Crafting Bespoke Jewellery in Singapore with Calla Lily: Addressing Your Key Questions

Crafting Bespoke Jewellery in Singapore with Calla Lily: Addressing Your Key Questions


The essence of bespoke jewellery lies in its ability to be deeply personal and distinctly tailored to reflect your own story and style. Whether it’s an engagement ring symbolising love, a bracelet commemorating an anniversary, or a necklace that resonates with your innermost self, the true beauty of bespoke is its transformation from a mere concept into a tangible artefact that is uniquely yours.

Embarking on the journey of creating a custom piece can seem intimidating, with concerns about costs and the final outcome naturally arising. However, the allure of possessing a singularly unique item is compelling. For those captivated by the prospect of a distinctive creation but uncertain about how to begin, the following insights will clarify the process of commissioning bespoke jewellery, ensuring your vision becomes a splendid reality.

The Designer’s Contribution: From Concept to Creation in Bespoke Jewellery

A bespoke piece is a harmonious blend of your dreams and memories, enhanced by innovative techniques and a touch of imagination. While it may seem magical, the creation of a custom jewel is far from an overnight feat. This process involves numerous layers of meticulous work. More than just reflecting your individuality and capturing your essence, a piece of this caliber must exhibit unparalleled artistry.

The materials we select are of unquestionable quality. Accordingly, the craftsmanship required for such elements must match their level of sophistication; settings do more than merely hold a stone—they enhance its beauty and significance.

Ultimately, bespoke jewellery represents a form of luxury investment. In this realm, value assessment is crucially influenced by the designer’s role. Specifically, it is their ability to masterfully arrange and refine every detail that elevates the worth of the final piece. This combination of sophisticated design, flawless execution, and advanced techniques is essential in enhancing the overall value of your bespoke jewel.

Bespoke emerald and diamond earrings.

Our bespoke pair of emerald and diamond earrings.

The Investment in Bespoke Jewellery: Understanding Costs

The creation of bespoke jewellery is profoundly personal, a collaborative process that melds your desires with our expertise. Our atelier serves as a haven where we exclusively use natural coloured gemstones and superior metals like 18k gold, platinum, and titanium. This commitment results in timeless pieces of unrivaled quality that weave narratives of love and legacy. Each design stands as a testament to elegance and masterful craftsmanship.

As you consider the investment for your personalised treasure, several elements will guide the valuation:

Gemstone Selection: At the heart of your piece, the choice of gemstone—its variety, size, and quality—significantly influences its value.

Metal Choice: Whether opting for the warm tones of 18k gold, the versatility of white gold, the durability of platinum, or the strength of titanium, your selection dictates the piece’s character and cost.

Design Complexity: The intricacy of your design, from refined settings to elaborate engravings, mirrors the artistry and effort poured into the creation.

Dimensions: The overall size of your jewellery affects the quantity of materials needed, thus impacting the budget.

For a ballpark figure, you might envision a budget between SGD 5,000 and SGD 10,000 for custom-made engagement rings, accommodating a wide range of possibilities in gemstone selection and design complexity.

Should your budget vary, we are committed to crafting a piece that respects both your financial limits and aesthetic dreams. In choosing bespoke jewellery, you invest not merely in a tangible item but in a legacy of creativity, skill, and innovation. You acquire a fragment of the designer’s thought, creativity, and experience.

Custom mother-of-pearl and pearl necklace

A joyful Calla Lily design, elevating a classic strand of pearls.

Our studio is devoted to not just crafting adornment but creating symbols of enduring beauty. Here, we embark on a meticulous journey of design and development, channeling our collective creativity into every sketch and prototype. What emerges is not just jewellery but a narrative expressed through precious metals and gemstones.

Pairing the right gemstones together

In the exquisite realm of fine jewellery, the pairing of gemstones is akin to a dance of light and colour, a ballet where each hue and sparkle plays off the other in perfect harmony. The delicate interplay between the ethereal greens of emeralds and the profound blues of sapphires crafts a visual symphony that resonates deep within the soul.

The art of selecting gemstones for a unified piece is deeply rooted in colour theory. Complementary colours amplify each other’s vibrancy, creating a striking visual impact, while analogous colours merge seamlessly, offering a soothing visual flow. Each gem’s shape and size are chosen with scrupulous precision, ensuring that every cut maximises the stone’s intrinsic beauty and contributes to the overall equilibrium of the piece.

In our atelier, we go beyond mere aesthetics to embrace the stories that these gemstone pairings narrate. The interplay between geometric and organic shapes might symbolise the harmony of order and spontaneity, embodying the balance of structured forms with the fluidity of natural patterns. Similarly, a gradation in gem sizes from the tiniest pavé diamonds to the prominent centrepiece can illustrate the narrative of a life’s journey, marking the ascent from modest beginnings to celebrated achievements. Each piece not only dazzles the eye but also captures the essence of personal milestones and timeless tales.

Custom diamond and gold dragon ring.

A statement piece! 18k gold and diamond dragon ring.

Dream-like gatherings of the most impossibly beautiful gems. The process of creation often serves as a reminder of just how fantastic our earth is. If you simply consider the materials used in jewellery making, there is an undeniable cosmic allure to metals and crystals derived from the centre of the earth. Every day, we do our best to honour them!

The Art of the Setting: Enhancing the Jewel’s Character

The setting of a jewel is the stage upon which its beauty performs. At Calla Lily, we sculpt settings from the noblest of metals—white, rosé, and yellow gold, alongside platinum and titanium—each selected for their unique lustre and strength. These metals are not mere vessels; they are collaborators in the creation of your piece, enhancing the gemstone’s radiance with their own distinct qualities. White gold, with its subtle elegance, and platinum, renowned for its resilience, are both exquisite choices. Whereas yellow gold is a classic staple, rosé speaks of romance; and titanium is innovative, allowing numerous creative possibilities! Our artisans are adept at shaping these metals to complement the gemstone’s character, ensuring that the final piece is not only visually stunning but also a perfect fit for your lifestyle and sensibilities. The design of the setting is a reflection of your personal narrative. Whether it’s the classic solitaire that speaks of timeless love, or a more avant-garde design that tells of modern sophistication, our team is dedicated to crafting settings that are as unique as the stories they tell. From the simplest of bands to the most intricate of mounts, every curve, angle, and polish is executed with the utmost precision and care.

bespoke emerald, sapphire and diamond earrings

Sapphire, emerald and diamond: undoubtedly, an investment piece to be handed from one generation to the next.

The choice of settings in bespoke jewellery is as crucial for its aesthetics as it is for its technique and longevity. It is at this juncture, where art meets engineering, that the true essence of custom-crafted jewellery is revealed—a seamless integration of form and function, meticulously designed to endure through the ages.

Planning Your Unique Design: Is an Appointment Necessary?

For bespoke creations, we require appointments to be made in advance to ensure that one of our talented designers is fully available to assist you.

Nestled behind art-deco doors in the vibrant enclave of Tiong Bahru in central Singapore, you’ll find the enchanting world of Calla Lily’s atelier. Studio consultations are available from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM, Monday through Saturday. You can book your session on our website here, or contact us directly at +65 9772 9392 (whatsapp) or via email at sparkle@callalily.sg to reserve your time.

Upon arrival, our team will welcome you with tea and treats, ready to dive into your vision. We will guide you through our captivating collection of brilliantly coloured gemstones and explore various metals, finishes, and colour palettes that reflect your personality. Our bespoke process is very much a “co-creation;” we find that our clients relish the freedom and thoroughly enjoy the process of making those initial, crucial decisions with us.

This special moment is not just about creating a piece of jewellery but is also a unique journey of self-discovery and a celebration of your individuality!

Communicating Your Vision: When You Know What You Want But Can’t Quite Explain It

Storytelling is at the heart of our creations at Calla Lily. We leave nothing to chance. Every element, from the colour palette to the gemstone cuts to the overarching concept, is meticulously curated to ensure coherence and beauty.

The allure of bespoke lies in its ability to transcend ordinary constraints, offering a playground for the imagination where fantasy meets freedom. This unique space allows us to craft pieces that are not only exceptionally relevant but also profoundly personal. At Calla Lily, we are celebrated for our visionary approach, a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence.

Indeed, there is a style for everyone, and sometimes the perfect design is one you haven’t even considered yet. Building trust is crucial in our collaborative process, and we are dedicated to presenting you with the best solutions. Ultimately, our goal is to guide you closer to the piece you’ve always desired.

Whether you have a precise idea of what you want or feel daunted by the vast array of choices, there is no need to worry. Our role is to interpret the vision you articulate, no matter how vague, and to transform it into a tangible, exquisite piece of jewellery.

An electric red spinel, gloriously surrounded by a flower-shaped diamond halo.

An electric red spinel, gloriously surrounded by a flower-shaped diamond halo.

If you’ve done some research before your consultation, please bring any references and images that capture your preferences. These will act as visual guides, helping our designers understand your vision more clearly. From these insights, we will craft a piece that not only resonates with the cues you’ve provided but is also uniquely and wholly yours. This approach ensures that the final creation reflects your personal style while incorporating the distinct craftsmanship of Calla Lily.

Timeframe for Crafting Your Bespoke Jewel: What to Expect

The creation of a bespoke piece is a deeply intricate process, each design imbued with such intention that every item emerging from our studio possesses its own unique essence. This commitment to individuality means that each project is approached with a tailored process designed to celebrate the distinctiveness of the client.

Here’s an immutable truth: true artistry cannot be rushed. The journey through the various phases of creation is guided primarily by the client seated before us—their preferences, needs, and dreams. These elements form the backbone of our process and direct our every move.

The journey begins with imagination. We engage in thorough discussions to understand all desires and clear up any uncertainties. Our ultimate aim is to unearth and fulfil the deepest wishes of our clients.

Following this, the process involves sourcing materials, extensive sketching, 3D modelling, testing, applying finishing touches, and more, with countless additional layers of hidden craftsmanship in between.

It’s challenging to pinpoint a specific number of hours for creating bespoke jewellery, akin to measuring the time needed to forge an everlasting memory—it’s simply not quantifiable.

However, the duration required to complete your piece is directly proportional to the complexity of your design and the rarity of the materials needed. If you have a specific timeline in mind, please communicate this during our initial consultation, and we will endeavour to accommodate your schedule.

Classic and atemporal diamond and pearl cuff, with an art-deco flair!

Classic and atemporal diamond and pearl cuff, with an art-deco flair!

Incorporating Existing Gemstones into Your New Design: What You Need to Know

Typically, we begin with a fresh selection from our extensive collection of dazzling stones. However, it’s not uncommon for clients to bring their own gemstones that they wish to incorporate into a new design. If you have a special stone, you’re more than welcome to bring it along. While we encourage openness to experimentation and may suggest incorporating additional new gems to enhance your final piece, our skilled team is here to work with your vision.

If you prefer to explore new options, we’ll be delighted to guide you through our exquisite array of gemstones. Should none immediately capture your heart, we’re committed to going the extra mile to source the perfect stone for you. We revel in the challenge and creativity required to think outside the box, seeking out the most unique and striking stones to meet every taste and budget. We have a particular fondness for coloured gemstones and often find that our clients share this passion for the rare and extraordinary.

The Distinctive Charm of Bespoke, What Makes It Special

Bespoke jewellery is far from a fleeting trend; it has long been the cornerstone of personal expression in adornment. Its enduring appeal lies in its capacity to infuse pieces with deep layers of significance. Whether you opt to engrave a secret message, incorporate birthstones, or embed symbols of cherished memories, the possibilities for customisation are boundless.

Together, we can craft something uniquely yours—be it whimsically fantastical with touches of magic or understatedly elegant and supremely sophisticated. The essential quality of bespoke is its complete personalisation, ensuring that each piece is an authentic reflection of its owner.