The Bespoke Process

How commissioning actually works

Every stage of a commission, from first conversation to hallmark — what you'll see, what you'll decide, and how long it really takes.

• Can a wedding band be made to fit my engagement ring?

  How shaped and fitted wedding bands work, when a straight band is fine instead, and typical UK timelines and costs for commissioning one.

• Can I choose my own diamond for a bespoke ring — or supply one?

  How bespoke jewellers source diamonds, how to view and choose a stone before it's set, and the honest risks of supplying your own.

• Can I commission a bespoke ring entirely online?

  How remote bespoke ring commissions work in the UK: video consultations, stone viewings, CAD approval, insured shipping, and when to meet in person.

• How does commissioning a bespoke ring actually work?

  The full bespoke ring process, UK step by step: consultation, brief, CAD, stone sourcing, making, setting, hallmarking and collection — what you see and decide at each stage.

• How does paying for a bespoke commission work?

  UK deposit bands for bespoke jewellery, what a proper commission agreement should cover, and what happens to your money if things go wrong.

• How long does a bespoke engagement ring take in the UK?

  A realistic week-by-week timeline for a UK bespoke engagement ring, what extends it, and why jewellers recommend commissioning at least 12 weeks before a proposal.

• What are the marks inside my ring? UK hallmarking explained

  A clear guide to UK hallmarks: the four Assay Offices, compulsory and optional marks, exemption weights, and how long hallmarking takes.

• What does 'bespoke' jewellery actually mean?

  Bespoke, custom, made-to-order, semi-bespoke, personalised — what each term actually means in UK jewellery, and how to check which one you're being offered.

• What happens at a bespoke jewellery consultation?

  What a first bespoke jewellery consultation in the UK involves: what to bring, what you'll be asked, how deposits work, and red flags to watch for.

• What if I don't like my bespoke ring?

  What happens if you're unhappy with a bespoke ring: how revision rounds work, what changes cost after casting, and your UK consumer rights.

• What is CAD jewellery design — and what am I actually approving?

  What a CAD jewellery render shows, what it hides, and exactly what to check on the screen before you sign off on a bespoke ring design.

• Will I see my ring before it's finished? Wax models and prototypes explained

  What a 3D-printed wax or resin ring prototype shows before casting, what it can't tell you, and whether it's worth the extra cost and time.