How the Bespoke Jewellery Process Works at Hazel Mairs Jewellery
- Hazel Mairs
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Whether you’re commissioning a brand-new piece or transforming a treasured item, creating bespoke jewellery is a special experience. At Hazel Mairs Jewellery, every piece is carefully designed to reflect your style, story, and personality. In this post, we’ll walk you through our bespoke process so you know exactly what to expect when working with us.
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Step 1: Consultation
The first step is a one-on-one consultation, either face-to-face or online. This is where we explore your jewellery ideas, inspirations, preferred materials (like gold or silver), and styles that suit you best.
Bring along anything that inspires you - reference images, sketches, or even existing pieces. If you’re unsure of the direction, don’t worry: I’ll guide you through all the options and help bring your vision to life.
During the consultation, we’ll also talk about budget. Having an idea of your range helps us explore the most suitable materials and design options right from the start. After our meeting, you’ll receive a summary email of what we discussed and proposed approaches.
Once everything is agreed, a 40% deposit (based on your agreed budget, minimum £150) is required to move into the design stage. Bespoke commissions typically start from £350. This deposit secures your commission and covers design work, sourcing, and initial costs.
Important: If you’d like to incorporate existing materials such as inherited pieces, sentimental jewellery or gemstones, I’ll assess their suitability before work begins to ensure everything is safe, practical, and cost-effective.
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Step 2: Design
Next, I’ll create three design options for you to choose from. You can select one, request adjustments, or even combine elements. This stage is fully collaborative and focuse
d on refining the piece until it’s exactly what you want.
If some materials aren’t suitable for reuse, I can offer alternatives, such as sourcing matching stones, using recycled precious metals, or creating a hybrid piece that blends new and old elements.
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Step 3: Final Pricing & Production
Once your design is confirmed, I’ll calculate the final price and deduct your deposit. At this stage, no further changes can be made, as production will begin. The remaining balance is due when your bespoke piece is complete.
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Heirloom & Sentimental Material Policy
Many clients bring inherited or sentimental pieces, and transforming these items is a wonderful way to preserve their story. We carefully consider how to incorporate gemstones, metals, and other elements into your bespoke design.
During the first consultation, you will sign a Sentimental Heirloom Material Agreement, outlining how your materials will be handled, assessed, and incorporated into your design.
Some key considerations:
• Gemstones: Older stones may have wear or small fractures. I will inspect them carefully and advise on the safest settings.
• Metals: Not all metals can be melted down and reused, particularly antique alloys. If reuse isn’t possible, we can incorporate them symbolically.
• Hallmarks: If keeping hallmarks or original features matters to you, please mention this during the consultation so we can plan accordingly.
This section is particularly relevant for clients bringing existing pieces, but all clients benefit from understanding how materials and design choices affect the process.
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Discussing Budget
Budget is an important part of the initial consultation. Knowing your approximate range helps us determine the most suitable materials, design complexity, and whether any new gemstones or metals need to be sourced.
Tip: It’s helpful to have considered your budget before the consultation, so we can make the most of our time together and explore all appropriate options.
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Timeline & Pricing
From consultation to completion, bespoke pieces typically take 8–12 weeks, depending on design complexity, material sourcing, and any heirloom incorporation. Pricing is tailored to each commission and influenced by the design, metals, gemstones, and craftsmanship.
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Next Steps
After your consultation, you’ll receive:
• A written summary of what we discussed
• Proposed design direction and materials
• Instructions for paying the deposit to proceed
If you have any reference images, questions, or further ideas before we meet, feel free to email them through. I’m excited to work with you and create a piece designed just for you.
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