Bespoke vs. Customised Jewellery – What’s the Difference?

Jewellery is deeply personal, whether it’s a one-of-a-kind bespoke design or a customised version of an existing piece. Recently, I had the pleasure of creating two single sapphire earrings for two different clients, each with a unique vision. These pieces weren’t designed from scratch but were carefully customised from my existing collection, making them deeply personal yet distinct.

This brings up a question I often get asked:

What’s the difference between bespoke and customised jewellery?

Customised Jewellery: A Personalised Touch

Customisation allows you to take an existing design from my collections and make it your own. This might mean:

Choosing a different gemstone (like my clients did with their sapphires)

Adjusting the size or proportions

Tweaking certain design details to suit your preferences

Changing the carat or colour of gold

The two single sapphire earrings I just completed are a perfect example of this. One client fell in love with a design from my collection but wanted a slightly different shaped sapphire rather than the original stone. The other wanted an earring as close as possible to an earring that had sold on my online shop. 

With customisation, you get something uniquely yours while staying true to an existing design—making it a quicker and more cost-effective option compared to a full bespoke commission.

Bespoke Jewellery: A One-of-a-Kind Creation

Bespoke design is for those who want something truly unique—a piece that doesn’t exist yet, crafted from scratch just for you. It’s a collaborative process where I work closely with you to design and create a piece that reflects your story, your vision, and your personality.

A bespoke commission typically involves:

Concept development – We explore ideas, inspirations, and what you’d love in a piece.
Gemstone selection – I source stones specifically for you, whether it’s a Sri Lankan sapphire or a one-of-a-kind rough diamond.
Design process – I sketch, refine, and bring your vision to life through handcrafting.

This is perfect for engagement rings, sentimental heirlooms, or completely new designs that don’t fit into my existing collections.

Which One is Right for You?

If you’re looking for a personal touch but love one of my designs, customisation is a great option. It allows you to tweak a piece to make it uniquely yours without starting from scratch.

If you want something completely unique, made just for you, a bespoke commission is the way to go.

Want to learn more about how I create customised and bespoke jewellery? Read more about my process here