Have you ever experienced scouring countless jewelry stores for the perfect piece only to find that nothing appeals to you? If yes, then maybe you’re the type of person who marches to a different beat. Trends don’t interest you; in fact, you don’t intend to go with the flow. Besides, donning accessories that everybody else wears will keep you from standing out. You have a unique style that you embrace, and you want to express yourself through jewelry that accurately represents how exceptional you are. The same is true if you’re buying jewelry for someone with a quirky personality, ergo, finding a piece that complements their character is almost impossible, right? If you can relate to any of these things, then you might want to try your hand at custom jewelry.
In this article, we’ll be tackling everything you need to know about custom jewelry–how much it costs, how long it takes to create, how to start making your own, and more. We’ll tell you what’s hot and what’s not, so you can design beautiful accessories that would fare well both for personal and business use.
What is Customized Jewelry?
Customized jewelry is designed from scratch or an existing piece. It’s created for a specific individual and is not intended for general sale. Skilled artisans or metalsmiths usually work on them with a client who they consult with on several occasions to ensure that they meet their needs and expectations from the piece.
Any kind of jewelry can be customized, but wedding jewelry is the most common item that people request modifications for. Couples may want their engagement rings to look different from the rest to symbolize the extraordinary love they share. Many spouses also have their wedding rings modified so they can wear a unique band on their fingers.
Clients also buy custom jewelry as gifts for major life milestones. For example, parents might want an old gold necklace customized as a gift to their graduating child. A husband might present his wife with a gift of custom made earrings to commemorate the birth of their first kid. Customers also require custom jewelry for other special occasions such as debutante balls or as props for film productions.
Types of Custom Jewelry: What’s Hot and What’s Not
Now that you know what custom jewelry is, it’s time to discuss what’s in and what’s out in custom jewelry. As bag and shoe trends change every year, so do jewelry styles. And if you’re planning on customizing your jewelry according to what’s trendy, then you better check this list out. In this guide, we’ve rounded up the jewelry trends you should try out this year.
What’s Hot
Tortoiseshell Designs
These pieces come in fun shapes and are hard to miss! You should definitely make room for tortoiseshell jewelry items in your box of accessories.
Lucite
This see-through style can take your fashion game up a notch. You can play with this trend’s many variations, including extra bright colors or gold accents.
Bright Enamel
If you already have the basics in your jewelry box, like gold and silver jewelry, then it might be time to try something more vibrant. This pretty trend comes in a rainbow of cute shades.
Big Shells
If you have any summer trips planned, you’re in luck because shell necklaces are here to stay! The oversized styles and spiral-shaped pieces are totally in.
Link Bracelets
This is a classic look that you can wear daily and with basically anything. No matter what you’re wearing, link bracelets will almost always look good. You can even layer it with a nice watch for extra style points.
What’s Not
’90s chokers
We may have loved ’90s chokers when they made their big comeback a few decades ago, but women have moved on to a more refined choker look. Delicate gold chain chokers that are worn solo or layered with dainty necklaces are what’s in right now.
Ear crawlers
Let’s bid farewell to ear crawlers and say hello to giant hoops–particularly the ones bedazzled with diamonds! While ear crawlers have served us well during their prime, sparkling diamond hoops are the real deal now. Rock this dazzling style for that head-turning look that’s both playful and cool.
Boho jewelry
Boho pieces may look showy now that the glam look is back. Herringbone necklaces, gemstone-encrusted panthers, and chunky rings are just a few of the glam gold-and-diamond looks that you should be trying out today.
Large cuff bracelets
Instead of wearing oversized cuffs, what looks trendy now is a generous stack of bangles. It’s all about layering this 2020, not just for necklaces but also for wrist accessories!
Bib necklaces
Bib necklaces are tired and overdone. What the fashion world is loving right now are dainty layered necklaces. These are guaranteed to give its wearer an effortlessly elegant and feminine look.
How Can I Have My Jewelry Custom Made?
Now that we have your attention, you may be itching to having your own custom piece. The production of custom jewelry is a highly collaborative process. The buyer and the jeweler/designer must first establish an effective working relationship for the product to meet the desired outcome. The initial step involves the buyer looking into several portfolios from different jewelers to determine which of them meets their style and aesthetic preferences. Once they’ve made a decision, the buyer meets with the designer or visits the store to discuss the item’s details. The client must specify the type of piece, the precious metals and gems they want to incorporate, and the general look they’re going for.
During this initial meeting, the jeweler typically creates a preliminary sketch of the jewelry based on the buyer’s vision. This drawing will be refined gradually into more formal designs to meet the buyer’s creative goals using Computer-Aided Design (CAD).
Once the client approves the CAD, the 3D file is sent to a 3D printer to print a replica of the item in wax. This wax piece is encased in plaster to form a mold. The last steps involve necessary stone setting, enameling, plating, or polishing before the final piece is sent to the client.
What to Look For In a Custom Jewelry Designer
Beyond basic aesthetics, one thing to think about when choosing a jeweler is their approach to jewelry-making and the types of materials and tools they use. Ask them questions about these matters, so you can be sure that you agree with their methods and values. For example, some jewelers have committed to using only ethically-sourced materials. Others have also avoided the use of toxins in the processes of soldering and fabrication. You must pick a jeweler that can meet both your creative and ethical requirements.
How Long Does It Take to Make Custom Jewelry?
Depending on the complexity of the design, it can take several weeks or months for designers to finish a piece of customized jewelry. To create the final model, you would have to meet with the jeweler on several occasions. This timeline could be stretched if you request a lot of changes throughout the whole production process.
How Much Does Custom Jewelry Cost?
Since these are unique pieces, custom jewelry would typically cost a lot more than in-store fine jewelry. It’s unlikely that you’ll find custom jewelry cheap. The great thing about it, though, is that it’s usually heirloom quality, which means that future generations of your family will be able to enjoy it. These treasured pieces will carry unique stories behind their creation and increase their sentimental value.
The ultimate jewelry redesign cost, however, will depend on the quality of the piece. Custom jewelry may cost a few dollars more than a standard piece if it requires basic changes or designs. It can also cost thousands of dollars if you want a unique designer piece made of high-quality precious metals and gemstones. The more complex the design, the more expensive it will be.
If you want to alter a specific part, like the pendant of a necklace, you might be wondering how much does a custom pendant cost? Again, it will depend on the quality of the piece and the materials that will be used to make/alter it. It’s best to consult the jewelry designer of your choice to get the most accurate pricing information. Designers will surely provide you with an estimate based on what you’re looking for when you ask for it.
How Do I Make My Own Jewelry?
Jewelry making is a manageable low-investment business that hands-on creatives can venture into. If you want to design your own jewelry to sell, you first have to learn about the basics. As with every new endeavor, starting would require capital, knowledge, tools, and raw materials. Here is a simple step-by-step guide on how you can start making your own jewelry at home for business or personal use.
Choose the type of jewelry you’re going to make
There is a myriad of jewelry types, so it’s best to decide on what you want to create. Do you like beaded costume jewelry or metal-stamped jewelry? Zero in on one kind to focus on first.
Learn basic skills
No matter what medium you decide to try first, learning a few basic skills about jewelry making is necessary. Most projects require knowledge about opening and closing a jump ring properly or forming a simple wire loop. Get to know these skills so you can employ these techniques on the pieces you’ll be creating.
Invest in high-quality tools
Get the right equipment and invest in jewelry-making tools such as wire cutters, hammers, pliers, and crimping tools.
Learn the jargon
Do you know the difference between a head and an eye pin? What’s a jewelry loom? Before you buy anything, make sure you know what it’s for. This will save you a lot of time and money.
Gather stocks
Visit your local craft store and familiarize yourself with the tools and supplies you’ll be needing. Ordering materials online is easy, but there is nothing like getting the feel of what you’ll be purchasing before you buy them.
Designate a workspace
Creatives need a space where they can work freely and get messy. Choose an area in your home that you’ll dedicate to your jewelry-making project. Once you’ve done so, sort your supplies and organize them in containers, so you have everything you need within arm’s reach when inspiration hits.
Get inspiration
Don’t just wait for an idea to come to you–look for it! While you could get a burst of inspiration while sitting down, it’s best to search for it actively. Check out Google Trends, Pinterest, the social media pages of your favorite jewelry brands or influencers to get those creative juices flowing.
Take a formal class
If you aren’t the type who likes learning on their own, then it might be best for you to take a basic beginner class. There are lots of free resources about jewelry-making on the internet, but nothing beats learning from experienced instructors. They’ll walk you through the process and make sure you’re equipped with the proper knowledge when you finish their class. Taking classes is also useful if you want to learn specific techniques, such as soldering melted jewelry, wire wrapping, etc.
Why Custom Jewelry
You can never go wrong with custom jewelry. Why? Because you, the buyer, will be involved in every step of its creation. There might be a lot of trial and error involved initially, especially when you frequently warrant changes in the sketches and design. Ultimately, however, you will still end up with the piece you envisioned. It’s also easier to stay within budget when customizing jewelry because you have a say in every piece of material that will go into its production. Plus, there’s no intermediary involved. Having jewelry personalized is between the buyer and the designer only, no one else. Custom jewelry designers give utmost importance to the standards you set, so you can expect the handcrafted product to be a unique and heirloom-quality piece of art. It’s these advantages that give custom jewelry its unparalleled beauty.
If you’re clueless about jewelry and need advice on how to select the right pieces, check out this guide we created on how to buy jewelry like a boss.