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Every piece of jewellery we purchase and choose to wear reflects our individual style and personality, no matter the cost of the piece. When we choose a piece of jewellery, we look at it as a way to express who we are by “decorating” ourselves; choosing pieces as we would clothes, shoes, tattoos and hairstyles.
“Expressing who we are is an important part of what makes us, us, says Kristin Weixelbaumer, designer and owner of jewellery brand Black Betty. “Jewellery gives us the opportunity to show others our personal beliefs, our culture and even our religious beliefs. Wearing a specific bracelet or necklace lets us show others a little bit about ourselves without having to say anything at all.
Weixelbaumer outlines 4 ways to create bespoke jewellery without necessarily breaking the bank on the design and stone or metal selection:
Upcycle
an existing piece of jewellery and turn it into something that is more you. Giving an old, broken piece of jewellery a new look and feel, can turn something you hardly wear into something you can’t live without.
Image: Supplied
Your great grandmother’s heirloom brooch may have been all the rage back in her day, but it really isn’t your style. Turn it into something that you can wear more often, or why not turn it into two pieces for you to share with your sister or cousin.
When jewellery is given as a gift, it might not be your style, or it might come with memories and feelings that you would rather forget. Why not take the stones from the item and make a beautiful necklace? Or, turn that bracelet into a gorgeous pair of earrings?
Now, you have something you are excited about wearing, without the emotional baggage.
Bespoke jewellery design and creation is not all about taking something old or out of style and making it into something new and beautiful; it can also be about starting from scratch. Your jeweller will be able to guide you through the process from start to finish.
When designing and creating your bespoke jewellery, it is important to use someone with the experience and the creativity to bring your vision to fruition.
Black Betty offers a bespoke design service, and through years of experience can guide you through designing and creating the perfect bespoke piece for you. With a store in Sea Point, Cape Town, and a new store opening in Parkhurst, Johannesburg on the 5th of March 2020, they are on hand to bring your personality to the fore with one-of-a-kind jewellery created just for you.
