The Sketch Session · Niagara
See your ring before it's ever made.
Sit across from Nick — pencil in hand — and watch your idea come to life on paper. One hour. One sketch. Yours to keep, whatever you decide next.
60 minutes · Hand-drawn sketch included · No commitment to commission
Why People Book This
You've been thinking about popping the question. You still haven't found the ring that feels right.
You've scrolled hundreds of rings. Some are close. None feel right. You know what you want — you just can't say it in words a catalogue understands.
Here's what most people feel, but rarely say out loud:
- —Every store shows you what they have — not what you imagined.
- —You're afraid of spending $5,000 on the wrong ring.
- —You can't describe the idea in your head — you just know it when you see it.
- —You want it to feel personal, not picked from a tray.
The sketch session exists for exactly this moment. You talk. Nick draws. In 60 minutes, that feeling in your head becomes a drawing in your hand — before a single dollar is committed to the ring itself.
What You Walk Away With
For $99, here's exactly what you walk away with.
No sales pitch. No commitment. Just one private hour — and a plan for a deeply touching ring that will blow both of you away.
01
A hand-drawn sketch, sealed by Lessard Coutu.
Your ring — on paper — completed in your presence. Yours to keep, frame, or fold into a proposal box. No matter what happens next, the drawing is yours.
02
Absolute clarity before you commit.
$99 now means no $5,000 regret later. You leave knowing exactly what you want — the shape, the feel, the details — before a single stone is set.
03
One hour with someone who only listens.
Nick asks about the story, not the budget. No upsell. No catalogue. Just a second-generation jeweller who's been doing this his whole life — and a pencil.
The sketch session costs $99. The average bespoke ring at Lessard Coutu is $4,200. The session pays for itself the moment it stops you from ordering the wrong one.
In person · Niagara-on-the-Lake · By appointment
How It Works
Three steps to the sketch that starts everything.
You book.
Reserve your 60-minute session online. $99 holds your time with Nick. No deposit on a ring. No commitment beyond the hour.
You talk. He listens.
Can you talk about the love of your life for an hour? If the answer is 'only one hour?' This is going to be an incredible ring. Tell Nick the story — the memories, the feelings. He asks the questions no catalogue ever asks. Then he picks up his pencil.
You leave with the drawing.
A hand-rendered sketch of your ring, signed and completed in your presence. It's yours — whether you commission the ring or not. That is the promise.
Nick takes a limited number of sketch sessions each month.
Current availability: this week and next.
In person · Niagara-on-the-Lake · By appointment
Your Jeweller
The kind of craftsman who knows your name.
Nick is a second-generation jeweller. He grew up watching his parents, Marianne and Moe, build Lessard Coutu Atelier from a single workshop in 1990. More than twenty years of bespoke work later, his approach is unchanged.
He doesn't show you a catalogue. He asks about the moment you knew. He asks what you want the ring to feel like when she looks down at her hand in ten years. Then he draws.
The sketch session is how every commission begins. For many clients, it is the most meaningful hour of the whole process.
Nick Coutu
Lead Jeweller, Lessard Coutu Atelier
What Clients Say
Trusted for over three decades.
"I had an amazing experience working with Nick at Lessard Coutu on my engagement ring. From the very start, he was so welcoming and genuinely interested in the details of my love story, which helped us create a ring that truly captures my journey. His communication was excellent throughout the process, and when I had a specific stone shape and style in mind he was up for the challenge, he found one better than I ever imagined. Nick is personable, attentive, and incredibly efficient — I couldn't recommend him more!"
Brittany St-Amand · 10 months ago
"Incredible! My fiancée is OBSESSED with her new ring! We both went into the process with little knowledge on engagement rings and appreciate all of the guidance that Nick provided us with. He had the challenge of taking two of my heirloom engagement rings and crafting them into a new beautiful custom design that encompassed our love. He did a beautiful job, the design of the ring was perfect and exactly what we wanted. The prototype designs were very detailed and realistic. Seeing the final result in-person was even better!"
Grant Wignall · 2 years ago
"When I first went to the shop, I was amazed and impressed, not because of the dazzling showcases and grandiose entrance like you see in the chain stores; but rather, I was amazed by the family dynamic of the Lessard Coutu family. With Marianne hard at work molding, shaping, and carving, while Marci was polishing and finishing and Moe was ensuring I was comfortable and teaching me about what and how they do it. The entire Coutu family delivered an exceptional Christmas to my mother who has wanted Pearl Earrings her whole life."
Scott Matthew · 2 years ago
"10/10 experience working with Nick and the team at Lessard Coutu. Our custom engagement ring was created ahead of schedule, and within budget. The entire process from start to finish was very smooth, and I could not recommend working with them enough."
Matt Costanzo · 8 months ago
"Nick, I have to express my sincerest gratitude and appreciation for your amazing work. The ring was something snipped out of my dreams! I truly appreciate all the time you spent working with my two best friends and designing such a beautiful ring I will wear for the rest of my life! Thank you so much and we will be back!"
Kaitlynn Lutomski · a year ago
"Couldn't have asked for a better experience when designing my engagement ring from beginning to end with Nick, Moe and the rest of the team. I learned so much and the ring turned out better than I could have possibly imagined! Very highly recommend this team of spectacular professionals!"
Nicholas Wittig · 2 years ago
"Had a great experience with Nick and the team at Lessard Coutu. They were able to create the perfect custom engagement ring and wedding bands for me and my fiancé. Would recommend 10/10."
Mike Moloney · a year ago
"A great spot to make the perfect ring. Nick and the team are super helpful and prompt, very great experience, highly recommend."
Jim F · 5 months ago
Visit the Atelier
Niagara
Reserve Your Session
Your sketch session with Nick. $99.
Choose a time below. Nick confirms within one business day. Show up ready to talk. Leave with something permanently yours.
In person · Niagara-on-the-Lake · By appointment · $99 collected at checkout