Bespoke Commissions
Welcome to my world
Thank you for considering a bespoke piece from Eleanor Johnson Jewellery.
I create one-of-a-kind engagement rings and jewellery inspired by fairy tales, folklore, antique treasures, and the natural world. Every piece begins as a hand-carved wax model before being cast in precious metal and finished by hand.
My style is organic, romantic, and intentionally individual. Rather than recreating exact replicas of existing jewellery, I work collaboratively with clients to create pieces that feel personal, meaningful, and uniquely theirs.
Whether you're celebrating an engagement, a milestone, or simply bringing a dream piece to life, I'd love to hear your ideas and explore whether we'd be a good fit to work together.
Before enquiring, please take a moment to read through the process and pricing information below.
Bespoke Commissions
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The Process
1. Initial Enquiry
Tell me about your ideas, inspiration, budget, and any gemstones you're interested in using. We'll discuss whether we're a good fit for one another and whether your project aligns with my style of work.
2. Design & Gemstone Sourcing
If gemstone sourcing or significant design development is required before proceeding, a non-refundable design fee may apply. This covers the time involved in researching and sourcing suitable gemstones and developing the concept.
3. Deposit
Once we've agreed the design direction and quotation, a 50% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your commission.
4. Wax Model Creation
I will hand carve and sculpt your piece in wax before it is cast into precious metal. Photographs of the wax model will be provided for approval before casting.
5. Approval & Final Payment
Once the wax model has been approved, the remaining 50% balance will be due before casting and completion of the piece.
6. Casting & Finishing
Your design will be cast, hallmarked where required, stone set, polished, and finished by hand before being carefully packaged and sent to you.
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Choosing Your Gemstone
Selecting a gemstone is often one of the most exciting parts of the bespoke process. Whether you're looking for a traditional engagement stone, a colourful alternative, or something rich in symbolism, I'm happy to guide you through the options.
I regularly work with a wide range of gemstones, including precious and sem-precious gemstones. Together, we can consider factors such as:
- Colour
- Durability and suitability for everyday wear
- Budget
- Stone size and shape
- Symbolism and personal meaning
- Natural, lab-grown, or recycled options
If you already have a gemstone in mind, I can help source suitable stones through trusted suppliers. If you're unsure where to begin, I can present a selection of options based on your preferences and budget.
Natural and Lab-Grown Gemstones
I am happy to work with both natural and lab-grown gemstones. Both can be beautiful choices, and I'm happy to discuss the advantages of each to help you decide what feels right for you.
A Note on Durability
Some gemstones are better suited to everyday wear than others, particularly for engagement rings. I'll always provide guidance on the practicality of different stones so that your finished piece is as durable as it is beautiful.
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Price Guide
The price of bespoke work varies depending on the metal, gemstones and complexity of the craftsmanship. An exact quote will be provided when you reach out. However, my starting prices for silver and gold are as below.
Silver
Sterling silver commissions start from £400.
Gold
9ct gold commissions generally start from £1,000.
Gold prices vary depending on the current gold market, the weight of the finished piece, and the carat of gold chosen (9ct, 14ct or 18ct)
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Heirloom Jewellery & Gemstone Re-Use
Have a sentimental gemstone you'd love to give a new life? I may be able to incorporate heirloom stones into a bespoke commission.
For the safety of your gemstones, I will only work with clients own diamonds, sapphires, and rubies as I don't want to risk breaking a softer stone.
Please note that while every care is taken when assessing and setting heirloom stones, no jeweller can guarantee the condition of pre-owned gemstones. Stones will be inspected before work begins, and I reserve the right to decline the use of a stone if I believe it presents an unacceptable risk.
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Timeframe
For bespoke work, lead times can vary depending on the complexity of the design, gemstone sourcing requirements, and my current workload.
- Simpler commissions typically take 3-6 weeks to complete.
- More complex designs, intricate stone settings, or projects requiring specialist gemstone sourcing may take longer.
Please note that the lead time begins once your deposit has been received, not from your initial enquiry.
The design and consultation stage can sometimes take several days or even a few weeks as we discuss ideas, refine details, source gemstones, and finalise the design. This is a collaborative part of the process and is not included within the production timeframe.
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Shipping
UK Shipping
UK orders are shipped via Royal Mail Tracked and Signed For. Shipping rate - £10.
International Shipping
Ireland and Europe - Due to the EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), Regulation (EU) 2023/988, we are currently unable to ship to Ireland and Europe. We are a small business an hope to grow to a size where we can offer shipping to Ireland and Europe in future.
Rest of the world - Items are sent via Royal Mail International Tracked and Signed at a flat rate of £30. This includes compensation for items up to a value of £250. Please contact me if you would like to use a different service that offers higher compensation.
Import Duties - Please note that the customer is responsible for all import duties, customs and local sales taxes levied by the country they are shipping to.