One of the questions I'm asked most often is how the bespoke design process actually works. Whether you're commissioning an engagement ring, a sentimental keepsake or a completely custom piece, I wanted to break down each stage of the journey so you know exactly what to expect before we begin.
Every bespoke commission is different, but the process is always collaborative, transparent and designed to ensure you end up with something that's uniquely yours.
Deciding if We're the Right Fit
Before submitting a bespoke enquiry, I always recommend spending some time exploring my previous work.
Browse the bespoke gallery, take a look through Instagram and explore the current collection on the website. This will give you a feel for my design style, craftsmanship and the types of projects I specialise in. It can also help you understand how different metals and gemstones influence the overall cost of a piece.
Custom commissions currently begin at £600 for silver and £1,000 for gold or platinum.
Once you have a good idea of what you're looking for and have a realistic budget available, the first step is to purchase a Custom Design Deposit.
The Custom Design Deposit
Before submitting a bespoke enquiry, a £100 Custom Design Deposit is required.
This payment covers the extensive design development involved in taking your idea and developing it into a considered, workable piece of jewellery. It allows me to spend the necessary time researching materials and gemstones, refining ideas, considering construction and developing a design with you.
The deposit is credited in full against the final balance of your commission. It isn't an additional fee on top of the cost of your finished jewellery.
Your deposit is valid for 6 months from the date of purchase, giving us a defined window in which to work through your design.
Once you've purchased your deposit, you'll receive an order number which you'll include when submitting your Custom Request.
Please only purchase the deposit when you're ready to begin the process and have a realistic budget available for the finished piece. If you're still exploring ideas or working out what you can spend, there's no need to purchase a deposit yet.
Budgets: Expectation vs Reality
One of the things I ask for on my request form is your budget.
This isn't to limit your creativity. It's to help me understand what you're hoping to achieve and make the best possible use of your budget, while ensuring the materials and construction are appropriate for the design.
Not all metals are created equally. A piece crafted in sterling silver or 9ct gold will have a very different price point to one made in 18ct gold, platinum or 22ct gold, simply because of the cost of the raw materials.
The same applies to gemstones.
A common misconception is that gemstones are available in any size, colour and quality at a fixed price. While that can sometimes be the case with laboratory-grown or synthetic stones, natural gemstones are entirely different. Each stone is unique, with its own characteristics and variations. Factors such as colour, cut, clarity and rarity all influence a gemstone's value, meaning two natural stones of the same size can differ dramatically in price.
Then there's the craftsmanship itself.
Every bespoke piece is made individually, and additional details such as hand engraving, stone setting, sculptural elements or complex construction all add time to the making process. The more intricate the design, the more hours are required to bring it to life.
I'll always work with you to design within your budget where possible, and I'll advise you if your specifications would require an increase in budget.
For example, if your initial budget is £1,000 but the design you have in mind would require £5,000 worth of materials and labour, I'll let you know before production is agreed. We can then look at whether the design can be adapted to work within your original budget, or whether you'd prefer to increase your budget to achieve the original design.
The aim isn't to squeeze a design into an arbitrary figure. It's to find the right balance between your ideas, your budget and what is technically and materially possible.
Sourcing & Designing
The bespoke process is highly collaborative.
Once I understand your vision, I'll begin researching suitable gemstones and materials, developing design concepts and refining them with your feedback.
Depending on the project, this may involve:
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Exploring different design options
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Sourcing suitable gemstones and materials
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Refining proportions, details and construction
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Discussing alternative materials or stones where appropriate
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Developing the design into something technically workable
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Preparing a tailored quotation for the finished piece
The £100 Custom Design Deposit covers this design development, and is then credited in full against the final balance if you proceed with the commission.
The deposit doesn't guarantee that an initial idea will ultimately fit within the budget you've provided. Instead, it allows us to properly explore the idea and establish what is realistically achievable before you commit to production.
Once the design has been finalised, I'll provide your final quotation and we can confirm an available production month.
One thing to note is that gemstones cannot always be reserved while designs are being developed. Most suppliers won't hold stones indefinitely, so materials are only secured once your design has been approved and the required payment has been made.
Due to the fluctuating price of precious metals, gold and precious metal quotations are valid for 14 days from the date they are issued. If payment isn't received within this period, the quotation may need to be recalculated to reflect current metal prices and gemstone availability.
Confirming Your Commission
Once your design and quotation have been agreed, your production month will be confirmed and the remaining balance will be invoiced.
The £100 design deposit is deducted from this final balance.
The remaining balance is due by the 1st of your scheduled production month, unless another arrangement has been agreed in writing. Production does not begin until the commission has been paid in full.
Your production month is a period reserved specifically for making your piece. It isn't an appointment, but rather the point at which your commission enters my studio schedule.
If you need to change your production month, please give me as much notice as possible. I'll always do my best to move your commission to another available month, but a particular alternative date cannot be guaranteed.
Your Deposit Is Valid for Six Months
The Custom Design Deposit is valid for 6 months from the date of purchase.
The deposit is intended for clients who are ready to work through the design process. If you decide not to proceed, stop responding, or do not continue with the process within the six-month validity period, the deposit will become void.
If your circumstances change and you need to pause the process, please contact me before your deposit expires. Extensions may be considered depending on the circumstances and studio availability, but cannot be guaranteed.
This system allows me to dedicate proper time to each custom enquiry while keeping my production schedule manageable and fair to everyone commissioning work.
The Production Process
Once your design has been approved, your invoice has been paid and your materials have been secured, your commission officially enters production.
Every piece is made by hand in my Yorkshire studio. Depending on the design, this may involve hand fabrication, wax carving for casting, engraving, stone setting, polishing and final finishing.
Every stage is completed with care, from the first piece of metal through to the final polish, with close attention paid to both the appearance and construction of the finished piece.
Throughout production, I may share progress videos on my social channels so you can follow your piece as it comes to life. Seeing a bespoke commission evolve from an initial idea into a finished piece is one of my favourite parts of the process.
Most bespoke commissions take approximately 6–12 weeks to complete and ship once production has begun. More complex commissions, projects requiring specialist gemstones or particularly intricate techniques may take longer.
I'll provide an estimated timeframe before production begins. These timeframes are estimates rather than guarantees, particularly where specialist materials or external suppliers are involved. If your jewellery is needed for a specific date, such as a proposal or wedding, please mention this when you enquire.
Before your jewellery leaves the studio, it undergoes a final quality inspection. Every engraving, setting and finish is checked before it is carefully packaged and shipped.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a bespoke commission cost?
Custom commissions currently begin at:
£600 for silver
£1,000 for gold or platinum
Every commission is individually priced according to the design, metal, gemstones, construction, setting requirements, labour and techniques involved.
For more detailed guidance, see the Pricing & Timeframes information on the bespoke page.
How long does a bespoke commission take?
Most bespoke commissions take approximately 6–12 weeks from the start of production to completion and shipping.
More complex commissions may take longer. This can include work involving custom-cut gemstones, intricate hand engraving, complex settings, enamel or other specialist techniques.
Do I need to know exactly what I want?
Not at all.
Some clients come with sketches and reference images, while others simply have an idea, sentiment or collection of details they'd like to explore.
The design process is collaborative. My job is to help translate those ideas into something that works as a piece of jewellery, both aesthetically and technically.
Can you use my own gemstones or heirloom jewellery?
In many cases, yes.
Existing gemstones can often be reused, and older jewellery can sometimes be remodelled into a new piece. Before making any recommendations, I'll assess the condition of the materials and discuss the best options with you.
Can I make changes during the design process?
Absolutely. Refining the design is part of the bespoke experience.
I'll work with you to develop and adjust the design before production begins.
Once the design has been approved and production or material purchasing has begun, changes may not always be possible. Where changes can be made, they may require additional costs depending on the work involved.
What happens if my idea is more expensive than my budget?
I'll always be honest with you about the likely cost.
If the design you've imagined isn't achievable within your initial budget, we'll look at whether there are sensible ways to adapt the materials, gemstones, construction or level of detail while retaining the character of the original idea.
Alternatively, you may decide you'd rather increase the budget to achieve the original design.
Nothing goes into production until you've seen and agreed the final quotation.
What happens if I need to postpone my commission?
If your circumstances change before production begins, contact me as soon as possible.
I'll always do my best to accommodate a new production month where availability allows. Please bear in mind that quotations may need to be updated to reflect current precious metal prices and gemstone availability.
If you need to pause during the design stage, your deposit remains valid within its 6-month validity period. Extensions beyond this period may be considered depending on the circumstances and studio availability.
Ready to Begin?
If you've been thinking about creating something completely unique, I'd love to hear your ideas.
Whether you have a fully formed vision or just the beginnings of one, every bespoke commission starts with an idea. Together, we'll develop it into a piece that's considered, personal and made specifically for you.
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