If you are drawn to my aesthetic - the textures, forms, and quiet detail - but have some specific requirements in mind, the Bespoke Process may be perfect for you.
I am currently at capacity for bespoke work, with my next appointments opening in late September.
If you are hoping for something sooner, I have a selection of finished pieces available to view online or in the studio.
If you are dreaming of an end of 2025 or early 2026 treasure, I recommend booking soon.
Thank you for trusting me to make so many special pieces - i am truly honoured.
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What to Expect From Bespoke
1. Enquiry & First Steps
We will start by chatting - in person, via Zoom or email - about what you are looking for and the kind of jewel you wish to create.
Your initial consultation is, of course, complimentary and gives us a chance to explore stones, try on pieces, and talk through ideas. I will often sketch during our meeting. These are quick, back-of-the-napkin drawings that help us visualise possibilities in real time.
Afterward, I will follow up with a ballpark estimate so you have a clear sense of budget before we move ahead.
While you are most welcome to bring references or inspirations, I will not replicate other jewellers’ work, even with modifications. Instead, we will use those ideas to inform a piece that is uniquely yours - original in form, and grounded in my design language.
2. Stone Sourcing & Materials
I hold special gems I’ve collected over the years (can’t wait to show you!) and can source Australian sapphires, Argyle Champagne Diamonds, and opals, along with whatever else your heart may desire. Recycled gold is used for all cast bespoke work.
I can work with heirloom stones, depending on the condition and suitability of the gem. Any existing gold can potentially be traded for credit toward your piece, but at this stage I am not able to use client-supplied gold in the making process.
3. Design Development
Once you’re ready to move forward, a design fee of $500 secures my time to develop detailed concepts, hold stones aside, and prepare CAD or sketch options for you to consider. This fee is credited toward your final piece.
All design work - including sketches, CAD renders, and prototypes - remains the intellectual property of Kim Victoria Jewels. These designs are created exclusively for your proposed commission and are not transferable for production elsewhere.
4. Maquette Fitting
I will create a resin or wax maquette – a working prototype – so you can try it on, feel how it sits on the body, and see its essential form, sans the finer details. This fitting helps us assess scale, proportion, and wearability. It often brings clarity and allows for feedback or refinement in three dimensions as needed. It is one of the most exciting parts of the process. Nearly there!
5. Wax, Casting & Finishing
Your chosen design is shaped in wax. This is where the texture, intricate details, and surface quality are worked in. The wax is then cast in metal using the lost wax process.
After casting, the work is inspected and refined. I may add or subtract small nuances, bring in areas of high polish, or incorporate hand engraving where needed. Gemstones are set by my trusted stone-setter, with whom I have worked for 20 years.
6. Completion & Collection
Once complete, your jewellery can be collected in person or shipped securely. I will provide care instructions and, if needed, information about resizing or future adjustments.
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Timing, Deposits & Availability
The full bespoke process usually takes 6 to 12 weeks from initial consultation to completion.
A 50% deposit (minus the $500 design fee you’ve already paid) is required once you approve your design and quote, with the remaining balance due on completion.
If you would like to explore more than two distinct design directions, an additional design fee may apply.
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As a one-woman studio, I can only take on a limited number of bespoke projects each year. If you are hoping to mark a particular date or occasion, I recommend reaching out or booking early.
