Think you need to meet a jeweller in person to commission a truly special piece, such as a wedding or engagement ring?
You’re not alone… but the truth might surprise you.
Of course, it's lovely to meet in person. However, some of my favourite pieces of bespoke jewellery have been created over a series of Zoom calls.
I wanted to use this blog post to let you know what to expect from a consultation with me, whether it's online or in-person - and bust a few myths along the way.
So, let's go behind the scenes...
The spark behind my first online jewellery consultation (you guessed it: Covid)
During the height of Covid, in the midst of home schooling and binge-watching Tiger King, I was contacted by a lovely lady called Jules who wanted a bespoke piece but couldn’t travel to my Birmingham workshop due to the restrictions.
We met on Zoom to discuss my bespoke jewellery service, talked through her ideas, and eventually created something completely unique together.
(In fact, that piece went on to become the inspiration behind my best-selling Dune collection.)
Think this sounds impersonal? Far from it - and her feedback really put a smile on my face:
“I wanted something unique and special for my big birthday. Kate was brilliant in getting to know me, and understanding my likes and came up with brilliant designs. Kate kept me informed all the way, helping me choose the right stone, and tweaking the design as we went.
"As we were in full lockdown we had remote consultations, but Kate made me feel relaxed and engaged - it was like being in her studio with her.”
This was the ring we made for her - the first ever Dune Collection piece! Jules has since commissioned another piece, all without us ever meeting in person.
The experience of creating this ring opened my eyes to new possibilities - in two senses. It opened the door to a world of online collaborations and sparked the creative journey that became one of my favourite collections.
How consultations work
Whether you visit my workshop or meet me online, the process is relaxed and pressure-free - I can't emphasise this enough, because I know it might feel like a big step to book a consultation.
Many people book a 15-minute Zoom chat to start with, especially if they’re not sure what they’re looking for or just want to explore whether we’d be a good fit.
Not all of my consultations lead to a commission, for various reasons - for example, I'll only work on pieces that reflect my usual style, so if you're looking for something outside of that I may recommend a jeweller who would be a better fit for you.
As you can see, there's absolutely no obligation to proceed after our first call or in-store appointment.
During our first video call or meeting, we’ll talk through:
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What you’d like to create (or remodel)
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Your ideas, style preferences, and budget
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Whether my design approach aligns with what you have in mind.
If it feels right to move forward, you can then book a full appointment, either in person at my Birmingham workshop or, again, online.
In-person consultations for custom commissions
When you visit the workshop, you can view and try on existing designs, or bring in any pieces you’re thinking of remodelling.
It’s a calm and welcoming space - a world away from the typical high-end store experience where you might feel scrutinised or rushed into a decision.
I have a separate space for consultations, away from the main workshop, but you’ll be welcome to have a nosey around our workshop area too.
Lots of people travelling from further afield like to make a day of it and explore the Jewellery Quarter while they’re here.
If we’re creating a bespoke design, we’ll often finalise your ideas there and then. I’ll take measurements, suggest design options, and if you’re ready to go ahead, I’ll ask for a 50% deposit to begin.
If you leave jewellery with me for remodelling, you’ll receive a detailed receipt so everything is carefully recorded and stored securely in our safe.
Zoom consultations for bespoke jewellery and remodelling
For online appointments, the experience is just as personal. We chat face-to-face via video, and I can show you designs and examples as we talk so you can get a clearer idea of what's possible.
If we’re designing a ring, I can send you a free ring sizing gauge beforehand so you can measure your size accurately at home.
Once we’ve discussed your ideas, I’ll share a 3D visual of your design (an example of which you can see below) so you can see it from every angle. You can zoom in, rotate it, and suggest tweaks before I start making it. My customers find this a brilliant way to visualise a finished piece and feel confident they know how the finished piece will look.
This option works beautifully for clients who live further away - I’ve worked with people all over the UK, from London to Scotland - and even internationally, as we ship worldwide.
One client in Kuala Lumpur designed a family commission for her 40th birthday via Zoom, then travelled to collect it at Christmas.
All international pieces are securely packaged, fully insured, and sent via tracked post when complete.
Can I book a chat to discuss designing an engagement ring in secret?
Yes! I love a secret mission so I'm more than happy to go undercover with you.
Check out this handy blog full of advice for finding out someone's ring size without asking, or get in touch to discuss your ideas and we can start plotting.
You might also enjoy the story of my favourite commission so far - it was a sneaky one, and I still can't believe we pulled it off!
What happens next
Once your design is approved, your piece will be handcrafted here in my Birmingham workshop.
Lead times are usually around eight weeks, depending on the complexity of your design.
When it’s ready, you can either collect it in person or we can deliver it securely. Any unused diamonds or other precious stones are returned to you, and any leftover gold or platinum can either be sent back or credited towards your new piece.
Ready to start? Get in touch to book your free appointment and let's talk
Whether you’d like to visit the workshop or meet online from the comfort of your sofa, your consultation will always be relaxed and collaborative with zero pressure from me.
If you’d like to chat about remodelling a sentimental piece or designing a one-of-a-kind piece from scratch, drop me a line and I'll be in touch to get it in the diary.
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