Bespoke & Remodelling
Making something for one person, for one particular reason, is the part of my practice I treasure most. It's always a personal journey, and what comes out of it is a piece meant to be passed down.
Testimonials
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“Rachael has expertly made me an engagement ring, and then a matching necklace. Both beautiful! Very reasonably priced given then care and attention she puts in to each piece - cannot recommend enough.”- L.Morgan
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"Rachel designed a beautiful ring around a stone I had been given. She crafted the complex design around the cut stone to maximise the light that could shine through it and make the gemstone sparkle, making the most of its cut. Rachael listened carefully to what I liked and designed the ring to my ideas but added her own touches making it even more perfect. Thanks Rachel it looks wonderful and I get lots of nice compliments. I am super pleased with the results." - P.Falck
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“Great service, excellent quality and great communication across the process. Beautiful jewellery I would recommend to anyone.” - B.Riley
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“My parents commissioned Rachael to craft me a ring for my graduation. She worked closely with me from start to finish to develop a completely unique design - we settled on the most beautiful silver signet ring with engraved honeysuckle flowers. It is a statement piece and represents for me my parents love, exquisite craft and celebrates my independence and ability. My parents also had their initials engraved on the back of the ring and it now feels like a timeless piece. One that will no doubt become an heirloom, passed on with love, to the next generation.” - M.Prosser
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“Rachael is excellent! I wanted a bespoke ring and she was very helpful, had great advice but was also open to ideas. The ring was so good she helped with two more bands. Cannot be happier so definitely recommend” - A.Castellanos
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“I asked Rachel to make me this giraffe patterned engagement ring for my would be fiancée and I couldn’t have been more pleased with the results, it was absolutely perfect. She also discussed with me the whole design process of the ring beforehand, and her advice and attention to detail were spot on.” - R.Butcher
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“Rachael made me the most beautiful custom ring to commemorate a special birthday. We discussed the design together and she captured the sentiment perfectly. The final piece is better than I could have hoped for! It's made of silver, gold, diamond and sapphire. I wear it every day and get so many compliments on it. Thank you Rachael - it's just perfect.” - R.Parker
What to bring to our first conversation
The more you arrive with, the better the first designs will be.
Images. Anything at all, my pieces, other jewellery, wallpaper, architecture, a photograph of something you love
Any stones or gold you already have, including inherited pieces you'd like remade
Who it's for, and what the occasion is
A rough budget, even a wide one. It genuinely helps rather than limits, it tells me where to aim
Ring sizes, if it's a ring
Bring me your idea
There are techniques and shapes that run through my own collection. Pattern and ornament, acanthus leaves, oxidised silver against 24ct gold, surfaces built up through etching, roller printing, saw piercing and keum boo.
But I really enjoy working to other people's ideas too, and some of my favourite commissions have looked nothing like my own work.
So bring me whatever you have in mind. A sketch, a photograph, a description, a stone you've been keeping in a drawer. If it's a direction I'm not the right person for I'll tell you honestly, but that's rare.
Where I bring in help
Some parts of a commission go to specialists I trust. Complicated stone setting, casting, hallmarking, engraving and plating.
That's completely normal in jewellery, and it means each part of your piece is done by the right pair of hands. It does affect how long things take, which I'll always be upfront about at the quote stage.
How long it takes
Usually six to eight weeks from agreeing the design.
It does vary though, and I'd rather tell you that honestly than give you a date I can't keep. I'm a one person business, so lead times move depending on how many commissions are in the studio, how complex your piece is, and whether anything needs to go out to a specialist.
I do get booked up, particularly ahead of Christmas and through the summer, so if your piece is for a particular date it's worth getting in touch early.
Remodelling
If you have jewellery you no longer wear, or pieces you've inherited that sit in a drawer, those can often be remade into something you'll actually put on. Bring it along to the consultation and we'll have a look at what's possible.
Two things worth knowing before you do, and I'd rather say both up front.
The Timeline
1. We meet, and it's free
We sit down together and talk through what you have in mind. I'll come back to you with up to three design ideas and rough costings, at no charge.
This is genuinely a conversation rather than a sales pitch. It's as much about working out whether we're a good fit as anything else.
2. Developing the design
If you'd like to take one of those ideas further, there's a design fee of £100 at that point, which comes off the final cost of your piece.
That covers the detailed drawing and development work, and it's the point where the commission becomes properly yours.
3. Making
Once you're happy with the design and we've agreed the quote, I start making. I'll keep you updated as it comes together.
4. Hallmarking and collection
Anything over the legal weight is fully hallmarked at a UK assay office. If you'd like a lighter piece hallmarked too, just ask and I'll arrange it.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Using your own gold usually costs more, not less
This surprises almost everyone. It's very natural to think that bringing your own gold will bring the price down, but working with reclaimed metal takes considerably more time than starting with fresh stock. It has to be melted, cleaned, tested and reformed before I can begin, and that labour tends to outweigh the value of the gold itself.
So unless the metal itself carries real sentiment for you, my honest advice is this. Let me weigh your gold and get you the scrap price for it, then put that money towards new gold for your piece. You'll usually end up with more for your budget, and a better result.
If the gold does matter to you, if it was your grandmother's ring and it needs to be that gold, then of course we'll use it. I just want you to be choosing that knowingly rather than expecting a saving.
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Of course! I am always happy to work with customers stones, however there are some important things to consider:
Stones are not always what we think they are. Something sold as a sapphire eighty years ago may not be one, and older stones can carry damage that isn't visible until they come out of their setting.
I'm not a gemmologist. If either of us is unsure what a stone is, I can send it to one for identification and a certificate, which does add a cost, and I'll always tell you what that will be before going ahead.
I take enormous care with anything you bring me. But older and inherited stones can be fragile in ways nobody can predict, and there is always a small risk when a stone is removed or reset. It's worth going in with your eyes open, particularly with a piece that can't be replaced.
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I take great care with everything that comes into the studio, and I've been setting stones for years. But older stones can carry damage that only becomes visible once they're out of their setting, and there's always a small risk when a stone is removed or reset.
I can't take responsibility for a stone that fails during the work, and I'd always talk you through the risk before we start on anything irreplaceable. If a stone worries me, I'll say so
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Not always. I'm not a gemmologist, and stones are often not what family history says they are. If we're unsure, I can send it away for identification and a certificate. There's a cost to that, and I'll tell you what it is beforehand.
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Yes, happily. If it helps to spread the cost across the making rather than paying in one go, just say and we'll work out something that suits you.
The only thing I'd add is that your piece stays with me until it's paid in full, so do factor that in if it's needed for a particular date.
