special one-off pieces of Jewellery
One of my absolute favourite things to do, is to design and make special one-off pieces of jewellery for individual customers. I still get excited when someone contacts me about making a custom piece, especially if the piece is a gift for a special birthday, wedding, anniversary or another significant life event. I’m often asked what the process is for getting a custom piece of jewellery made, so I decide to write this blog to outline the process.
When someone is interested in a custom piece of jewellery, the process usually begins with a simple enquiry via email (KatherineWilseyJewellery@gmail.com), my contact page or the various social media channels that I use - I use Instagram and Facebook the most.
Some people know exactly what they want and if that’s the case, it’s usually a straightforward case of me designing the piece and providing an initial quote. Customers sometimes send me photos of designs that they like or photos of jewellery that they already wear, which is helpful for me to get an idea about the person’s style. I usually send sketches of the design that I am thinking of making, to make sure that we’re both on the same page before I get started.
When customers are not sure about what they want, I can help to come up with ideas based on who the custom piece is for, budget, and the significance of the piece, e.g. milestone birthday, anniversary, commemorative piece. Sending me photos of the person who the piece is for is helpful too, as I can usually get a feel for the type of jewellery that they usually wear.
Before starting the design process, the types of things that I usually need to know are;
The type of jewellery I am being asked to make, i.e. ring, necklace, bangle
The type of precious metal that I am being asked to use
If it’s gold that the customer is interested in, we need to decide on the carat of gold to use, e.g. 9, 18, 24. The higher the number, the more expensive the gold costs and the deeper the colour of yellow. 9 carat gold is very durable and a popular choice if gold is being requested.
The type(s) of gemstone(s), if applicable
Sizing, e.g. ring size, necklace chain length, bangle diameter/circumference
My Size Guide usually helps in choosing the size needed
The price of precious metals often fluctuates, so I sometimes provide an initial quote as well as a final quote. These quotes can sometimes vary, depending on the time between the initial quote and the beginning of the making process. Differing quotes is more likely when working with gold and if there are more than just a few weeks between the initial quote and the start of the making process, as the price difference over time can be significantly different. I always try to honour the initial quote as much as possible, and if there is likely to be a significant increase between the initial and final quote, I make sure I let customers know before making the final piece.
I usually need 1-3 months to make a custom piece, depending on how complex the piece is and the number of other commissions that I am working on at the time. Saying that, if a piece is simple, the timeframe needed can sometimes be a lot quicker. I always try to set realistic timeframes. If someone has a specific deadline, like a birthday or anniversary, I can work towards dates given to me.
Check out the videos below of some of the special pieces that I’ve designed and made recently, and if you’d like something special made, please do get in touch.
9 Carat Gold & Diamond Floral Wedding Ring
9 Carat Gold Holy Communion Cross
Amethyst Statement Ring
18 Carat Gold Sapphire Ring