Bespoke jewellery has a reputation for being complicated and expensive. Sometimes it is. But for pearl jewellery specifically, the process is more straightforward than people expect, because the main decisions are about the stone and the setting rather than about complex metalwork. Here is what a commission at Drimano Pearl actually involves.

The first conversation

Most commissions begin with an email. You tell us what you have in mind: the occasion, the person it is for, any preferences about pearl type or metal, and a rough budget. We reply with questions and, usually, a few suggestions. This exchange takes one or two rounds of email. There is no charge for this stage and no obligation to proceed.

Stone selection

Once we have agreed on a direction, we select candidate stones from our current stock or, if we do not have what you need, from our farm contacts. We photograph the stones against a neutral background in natural light and send the photographs to you. You can ask for additional photographs or for a video. We do not proceed to stringing or setting until you have approved the stones.

Making the piece

For a strand, the making stage involves knotting the cord, which takes three to four hours, and fitting the clasp. For a ring or earrings, the goldsmith work is done by our workshop in Hatton Garden, which we have worked with since 2016. We review the finished metalwork before the pearls are set. Lead time from stone approval to finished piece is typically two to four weeks.

Delivery and after

The finished piece is shipped by insured courier, or you can collect from the studio by appointment. It comes in a natural linen box with a care card. For rings, we offer a free resizing within the first twelve months if the fit is not right. For strands, we offer free restringing when the cord shows wear, regardless of when the piece was made.

What bespoke costs

Bespoke strands start at £680 for a 16-inch Akoya strand with a standard clasp. Rings start at £540. Earrings start at £320. More complex pieces, or pieces using larger or rarer stones, cost more. We will give you a fixed price before any work begins. There are no surprises at the end.

If you are considering a commission, the best first step is a short email to hello@drimanopearl.com. Tell us what you have in mind and we will take it from there.