Frequently Asked Questions

While you are always welcome to walk in and explore our curated gallery collections during opening hours, we highly recommend booking a private appointment if you are selecting an engagement ring or wish to view specific rare gemstones. A scheduled consultation ensures you have the dedicated time and undivided attention of our team in a relaxed, private setting.

You can schedule an appointment here.

To ensure an entirely relaxed, unhurried experience, we dedicate our expertise exclusively to your needs during a scheduled appointment. Based on our studio standards, we offer focused consultations depending on your specific requirements:

• Jewellery Maintenance & Cleaning (Maximum 20 Minutes): Reserved for checking wear and tear, professional diagnosis, cleaning, or buffing and polishing to restore your piece’s original lustre.
• Gifting Assistance (Maximum 45 Minutes): Tailored for clients seeking expert guidance to pick out the perfect piece to mark a special occasion or find a meaningful gift.
• Engagement & Dress Ring Consultations (Maximum 1 Hour): A comprehensive, educational session. This hour allows you to explore precious metal weights, learn how to choose your perfect diamond, or select unique gemstones without any pressure.

For a full breakdown of what to expect during your appointment, you can read our detailed guide on the Consultations Explained page.

Our consultations are designed to be an extension of our hospitality. Rather than navigating a high-pressure retail environment, you will sit down with our team to comfortably explore design philosophies, gemstone properties, and structural fits. There is no obligation to acquire a piece during your visit; our primary goal is to provide the insight required to help you choose a future heirloom.

Our flagship studio is located at 10 Patrick Street in the historic heart of Kilkenny City. Convenient public parking is available just a short walk away at the Ormonde Street Car Park, the Market Cross Shopping Centre parking structure, or the Market Yard car park.

Every signature Rudolf Heltzel piece is wrought directly by hand from raw noble metals—a rarity in contemporary jewellery making. Our master goldsmiths repeatedly heat, draw, and hammer 18ct gold and platinum at the bench. This traditional, highly intensive manipulation alters the crystal structure of the metal, dramatically increasing its internal density and tensile strength. The result is a sculptural work of art with an exceptional finish and structural integrity built explicitly to survive generations.

We offer a tailored personalisation service across our jewellery collections, including engagement rings, wedding rings and fine jewellery. Alternative gemstones, diamond options and precious metals—such as yellow gold, white gold, rose gold and platinum—can be selected to suit your preferences. All personalisation is discussed through a consultation in our Kilkenny studio, where our goldsmiths will guide you through the available options to ensure the final piece aligns with your vision and our standards of craftsmanship.

Absolutely. We maintain rigorous ethical standards across our entire supply chain. Every diamond passing through our atelier is strictly conflict-free and sourced exclusively from trusted, legitimate suppliers who share our commitment to human rights and environmental responsibility. Furthermore, we specialise in sourcing rare, expertly cut gemstones from independent artisanal lapidaries, ensuring full transparency, exceptional pedigree, and a completely ethical provenance for your jewellery.

Although we are very proud about the durability of our pieces sometimes accidents happen and in Rudolf Heltzel we are dedicated to helping you preserve all of the special memories associated with your cherished jewellery.

If your Rudolf Heltzel piece needs any kind of repair you can visit our studio and we can offer you a consultation about the possibilities of repairing your piece.

Yes. To ensure your rings fit flawlessly and comfortably, we provide a professional ring resizing service right here in our Kilkenny studio for authentic Rudolf Heltzel creations. Whether you are adjusting a heirloom piece passed down through generations or fine-tuning the fit of a new ring, our master goldsmiths handle the alteration with meticulous care, preserving the structural integrity and seamless finish of the original hand-forged band.

To preserve the lustre of your pieces, clean them gently at home using a soft-bristled brush, warm water, and a drop of mild, phosphate-free dish soap. Avoid exposing your jewellery to harsh chemicals or abrasive surfaces. We warmly invite you to bring your Rudolf Heltzel pieces back to our Kilkenny studio periodically for complimentary professional inspection and deep cleaning.