story,” says Sarah Hurwitz Robey, the fourth-generation owner of Colonial Jewelers. “We want to know what that story is so we can translate it into something beautiful and lasting.”
Technology Meets Tradition: CAD and 3D Modeling
Once the initial consultation wraps up and a vision is sketched out, the design team gets to work. Using state-of-the-art CAD (computer-aided design) software, Colonial Jewelers brings designs to life in a digital space. This technology allows clients to see highly detailed renderings of their piece—complete with dimensions, textures, and stone placements—before anything is physically made.
This step is especially valuable for clients who have never commissioned custom jewelry before. It removes the guesswork and provides a sense of reassurance. “With CAD modeling, clients can visualize the final product,” says one of Colonial’s in-house designers. “They can tweak the prongs, change the band width, or even see how different stones look. It gives them a sense of ownership in the creative process.”
After the CAD design is finalized, many pieces are also 3D-printed in wax, allowing customers to hold a model of their piece in their hands. This tactile preview adds yet another layer of confidence and excitement before the crafting begins.
Crafted In-House: Where Art Comes to Life
Unlike many retailers who outsource their production, Colonial Jewelers takes pride in crafting most of their custom work on-site. Their in-house studio is staffed by seasoned master jewelers who have honed their craft over decades. Here, skill and artistry converge to bring each custom design to life with precision and care.
This hands-on approach ensures a higher level of quality control and faster turnaround times, but more importantly, it maintains the emotional connection between client and craftsperson. When clients know their piece is being made right there, by real people who care deeply about the result, it adds a layer of meaning that no online platform can replicate.
This in-house capability is also what allows Colonial to offer jewelry repair, resizing, engraving, and heirloom restyling services—all performed by the same artisans who craft new pieces from scratch.
Transforming the Past: Heirloom Restyling
One of the most powerful services Colonial Jewelers offers is heirloom restyling. Many clients come in with pieces that once belonged to parents, grandparents, or other loved ones. These treasures carry emotional value but often no longer match the wearer’s style. Rather than letting these pieces collect dust in a drawer, Colonial’s design team helps families give them new life.
The restyling process starts by evaluating the piece’s current condition—its stones, metal, setting, and structure. Then, the design team and client work together to envision how the elements can be transformed. A pair of outdated earrings might become a modern pendant. An inherited wedding set might be reimagined into a right-hand ring or bracelet. Even fragments of broken pieces can be used to create something new and beautiful.
The beauty of this process is that it honors the past while making space for the present. “Heirloom redesigns are some of our most emotional projects,” says Sarah Hurwitz Robey. “You can feel the connection between generations. There’s often a moment when the client sees the final piece and tears up. That’s when we know we’ve done our job.”
The Experts Behind the Craft
The success of Colonial Jewelers’ custom design services wouldn’t be possible without the talented individuals behind the scenes. The store employs a team of GIA-certified gemologists, CAD specialists, and master bench jewelers, each bringing their own expertise to the table.
Gemologists assist clients in selecting the perfect stones—diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and more—based on both aesthetic appeal and practical factors like durability and value. Their training from the Gemological Institute of America ensures that every stone is ethically sourced and accurately graded.
Meanwhile, the jewelers who fabricate each custom piece bring decades of hands-on experience and a passion for perfection. These are craftsmen who know how to work with platinum, gold, and silver. They understand the intricacies of tension settings, pave styles, and bezel work. They know how to bring out a stone’s brilliance, not just through setting but through balance, proportion, and polish.
A Collaborative, Educational Experience
What truly distinguishes Colonial Jewelers is the way they engage clients throughout the design journey. Rather than rushing the process or pushing certain styles, the team takes the time to educate clients about their options. This includes explanations of stone grading, metal properties, wearability, and maintenance. Clients walk away with not only a custom piece of jewelry, but a deeper understanding of what went into it.
This commitment to education fosters trust and empowers clients to make decisions with confidence. Whether it’s a first-time buyer designing an engagement ring or a seasoned collector looking to create something unique, everyone is treated with respect and patience.
More Than Jewelry—Moments That Last
Every custom project that passes through Colonial Jewelers’ doors is rooted in something meaningful. An engagement ring represents a lifelong promise. A redesigned brooch carries the spirit of a grandmother into a new generation. A birthstone pendant celebrates the arrival of a child. These are not just transactions—they’re transformations.
This emotional element is something Colonial takes very seriously. It’s why they listen so intently, why they obsess over the details, and why they insist on keeping the process personal. Jewelry may be a physical object, but at Colonial, it's also a vessel for memories.
Supporting the Local Community
Colonial Jewelers isn’t just a business—it’s part of Frederick’s cultural fabric. They have supported countless local charities, schools, and community events over the years. Their presence in downtown Frederick goes far beyond their storefront. They are mentors to young artisans, supporters of local non-profits, and hosts of educational events designed to introduce the public to the art and science of fine jewelry.
Being local and independent allows them to offer a level of service and connection that’s rare in today’s retail landscape. Customers aren't just clients—they’re neighbors, friends, and part of the Colonial Jewelers family.
Why Choose Colonial for Custom Jewelry?
In a world full of online jewelers and impersonal shopping experiences, Colonial Jewelers offers something different: authenticity. They don’t just sell jewelry—they co-create it with you. With a proven history, a commitment to craftsmanship, and a team of highly trained experts, they bring your vision to life in a way that is uniquely personal.
From start to finish, the process is guided by trust, transparency, and artistic excellence. Whether you’re creating something entirely new or breathing life into a family treasure, the Colonial team is ready to make your vision a reality.
And for those looking for custom, high-quality craftsmanship from a trusted local source, there’s no better option than Colonial Jewelers. After all, they’ve been serving the community for over a century—and they’re still creating magic, one piece at a time.
It’s no surprise that when people search for jewelers in Frederick, they find a name synonymous with quality, heritage, and artistry: Colonial Jewelers.