Top 10 Custom Made Jewellery Designs
“You’re not making something for a window,” says Matthew. “You’re making it for the person - how they live, how they wear it, what they’re drawn to.”
That’s the brief. Everything else follows.
Step inside the Matthew Ely Jewellery workshop and discover our top 10 custom jewellery designs from the past few months.
1. Tanzanite Brooch
This custom men’s tanzanite brooch centres on a remarkable gemstone brought in by a long-term collector.
Reshaped and refined, the tanzanite sits within a sculptural, star-inspired design, framed by diamonds and custom-cut sapphires.
“I wanted to reference the glamour of the 1920s without creating a period piece,” says Matthew. “There’s Art Deco elegance in the symmetry and tapering lines, but it still feels crisp and contemporary.”
2. Purple Sapphire & Enamel Bolo
This bespoke bolo tie reimagines a classic Western piece through a high jewellery lens. Intricate and unexpected, it was hand designed for a very special client, well-known for their affinity with the colour purple!
Centred on an unheated purple sapphire, the piece is layered with hand-applied enamel, completed in France.
“There’s a lot going on behind the scenes,” says Matthew. “The piece had to function perfectly, but still feel effortless.”
3. Bespoke Diamond Cluster Band Ring
A collection of diamonds, gathered over time, brought together into a single, cohesive design. This custom cluster band reimagines the traditional eternity ring with a mix of shapes and sizes.
“When people bring in individual gemstones, they often don’t know what’s possible,” says Matthew. “It’s about creating something that feels completely their own.”
Find out more.
4. Yellow & White Diamond Ring
This bespoke yellow and white diamond ring began as a remodelling project; an existing piece that no longer felt quite right.
“Our client really wanted the yellow diamond to stand out,” says Matthew. “She wanted a ring that was more her style and felt very defined.”
The redesign focused on bringing that central diamond forward, stripping back distraction, and introducing stronger, more sculptural lines. Custom-cut diamonds were set north and south in a refined channel, adding structure and a subtle Art Deco influence.
5. Art Deco Amethyst & Ruby Earrings
Inspired by an earlier Art Deco design, which was handcrafted in France, these custom earrings pair rich amethyst with cabochon rubies and diamonds.
“Cabochon rubies really add depth and texture to the look, while the overall silhouette leans into that classic Deco style,” says Matthew.
6. Opal & Diamond Pendant
This bespoke opal and diamond pendant began with a gemstone sourced directly from a miner in Lightning Ridge. The brief was simple: create something timeless and elevated, without overworking the design.
“It’s the opposite of a token tourist piece,” says Matthew. “A beautiful reminder of a place and a moment in time, without the clichés. No koalas or boomerangs! Just a gemstone that speaks for itself.”
7. Oval Diamond Engagement Ring
This bespoke 2.6ct oval diamond engagement ring features a refined halo design with intentional spacing, allowing light to move through the piece.
“Our client really liked that sense of negative space and ‘daylight’ between the stones. It makes the design feel lighter and more modern,” says Matthew.
8. 4-Stone Yellow Sapphire & Diamond Ring
Handcrafted in 18ct white gold, this bespoke ring transforms a client’s existing gemstones into a modern four-stone design.
An oval yellow sapphire (0.95ct) sits beside three round brilliant-cut diamonds in perfect balance.
9. Lemon Quartz & Sapphire Bead Bracelet
This bespoke multi-strand bracelet refines carved lemon quartz and sapphire beads into a balanced, elevated design.
“Our client came in with these beautiful elements,” says Matthew. “It was about bringing them together with balance, then adding diamond halos to elevate the piece."
10. Thick Yellow Gold & Diamond Ring
Simple but eye-catching, this bold gold band anchors a single 3.16ct round brilliant-cut diamond.
The design is deliberately minimal, allowing the scale of the diamond and weight of the gold to define the ring.
“When the materials are this strong, you don’t need to overcomplicate it," says Matthew. "But every detail still has to be right. The finish does the talking here."
