Nowadays, an increasing number of couples want to invest in a more discerning way of expressing their own style. René Hart speaks with Jill Hansen of Anastasia’s of Broome to explore the beauty of custom-designed wedding jewellery and the process that turns quality craftsmanship into a work of art.

Jewellery is an undeniable part of life. From the engagement ring that represents your eternal devotion to one another, to the necklace passed down from your greatgrandmother, jewellery pieces are the epitome of true love.

However, when it comes to custom-designed jewellery, the sentimental and emotional value is even greater, especially when you’re designing your wedding rings, which you’ll wear every day for the rest of your lives. These should be pieces that you love, and they should represent you and your partner to the very detail.

If you have a vision of how your wedding jewellery should appear, you might consider a custom design. To help you in your journey of creating the perfect piece, Western Australia Wedding & Bride explores the beauty of bespoke wedding jewellery and why it will serve you endlessly for years to come.

Anastasia’s of Broome is an iconic jewellery store situated in Broom. and is owned by Jill Hansen, who has more than 22 years’ experience in the pearling and jewellery industry. Anastasia’s of Broom is the newest edition to the business conglomerate, which includes Lust Pearls and Nash Pearls.

“Quality is what we look for when making [jewellery] for our in-store ranges, or for our client’s specific requirements,” says Hansen. “We love designing [jewellery]; there are many styles and variations that you – the customer – [may have] an idea about or need help developing, but you just don’t know how to bring [them] to life. We’ll help you get there.”

Whether you’re after a custom-made design or you need to modify a precious family heirloom to wear on your wedding day, Hansen is an expert in creating timeless and bespoke jewellery pieces that can be passed down from one generation to the next.

Benefits Of Bespoke

“[Bespoke] jewellery holds so many memories, dreams, aspirations and feelings,” says Hansen. “It is immeasurable what [jewellery] can mean. [We are] devastated when we lose a special piece – it’s like they are attached to our hearts.”

When you choose custom-made wedding jewellery, you’ll receive detail-oriented attention and a piece like no other, which is designed and crafted to suit your individuality. You’ll also get the chance to choose every detail of the piece, such as the size, shape, type and colour of the metal, as well as the type of stone.

“The discerning buyer wants to know that – along with the design – the piece itself is just for them, and that they can show their personality through their jewellery,” says Hansen. “This can include their choice of design and metal, [as well as the] types and shapes of gems. It is made for them, with their ideas and input. These are pieces of jewellery that last – they always stay dear to your heart.”

You can also ask your jeweller as many questions as you wish when designing your custom piece. In fact, you are more involved in the process of creation under such circumstances. You also have time to change any detail before the final product is created.

What’s The Process?

The process of custom-made wedding jewellery is a beautiful journey, and one that you should allow time to ensure the end result is what you want. From the highly personalised experience with your jeweller, to watching that idea come to life, and then wearing the piece on your wedding day, the entire process is very special.

Anastasia’s of Broome puts a considerable amount of effort into ensuring the best possible experience for every couple and that your unique design is created specifically to your taste.

In the lead up to designing your bespoke piece, the company’s highly experienced designers will work with you to make sure they understand exactly how you want your jewellery to look. “Design is so personal; we need to establish if you like a delicate piece or a more substantial piece of jewellery to wear every day,” says Hansen. “We then need to establish a style that [you will] fall in love with. Once we have an idea [about] this, we can draw [up] a design, discuss the final look, source any gems that are required, consult with the master jeweller, and start the manufacturing process. [We will also] keep in touch with you to let you know how we are progressing.”

Popular Pieces

Although the team at Anastasia’s of Broome receive requests for all different types of jewellery, including remakes and recrafting, custom-made engagement rings are currently their most popular request. Solitaire diamonds with plain, polished bands are extremely popular among couples. “Diamond-set wedding bands are much more popular than the plain wedding band for the ladies,” says Hansen. “Many wedding bands are [designed to] complement the engagement ring.”

For men, Hansen says there is a wide selection of designs available with different band widths, colours and metals. “I love that the men have so much choice,” she says. “They get the opportunity to show their personality, as well. I find [their jewellery choices] can quite often depend on the type of work they do.”

Handy Hints

Jewellery takes time to create, and the sentimental value is like no other, which is why it’s important not to rush the journey of your custom-designed wedding jewellery. Take the time to ensure you are entirely happy with the design you settle on. After all, in the scheme of a lifetime, a month or two is like a drop in an ocean!

Hansen recommends having your jewellery checked, cleaned and examined by the jeweller every six months to ensure all of the diamonds and/or gemstones are secure. “It is best to [have them] adjusted and tightened to secure your stones, rather than leaving it too late and [then] needing to replace lost stones,” she says.

Whether you want to create a custom-designed piece of jewellery for yourself or someone you love, the result is guaranteed to be inspiring. The process of working with a designer to create your piece will be an experience you and your partner will always cherish. After all, when it comes to customising, your needs are what matter most.

Image Credit: Kevin McGinn Photographer