The advantages of buying or commissioning from designer/makers are as follows:
Uniqueness
Jewellery is very personal: it is often used as a very unique way of showing love and affection, or human bonds. It often remains in families as heirlooms passed from generation to generation. It is only natural that when expressing a bond of love for another, people wish to seek something wholly unique to express the uniqueness of their feelings. Rather than something bought from even a high-end chain store, a design from a designer/maker, or a piece of bespoke jewellery, commissioned with an input in design, perhaps personalized with a birthstone or other symbolic stone or precious metal, speaks volumes about our feelings in a solid, eloquent and lasting way. I enjoy and am uplifted by working with people to make in fine jewellery or tableware an expression of their love or affection for another. Similarly, with symbols of status such as watches. A Cartier watch is a beautiful thing; but you will also see the same watch worn by other people. If I make a watch for you, often for the same price or less, you will have a unique and lasting timepiece no-one else can own.
Range
If you come to a master jeweller and a designer/maker, you will be able to find or commission a great range of pieces of jewellery or tableware. From bespoke candelabras to the most filigree earrings can be hand-made and personalized by your input in design. If you see a design you like in my showroom, but wish to personalize it with another stone, then it can be remade to order. For example, the ‘Baby Spoons’ I make for christening gifts can be remade to order with different birthstones, coloured gold stars, smooth or hammered effects, so although all in a design/shape unique to me, each one is different like variations on a theme.
Price & Access to Maker
When buying from a single designer/maker there is no middleman involved, the only costs are those of the materials and the cost of labour, you are not paying also the wages of sales people or expensive premises central London premises. Also, many clients have kindly said to me how refreshing it is to buy from me because I give them any in-depth information, or history, on the precious stones, cuts, settings, precious metals and styles. I can answer any question on any of the hundreds of pieces in my showroom, as I designed and hand-made them all in my workshop in the basement. I think this is one of the best aspects of buying from designer/makers: the solid knowledge, advice and information they offer.
Comments