Whether you are celebrating an anniversary or immortalising a special moment, I will be delighted to help you translate your vision into a very special piece of jewellery. Be it an engagement or wedding ring, a special gift, or a personal treat, together we can make your jewellery dream become a reality.
I can also re-model your old, inherited sentimental pieces and give them a fresh new lease of life by turning them into a modern, unique and new design that can be treasured once again.
If you like my style, share my ethos and are interested in starting the exciting journey towards a bespoke piece, then let’s have a chat! I can then find out a little bit more about your idea, whether you want to have a one-of-a-kind piece of jewellery made, or have an existing piece remodelled. To book your zero-obligation face-to-face or virtual jewellery design consultation with me, simply click on the link below.
I am looking forward to working with you.
Julie
Commissioning a bespoke piece of jewellery
How does it work?
Step 1 – Ideas and Inspiration
You may have a clear idea in mind or may need guidance, but either way we will be happy to help you. We only produce our own designs and we do not copy other designers’ work. However, you are welcome to send us images of jewellery for inspiration, so we can get a feel for what you like. Any images or reference that will help illustrate your idea is welcome and can be sent to info@julienicaisse.com. If you have a budget in mind, it’s important that you let us know at the beginning, so we can recommend the best materials during our consultation and create the design within your budget.
For inspiration and ideas, you can browse our past bespoke pieces gallery.
If you would like to find out more before getting in touch, here are some helpful guides:
— Metals / Gemstones / Diamonds / Wedding rings / Engagement rings
Step 2 – Let’s Have a Chat
The next step is to arrange a personal consultation with Julie. Consultations are held at our London studio or via telephone or video call (Zoom). If you have any problem with your booking, or if you prefer to discuss your idea in writing, you can send us an email at info@julienicaisse.com or use our contact form.
During your consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss your ideas and inspiration with Julie, and she will offer guidance on materials and design, based on your style, personality and budget.
Step 3 – Collaborative Design
After your initial consultation, Julie will begin refining your ideas into a series of sketches. You will be invited to take part in the design process and work closely with Julie who will guide you through each step via email. You will receive photographs of sketches and the design can evolve through your suggestions before the final design is reached.
Before we begin working on your design, please note that we will ask you for a design fee. Once the final design has been agreed, we will provide quotes for the design using various precious metals.
Step 4 – The Crafting Process
After you have chosen your metal, we will ask for a 50% deposit to confirm your order. We will then begin to bring your design to life and your bespoke piece will be handcrafted in our London studio before being sent to the London Assay Office to be hallmarked. Some pieces may also require to be professionally engraved or stone set by one of our London-based master craftsmen. We will be in touch with you once your piece is ready. However, if there are a lot of stages involved in the creation of your piece, we can send you photographs of the progress or invite you into the studio to see it first-hand. If we are making a ring for you, we may ask you to pop in for a fitting to ensure the ring fits comfortably before the stones are set or any engraving begins. The crafting process usually takes around 6-12 weeks.
Step 5 – Collecting Your New Piece
We will contact you as soon as your piece of jewellery is ready and send you a photograph of it via email. If you are happy with it, we will arrange for you to collection it, or we can ship it out to you if you prefer. We will ask you for the remaining balance upon completion of the piece, before or upon collection, or prior to shipping.
What our clients say
My husband recently asked Julie to design a ring for my birthday. The whole process was fantastic from start to finish. Firstly, we talked about the style of jewellery I liked and then Julie produced a number or drawings. I liked all of her designs but there was one in particular that stood out – and it was also Julie’s favourite. From then on, she kept me fully informed about every stage of the process including getting me to try on a paper and then a wax version of the ring to make sure I was really happy with it before it was cast. I collected the finished ring yesterday and it is everything I could have hoped for. Julie made what could have been an intimidating process really straightforward and pleasurable. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her and, I’m sure, will go to her again myself.
Natalie
I cannot recommend Julie highly enough. She designed and made a beautiful ring for me using stones I was left by my grandmother. Her consideration, thoughtful approach and care were there from the very start of the process and her communication throughout was excellent. The ring is wonderful too.
Emily
I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience working with Julie. She has been quick and thorough in response to my messages and she is extremely gifted at her craft. The gold charm I ask her to make was quite unique and she took on the challenge with positivity and passion. The end result was breath taking. Thank you so much Julie!
Charlie
Julie has made some beautiful wedding rings for us – we are absolutely delighted with them. Julie was so helpful throughout the whole process – she took into account of wishes and showed us what was possible. My engagement ring has a unique shape and she has perfectly moulded the ring to fit this. My fiancé didn’t have any set ideas as to what he wanted, but Julie talked us through the options and he is really pleased with the ring. We are over the moon with the result of both rings and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Julie to others. Thank you, Julie, :)!
Clare & Nik
Julie designed and made our wedding rings and everything about the process was perfect – from our initial chat in her London studio where we discussed ring designs (Julie recommended a few designs to us after asking us a few questions, and we said yes straight away; she knew exactly what we wanted!), to the regular status updates, to the fittings, and then the finished products themselves, as well as a lovely message on our wedding day (such a special touch!); we couldn’t have asked for better service or more beautiful rings!
Amie
Julie has been brilliant throughout the whole process of designing my dream unique bangle. She’s incredibly patient, creative and lovely to work with as she really listens to what you want. I’m delighted with my jewellery; workmanship is first class. I can thoroughly recommend & trust Julie to deliver!
Liz
It has been the most amazing experience to work on our wedding rings and my engagement ring with Julie. Her design and craftsmanship are second to none and she is an exceptional contemporary jewellery designer. We now have the most beautiful and unique rings. The whole process has been a total pleasure from start to finish. I can’t recommend Julie enough, beyond 5 stars.
Jessica & Simon
Important Information
The prices of bespoke pieces vary depending on the complexity of the design, the labour involved and your choice of materials. They do cost a little more than our collection pieces, but that’s because they are one-of-a kind and designed especially for you.
As a Guide:
- Silver pieces start from £300
- 9 carat gold pieces start from £800
- 18 carat gold pieces start from £1,000
- Platinum pieces start from £1,200
- Engagement rings start from £1,500
- Redesign/Remodel start from £500
Additional Costs:
- 1st consultation: Free of charge
- Gemstone shipping fee: £20 per stone selection (for gemstones shipped from our trusted suppliers)
- Design fee: The design fee will depend on the complexity of the design and will range from £100 for a simple design to £200 for a complex design
- Shipping cost: The price of shipping will depend on the value of the piece and the destination
Julie will personally select the gemstones from our stock collection, or source them from our trusted suppliers specifically for you. Photographs of the stones will be sent to you via email during the design process. You will also have the opportunity to view our collection of gemstones during your consultation at the studio. If you wish to view a specific range of coloured gemstones or diamonds, we can arrange for suppliers to send us a small selection of stones to the studio. We will then invite you to the studio to view the stones. We charge a shipping fee of £20 per selection.
Once the final design has been agreed and we received your 50% deposit, it will take 6-12 weeks for your order to be completed, to allow time for fabrication and hallmarking at the London Assay Office. Some pieces might also require the skill of a hand engraver or professional stone setter, which can add to the turnaround time. We aim to reduce turnaround times whenever we can, but please keep in mind that at busy times of the year – such as Christmas or during the summer holidays – turnaround times may be longer.
We recommend you visit our metal guide, gemstone guide and diamond guide to find out more about the materials we use in our designs.
- Metals: We use metals such as Single Mine Origin (SMO) gold and 100% recycled precious metals. Depending on the type of jewellery, we might advise you against silver, because it is less durable than gold or platinum. We will not accept commission for silver remodelling, silver engagement rings or silver wedding rings.
- Gemstones: We work with trusted coloured gemstones and diamonds suppliers in the UK, and all of our coloured gemstones are ethically sourced and our diamonds are ethical and conflict-free.
We prefer to receive payments via bank transfer. We also accept card payments at the studio.
- The design fee is due before we begin the design process. This fee is non-refundable once the work has begun.
- The gemstone shipping fee is payable before the stones are shipped to us from our supplier. The fee is non-refundable if you change your mind or cancel your viewing appointment.
- The initial deposit of 50% is payable before making begins. Please note that this deposit is non-refundable.
- The remaining balance is payable upon completion of the piece, before or upon collection, or prior to shipping.
Bespoke pieces, re-modelled pieces or personalised jewellery do not qualify for a return or refund. Any alteration in size or design requested by the client once the crafting process has begun may incur extra charges.
