What to Look for in a Custom Jewelry Designer

With so much mass-produced jewelry available online, the need and demand for original, personalized pieces continue to rise in popularity. Customized jewelry allows you to cater a piece for a loved one, and is an avenue for self-expression.  

Custom-made jewelry is one of a kind and is able to reflect specific tastes and personalities, and a custom jewelry designer can help you to reflect this individuality in a piece. 

According to Sarah Dougall, owner of Made You Look, there’s been an influx of people stepping away from malls and opting for more original pieces. More and more people are looking “to choose individuality instead,” she shared with Start Up Here Toronto.

All considered, when you’re looking to have a piece of custom jewelry made, it can be challenging to know where to begin. Where do you start? How should the process go? Who will share your vision and enable you to bring your idea to life? The process begins and ends with your idea but requires the expertise and collaboration of a custom designer throughout. 

Finding the right custom jeweler for you may seem like a daunting task, but the good news is that there are a few steps you can take, and a handful of factors to consider, to help you pick the right designer partner. 

Look at Their Previous Work

When looking to team up with a custom designer, an excellent place to start is an artist or shop that has made something similar, or even specializes, in your desired style. This way you can also pull inspiration from some existing pieces, and also be able to better visualize the type of piece you are looking for,

Visit a Physical Location

While you can get an idea of what you’re looking for by browsing online, a photo won’t do a piece of jewelry justice compared to seeing it up-close in person. When you visit a brick and mortar store, you can compare pieces and see subtle differences that might not come across in a photo. Visiting in person also allows you to get a feel for the designer and store, what they offer, and how they operate.

Good Communication

One of the most important things to look for in a designer is communication. You want to work with a designer who will listen to your requests, understand your vision, and be able to answer your questions properly. 

Your custom designer should be attentive, informative and treat you and your ideas respectfully. If they are dismissive of your vision or are pushing their own ideas on you, it’s probably not the right fit to get what you’re looking for.

Of course, they are the expert and will be able to offer suggestions or help you flesh out an idea. However, if you know what you want, or specifically what you don’t want, and they still aren’t hearing you, that’s a strong sign that you should look elsewhere. 

Look for a jeweler whose previous work inspires you and who can breathe life into your vision. Finding this combination will give you the confidence to know they can create the piece of jewelry that you’ll love and will complement your personal style and taste or will make the perfect personalized gift for a loved one.