Your bespoke journey
a guide for prospective clients
Making your jewellery truly yours
Bespoke rings - custom made for clients
The connection between you and your bespoke jewellery is at the heart of my work. Through our collaboration, we’ll weave together your personal stories, milestones, and memories, creating something that holds deep meaning for you. And the journey is not only about crafting a beautiful item - it’s about ensuring your experience is as rewarding as the finished piece.
Your Story
The bespoke journey begins with a conversation. Whether you have a specific vision, a story you want to capture, or a milestone you wish to mark, I take the time to understand your values, inspirations, and the personal significance behind the bespoke piece of custom made jewellery you’re looking to create. For me, the heart of bespoke jewellery design lies in this personal connection, and it’s my privilege to bring your story to life in a way that’s uniquely yours.
I offer consultations in a way that suits you - whether in person at my Workshop Gallery in Shetland or the Goldsmiths' Centre in London, or online via video call to clients around the world.
Wherever we meet, this initial conversation is completely free of charge and comes with no obligation - it’s important that you feel confident and comfortable entrusting me with your precious project, and that we establish a productive, creative relationship. To help you decide if I am the right jeweller for you, you can find out more about me and my ethics, read some client testimonials, and view some of my bespoke work.
Rest assured you’ll be in safe hands. I’ve had 100s of satisfied clients over my career (including supermodels and members of the Royal Family!)
““Karlin made the perfect engagement ring based on what I considered a challenging brief. The result was beautiful, exceeded my expectations, and my wife was delighted with the results.””
From Vision to Design
Once I understand your story, the bespoke design process begins. I start by sketching out concepts that reflect your personality and the essence of what you wish to convey through the personalised jewellery. Using traditional technical drawing skills with paper and pencil, I bring your vision to life with care and detail. For more intricate or highly complex designs, I also use Computer-Aided Design (CAD), which allows me to create precise and detailed visual representations.
Every detail is considered—whether it’s the choice of materials, the style of setting, or the incorporation of symbolic elements that hold special meaning for you. I work closely with you to refine the design, ensuring that the final piece not only meets but exceeds your expectations.
Your bespoke design proposal will be presented to you through a personal online client portal. This platform allows you to easily view all the details of the proposed design, approve the concept, and pay the deposit - all at your convenience.
“Karlin designed the most exquisite and unique wedding ring for me. She sketched out stunning designs based on my ideas, and it was difficult to choose just one. The whole process was seamless, and the final ring was even better than I had imagined.”
Client Portal
In your personal portal, you’ll find:
Client Brief: A summary of our conversations, detailing the ideas and inspirations you’ve shared with me.
Design Story: I’ll share how your story has been translated into the design, outlining the thought process behind each creative decision, from material choices to symbolic elements.
Design Sketches: Hand-drawn or digital sketches of the proposed piece, offering you a visual representation of the final design.
This process gives you the freedom to review the proposal at your own pace, request any adjustments, and feel confident before we move forward with the crafting of your bespoke piece.
Sourcing Premium Materials
With over 30 years of experience and connections to specialist gem suppliers, I have access to the finest materials in bespoke jewellery. From recycled gold to rare ethically sourced gemstones, I ensure each material is chosen for its beauty, quality, and sustainability. The growing demand for sustainable jewellery inspires my commitment to ethical sourcing, including certified metals and conflict-free gemstones.
My approach ensures that each bespoke piece embodies ethical values, exceptional craftsmanship, and timeless beauty, creating jewellery to be cherished for generations.
“The quality of the materials Karlin used was exceptional. I couldn’t be happier with my necklace, and I’ve received so many compliments on its beauty and craftsmanship.”
Crafting Your Piece
Craftsmanship is at the core of my work. Each piece is meticulously handcrafted in my Shetland beachfront studio in the beautiful village of Hoswick, which has magnificent and inspirational views out to the wild North Sea.
I use a combination of traditional and modern techniques that I’ve refined over decades of experience in the jewellery industry, including my formative years in Hatton Garden.
The process often begins with the intricate art of wax carving to create master patterns, a technique that allows for precision and creativity in shaping the initial form of each piece. For more complex designs, I use state-of-the-art Computer Aided Design (CAD) technology to bring each vision to life with exacting detail before it is crafted into a physical form.
Hand-forming precious metals is an integral part of my process, ensuring each piece is sculpted with care, allowing for a bespoke touch that cannot be replicated by mass production. Once the piece takes shape, the gemstones are set using a variety of techniques tailored to each design, whether it’s traditional claw setting, intricate micro-setting, or more contemporary styles, ensuring the stones are showcased in the most beautiful and secure way possible. Every piece is then sent for hallmarking, a mark of authenticity and quality, guaranteeing the metal’s purity and origin.
My commitment to excellence ensures that every stage of the making process is done with precision and care, resulting in jewellery that is not only visually stunning but crafted to last the test of time.
“I can not express in words what a pleasure it was having Karlin design and make my eternity and wedding bands! Seeing the final set made my day. They are so beautifully made, and I love how they complement my engagement ring perfectly.”
The Final Reveal
After weeks of careful crafting, the final piece is ready to be revealed. There’s something truly special about seeing the joy on my clients’ faces when they hold their bespoke piece for the first time. Each piece holds a unique personal story - and that’s what makes the bespoke journey so special.
A Lasting Legacy
Bespoke jewellery isn’t just about the moment of creation - it’s about creating something that will be cherished for generations. When you commission a piece from me, you’re investing in more than just a product; you’re investing in a memory, a connection, and a legacy. My clients often tell me that the bespoke journey itself is as rewarding as the final piece, and it’s this experience that I have dedicated my career to and I am proud to offer each and every one of my clients.
“This year was a significant birthday for me, and I wanted a special ring to commemorate the occasion. Karlin guided me through her bespoke service, and we designed a stunning diamond ring incorporating materials from a ring I already treasured. I now have a timeless and utterly beautiful ring that gladdens my day whenever I look at it.”
Preparing for the bespoke journey
To help me prepare for your consultation, it’s very helpful if you can share some initial thoughts and ideas beforehand. This will allow us to begin the creative process with your vision in mind and ensure that our consultation is as productive and inspiring as possible. Don’t worry if you’re not sure where to start - I’m here to guide you every step of the way.
Below are a few questions to think about as you begin this exciting journey:
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Take a moment to consider what type of piece you’d love to have created. Is it a ring, earrings, a necklace, bracelet, or something entirely unique? This will help us focus on the specific design considerations for that type of jewellery and make the process smoother for you.
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Jewellery is often deeply personal, and I’d love to hear if there’s a special meaning or occasion that this piece will commemorate. Are you celebrating a major milestone - like a birthday, anniversary, or graduation? Or perhaps you’d like the piece to reflect a personal story, belief, or connection to a loved one?
Maybe you're getting ready to 'pop the question' and want a showstopping engagement ring, or you're making a lifelong commitment and want wedding rings to embody how special your love is?
Feel free to share anything close to your heart, from a love of certain shapes or colours to a significant memory. These details help me design a piece that truly reflects you and your story.
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If you’ve already envisioned a certain style or look, that’s wonderful! Whether you have a specific design in mind or just some ideas you’re considering, I’d love to see what inspires you. Pictures are always welcome—photos of jewellery you admire, fashion styles, or even colours and landscapes that resonate with you. Don’t hesitate to share images of the recipient’s favourite pieces as well.
Our Bespoke Gallery and ready to wear collections are also a great place to look for inspiration from past projects I’ve worked on with other clients. You’re welcome to browse for ideas or just to get a feel for what resonates with you.
You can gather your inspiration using a Pinterest board and share it with me.
In short, any reference, big or small, helps me understand your vision better! -
If you have a favourite gemstone, birthstone, or a metal you love—whether for its beauty, symbolism, or personal significance—please share this with me. We can work together to incorporate these elements into the final design in a way that feels special and meaningful.
And if you’d like to reuse any materials from a treasured piece of jewellery, that’s absolutely possible too. Whether it’s a gemstone or a metal, I can work with existing elements to create something entirely new while preserving the sentimental value of the original.
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If you have a cherished piece of jewellery that holds sentimental value but no longer suits your style, we can give it new life. By remodelling it, we can retain the emotional significance while transforming it into something that feels fresh and personal to you today.
This is also an ethical and sustainable choice, as it allows us to reuse precious materials, reducing the need for new resources. During the consultation, I’ll assess the condition of the materials and discuss how we can integrate them into your new design while preserving their history.
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Commissioning bespoke jewellery as a surprise or gift is a beautiful gesture, and I’d be delighted to help you make it unforgettable. Here are a few tips to help ensure the piece reflects the recipient’s style and preferences:
Style Reference: Pay attention to the type of jewellery the recipient usually wears. Are they drawn to bold statement pieces or more delicate, minimal designs? You can share photos of their favourite jewellery, or describe their general style.
Meaningful Elements: Consider incorporating something personal, such as a birthstone, a meaningful symbol, or a reference to a shared memory. These thoughtful touches can make the piece even more special.
Sizing Considerations: For rings or bracelets, if you're unsure of the recipient’s size, we can explore creative ways to gather that information discreetly, or design the piece in a way that allows for later adjustments.
Presentation: I’ll work with you to ensure the piece is beautifully presented for the occasion, whether it’s for a birthday, engagement, or any other significant moment.
Working together, we can create a piece that will not only surprise but also deeply move the recipient, capturing the thought and care behind the gift.
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The cost of bespoke jewellery can vary depending on the materials, design complexity, and techniques used. Having a general idea of your budget helps me tailor the design to meet both your creative vision and practical needs. I’ll guide you through the process to ensure we create something beautiful within your preferred range.
To help you understand what’s achievable within various budgets, here are some examples of the bespoke jewellery that could be created at different price ranges.
Rings
Minimalist 9ct gold ring - £750+
Minimalist 18ct gold ring set with multiple small diamonds - £2,500+
Platinum ring set with a 1.5ct gem & multiple smaller gems - £5,000+
Platinum ring set with a 3ct gem & multiple smaller gems - £10,000+
Platinum ring set with a 5ct gem & multiple smaller gems - £20,000+
Necklaces
9ct gold pendant & chain - £1,500
18ct gold pendant & chain with 1ct gem & multiple smaller gems - £5,000+
Platinum pendant & chain with 3ct gem & multiple smaller gems - £15,000+
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Bespoke jewellery is a creative process that takes time, and I want to ensure that your piece is crafted to perfection. Typically, from our first contact to the final reveal, the process takes around 6 months.
However, if your piece is for a special occasion or specific date, please let me know as early as possible. I may be able to adjust the timeline to accommodate your needs, depending on the complexity of the design and my schedule.
Here’s an approximate timeline:
Initial Consultation: Our first conversation usually happens within 2 weeks of you getting in touch.
Design Phase: After our consultation, it takes around 1 month for me to develop your initial designs, which is often followed by some collaborative refinements. Once you approve the final design, the deposit is paid, and we can move forward with the making process.
Waiting List: My current waiting list means it will be around 3 months before I begin crafting your piece.
Crafting and Finishing: Once work begins, it takes approximately 2 months to create, hallmark, finish, and polish your bespoke jewellery.
Need Some Help or Guidance?
If you’re unsure about any of these questions or don’t have all the details worked out yet, that’s absolutely fine! It’s a journey we’ll take together, and I’m here to help guide you at every stage. I’ll work with you to bring your ideas to life and we’ll create something truly special.
Ready to Begin?
When you’re ready to take the next step, please visit our contact page to get in touch via phone, email, or our contact form. I’m looking forward to hearing your ideas and starting this exciting creative journey with you!