Purchased by me (BIG TIME)
After the passing of my beloved pet Hugo last year, I sought a meaningful way to commemorate his memory. I explored numerous options for “pet grief” jewelry but ultimately desired something elegant and tasteful that avoided a kitschy aesthetic. Fortunately, I work at a remarkable Canadian jewelry retailer, Birks, which offers a unique custom design service called “Birks Bespoke”. This service empowers you to create a personalized piece from scratch or modify an existing one. I decided to share my experience, as I frequently receive inquiries from clients seeking guidance with their custom design projects.
The Birks Bespoke process is straightforward yet enriching: First, you schedule an appointment with a knowledgeable sales associate. During the meeting, you communicate your vision, leading to a hand-drawn sketch and a detailed quote. After finalizing the design, all that’s left is to wait for your exquisite piece to arrive!
One common misconception I encounter among clients new to custom design is the belief that it will be less expensive than purchasing from a showcase. Typically, custom creations are not cheaper than store-bought pieces. If someone attempts to replicate a design from high-end brands like Harry Winston or Tiffany & Co., they can expect to pay at least comparable prices or even more. This is largely due to the fact that custom pieces are uniquely crafted for you, while store items are mass-produced, allowing costs to be distributed across multiple units. In contrast, your custom piece bears all the expenses associated with its singular creation.
With these considerations in mind, I embarked on designing a ring to honor Hugo. Since Hugo’s birthday is in August, I thought a birthstone ring would be fitting. Additionally, remembering that both Hugo and my other pet, Hemingway, were born in August, I envisioned a ring featuring two stones to celebrate the bond between these two foster brothers I adopted together in 2015. The thought of them being “together with me” through this ring brings me joy, reflecting their close companionship.
Initially, I considered a more asymmetrical design featuring one pear-shaped peridot and one oval-shaped spinel, both August birthstones, to symbolize each of the boys. However, after careful consideration, I decided to use two identical stones for uniformity. I don’t own any peridot rings, so I thought a green stone would add a unique touch. After much deliberation, I chose two 0.70ct pear-shaped peridots encircled by pave diamonds. I opted for a setting in 14K white gold rather than 18K gold or platinum to manage costs effectively. Since this ring would not be for daily wear, I was comfortable with the choice of white gold, which could withstand some wear and tear without significant issues. Platinum would have added around $1,000 to the cost, and I preferred the shiny finish of white gold to the brushed look of worn platinum.
Once I finalized the design details, the ring took approximately six weeks to craft, along with a few additional weeks for appraisal to ensure it was covered for insurance purposes. I started the design process in September and collected my beautiful ring and documentation in November. The pivotal question remained—did I love how it turned out? I did, though it was certainly different from my initial expectations. The first detail that caught my eye was the substantial amount of metal in the twist section of the ring; I hadn’t anticipated it being so thick. However, this added to the elegance of the piece, especially with the peridots appearing larger than I envisioned! I’m at a stage in my life where a bold aesthetic is appealing, which worked out well, although I may not have appreciated it a decade ago. I quickly learned to reconcile my mental image with the actual piece on my hand, underscoring the importance of maintaining an open outlook.
I typically wear my ring at work, removing it during store operations, as peridots are not the hardest stones and can chip easily. In fact, after just two weeks of wearing it, I experienced an unfortunate incident while opening the store, where I accidentally caught the ring on a wall, resulting in dislocating one of the pear-shaped stones and chipping the culet. Thankfully, I had it repaired and it looked as good as new. However, as someone who has only had one jewelry repair in 16 years at Birks, this was a significant lesson learned! Now, I am more cautious and conscious of my movements while wearing it, as everyday activities can easily lead to mishaps. I share this advice with all clients, especially regarding their engagement rings; it’s wise to take them off at home and not wear them constantly. Looking back, I wish I had heeded this advice myself!
Have you ever ventured into custom jewelry design, and how was your experience?
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