What is commissioning?

Jewellers (and other makers and artist) often refer to ‘commissions’, but what does it actually mean? I have previously been asked by people – sometimes in an embarrassed tone – “what does commissioning mean?” In fact, there should be no hesitation in asking the question, because I believe it means different things to different people.

For me, working to commission is to offer clients the opportunity to have an input into their piece of jewellery. Essentially, the client likes my style of work, and there are several particular elements of which they would like to include into their design. The final piece will bring together these elements to create a one off piece of jewellery that is in keeping with my style of work.

Jewellery commissioning examples

Here are some examples of commissioned pieces of jewellery I have worked on recently.

Example 1

My client was looking to re-model her engagement ring to work with both her wedding band and eternity ring. She particularly like the square diamond and white and yellow gold in this design.

18k white and yellow diamonds ring set.

We decided to make the ring similar to the one shown above – but with a square band to match her wedding and eternity rings and allow them all to work together. She also choose to have a fully polished finish:

The finished 18k white and yellow gold diamond ring.

To ensure the commission was successful I needed to have access to the wedding ring and engagement while making the piece. This ensured all three rings worked together perfectly:

The complete set.

Example 2

Another client purchased one of my rings as an engagement ring at a Dazzle exhibition:

Silver, 18k gold and diamond ring.

The couple wanted the wedding band to be incorporated into the ring and the wedding bands to both be 18k white gold. We agreed to replace the silver band with a palladium one:

The final rings in 18k white, yellow gold and palladium.

Example 3

This client found me through a Google search. He particularly liked the clean simple lines of my work and the way my rings sit together. He wanted an engagement and wedding ring that would sit together and look like one ring. I produced a very simple sketch to check we were both thinking along the same lines.

Sketch for client.

After agreeing on using palladium I made the engagement ring (and in a few months time I will make the wedding ring too!):

Palladium engagement ring.

Other commissioning information

• Commissioning works best when the client already has an idea of what they want and can verbalise the elements they would like to use from my style.
• Commissioning does not mean asking me to make another person or companies design.
• Please do not ask me to quote for making a piece of jewellery that is based upon another jewellers style. This will not be considered under any circumstances.
• I only undertake commissions that are relevant to my style of work and when clients want a piece of jewellery that is unique, yet incorporates elements of my style or current designs.