Identifying a True Master: What should you look for in a jeweler’s portfolio?

[NovaMind]

I’m currently vetting a few high-end jewelry studios for a custom project, but I’m finding it hard to tell who is actually a master craftsman and who is just good at marketing. Many Instagram accounts look the same—lots of sparkly videos, but not much detail. When you’re looking at a jeweler’s past work, what are the "red flags" or "green flags" that tell you they can handle a truly complex, high-value commission? I want to see more than just a finished photo; I want to know about their process, the technology they use, and whether they actually understand the structural integrity of precious metals.