What Happens at a Bespoke Jewellery Consultation with Daniel
Booking a bespoke jewellery consultation can feel like a step into the unknown, especially if you're used to browsing rings online or in a shop window rather than sitting down with the person who'll actually make yours. Here's what to expect when you visit Daniel's Hatton Garden workshop, from that first conversation through to the ring on your finger.
Before You Arrive
Most people come to Daniel after browsing engagement rings online and feeling like nothing quite fits what they had in mind. That's usually the first sign that bespoke is the right route. You don't need a finished design, a Pinterest board, or even the right jewellery terminology - a photo you like, a stone that means something, or simply a sense of the person you're designing for is enough to start with.
The process starts with a call or email, where you can talk through your idea with Daniel directly and get a feel for what's possible. Once you have a clear direction, you will be invited to book an in-person consultation at Daniel’s workshop in Hatton Garden. The initial consultation itself is free, and because every step is one-to-one with Daniel rather than a rotating team of consultants, there's no need to repeat your story to someone new at each stage.
The First Consultation
This is a conversation, not a sales pitch. Daniel will ask about the person the piece is for, the occasion, and any details that matter to you - a favourite era of design, a stone with sentimental value, a budget you'd like to work within. If you have inspiration images or an existing piece you'd like to rework or take metal from, bring them along.
From here, Daniel talks you through the realistic options: gemstone choices, cuts, metals, and what's achievable within your budget and timeframe. You'll also get to see and try on gemstone and ring samples to get a feel for how the finished piece might look. There's no pressure to decide anything on the spot. Many clients need a second conversation before a direction feels right, and that's entirely normal.
Designing the Piece
Once you have a clear direction, Daniel begins sketching, working by hand in the traditional way for most designs. For certain complex pieces, he'll also produce a CAD rendering, so you can see proportions and settings accurately before anything is made and request any minor adjustments. This is the stage where the small details get worked out: claw style, band width, engraving, whether a stone sits high or low. You'll see and approve the design before any metal is cut.
If gemstones need sourcing, Daniel handles this personally, whether that's a GIA-certified diamond, a particular sapphire colour, or another coloured gemstone altogether. You're welcome to see certification and, where practical, view stones in person before they're set.
Once you're happy with the design, an initial deposit secures your place in the workshop schedule and Daniel begins making your piece.
In the Workshop
This is where DG Bespoke Jewellery differs most from larger, multi-consultant studios. Daniel handcrafts each piece, moments away from the workshop where he trained under his father, Michael.
Depending on the complexity of the piece, this stage typically takes several weeks. You're kept updated as the ring takes shape, and for clients who'd like it, progress images can be arranged along the way if you'd like to see how it's coming together.
Collection and Beyond
When the piece is finished, you'll come back to the workshop to see and try it before it's yours. Any final adjustments - sizing (see our size guide if you'd like to check yours beforehand), polish, small tweaks - are made at this stage. And because the relationship doesn't end at collection, most clients come back to Daniel for wedding bands, resizing, or future pieces, often years later.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. Many clients arrive with only a rough idea, or nothing more than a stone or budget in mind. Working out the design together is part of the process.
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The initial consultation itself is free. You only commit financially once you're happy with a design and quote, at which point a deposit secures your place in the workshop schedule.
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Most pieces take a few weeks from final design approval to completion, depending on complexity and gemstone sourcing. Daniel will give you a realistic timeframe at your consultation.
Ready to Start Designing Your Piece?
The best way to know what's possible is to come in and talk it through. Request a bespoke consultation with Daniel at the Hatton Garden workshop, and bring whatever inspiration you have - even if that's just an idea.