Just so start this blog post..Absolutely bespoke jewellery is ALWAYS worth it!
Bespoke jewellery is a personalised item designed to your specifications, style, and budget. It can range from a piece as small as a nose stud to as big as a body piece!
Whatever your heart desires, finding a bespoke designer can be the answer to creating your dream piece of jewellery. If I were to give one bit of advice to anyone when going down the bespoke route, it would be to pick a designer that resonates with your core values and style. As bespoke becomes more known, there is a mass of individuals/companies out there, all offering a bespoke service, which can be overwhelming! So, when choosing your bespoke jewellery designer, ensure you feel 100% listened to and comfortable from the get-go, this way you know your time and money are correctly invested.
A little background into Heulwen Lewis Bespoke’s values and service – I make sure I create a safe, friendly space, where no question is too small, and no budget is sniffed at. Honesty is key – whether this is down to the design not fitting your vision in the beginning stages, right through to whether there are issues in the workshop (which sometimes happens). I am very transparent about the process, it’s never rushed. I make sure I listen intently to you and your story, this ensures your design is uniquely you and made to the highest standard.
So the next question – Is bespoke jewellery worth the added cost? I mostly get asked this question when a client is purchasing an engagement ring.
The answer, 100% yes! I know, I know, I would say this due to BEING a bespoke jewellery designer, but I will sing from that hymn sheet over and over.
I’ve lost count of the number of times I have had to remake an engagement ring from known high street jewellers.
The top 3 reasons for this are:
1. Hollow rings which crush and fall apart
2. Lost stones from mass produced settings
3. Ring styles that just aren’t designed for lifelong wear.
Not only do you get cheaper settings and stones, but there is often misinformation, especially about carat weight/clarity and without a doubt you will have bought a generic mass-produced style.
Don’t get me wrong, there will always be a place for our beloved high street jewellers, and I am not labelling/tarnishing all high street jewellers with this same brush! This is just from years of experience and clients coming to me with the same issues year on year.
When you purchase bespoke, you are purchasing uniqueness, invaluable advice, experience, and knowledge. The jewellery you take home will be designed and crafted to last a lifetime, meaning you buy once, not twice.
When you start your bespoke journey at Heulwen Lewis Bespoke, we delve into what I’ll call the4w’s- Why, Who, When and What.
Why do you want a bespoke item?
Who is this item for?
When did you need the item?
And lastly, what would you like to design to your budget?! - The design of course being the most exciting part of your journey.
The real underlying beauty of bespoke is that YOU get to choose what you want, right down to the cut of the stone/s, choice of metal and design style. For me, bespoke is all about the detail and I really am a detailorientateddesigner, probably down to my OCD! If somewhat annoying for my partner Jonny, this does mean my attention to detail is spot on and your jewellery will always be totally unique and finished to the highest standard.
But what I really need you to know about the value of bespoke is a bespoke piece isn’t just a piece of jewellery, it is a journey, and that journey is all about you! It’s your story, a very special memory piece, designed especially for you.
Usually, clients who are looking to purchase a bespoke item have come for a specific reason, including, but not limited to; a pending proposal, a wedding, an anniversary, a special birthday or to upcycle inherited jewellery.
Purchasing such items come with a lot of thought, emotions, memories and tend to involve many loved ones, past, present, and indeed future. They are heirlooms not ‘fast fashion’ and are much loved and worn every day. They are pieces to be passed to the next generation.
I adore listening to my clients talk about their lives, learning about theirpastsand feel very privileged to have beenchoseto be a part of their future.
So, if you’re still pondering as to whether bespoke is for you – my advice, go for it! You should find your experience to be memorable, fun, relaxed, informative, and most importantly thepieceyou create is just what you were always looking for.
