Bespoke Jewellery in Cornwall
Jewellery made around you
Sometimes you know exactly what you want.
Sometimes you arrive with a vague idea, a stone you love, a piece of jewellery you’ve seen somewhere, or simply a reason for wanting something made.
That’s absolutely fine.
Bespoke jewellery starts with a conversation. We’ll talk about what you like, how you want the piece to feel, the materials you’d like to use and, importantly, how you’ll actually wear it.
I can work in silver, gold and gemstones, and if you already have jewellery, stones or precious metal you’d like to reuse, I can look at whether those can become part of the new design or you can read more about my jewellery redesign service.
You don’t need to be a jewellery designer.
You don’t need to have the design worked out
You might have a clear picture in your head.
You might have seen a detail you love somewhere else.
Or you might just know that you want something made for a birthday, anniversary, milestone or simply because you’ve never quite found the right piece.
That’s enough to start with.
I can help you work through shape, scale, metal, stones and all the little decisions that turn an idea into something that feels right for you.
Sometimes that means sketching several options. Sometimes the design comes together very quickly.
Either way, the process is collaborative.
I’ll bring the technical knowledge and making skills.
You bring the reason for the piece.
What can I make?
Bespoke jewellery can be as simple or as detailed as you want it to be.
I regularly make pieces such as rings, pendants, bangles, earrings and cufflinks, as well as one-off designs created around a particular stone or idea.
A commission might begin with:
- a gemstone you’ve fallen in love with
- an old piece of jewellery you want to reuse
- a sketch or photograph
- a symbol, place or object that means something to you
- a birthday or anniversary
- a piece of jewellery you’ve never been able to find in a shop
If the piece you’re planning is for a wedding, you can also explore my bespoke wedding rings.
I can work in silver, gold and a wide range of gemstones, and I’ll help you choose materials that suit both the design and your budget.
If you already own jewellery that might be reused, I can also look at whether the metal or stones can become part of the new piece.
How the bespoke process works
Every commission starts with a conversation.
I’ll talk through what you want the piece to be, how you’ll wear it, the materials you like and the budget you’re working with.
From there, I’ll:
- Develop the design — this might begin with your idea, a photograph, a gemstone, an existing piece of jewellery or simply a few things you know you like.
- Source or assess the materials — including silver, gold, gemstones or jewellery you’d like to reuse.
- Make the piece by hand in my Charlestown studio using traditional silversmithing techniques.
- Arrange hallmarking where required before the final finishing and stone setting.
- Finish and polish the piece so it’s ready to wear, gift or keep for years to come.
I’ll keep you involved at the important stages, but I won’t expect you to make technical decisions you don’t understand.
That’s what I’m here for.
Charlotte’s parents contacted me around eight weeks before her 21st birthday. They had some unused family gold, including pieces they’d been given for their own 21st birthdays, and wanted to turn it into a new ring for Charlotte using her birthstone, aquamarine.
I sourced several aquamarines from an ethical supplier in a range of sizes and qualities to suit their budget. Once they’d chosen the stone, I drew up a number of design ideas and we worked together to settle on the final ring.
Then the making began.
I smelted the old gold and worked it down into the wire and sheet I needed for the band and setting. Once the setting was attached, I filed and shaped the ring further before sanding the whole piece and preparing it for hallmarking.
At that stage, the ring went to the London Assay Office to be tested and hallmarked. The assay process usually takes around 10–14 days, and the hallmark confirms the fineness of the metal.
Once it came back, I gave the ring its first polish before setting the aquamarine by hand.
Stone setting is always one of the stages where I feel most under pressure. You need enough force to move the surrounding metal securely over the stone, while being gentle enough not to damage the stone itself.
After setting, I carefully cleaned up the metal around the aquamarine, gave the whole ring its final polish and prepared it for delivery.
What I love about this piece is that the materials already had their own family history before I even started.
The finished ring marked Charlotte’s 21st birthday, but it also carried something forward from her parents’ own 21st birthdays.
That’s exactly the sort of commission I love making.
Another family commission with a very different story: my son made a green diamond engagement ring using gold from four generations of our family.
What if it’s a gift?
Commissioning jewellery for someone else can feel a little nerve-racking.
What if you choose the wrong style? What if the ring size is wrong? What if they’d have picked something completely different?
I can help you work through those decisions rather than leaving you to guess.
Sometimes it makes sense to involve the person receiving the jewellery in part of the design process. Sometimes the surprise is important and I’ll work with you to gather as much information as possible about what they wear, the colours and metals they like, and the sort of piece that will suit them.
And if choosing the final design still feels too risky, a gift voucher for a bespoke commission can be a lovely alternative — you give the reason for the gift, and they get to be involved in creating the jewellery.
Materials, stones and budget
A bespoke commission doesn’t have to begin with an unlimited budget.
I can work in silver, 9ct and 18ct gold, and with a wide range of gemstones. If you already have gold, stones or jewellery you’d like to reuse, I can also assess whether those materials are suitable for the new design.
I’ll always talk through the options before I start so you know what’s realistic and where your budget is best spent.
Sometimes that means choosing a slightly smaller stone and spending more on the setting.
Sometimes it means reusing a family diamond.
Sometimes silver is exactly the right choice.
The aim isn’t to make the most expensive piece possible.
It’s to make the right piece for you.
If the piece is being created in memory of someone, you may also want to look at my memorial jewellery.
Thinking about a bespoke commission?
You don’t need to have everything worked out before you get in touch.
You might have a clear design in mind, a gemstone you want to use, some inherited jewellery, a photograph for inspiration, or simply an occasion you’d like to mark.
That’s enough to start with.
I’ll talk through the possibilities, explain what’s technically realistic and help you shape the idea into something that feels right.
If you’re working towards a particular birthday, anniversary or other date, it’s always worth contacting me as early as you can.
If you’d like to talk through an idea, get in touch.