Last Updated on December 29, 2023
If you are in the market for a new piece of sparkle to adorn your ears, wrist, or neck then you can simply opt to choose a piece of jewelry from any highstreet shop.
But, if you want something a bit more special, something to remember a specific occasion, or you just cannot find what you are looking for then you may want to consider getting a custom piece of jewelry made.
What is custom jewelry?
Custom jewelry gives the buyer complete freedom when it comes to all aspects of a piece of jewelry. You can choose whatever shape, size, materials, stones etc. that you want. You can have the simplest or the most ornate piece that your heart desires – the choice is completely yours!
Nowadays, a lot of shops sell similar, or even identical, pieces of jewelry. Often you cannot tell a lab-grown diamond from a natural one, so why not want something a bit more special?
The complete freedom allows you to have your dream piece of jewelry. Although jewelers can work wonders they cannot defy the laws of physics! So, if you have a particularly complicated design in mind make sure that your design is actually physically possible.
What is the process of making custom jewelry?
Custom jewelry is a complete process, from design to materials the choice is all yours! This means that it is not a particularly simple process (most of the time). You will need to make decisions about every aspect of the jewelry.
Alternatively, you can hire a jewler who is able to take a broad concept and, as long as you are willing to give them the power to do so, can produce a piece of jewlery based on your general ideas. This means that there is less pressure on you, but it also involves having complete faith in your jeweler of choice!
Design
The biggest advantage of choosing a custom jewelry design is that you can have absolutely whatever size and shape you want! If you prefer really dainty pieces or similarly large statement pieces, then these can be particularly hard to come by on the general market.
A custom design means that you can have exactly what you want and it will fit exactly to your measurements. For example, if you decide you want to order a custom choker you can guarantee that it will be neither too tight nor too small. It will be the perfect size as it will be customised to you!
Be sure to talk with your jeweler before they begin the process. Make what you want very clear to ensure sure that there are no problems further down the line and also that they are capable of producing the piece within a timeframe that suits you.
If stones or precious gems are included then it is also a good idea to discuss how these will be held within the jewelry piece – the last thing you want is stones to go missing.
Materials
Just as with the design you can also choose your custom jewlery piece to be made from any material you choose. This freedom allows you to choose combinations of materials that you do not normally see on the market, such as stones, metal and/or wood.
As long as the structure of the jewelry is strong enough to support its design and is built to last, then you are able to have whatever material your heart desires.
Some jewlers are specialists in working with particular materials, such as gold or wood, so it is best to check before you choose and pay a certain designer. Make sure that they have access to the materials that you have chosen and also that they are experienced enough to work with them.
For example, using gold for jewelry involves a highly-skilled process and can also involve many techniques depending on the design you have chosen. For example, you can have either smooth gold or hammered gold. If there a certain style that you want, make sure that your chosen material can support this.
Budget
Never go over your budget. Custom jewelry can be expensive as it is not a mass-produced piece, it is unique to you. This means that your jewler has to take extra time and their labor, coupled with the materials, can begin to add up. Make sure you talk your budget through with your jewler beforehand to let them know exactly what your budget is. Better safe than sorry here!
The making of the jewelry
Once you and your jewler have agreed on the design, materials and your budget then their work can begin. Certain techniques can take longer than others and depending on the design that you have chosen your piece make take a long time to make. Ask your jewler beforehand for an estimate about how long it will take so that you know what to expect.
Once you have received the jewlry check it over to make sure that everything you have paid for was included, such as stones or engraving. If all is good, then it is time to enjoy your one of a kind piece of custom jewelry!
Where can I buy custom jewelry?
There are many places that you can buy custom jewlery, both in-person and online. Online shops include Fiverr and Etsy as well as specialist art shops. Most major cities have a jewelry district where a lot of shops will sell both pre-made jewelry as well as custom jewelry.
You can always ask for a price in several shops if you have a specific design in mind to know that you are getting a fair price.
In this instance, it is best to go into the shops and ask around to find the right jeweler for you. It may take a little time to find the right one for you, make sure to read reviews and talk to the maker directly before you decide to go with them.
This way you can get rid of any worries and begin the journey toward obtaining your perfect custom jewelry piece!
