How Are the Prices of Our 18k Gold Jewelry Set?
At SÉBASTIENNE, each piece of jewelry is made to order in France, in 18k gold or platinum. Our prices are not set randomly, nor are they disconnected from the real cost of precious materials. They are calculated as fairly as possible, taking into account the gold price, the weight of the piece, the time required for fabrication, the finishing work, the setting, and the precision needed for jewelry designed for piercing.
Gold is an economically fluctuating material: its price changes regularly. For a brand like ours, which produces made-to-order pieces rather than large series, these variations have a direct impact on production costs. This is why some prices may be adjusted over time, either upward or downward, in order to maintain fair pricing and a stable margin.
A Fair Price, Not a Fixed Price
In fine jewelry and precious body jewelry, the cost of the material represents an important part of the final price. When a piece is made in 18k gold, its price depends in particular on the weight of gold used and the gold price at the time of production.
Some larger companies are able to buy significant quantities of metal in advance and smooth out their prices over several months, or even several years. SÉBASTIENNE is an independent brand, run by a small workshop. We do not hold large stocks of gold in order to artificially freeze our prices.
This way of working has one limitation: when the gold price rises sharply, our prices sometimes need to be reassessed. But it also has an important advantage: when the cost of the material stabilizes or decreases, we can adjust certain prices in the other direction, with the same logic of transparency.
Our goal is not to change prices without reason, but to offer prices that remain consistent with the real cost of production.
Why the Price of a Piece Does Not Depend Only on Its Size
A piercing jewel may look very small, but its production requires a high level of precision. The price therefore does not depend only on the visible amount of gold.
Each piece involves several steps: designing the model, adjusting proportions, preparing the technical file, casting, refining the cast piece, sanding, polishing, stone setting when needed, and final quality control.
At SÉBASTIENNE, our pieces are designed in 3D, then printed in wax before being cast using the lost-wax casting technique in Paris, through our partner foundry. Once cast, each piece is then refined, adjusted, finished and checked in the workshop.
This method allows us to create precise jewelry adapted to the specific requirements of piercing, while preserving a great freedom of design. But it also involves time, craftsmanship and a high level of care, even for very small pieces.
Made-to-Order Jewelry
Most of our jewelry is made to order. This means that each piece is produced after the order has been confirmed, in the chosen gold color, size or configuration.
This approach helps avoid overproduction and limits unused stock. It also allows us to offer more options, especially for lengths, diameters, closure systems, gold colors and bespoke requests.
Unlike industrial production, we do not produce hundreds of identical pieces in advance. This way of working takes more time, but it allows us to create jewelry that is more precise, more adaptable and more responsible.
It also explains why our prices more closely follow the current cost of precious materials. We prefer to apply a clear and coherent method rather than adding an excessive safety margin to compensate for possible future variations.
Maintaining a Stable Margin Over Time
When a price is adjusted, it does not mean that the value of the piece has changed. The quality of the materials, the fabrication and the finishing remain the same.
The adjustment simply allows us to maintain a stable operating margin despite changes in the cost of gold, platinum, gemstones, casting or artisanal services.
This margin is essential for the brand to continue existing. It supports the time spent on design, testing, tools, refinements, quality control, customer service, packaging and all the invisible steps surrounding the creation of a piece of jewelry.
Our approach is simple: we do not artificially inflate prices when material costs rise, but we also cannot sell at a loss when costs become too high. We aim for a sustainable balance, fair both to the brand and to our customers.
Why Some Prices May Decrease
When the cost of a precious material rises, it may become necessary to review certain prices. But when the situation stabilizes, or when some costs can be recalculated more favorably, we can also adjust prices downward.
This is an important point: our method works both ways.
We do not consider price increases to be permanent when they are no longer justified by the real cost of production. If a piece can be offered at a fairer price while maintaining the same level of quality, we prefer to do so.
This transparency is part of the way we work: creating precious jewelry with care, without disconnecting the price from the reality of the workshop.
What You Are Really Paying For
When you purchase a SÉBASTIENNE piece, you are not only paying for a weight of gold.
You are paying for a precious material, craftsmanship, French-made production, a design created specifically for piercing, carefully executed finishing, quality control, made-to-order production and a small-scale artisanal approach.
Every detail matters: the thickness of a piece, the comfort when worn, the safety of the system, the quality of the polish, the precision of a setting, or the way the jewel sits on the ear, nose or body.
These elements take time, but they are essential to creating a piece that is durable, comfortable and precious.
Our Commitment
At SÉBASTIENNE, we believe in a simple idea: a precious jewel should have a price that can be understood.
Our prices may evolve because precious materials evolve. But our standards remain the same: to offer 18k gold and platinum jewelry, made to order in France, with a coherent margin, consistent quality and a transparent approach.
We do not aim to produce faster or on a larger scale. We aim to make better jewelry, at the rhythm of an independent workshop, with as much fairness as possible.
This is what guides every SÉBASTIENNE piece: a fair price, careful craftsmanship, and jewelry designed to be worn for years.
