What thoughts are behind a jewellery design?
Many of our bespoke clients first approach us having not experienced a bespoke jewellery design process before. We thought we would lift the lid and tell you more about how we make our gorgeous UK handmade gold jewellery.
What is the design concept?
Normally the client has a fair idea of what they want in a jewellery design so it is a good starting point to brainstorm. We then focus on drawing up a list of likes and dislikes. Dislikes are just as important in a jewellery design as they keep the concept focused and it ensures us and the client that we are all on the same wavelength. If we are designing a range the idea normally wakes our creative director up in the middle of the night. Hence she keeps a notebook by the side of her bed. From the concept, what is the main feature you want to convey? As an example Jennifer House Jewellery's Child's Play collection focused on toys, treats, and games that we all remember and love from our childhood, with pieces of fine jewellery that create a feeling, not just a look.
Keep thinking about the finer details
Once initial sketches are done we then think of the other details, the other views. All angles need to be considered, slight adjustments can make all the difference. The jewellery design process can take several attempts behind the scenes until we are happy with every viewpoint and every detail.
Sketching A Jewellery Design
Keep drawing sketches and having a play on paper until you have hit ‘the one’ jewellery design. Play with scale, colour and 3 dimensional views. We even consider what the inside of the ring would look like / feel like. Our jewels always have to be comfortable so in rings we are partial to a courted inside (corners softened and rounded on the inside edges). Pretty aspects are the main concern but we bear in mind other aspects; longevity and durability. The number of claws and type of setting needs to be considered. However many times we love seeing our jewellery worn we do not want to see it back because it has not lasted the test of time.
Hence these are some questions that run through our minds;
- How easy would it be to knock the stones? Theoretically the more claws around the central stone the better, however a 4 claw is perfectly strong and safe enough. If we were ever to do a contemporary 2 claw ring we would seriously study the other support for the stone
- What style of setting is involved within the custom piece, some are more durable than others. Personally we do not like pave with 2 claws per stone. For us you would then be asking for trouble.
- Are the corners of a stone exposed; these are the most vulnerable areas of the gemstone so ideally would need to be protected.
- How easy is it for the piece to be adjusted in size; sadly most of us fluctuate in size at some point. It would be a shame to have a piece of jewellery just sat in a jewellery box if it couldn’t be sized.
- Is there enough depth and width to the metal. The average lifespan for a diamond engagement ring is 15 years for gold and 20 to 25 ish years in platinum.
- Have any causes for concern been highlighted to a client? For example I would have strong hesitations in recommending an opal engagement ring unless the client understood the risks. Opal is a very soft gemstone so is highly unlikely to remain whole for the test of time.
- If designing pendant, bracelets or earrings can the wearer easily put the piece on and off? It’s easy just to design a pretty piece but is harder to design a stunning modern piece whilst ensuring quality aspects, that’s what years of experience trains you for, like Jennifer House Jewellery.
Have a look at our collections and bespoke jewellery galleries to see how we have put this into action within our own jewellery designs;