I first came across Giro at North Sydney when speaking to friends about being on the search for a jeweller for a wedding band. Giro has been established since 1980 and built on a reputation of word of mouth providing quality jewellery at an affordable price.
I was lucky enough to have a unique one of a kind piece of jewellery made in collaboration with hubby (aka Pepe) and jeweller, Stephen from Giro.
The idea of designing a piece of jewellery was exciting and a little overwhelming and that was when Stephen from Giro stepped in. All our questions were answered and design ideas were considered with the end goal of collecting the finished piece had me beaming in happiness. Here's my five tips to think about to make the custom making process smooth, easy and fun.
Think about what you really like. I jumped online and navigated through Google, Pinterest, Etsy, and Instagram. I collected images that I liked of absolutely anything and kept these on my phone. This helped me get a sense of design. Simple or detailed? Delicate or bold statement? Diamonds, coloured stones or pearls? White or yellow metal or alternative materials?
Tip 2, what piece of jewellery are you after?
Do you want to design an art deco ring, a striking pair of rings (don't forget to check first if the ears of the receiver are pierced) or a gorgeous pendant necklace. Maybe it's a bangle you're after. Perhaps a pair of cufflinks for a special occasion. Take your time to think about the type of piece of jewellery you want. Or if it is a gift you want to give, visualise the person you are giving it to. I found bringing in photos when meeting with Stephen really helpful.
Be honest and realistic about what you're willing to spend. No point expecting a blingy ring when you only have a budget of $500. Stephen our jeweller guided us as to what we would expect within our budget. One thing to keep in mind is that you are receiving something that is once off and the jeweller's expert design, skills and time.
Tip 4, What's your timeframe?
Make sure you have plenty of time to go through the design process with your jeweller. If you have a date in mind to give this gift to the special someone, let your jeweller know as soon as you can. Stephen was honest and let us know the timeframe that he could deliver.
Takes two to tango, well the same goes for your jeweller. I found a good jeweller who was honest, open to suggestions and available to communicate with. Together we made something special and personal which resulted in a wonderful piece of jewellery. There's already been a couple of occasions where we have worked together and it's become enjoyable working as a good team.
I hope these tips help your creative cogs turning which inspire you to invest in quality handmade jewellery with an awesome jewellery designer.