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Bespoke Design Process

Every bespoke commission we take on follows the same four-step process, whether the finished piece is a £1,500 solitaire or a £50,000 statement necklace. It usually takes three to four weeks from CAD approval to collection.

Step 1: Consultation

Free, 45 to 60 minutes, in person at the studio or by WhatsApp. We work through inspiration, stones, budget, and design direction, and leave you with a clear written starting brief.

Step 2: CAD design

We design your ring in CAD (Computer-Aided Design). You see the ring from multiple angles in photorealistic render, including how it looks next to a hand of typical size and proportion. Revisions are included in the quoted price until the design is right. No work begins until you approve.

Step 3: Making your piece

Once CAD is approved, your piece is designed in CAD and hand-finished at our own bench in our workshop at The Goldsmiths’ Centre, with casting and setting carried out by trusted specialist workshops. Our goldsmiths hand-finish and polish the finished piece. Most commissions take two to three weeks at this stage.

Step 4: Hallmarking and collection

Every piece is sent to the London Assay Office for hallmarking, which certifies the metal purity for life. Hallmarking is included in the quoted price. Once the piece returns, we arrange collection at the studio or free, fully insured delivery within the UK, with international delivery arranged and insured on request.

What you receive

  • The finished ring in a hand-finished presentation box
  • GIA or IGI diamond certificate (if applicable)
  • An invoice as proof of value
  • A hallmark photograph and manufacturing record
  • For a ring we have made, sizing down is complimentary and sizing up is quoted individually, depending on how much metal we need to add

Payment

Your commission begins with a £350 design fee, which covers the CAD design and is credited toward your deposit. Once you approve the CAD, a 50% deposit is due, less the £350 already paid. The remaining balance is payable before your piece is collected or delivered. For pieces bought directly from the website, you can also pay in instalments with Shop Pay at checkout.

Because every piece is made to your specification, commissions are exempt from the 14-day cooling-off period under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. The design fee and deposit are non-refundable, and once work has begun a commission cannot be refunded, which is why we only move forward once you are happy with the CAD.

For a longer-form walk-through of the process, read the journal article. To start, book a consultation.

Every commission is seen on screen before it is ever felt in the hand.

On the bespoke process
How long does a bespoke engagement ring take to make in Hatton Garden?

Allow about three to four weeks from design sign-off to collection, roughly four to six weeks end to end from your first consultation. That covers CAD design and approval (about a week), diamond sourcing, making by skilled Hatton Garden craftsmen, then hallmarking at the London Assay Office and hand-finishing at our bench. If you are working to a proposal date, tell us early so we can plan around it.

What is the benefit of CAD design for a custom ring?

CAD lets you see and approve your exact ring before any metal is cut, so there are no surprises. We produce photo-real renders from several angles, adjust proportions, shoulder width, stone size and setting height to the millimetre, and refine it with you until it is right. For more involved pieces we can also 3D-print a resin model so you can try the shape on your finger first, available for a fee.

How much does a bespoke engagement ring cost?

Bespoke commissions start from £1,500, and most clients spend between £3,000 and £12,000, with larger statement pieces running to £20,000 and beyond. The price is driven by the centre stone (size, and natural versus lab-grown), the metal (platinum is around 3% more than white gold), and the setting complexity. Because we design and finish each piece ourselves and source stones to your brief, you get a clear, fixed quote before any work begins.

Can I commission a bespoke ring from outside London?

Yes. Many of our commissions are completed entirely remotely by phone, email and video call. We share CAD renders for approval, agree your diamond from certificates and video, and ship the finished ring fully insured, with international delivery arranged and insured. Clients across the UK, Europe, the US, the Middle East and Asia commission with us without ever visiting the studio.

Do I pay in full upfront for a bespoke commission?

No. We take a deposit to begin design and sourcing, with the balance due once you have approved the final CAD and the piece is ready. We accept all major cards and bank transfer. You will have a fixed, itemised quote before committing to anything.

Begin Your Bespoke Journey

Visit our Hatton Garden workshop by appointment, or message us to begin remotely.

Book a Private ConsultationWhatsAppCall +44 20 7206 2705