The design and creation of bespoke jewellery is about more than creating a statement piece; it should be the process of defining something that is representative of your individuality.
A great custom piece should demonstrate quality workmanship, a design that has been perfected for you, and as a result, it should be more than unique. It should have a quality about it that transcends other pieces of jewellery. Whether it has a subtlety all of its own or stands out as a bold challenge to the world, nobody should be able to deny that when they describe your bespoke piece, they are describing you.
Jewellery can be unique without being of a high quality. Bespoke
design doesn’t necessarily mean a good or aesthetically pleasing design.
Therefore, before work begins you should give consideration to the
process you are about to go through, and how to make sure the end result
is perfect
Remember, you are an expert on what you like, and how you live. Your
jeweller is an expert on stones, precious metals and how they can best
interact. The design process is most effective when you both allow each
other to lead the way in your areas of expertise. Your jeweller should
not try to define your taste or dictate what is in fashion at the
expense of your preferences. Their job is to help you understand what is
practical and possible, and work with you to define and realise your
vision. Likewise, your job is not to relentlessly pursue avenues that
are impractical or impossible. Jewellers work with tangible materials
that adhere to the laws of science – some things simply cannot be done.
At the core of this is the relationship. Don’t underestimate the
importance of each of you being able to communicate your expertise. A
bespoke design appointment should never be rushed and the conversation
should be one of openness and honesty rather than one of either of you
trying to make a point. Come to your designer with examples ripped from
magazines, drawings on napkins and pictures of stones that you love.
Tell them your perfect scenario so that they can work with you to make
it happen. Most importantly, don’t assume that they can read your mind
and that something is, “common sense.” There is a time and a place for
assumption and custom jewellery design is not one of those times.
Unique jewellery is hard work for everyone. Unlike traditional pieces
which are destined for display cabinets and locked boxes, a bespoke
piece is made with a person in mind. There is a level of accountability
and an awareness of the trust that has been placed on the jeweller’s
shoulders. Likewise, the prospect of trying to take an image in your
head and communicate it to, even the best designer, is a confronting and
exhausting one.
But when you try on a piece of jewellery that no one else in the world has ever worn before, you discovered that custom jewellery is a reminder that you are unique, and anything unique is worth the effort.
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