Signet ring with engraved monogram: wax model, casting, seal

I am looking for a jeweller who can make a signet ring as a birthday present for my father. The monogram is personal and nothing more than that: two letters of his initials, woven into each other. I want to say plainly at the start that I am not asking for a coat of arms, a family crest, a state emblem or any sign that could be taken for an official mark. The ring is decorative. It does not certify anything and will never be used on documents; the wax impression is meant for family letters and gift envelopes, and that is the whole of its job.

On material I am still deciding and would like your opinion. My first thought is silver, with gilding applied afterwards, but brass with the same gilding is fine with me if you think it holds the engraving better for the money. I understand that items made of precious metals fall under the established hallmarking and assay rules, and I am ready to have the piece registered exactly as the rules require, without shortcuts. One thing is not negotiable: my father reacts badly to nickel, so the alloy has to be chosen with that in mind, and I would rather hear that a certain alloy is unsuitable than find out later on his skin.

As for the shape, the face is oval, worn lengthwise along the finger. The lettering should be calm and readable, no flourishes, no sharp thorns on the serifs: he is a quiet man and a showy ring would simply stay in its box. I would like the engraving cut deep enough for the wax impression to read cleanly, and at the same time the outer edge softened so the ring does not catch on a sleeve or a coat lining. The size is taken from his finger with a small allowance for warm weather, when hands swell a little. Around the monogram I would like a matte ground, with the rim and the shank polished, so the letters are read by contrast rather than by shine.

What I expect from the work:

— a drawing of the monogram first, two or three variants of the interlacing, for approval before anything is cut;
— a wax model of the ring shown to me before casting, so the height of the face and the thickness of the shank can be corrected;
— casting, cleaning up and hand engraving of the face, then gilding;
— a date engraved inside the shank, small and shallow, so it is not felt by the finger;
— polished rim and shank, matte ground around the letters, edge softened;
— a simple case, nothing loud, and a wax stick so he can try the impression the same evening;
— photographs at the drawing, wax and pre-gilding stages, and a clear list of what is included in the price.

Please tell me your price, how long each stage takes, and what you would change in my plan. The budget and the twelve days in the header are my expectation, not a demand; if the deadline is unrealistic for hand engraving, say so and name your own.