My Favourite Jewellery Commission (So Far!)

I probably shouldn’t confess to having a favourite piece of bespoke jewellery - it’s a bit like admitting you have a favourite child (and if my sons are reading this, of course I don’t… unless one of you fancies putting the kettle on?).

But once in a while, there's a jewellery commission that takes up a special place in my heart. 

For me, jewellery is as much about storytelling as design and technique. And the story behind this piece of jewellery combined two of my favourite things: beautiful jewels and the chance to go full Columbo.

Curious to see if I cracked the case of the perfect jewellery surprise?  

Read on to find out how my favourite commission jewellery (so far!) came to life. 

Putting the mission into commission

James came to me with an idea. He and his wife, Nicola, had just welcomed their third child, and he wanted to mark the moment with something that showed the depth of his appreciation and gratitude to her.

He said: "I wanted to honour and thank her for carrying and caring for our children."

So far, so straightforward - but there was a catch: it had to be a complete surprise.

Plotting with an accomplice

James was aware of my work through a mutual friend, whose KSJ pieces Nicola had been admiring for a while.

He had a vague brief - my favourite kind, as it leaves so much room for creativity and individuality. 

So, we arranged to meet in secret at my Birmingham workshop, and James roped in said mutual friend to add a much-needed female perspective on his wife's tastes.

Pro tip: bringing along a trusted friend is a great move if you're planning a surprise piece and aren't 100% sure you can be trusted!

After a good chat, the beginnings of a design started to form.

 

James still hadn't quite made his mind up about style and colour, so I sent him some sketches, and images to bring our ideas to life, emailing back and forth to nail down the details until he was ready to give me the green light on three halo rings with flush set diamonds.

 

Made to order: creating a bespoke piece of jewellery

From here, I got to work creating a beautiful trio of halo rings in my studio, using different metals and gemstones.

 

 

By the way, if you're curious about the making process, you might enjoy my behind-the-scenes blogs on jewellery remodelling and making one of my best-selling silver rings.

And if you’re contemplating your own stealth mission, this article on finding out someone’s ring size without asking will come in handy!

 

The final (and most exciting) stage in the jewellery commission process: the big reveal

Once I’d finished making the rings, James really wanted Nicola to come to the studio to orchestrate a big reveal in person - there was just the small matter of how to get her there without ruining the surprise.

He suggested a day out in Birmingham, and we secretly arranged to find ourselves in the same coffee shop at the same time.

As luck would have it, Nicola recognised me from my social media and came over to say hello. We had a chat, and I ever-so-casually invited her to the studio to come and have a look at some pieces. 

Fortunately, she accepted - a good job, really, because there was no plan B!

Admiring the handmade jewellery in the display cabinet, James's wife started asking me questions about my work.

She asked: "Do you make jewellery specifically for people, or do they tend to just come and buy what they see on the shelf from the collection?"

With Oscar-winning timing, James replied: "Oh, well, look at these here - these have been made for other people. But this set here - these are yours."

Cue: a pause.
Then a double-take.
Followed by a “What do you mean?” stare.

James repeated: "They're yours, they've been made for you."

Nicola was speechless - something James later told me never happens! 

 

Letting it sink in 

After a few minutes, Nicola picked up the rings and tried them on - it seemed like it had started to sink in.

Later that evening, she texted me to apologise for how quiet she was - she said she just didn't know what the hell was going on!

Nicola told me that with three children, the youngest of whom was just six months old, she hadn’t felt like she could focus on herself for a really long time. 

This gift, she said, made her feel truly special again.

This is the kind of feedback that stays with you as a jeweller.

 

The bespoke jewellery we created for Nicola

For the lovely Nicola, we created three halo rings, each with flush-set diamonds in the band:

• Platinum with blue sapphire – rich, deep, and timeless.

• Morganite with rose gold – soft, romantic, and glowing.

• Diamond with yellow gold – classic sparkle with warmth.

It was such a privilege to be part of James’s plan from start to finish.

Commissions like this are about a lot more than just designing and making - I felt so privileged to play a supporting role in a moment James and Nicola will remember forever (Hollywood casting agents - if you’re reading, I’m available).

Afterwards, James said:

"While we are thrilled with the rings and they are very beautiful, for me, the process of getting to the finished product was also very important, and the whole journey with Kate was a joy. 

I would recommend her to anyone looking for something unique, personal and created with great care and attention.  Whether this is for someone else or you are buying something for yourself, I would recommend having a chat with Kate and looking at her website.

Unfortunately, the discussions are now about what my wife would like next from Kate!!"

Ready when you are, James ;)

Explore examples and guide prices for commission pieces or find out more about my jewellery remodelling service if you have old or unworn pieces you'd love to reimagine.

All of the jewellery you see on my website and in my studio is made by hand in Birmingham's historic Jewellery Quarter, whether it's one of our signature wedding rings, a matching necklace and earring set, or a remodelled commission piece using old jewellery.

We source all precious metals and gems ethically, and use our local Birmingham Assay Office for hallmarking every piece of jewellery we create to assure you of its quality, authenticity, and provenance.