Picture this: instead of wearing something that thousands, or perhaps millions, of people might also have in their jewelry box, you design a piece that only you (or someone seriously lucky) will ever own.
Want a ring shaped like a wave because the beach is your happy place? Done. A tailored-fit bangle with secret engraving that only you know about? Sure. Or perhaps a necklace made specifically for an upcoming special event? There could be a wedding or big birthday on the horizon, or, like when Diana, Princess of Wales stepped out in a custom-made Garrard necklace comprised of 178 marquise cut and round brilliant cut diamonds with seven South Sea pearls for a performance of Swan Lake in London in 1997, simply a trip to the theater!
Princess or not, bespoke jewelry is where imagination meets craftsmanship. And if you want to create something truly distinctive, start with the world’s most coveted gem: the diamond.
Naturally one-of-a-kind, every diamond has its own story, written by Mother Nature over the course of billions of years. No two natural diamonds will ever be the same, which, of course, is the magic.
So, if you’re considering investing in a custom diamond piece, this guide will give you all the information you need to help turn your dream design into a sparkling reality.
Why natural diamonds? Because they’re as original as you are!
Formed deep in the Earth’s mantle billions of years ago, and made accessible to humans only by a series of powerful volcanic eruptions, every natural diamond is inherently unique and bears the hallmarks of its journey through time – just like you!
With that sentiment, natural diamonds are perfect for personalized jewelry, allowing for every aspect of a piece to be individual, from the design all the way to the gemstone sitting at the heart of it.
Natural diamonds come in a wide range of cuts, colors and sizes to choose from. For example, a round brilliant cut diamond is a timeless classic, although the emerald cut is increasingly popular with those wanting a chic, minimalist-looking gem.
When it came to Beyoncé’s engagement ring, Jay Z commissioned a geometric halo setting to display a flawless 18-carat emerald cut diamond for a piece that not only seduced his future wife but sent the world’s celebrity reporters, fashion fans and paparazzi into a spin, too.
And while colorless diamonds are always on trend, colored ones (also known as fancy colored diamonds) have been making a comeback in recent years. Blake Lively’s jaw-dropping pale pink diamond engagement ring (given to her by now-husband Ryan Reynolds, of course) might have had something to do with that…
Genuinely, there’s a natural diamond (or several, if you’re lucky!) to reflect every personality, occasion and celebration.
You can say it with words, too
As well as hand-picking your diamond, there’s the option of having it inscribed.
GIA offer a personalized girdle inscription service, which is especially popular with custom diamond engagement rings. Your chosen words are inscribed using specialist technology that doesn’t impact the 4Cs of your diamond and can only be read under magnification.
You can also get letters, words and numbers engraved on the metal in your piece, should you want to.
Time to mood board!
Before reaching out to a jewelry designer, you’ll need to have collated ideas and inspiration for the piece you’d like them to create.
‘Who’s it for?’, ‘what’s the occasion?’ and ‘what’s its message or statement?’ are all good questions to ask yourself as a starting point.
Trawl through magazines, scroll on Instagram, Tik Tok, Pinterest and the wider internet to research styles, diamond cuts and types of metals. Make notes, save posts or get mood boarding!
In addition to the visuals, there are important practical considerations as well, such budget (how much do you want to spend?), size (especially important if you’re looking to commission a ring) and the deadline (when do you need the piece finished for?).
Once you’ve collated all the above information, reach out to reputable jewelry designers and retail stores that offer bespoke services for initial quotes and feedback.
Next step? Transforming your vision into reality…
Working with a jeweler to create your custom piece of diamond jewelry is a seriously exciting experience. The stages of the process will likely be:
The initial consultation
This will be a meeting for you to discuss your aims, ideas and inspiration, and for the jeweler to run you through possible options. By the end of the consultation, you should have settled on a vision that really resonates with you.
Selecting a natural diamond
You’ll then select a gemstone to suit the piece. In diamond terms, your choice may be based on the grading of the 4Cs – color, cut, carat and clarity – but you could also be drawn to a specific diamond simply for sentimental, instinctive reasons. Sometimes a diamond just speaks to you!
In other cases, you may already have a rough or polished diamond in mind and are looking for a design based on the possibilities it presents.
Designing and refinement
With the style, vision and gems for the piece decided upon, the next step is for your jeweler to develop a design that encapsulates everything. You’ll likely be presented with sketches or 3D mock-ups showcasing what the finished piece will look like for your approval before any work begins.
The crafting and setting
At this stage, your jeweler will bring the design to life by molding or casting the metal, setting the cut and polished gem or gems and adding any bespoke flourishes or engravings.
The final unveiling
The moment you’ve been waiting for! Once completed, your piece will be ready for you to see, touch and try on. You’ll be able to discuss any final tweaks if required, like a sizing amendment in the case of a ring.
Three words: trust the experts!
Both diamond cutters and jewelry makers are expert craftspeople who have a wealth of knowledge. They’ll play a critical role in the finish of your piece.
A diamond cutter, who cuts and shapes rough diamonds, has a profound understanding of the nature of diamonds and their work requires a high level of skill, precision and artistry. A diamond cutter understands the properties of the gem, its symmetry, and the way light interacts with it. This craft combines technical knowledge with creative intuition, as a cutter must decide how to shape a diamond to maximize its brilliance and fire (its sparkle, basically).
It’s then down to the jeweler to take into consideration a diamond’s setting and surrounding. Sure, this is your piece, but don’t feel embarrassed to ask their opinion about metals, such as what’s best for an everyday wearable versus an occasion piece.
Did you know that platinum can make colorless diamonds appear whiter, compared to when they’re set with gold? It’s little nuggets of knowledge like this that a jeweler can share.
Bespoke jewelry has meaning that mass-produced stuff can’t match
Custom jewelry that features natural diamonds is not only next level in terms of aesthetic, but it also wipes the floor with everything else when it comes to storytelling and sentimental value.
Think about this: a custom diamond engagement ring will not only hold memories of the proposal and, later, the wedding day, but also the time, care and thought process that went into planning it – the giver meticulously selecting its diamond, deliberating over the right metal, going back and forth over the setting style, and all the rest!
In the case of a bespoke engagement ring, it’s as unique as the couple’s love story itself.
Uniqueness that’s on another level
By themselves, natural diamonds are individual and inherently rare, so when incorporated into a personal jewelry design, the uniqueness factor is off the chart.
Whether you’re wearing a bespoke commissioned “I’m worth it” token of self-love or gifting a special piece to a loved one, you can be assured that no one else in the world has your exact creation. What’s cooler than that?
