Handmade bespoke jewellery is a cut above simply ordering a showroom piece. It means a guaranteed level of quality and a personalised treasure that no one else in the world owns. Here’s a deep dive on exactly what sets custom jewellery apart.
It’s rare that we would buy an extravagant piece of jewellery for ourselves. Or, if we did, it would probably be to commemorate someone or something unique. Buying a piece of unique jewellery for someone else tells them how special they are, that they are the one you have chosen or feel a special bond with. It could be a gift for your partner, a parent or family member, or other loved one.
The reason we give rings as a sign of engagement and marriage is that they symbolise the eternal. An unbroken ring is an unbroken bond we bestow on a single other person, so the piece of jewellery itself should also be a singular unique piece.
You can let your imagination run wild with handmade jewellery. You’ll sit down with the jeweller and tell them exactly the kind of ring, pendant, cufflinks or earrings you want. Buying jewellery in a store is a great experience, but you might always find yourself settling for something that could be more expensive and less satisfying.
If you’re buying an engagement ring, your partner may have certain requirements. Your local jewellers might only have gold and your partner is more a silver or platinum person. They might also value sustainability, so a lab-grown diamond would be the ideal option. A custom-made engagement ring can make your proposal just that little bit more personal and special. If they’re going to be wearing it for the rest of their life, you want to get it right.
Why does a painting feel better than a print? You can get an image of a famous work and hang it on your wall, but you don’t get the fine detail, the smell, the weight, the texture or a sense of the hours of labour that went into it. Custom jewellery is no different. A skilled craftsman will help you choose the perfect gemstones, sketch out the design, source and form the materials themselves and deliver to you a unique piece of art. You will be able to sense the consideration and labour that went into the work.
The UK has a long history with bespoke jewellery making. Early adornments were made from stones, shells and wood. They might have been intended as armour or ritualistic. In medieval times, the most well-to-do in society wore gold, silver and gemstones as signs of class, rank and wealth. Engravings were used as religious iconography, for believed health benefits and as personal insignias.
Over time, precious metals and gems have become an accessible form of luxury, with bespoke jewellery becoming more affordable. This is due to advances in technology and craftsmanship, economic growth and more of these precious substances being mined over time. However, there is still a sense of pride which comes from wearing handmade jewellery. The Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th century saw jewellers rejecting the machine-led factory system of jewellery production, ushering in a resurgence of hand making pieces—a tradition we continue to this day.
At Wilkinson Goldsmiths, we manufacture and set our gold and platinum jewellery on site, entirely in house. So you know that the jeweller who talked you through your design will always be the one who brings it to life. Get in touch today if you want to discuss a custom-made design, we would love to hear from you.
