Bespoke Jewellery & Heirloom Remodelling Case Study

Tailor-Made Bespoke Design & Remodelling: A Client Case Study

At Charles Nobel, bespoke is never “one-size-fits-all”. It is a structured, collaborative process that balances design intent with real-world wearability, engineering, and finishing standards. This project is a perfect example: our client wished to commission two distinct outcomes from one cohesive design story:

1. A platinum pendant created to match and sit comfortably alongside an existing jewellery set.
2. A brand-new 18ct yellow gold suite comprising clip earrings, a bracelet, and a pendant, designed to echo the same visual language while feeling fresh, modern, and highly wearable.

Below is a step-by-step view of how we brought the collection to life—from concept sketches through to the finished pieces.

Every successful bespoke project begins with understanding what the client already loves.

For this commission, the client’s original set featured a distinctly geometric, architectural look—clean lines, strong symmetry, and a refined interplay of round and baguette-cut diamonds. Our job was to respect those design cues while ensuring the new pieces felt purposeful rather than copied.

The brief, refined into a plan

We structured the work into two design streams:

• Platinum pendant (to match the existing set):
  The goal was continuity—shape, stone arrangement, and overall presence needed to feel “of the same family” when worn with the original jewellery.
• 18ct yellow gold suite (pendant, bracelet, clip earrings):
  Here, the goal was cohesion across multiple pieces. Each item needed to be recognisably part of the same suite, with repeating motifs and consistent diamond proportions, while still being comfortable for daily wear.

Sketches and approvals

We presented hand-drawn design concepts for each element—mapping out proportions, stone placement, and how the motifs could translate across different formats (pendant vs. earring vs. bracelet). This is where the client experience matters most: the best bespoke pieces are the result of clear decisions made early, with visuals that are easy to respond to.

Stage 2: CAD, Model-Making, and Engineering

With the designs signed off, our team translated the sketches into production-ready forms. This is the stage where bespoke becomes technical.

CAD modelling (precision before metal)

We use CAD to define:

• exact dimensions,
• stone seat geometry,
• metal thickness (strength without bulk),
• and the mechanics of joining and articulation (particularly important for the bracelet).

CAD allows us to “solve” the piece before it exists—minimising risk, optimising finish, and ensuring each stone setting is engineered correctly for long-term wear.

Casting and initial construction

From CAD, components are prepared for casting in the correct metal:

• Platinum for the matching pendant
• 18ct yellow gold for the new suite

The newly cast parts then go through the first stages of bench work—cleaning, refining edges, preparing joints, and bringing each component into alignment before assembly.

Stage 3: Bench Craft, Assembly, and Stone-Setting Preparation

This is where craftsmanship becomes visible.

Building the yellow gold suite

The 18ct yellow gold pieces were constructed as a coordinated set, with repeated motifs across:

• the pendant (a vertical, geometric arrangement),
• the clip earrings (designed to sit securely, with a refined profile),
• and the bracelet (built from multiple linked sections for fluid movement on the wrist).

Bracelets demand particular attention: each link must align perfectly, articulate smoothly, and remain robust under daily wear. We refine and test movement repeatedly during this phase, ensuring the bracelet feels as good as it looks.

Pre-setting and finishing preparation

Before any diamonds are set, each piece is prepared so that:

• seats are crisp and clean,
• edges are consistent,
• surfaces are ready to take a high polish,
• and the final look will feel intentional—not “overworked”.

Stage 4: Diamond Setting, Finishing, and Final Presentation

Stone setting is the moment the jewellery truly comes alive.

Platinum pendant (matching the original set)

For the platinum pendant, we focused on a sophisticated, structured finish—one that complements the existing jewellery and maintains that elegant, architectural feel. The combination of round and baguette-cut diamonds creates contrast and rhythm, while the platinum brings brightness and a crisp outline to the design.

18ct yellow gold pendant, bracelet, and clip earrings

The yellow gold suite was finished to a high standard, balancing warmth from the gold with the brilliance of the diamonds. The repeated geometric motifs across the suite create a clear identity: each piece stands alone, but together they read as a complete collection.

Clip earrings were finished with particular care—comfort, security, and profile are crucial. The aim is a piece that feels substantial and luxurious, yet practical and easy to wear.

Final checks

Before delivery, we complete:

• alignment and symmetry checks,
• setting security inspection,
• polish and surface review under magnification,
• and wearability testing (movement, articulation, comfort points).

Only once everything meets standard do we photograph and present the final pieces.

The Result: A Cohesive Jewellery Story in Two Metals

This project delivered exactly what bespoke should: jewellery that feels deeply personal, perfectly considered, and built to last.

• The platinum pendant integrates seamlessly with the client’s original set—refined, consistent, and designed with careful respect to the existing style.
• The 18ct yellow gold suite introduces a fresh, modern expression of the same design language across a pendant, clip earrings, and an articulated bracelet—cohesive, elegant, and wearable.

Considering Your Own Bespoke Project?

If you have an existing piece you love—and you want to extend it, modernise it, or create a new suite that complements it—we can guide you through a clear, structured bespoke process from design through to delivery.