Bespoke at Lores
Terms + Conditions
At Lores, every bespoke piece begins with you. For sentimental re-design, this includes your story and your own materials. The process is designed to capture your ideas, preferences, and history, ensuring your finished jewellery is truly personal while managing the inherent risks of using pre-owned metals and gemstones.
Consultations
Consultations are £30 and can be held either in person in Bristol or online via video call. This fee is redeemable against the final cost of your jewellery if you decide to proceed.Consultations allow time to explore your ideas in detail, provide an online record of your order, and help keep track of your project. During the consultation, all aspects of your piece will be discussed: preferred metals, gemstones, family precious metal or gemstones (if applicable), design ideas, measurements, timeframes, and budget. Ahead of the consultation, it is helpful to gather inspiration for styles, colours, or forms you would like.
Quotation & Deposit
Following your consultation, an initial design estimate will be prepared based on the information available at this early stage. This estimate provides a guide to expected costs but may change once the design is fully developed. To proceed, a 50% deposit is required before any work begins. This deposit is non-refundable once work has started, as materials and gemstones are often purchased specifically for your piece and cannot be returned. In exceptional circumstances, such as unexpected financial or health changes, special allowances for partial or full refunds of the deposit may be considered. These are entirely at the discretion of the Lores team and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Please note: details, components, and prices are subject to change. Gemstones may be made smaller or larger upon the client’s request or to suit the final design. Gold prices can fluctuate significantly between the design estimate and proceed stage, or as a result of design changes, and may result in a potential price adjustment at the final invoice depending on how much gold prices have risen during the manufacturing time-frame.
For sentimental bespoke work using client-supplied gold, it is often necessary to add fresh gold to complete the piece, as the material provided may not be sufficient for the full design. Any cost for additional gold will be included in the final price. Once CAD, wax carving, or the final design has been completed and the exact metal weight, gemstones, and labour requirements are known, a final price will be confirmed. This final price replaces the initial design estimate and reflects any changes in design, gemstones, materials, labour time, or gold cost. Lores will quote for the CAD, design, or labour time expected to complete each piece. If a job exceeds the total time allocated, this will be added to the final invoice. Any changes from the original quotation will always be explained to the client. Quotes are valid for 2 weeks. If the client does not proceed within this timeframe, a new quote may be issued by Lores. The final invoice will reflect the confirmed final price minus the deposit.
Using Your Materials
When using your own metals or gemstones, there are inherent risks. Metals may be worn, alloyed, or have hidden weaknesses such as cracks, porosity, or previous repairs. Gemstones may have internal fractures, previous treatments, or surface damage not visible before work begins.
During the re-design or bespoke process, stones may chip, fracture, or loosen, and metal may behave unpredictably during soldering, setting, or resizing. Clients acknowledge that Lores cannot accept financial responsibility for breakage, loss, or damage to materials supplied by you. Clients must ensure that any valuable stones or materials are insured for the duration of the redesign or bespoke process.
Sourcing, Making & Communication
Once the deposit has been received, work on your jewellery will begin. Some gemstones may take longer to source depending on rarity and availability. If you would like to be involved in gemstone selection, please allow additional time beyond the standard lead time. Each piece typically takes 10–12 weeks to complete, a lead time that includes room for unforeseen delays. If you have a particular date in mind, such as a proposal or wedding, please mention this early so it can be factored into the schedule.
You will be communicated with throughout the process via WhatsApp or email according to your preference. Progress photos will be shared if your piece is being wax carved, and sketches or CAD renders will be sent for review before final approval if this is part of your package. Any requested design changes will be discussed with you before work proceeds. Once a design has been approved and production has started, any subsequent changes are not the responsibility of Lores. Support will be provided to address concerns, but changes to a design after production begins cannot be funded by Lores.
Risks to Gemstones and Metal
Gemstones vary in hardness, composition, and durability. Some stones are sensitive to heat, pressure, ultrasonic cleaning, or the setting process. Risks include, but are not limited to:
Fracture-filled diamonds, laser-drilled diamonds, oil-filled emeralds, foil-backed stones, glass-filled rubies, resin-filled stones, and stones that have been irradiated.
Soft or organic gems such as pearls, opals, turquoise, and amber.
Heat-sensitive stones that can craze, burn, go cloudy, or change colour.
Stones with structural weaknesses such as internal fractures or surface-reaching inclusions.
Large, thin, or unusually cut stones that carry additional stress during setting.
Stones that have previously been set or repaired, as well as stones that have been treated or filled.
Metals may be weakened by previous repairs or by their specific alloy composition. Plating on older jewellery is often removed during buffing and polishing. Replacement plating is not included in redesign or bespoke work unless specifically requested, as plating is a precious metal service and will be charged separately.
Stone Setting Risks
Setting stones, whether supplied by you or sourced for the design, carries inherent risk. Even a flawless stone may fracture or chip during setting despite careful techniques. Lores cannot accept financial responsibility for breakage during gemstone setting. Clients must ensure their insurance covers the materials during the process. Documentation and photographs can be provided to support an insurance claim, but replacement costs must be claimed through the client’s insurer. Older or previously damaged stones carry significantly increased risk and may require written approval before work begins.
Changes of Mind
Once you have approved your final design, work begins shortly afterwards. At this stage, changes to the design may require additional fees or may not be possible, especially if materials have already been altered, melted, or prepared. If you wish to change your mind after approval, the cost of any completed work will still apply.
Limitations and Liability
Sentimental re-design and bespoke work aims to create a beautiful and functional piece, but certain limitations must be acknowledged. Lores cannot guarantee the preservation of structural strength in metals or stones that show pre-existing damage or wear. Minor imperfections that result from the age and previous life of your materials may remain.
Liability is limited to the agreed final design and the workmanship provided by Lores. It does not extend to replacement or reimbursement of client-supplied gemstones, metal, or jewellery components. Lores is not responsible for breakage caused by inherent weaknesses, pre-existing damage, or reactions of materials to repair, setting, or making processes.
Completion, Collection & Aftercare
When your piece is finished, collection or delivery will be arranged. The remaining balance must be paid before collection or dispatch. Pieces are shipped via Royal Mail Special Delivery, an insured postal service. For particularly valuable or sentimental pieces, hand delivery or collection can also be arranged. All jewellery comes in beautiful packaging with full care cards that explain how to care for your piece.
Photography and Privacy
Photographs may be taken throughout the process and of the final piece, these may be used for marketing unless you request otherwise. Lores cares deeply for the privacy of our customers and therefore images will not be shared on any social medias if the piece is a surprise gift. If you prefer that your piece or materials are not photographed, please inform Lores before work begins.
Reviews
Within 4 weeks of receiving your piece, you will be invited to leave a review. Feedback is warmly appreciated and helps support Lores as a small independent business.