There is something profoundly moving about a piece of jewellery that tells not just any story, but your story. Whether it’s the excitement of designing a dream engagement ring from scratch or the sentimental journey of reimagining a family heirloom, bespoke jewellery is the ultimate expression of personality.

To help you understand the magic behind our Powells Bespoke service, we sat down with Terri, a valued member of the Powells Jewellery team. With 28 years of experience in fine jewellery and watches, Terri has helped countless clients reimagine something new from precious old memories.

For many, the word "bespoke" can feel a little mysterious. To Terri, it’s simple: it’s about making an item uniquely yours.

"It’s about taking the ideas you imagine and tailoring them," Terri explains. "You’re putting your own stamp on a piece, and more importantly, you’re putting your memories into it."

At Powells, our bespoke service follows two distinct paths:

Crafting New Masterpieces: Collaborating with our team to design a one-of-a-kind piece from a blank canvas.

Breathing Life into Old Treasures: A sustainable and sentimental approach where we repurpose your existing gold and gemstones into a contemporary design.

The Journey: From a Sketch to Your Hand

One of the most common questions we hear is: "How does the process actually work?" Terri walked us through the typical six-week journey of a bespoke commission at Powells.

The Initial Spark: It starts with a conversation. Clients bring in styles they love, or perhaps old items they wish to remodel.

The Creative Iteration: Terri and the team create sketches based on your ideas. "We narrow it down to three designs," says Terri. "Then we tweak and refine until the client is completely happy."

The Technical Precision: Once the sketch is perfected, we create a CAD (Computer-Aided Design). This allows you to see a digital 3D representation of your piece before it's cast.

The Grand Reveal: About six weeks from the start, your piece is ready. For those who want to remember every moment, you can even request a storyboard documenting the creation journey.

A Story of Transformation: The Art Deco Reimagining

When we asked Terri about her most memorable project, her face lit up as she described a beautiful 1930s Art Deco ring.

"The client had this stunning piece that had been in her family for decades, but she never wore it," Terri recalls. "She originally wanted to break it up, but she didn't want to lose the essence of that era."

The result? A masterclass in sentimental remodelling. The team transformed the single ring into a coordinated suite: a pair of earrings, a pendant, and a new ring. By using traditional milgrain settings, they preserved the historical character of the original piece while making it wearable to suit her style.

"She absolutely loves them now. We kept the family sentiment but gave her something she can actually enjoy every day."

Terri’s Advice for Starting Your Bespoke Story

If you’re sitting on a collection of old jewellery or dreaming of a custom engagement ring, Terri has one main piece of advice: Make sure you’re ready.

"It’s an emotional process, especially if you’re breaking up sentimental pieces. We make the atmosphere as friendly and fun as possible because this should be an exciting chapter for you."

How to get started:

Whether you have a fully-formed mood board or just a vague idea, we are here to guide you. You don’t need to be an expert; you just need a vision.

Book an Appointment: Visit us in-store for a face-to-face chat.

Give us a Call: Let’s talk through your initial ideas. (01244 311312)

Send an Email: Attach some photos of styles you like or pieces you want to remodel. (info@powellsjewellery.com)

The most thoughtful gifts take time and care. Book a friendly, no-pressure consultation and let’s start crafting your legacy.