A Complete Guide to Custom Jewellery: Designing Bespoke Jewellery at DG & Co.
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A Complete Guide to Custom Jewellery: Designing Bespoke Jewellery at DG & Co.

Jewellery isn’t a normal accessory. We tell the stories of our lives through jewellery, whether it’s the necklace you got for your 21st birthday or the eternity ring you designed with your partner for your 10th anniversary. Custom jewellery allows you to create a piece that is genuinely unique to you, reflecting your personality and story. 

One of the biggest trends for 2025 and beyond in Australia is custom jewellery. Bespoke jewellery allows you to collaborate with a designer to create a modern heirloom from scratch or alter an existing design to suit your personality. 

At DG & Co., our custom jewellery service brings your dream designs to life for a one-of-a-kind piece you’ll wear for a lifetime. In this article, our team shares their advice on designing bespoke jewellery with a breakdown of the step-by-step process. 

What is Custom Jewellery?

Custom jewellery is a one-of-a-kind piece that is created and designed from scratch by collaborating with a jewellery store or designer, who will manufacture it after the design is approved. Every aspect of the design can be customised, from your choice of metal to the setting and gemstone. While ready-made jewellery is produced on a larger scale and available to buy directly in-store, your custom piece will be designed from scratch and created just for you. 

If you’re looking for unique jewellery designs, semi-custom jewellery can also be an option. It’s a popular choice for custom engagement rings, as you can alter an existing design with your choice of setting and conflict-free diamond and usually benefit from a faster turnaround. 


Why Should You Choose Custom Jewellery?

The benefits of custom jewellery are personal, as these pieces aren’t focused on incorporating trends, but on commemorating a milestone or creating a moment. Each piece is one-of-a-kind, designed and created exclusively for you. 

Whether you’re designing bespoke jewellery for yourself or someone special, you’ll get to see the quality and craftsmanship up close by collaborating on the creation of your piece. The quality of custom pieces often surpasses what you’ll find in mass-produced jewellery, as you’ll be able to choose every aspect of your design, including its material. Our lab-grown diamonds are a popular choice for couples shopping for a sustainable custom engagement ring. 

The Step-by-Step Process of Designing Custom Jewellery

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when creating your first piece, especially if you don’t know how to design custom jewellery. At DG & Co., our team will guide you through every step of the custom jewellery design process to faithfully bring your concept to life. We create custom jewellery for clients throughout Australia. If you’re local to our Melbourne location, you can do most of the design process in-store.

Step 1: Consultation & Inspiration 

The first step of the custom jewellery design process is your consultation. We suggest bringing along some inspiration photos, whether it’s pictures from your Pinterest board or a rough sketch. Our team will discuss your ideas and create an initial design for your bespoke jewellery. 

Step 2: Choosing Diamonds & Gemstones 

After your design is complete, you can focus on the 4Cs of cut, clarity, carat, and colour if you’re choosing a lab-grown or mined diamond. Alternatively, you can select a gemstone that has sentimental meaning, such as your birthstone.

Step 3: Selecting the Metal 

Don’t forget to think about your choice of metal! You’ll want your custom jewellery to complement your everyday pieces and your metal preferences. White gold, yellow gold, rose gold, platinum, and sterling silver are the most popular metal options at DG & Co. Jewellery.

Step 4: 3D Model and Design Edits 

What makes our custom design process unique is that we create a 3D model for each piece. You can try the wax model in our Melbourne store, or our team will send videos and photos if you need to make any final design changes. 

Step 5: Adding the Final Touches 

Your bespoke jewellery will be manufactured in our Melbourne workshop. We’ll stay in touch with you throughout the manufacturing process and let you know when your jewellery is ready for collection. 


Source: Tahlia Doyle via Unsplash

Tips for Designing Your Own Custom Jewellery


The beauty of bespoke jewellery is that it’s designed just for you. Before you start getting involved in the design process or attend your first consultation, it’s important to determine what works for you. Start by setting a clear budget, as this will make it easier to decide which setting, gemstone, and metal will work best for your design. 

Similarly, you’ll want to consider your daily lifestyle, especially if you’re designing an engagement ring or an eternity band to wear with your wedding set. Your design should be durable enough to withstand daily wear. 

FAQs about Custom Jewellery at DG & Co. Jewellery


Do you have a question about our bespoke jewellery services? We’re answering the most common questions below, but you can also contact our team directly for more information.


1. Is there an additional design fee for custom jewellery?

Your custom jewellery quote includes all costs, and there are no additional fees for any design changes. We’ll work with you to bring your dream jewellery piece to life.


2. Can I see my custom jewellery design before it’s manufactured? 

We create a wax cast of your custom jewellery with a 3D printer before the final design is approved. You can also view the 3D model in person at our Melbourne store.

3. What is the turnaround time for custom jewellery at DG & Co.?


We typically estimate a 4-week turnaround time to manufacture your jewellery once the design has been approved. If you need your jewellery earlier than this timeframe, let our team know and we’ll do our best to accommodate your preferred date. 

4. Where does DG & Co. make their custom jewellery?


All custom jewellery is created in-house by our team in our Melbourne store’s workshop.

5. What gemstones and diamonds can I choose for my custom jewellery?


One of our GIA Graduate Gemologists will help you select the perfect gemstone for your custom jewellery, whether it’s a conflict-free diamond or sapphire.

6. Can I use your design services to create a custom engagement ring? 


Bespoke engagement rings are one of the most popular options for our custom jewellery services. You can book an appointment at our Melbourne store or schedule a virtual appointment with our design team.


Get a Complimentary Quote for Your Custom Jewellery Design at DG & Co. Jewellery


Creating custom jewellery is a process that adds sentimental value and meaning to your piece. We’ll help you create a modern heirloom that becomes part of your story. Book a consultation with our design team today or explore our semi-custom engagement rings to get started.

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