Why Get Something Custom?
Statement pieces are often as individual as the wearer, celebrate that uniqueness by picking something that was ethically made and created especially for you.
Sometimes your dream piece is too big for a fresh piercing, custom order allows us to pierce with simpler jewellery, giving your piercing time to settle and mature while your jewellery is meticulously made.
You're able to explore more colour palettes and combinations than are readily available in studio whilst using pieces in the cabinets for frame of reference on size or colours.
Interested in getting something made?
Meeting in person allows us to fully understand your vision and guide you to the perfect jewellery pieces. We can discuss your ideas, offer expert advice, and even help you visualise how different pieces will look. For example, if you're concerned about space in a particular piercing location, we can show you options that will fit perfectly and provide visual references with similar sizes and shapes.
We can help you explore endless ideas for themes and colour schemes, offering insights into how different pieces might sit or suit your anatomy. For instance, we'll advise on how a piece might rotate, its ideal placement, or which shapes will flatter your unique features.
Once we've refined your vision, we'll provide price quotes for your favourite pieces. There's absolutely no obligation to buy at this stage unless you're completely sure about a specific piece and we have all the details.
If you decide to proceed, we'll create a digital custom order form. This form will meticulously list all the specifics for each piece, including size, gauge, gold colour and carat, gemstones, and any additional notes. You'll also receive a detailed breakdown of the cost for each item, followed by a grand total. You'll get a copy of this form to review and either sign off on or reject if you spot any errors.
For custom orders, a 50% non-refundable and non-transferable deposit is required to move your piece into BVLA's production phase.
Generally speaking, custom orders usually take 20 weeks to complete, though this timeframe can be longer or shorter depending on the complexity of the design.
Gemstones come in an astonishing array of groups and types – we could truly discuss them all day. From the traditional precious stones like diamond, sapphire, emerald, and ruby, to more specialist and unusual pieces such as tourmalinated quartz (often appearing with striking black and white patterns) or Zawadi sapphire (known for its unique, glittery brown hue), each gem boasts its own distinct characteristics and requires specific care.
If you'd like some guidance in selecting the ideal gems for your custom piece, we highly recommend browsing BVLA's Gemstone page. There, you can explore a stunning variety of colours and shapes to find your absolute favourites.
If you're invested in speciality jewellery, you'll want to make sure it's well cared for. For any pieces with pockets or textured areas (like those with sandblasting), we recommend investing in a personal ultrasonic cleaner. This device uses vibrations to effectively remove build-up and debris, often making your pieces look brand new again.
A new, soft-bristle head on an electric toothbrush can also work wonders – though please note, this method cannot be safely used on every type of gemstone.
Please always ask our advice before rigorously cleaning your jewellery, as there are exceptions to every rule. For example, we typically don't order organic materials like pearls unless specifically requested. This is because they're a soft mineral, and the risk of damage through abrasion is much higher.
It's important to understand that certain gemstones have specific care requirements. For example, Copper Turquoise (as pictured, often with beautiful purple and gold hues) has a tendency to gently oxidise with prolonged exposure to moisture. This means it's generally not suitable for daily wear if you want to maintain its pristine appearance.
While we are, and always will be, completely forthcoming about these specifics, this information isn't intended to deter you. Rather, it's to inform you of potential risks and to demonstrate how different gems can react over time.
BVLA does offer a fantastic resetting service. Should a piece we've ordered for you begin to show wear, we can send it back to them for repairs or even replacements. Please note, a small service fee will be incurred for this, and there may be an additional charge for new gems if they are of a higher value than the ones being replaced.
If you'd like to delve deeper into your favourite gemstone and are considering pieces that feature it, we'd be delighted to share all the information we have. We can also offer advice on how best to highlight your chosen gems. While some pieces look amazing regardless of the cut or size, other gems are truly elevated when displayed properly.
Labradorite (yellow pear with gold rays) and Rainbow Moonstone (pear gem with blue tones) are two perfect examples of this. Both of these captivating gems belong to the feldspar family and possess a unique characteristic: they throw out striking 'flashes' of colour when viewed from specific angles.
It can sometimes be more challenging to locate these flashes if the piece is small, as there's less opportunity for light play and refraction. For this reason, we would generally suggest choosing gems like these at sizes 2mm and above. The pieces shown here are in a 4mm x 2.5mm pear cut, showcasing their beauty effectively.
You can now book a design appointment
Simply visit Bookings & Policies page and find the appointment called "Custom Jewellery Design Consultation". When you come in for your consultation, feel free to bring along reference photos of your favourite BVLA pieces. It's incredibly helpful for us to get a sense of your style! Consider things like:
BVLA Inspiration
