The commissioning process
From first conversation to finished jewellery
You do not need a finished design to begin. Christopher guides the decisions with you, from the initial idea to an approved design and a piece made in England.
Your commission
A considered process
- Stage 1
Conversation
We begin with the person, occasion or idea behind the piece. You do not need a finished design, just a reason to begin.
- Stage 2
Design
Christopher develops the idea with you, considering proportion, wearability, metal, gemstones and the details that will make it personal.
- Stage 3
Selection and approval
You review the proposed design and chosen materials before anything is made. Work begins only when you are happy to proceed.
- Stage 4
Making and presentation
Your approved design is made in England, then checked and presented to you as a finished piece created for you.
Design discovery
Finding the right direction
Begin with the person, the occasion and how the piece will be worn. Bring photographs, sketches or jewellery you like if they help explain your idea.
Refinement and approval
Decisions made together
Christopher develops the design and guides the choice of gemstones, precious metal and proportions. You receive a clear quotation and approve the design before making begins.
The record behind the piece
Your commission comes with its own SmartReport
A bespoke piece carries details that should not disappear once it leaves the studio. Every completed Christopher Stoner bespoke commission includes a SmartReport™: a detailed digital record of the piece, its design, materials, gemstones, photographs and relevant supporting information.
You can access the record through ValuVault™, giving you one place to retain the documentation that supports ownership, insurance, future care and provenance.
- The piece clearly identified and documented.
- Important specifications and supporting files kept together.
- A record designed to remain useful throughout ownership.
Continuing ownership
Care beyond the handover
Keep your SmartReport and supporting documents together in ValuVault. Contact Christopher to discuss care, servicing or a later valuation of your piece.
Common questions
Before you begin
Do I need to have a finished design in mind?
No. Many commissions begin with a feeling, an occasion or a piece of jewellery someone already loves. Christopher’s role is to help you shape that starting point into a design. If you have sketches, photographs or a clear idea, bring them. If not, a conversation is enough to begin.
What happens before the ring is made?
You review the proposed design and the chosen gemstones and materials before anything is made. Work begins only once you are happy to proceed. The approval stage is there so you can ask questions, request changes and feel certain about the ring before it goes into making.
How long will a commission take?
Timescales vary with the design, gemstone sourcing and complexity. If you have an important date in mind, mention it at the first conversation and begin as early as practical.