Birthday. Anniversary. Wedding. For that special someone in your life, you want a gift that expresses your true feelings. And what better gift than getting the best custom-made diamond jewellery?

If you are on the market for bespoke diamond jewellery, here are a few helpful tips that can make the process easier for you while allowing you to avoid common hassles, whether you are buying your wife a diamond ring for an anniversary gift or if you are proposing to your significant other with an engagement ring.

What is a custom-made jewellery?

Custom-made jewellery refers to jewellery pieces made according to a customer's specifications, especially in terms of the design and materials used.

With custom-made or bespoke jewellery can be fabricated from scratch, or you can get an item modified according to the design you want for you and the recipient of your gift.

But why buy something that is custom-made?

The primary reason why many people are enticed to buy bespoke jewellery is that they want something that is unique and made according to the customer's specifications.

Buying custom-made diamond engagement rings, for example, is akin to buying a bespoke suit. Compared to an off-the-rack suit, a bespoke suit looks and fits better. The same thing applies to bespoke jewellery.

Furthermore, when someone receives a diamond ring with a custom design, she knows that she has a unique piece that others do not have. That amplifies your message that the recipient is special to you.

When should you consider buying bespoke jewellery?

Custom-made jewellery like engagement rings is ideal for people who have been searching for something unique.

Perhaps you have scrounged your local jewellery stores or online shops just looking for the perfect diamond ring for your significant other. But after countless hours or even days of searching, your efforts have yielded nothing. Everything you see lacks that oomph that you have been looking for.

The great thing about buying custom-made jewellery is that it is now more accessible to more buyers. Before, bespoke jewellery was the domain of the rich and famous. But with the advent of technologies like design software and 3D printing, more and more jewellery stores offer bespoke engagement rings, wedding rings, and other types of jewellery.

Tips for buyers

If store-bought engagement rings or wedding rings are not your cup of tea (or coffee), here a few tips to help you get bespoke jewellery for that special someone.

Do some research

The main advantage of getting bespoke jewellery is that you (or the recipient of your gift) will have something that nobody else has.

But for that to happen, you should invest some time researching the different styles and materials that suit your design aesthetic. Fortunately, that is easy to do due to the variety of sources you can find online, from Google to Pinterest.

Save each photo of designs that you would like to integrate into your bespoke jewellery. It is easier to tell the store staff what you need to be done when you have a visual sample.

Show your design

Once you have a collection of design ideas, it is now time to begin your search for a jewellery store to fabricate your bespoke piece.

If you already have a jewellery store that you trust, you can ask them if they can do bespoke pieces. Some shops have in-house designers that can work with you to create the exact type of jewellery, whether you have been looking at wedding rings or engagement rings.

At the very least, the jewellery shop can point you in the right direction by recommending a designer that they have a relationship.

If none of these pan out, you may have to begin your search for another jewellery store. Start your search online, paying close attention, not only to the designs of recent works. More importantly, check reviews from previous clients.

Working with a designer

Once you have found a designer who can translate your vision to reality, it is now time to collaborate with him.

Start by showing him your design inspiration or even sketches that you have made. At the same time, provide the designer with the specs you have in mind, from the materials used to the gemstones you want to be used to the sizing. Sizing, in particular, is very important if you are buying bespoke wedding rings or engagement rings.

If you have missed out on a few important details, the designer will ask you a few questions and make some suggestions.

From there, he can make an initial design using sketches or computer software. While the designer considers the style and materials that you want for the bespoke jewellery, he may make some alterations to the design to ensure the stability and proportions of the final product.

Depending on the designer, the jewellery store can either show you a draft of the design through a sketch or the use of a wax model. Be sure to review the initial draft if it matches your specs.

If there are things you would like to change, be sure to mention them to the designer before approving the jewellery piece's actual fabrication. Once you have given your approval, you cannot ask for modifications without paying a fee for the alterations you would like to be implemented.

Giving your final approval

Once you are sure that the designer has fully captured your vision, you can then ask the jeweller to proceed with your bespoke piece's fabrication.

Most stores require you to an agreement to protect both parties. If your chosen jeweller does not ask you to sign one, ask and request for one. This will help protect you if something goes awry.

Ideally, this agreement should outline the responsibilities of all the parties involved, including meeting the agreed-upon specifications and warranties.

Timing is critical

Bespoke jewellery can take some time to be finished, depending on a few factors like the design's intricacy.

If you have a date when you need the jewellery, it is vital to get it designed and done at the soonest time possible to ensure that the deadline is met.

The last thing you want is an engagement or wedding ring that is noticeably rushed by the designer and jewellery shop.

The actual timeframe will vary from one shop to another. Turn around times will be different from the type of jewellery and shop.

For that special someone

Your gift is a reflection of your true feelings for the recipient. It shows how you value that person in your life. And what better way to show your love and affection with something thought out like custom-made jewellery.