Bespoke Commissions
One-off engagement rings, wedding bands and commemorative jewels drawn from personal stories.
Commission process →
York Workshop · North Yorkshire
Independent fine jewellery designed, repaired and restored at our York workshop. From bespoke rings to carefully assessed heirlooms, each project is planned around its materials, construction and intended use.
Jewellery Made to Be Kept
Our Philosophy & Practice
Jewellery should be made to be worn and kept, with materials and construction chosen for the way it will be used. At our York bench, each band, claw and setting is shaped with attention to proportion, strength and finish, so the finished piece can be cared for and repaired over time.
We assess each item individually and explain the available options before work begins. Material specifications and gemstone documentation are reviewed as part of the design or repair plan, where that information is available.
Read about our commissioning journey →
Master Benchwork
Disciplines Practised at the Bench
Precious Stone Setting
Rubover, grain, pavé and claw settings executed under magnification for maximum security and brilliance.
Setting craftsmanship →Heirloom Restoration
Sympathetic reinforcement of worn galleries, re-tipping prongs and rebuilding thinned shanks.
Restoration standards →Precision Ring Resizing
Seamless size alterations in platinum, 18ct yellow, white and rose gold with matching alloy solder.
Resizing details →Hand Engraving & Heraldry
Traditional push-graver inscriptions, family crests and Roman dates carved cleanly into precious metal.
Engraving styles →Remodelling & Melting
Re-imagining inherited unworn jewellery into wearable contemporary pieces while preserving original stones.
Remodelling guide →
2025
The Minster Solitaire in Platinum
Crafted for a client in the North York Moors, pairing a hand-cut cushion diamond with knife-edge platinum shoulders.
York Bench
Initial Wax Carving & Gouache Sketching
Every commission begins with scaled hand sketches and tactile wax models before metal is cast or forged.
18ct Yellow Gold
Family Gold Melting & Bezel Stacking Bands
Three generations of inherited sovereign gold refined into two contemporary bezel rings.
Victorian
Emerald & Pearl Setting Renewal
Rebuilt collet mounts and carefully rebuilt and re-secured claws.
Custom Script
Ouse Meander Wedding Bands
Hand-engraved river-line pattern with matte interior.
Materials & construction
Materials chosen for the life of the piece
Metal, stone and construction details are considered together. We discuss how a piece will be worn, how it can be maintained and which materials suit its intended use before a design is approved.
Precious metals
Gold, platinum and silver are selected according to colour, strength, finish and the structure required. Where recycled metal is available, its alloy and supplier information can be included in the project discussion.
Gemstones & diamonds
Cut, setting style, hardness, inclusions and the way a stone sits against the hand all influence a suitable design. Available provenance and grading documents are reviewed before a stone is selected.
Inherited materials
Existing jewellery can sometimes be remodelled using its original metal or stones. Each item is assessed first to establish whether its condition, alloy and construction make reuse practical.
A considered workshop process
01 / BEFORE THE BENCH
02 / AT THE BENCH
03 / AFTER COLLECTION
Clear decisions at every stage
Understand the piece
We record the visible condition, dimensions, metal marks and setting details. For a commission, we clarify the intended use, proportions, budget and personal references before drawing begins.
Agree the work
The proposed construction, materials, price and expected timescale are explained before work starts. Any change that affects the agreed scope is discussed and approved first.
Keep it in good order
Collection includes practical guidance on cleaning, storage and routine inspection. Settings, clasps and worn joints should be checked periodically, especially on frequently worn pieces.
Private Bench Consultations
Bring Your Story to the Bench
Whether you have a new idea, an inherited piece that needs attention or a ring that no longer fits, we welcome you to our York workshop for clear, practical advice.