Commissioning a ring, a dream but where do you start?
That’s right. Because that is exactly what it is. It is in your head yet you don’t know how to explain it nor what it looks like exactly but you know when you have found it. Your heart flutters, you have fallen in love. Trust your instinct but do your research! You want to have a great experience.
That is why in this blog I am going to walk you through the first stages of commissionning a bespoke piece of jewellery. Here I have taken the example of a ring but it applies to any jewellery design really.
Setting the scene
Let’s imagine that you have a big date coming up, and dream of THE ring that will mark the occasion. Exciting and scary at the same time. Where do you start?
What you want is finding the right professional who will listen, guide and inspire you with ideas of the type of rings that you could have made, just for you.
How I can help
I adapt my approach to you, your uniqueness, who you are, your aspirations and your lifestyle.
I offer an initial 30min free appointment for us to meet and see if we are a good match. Trust is key and any commission is a collaboration so both parties need to feel comfortable about working together.
I will then set a comprehensive consultation, ask you a series of questions to help me understand your expectations. Based on what you have shared, I will then draw a selection of 4 propositions of designs.
These initial sketches will be drawn to size so that you can better visualise the final result. That stage is critical. It allows to refine the design. There is possibility for 2 reviews. The actual making of your dream ring will only happen once you have signed off on a specific final design.
Diving into a few ring commissioning examples
Again, let’s imagine that you have set the following brief: you love the colour blue, antiques and want a sizeable pear-shaped aquamarine cabochon to be centre stage of your new ring. It is going to be a statement ring that you will wear as a cocktail ring for dressed-up occasions rather than everyday.
The below shows 3 examples of potential designs based off of your brief. You would then decide which design you want to go for and sign off on it so that the actual making would then start.
Scenario #1
Your favourite era is the Victorian period. You want a ring with a strong sentimental meaning (the heart shape) but that is also resolutely modern, hence your choice of bezel setting.
Scenario #2
You like anything Victorian, particularly the Medieval Revival aesthetic and the poetic concept of ‘courtly love’. Tiaras are your ultimate fantasy, hence your choice for the re-intepretation of a fede ring.
Scenario #3
Antiques for you means the Edwardian era, with its Art Nouveau / Arts & Crafts flowing style. You know your William Morris and Margaret Mackintosh, hence your choice for a ring that is inspired by the movement.
I hope this overview has been inspiring, addressing your concerns about commissioning a ring and that you now have enough information and insight to kick starting the process. Don’t just dream but make it happen and commission a fabulous ring that will be totally unique, just like you! I would be genuinely honoured to work with you on it.
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