How to Create Your Own Jewellery: A Complete Guide

Creating your own jewellery means choosing every element yourself: the type of piece, the metal, and every single gemstone. At Lae Jewellery, my Create Your Own range lets you design a bracelet, earrings, ring, necklace, or anklet using sterling silver or 14ct gold filled wire and up to 8 gemstones from over 30 options. Every piece is handcrafted by me in my studio in Four Crosses, Powys, and dispatched within 1 to 3 working days.

This is jewellery that is truly yours. You are not picking from a pre-made catalogue or choosing between a handful of charms. You are designing something from scratch, bead by bead, stone by stone. I then bring your design to life by hand, right here on the Welsh borders. For even more detail on the creative process, see my full design guide.

What Can You Create?

My Create Your Own range covers six product types. Each one is built around the same idea: you pick the metal, you pick the gemstones, and I make it for you.

• Bracelet: A beaded bracelet where you choose every single bead. Select up to 8 gemstones in any combination, and I string them onto your choice of sterling silver or 14ct gold filled wire. This is my most popular Create Your Own piece.
• Earrings: Available in drop or stud styles, with your chosen gemstones set into sterling silver or gold filled settings. Perfect for matching to an existing bracelet or creating a coordinated set.
• Ring: An adjustable beaded ring featuring your chosen gemstones. Because it is adjustable, there is no need to worry about getting the size exactly right.
• Necklace: A pendant or beaded chain design with your selected gemstones. A beautiful way to keep meaningful stones close to your heart.
• Anklet: A beaded anklet with your choice of gemstones. Ideal for summer or as a subtle, personal piece you wear year-round.

Every piece in the range is made to order. Nothing sits on a shelf waiting to be picked. Your jewellery does not exist until you design it and I create it.

Choose Your Metal

You have two metal options for every Create Your Own piece. Both are real metals that last, not plated finishes that wear away after a few months.

Sterling Silver 925

Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver mixed with 7.5% copper for strength. It is kind to sensitive skin, can be polished and restored repeatedly, and lasts for decades with proper care. Sterling silver is the foundation of almost everything I make. If you like a cool, classic tone, this is your metal.

14ct Gold Filled

Gold filled is not the same as gold plated. Gold plating is a thin layer (less than 0.5 microns) that wears off within months. Gold filled is 50 to 100 times thicker: a substantial layer of real 14ct gold mechanically bonded to a base metal core under heat and pressure. By law, gold filled must contain at least 5% real gold by total weight.

The result is jewellery that looks and wears like solid gold, will not tarnish or flake, and lasts 10 to 30 years with proper care. It is also safe for sensitive skin. If you want the warmth of gold without the price tag of solid 18ct or 24ct, gold filled is the answer.

For a deeper look at what goes into every piece, visit my materials guide.

Pick Your Gemstones

This is the part most people love best. You can choose up to 8 gemstones per piece from over 30 options. Every stone is genuine and hand-picked for quality. For ideas on putting together colourful gemstone combinations, I have a separate guide with photos and pairing suggestions. Here are some of the most popular choices and their meanings:

• Morganite: love and compassion. A soft peachy-pink stone that pairs beautifully with gold filled wire.
• Rose quartz: unconditional love. The classic pale pink stone, perfect for gifts with sentimental meaning. For more pieces centred on love and sentiment, browse my hearts collection.
• Aquamarine: calm and clarity. A cool blue-green stone that works brilliantly with sterling silver. If calm and meaning speak to you, my serenity collection is full of peaceful, grounding designs.
• Turquoise: protection and healing. A bold, vivid stone with a long history of significance across cultures. For more protective symbolism, see my evil eye collection.
• Lapis lazuli: wisdom and truth. A deep blue stone flecked with gold, striking on its own or mixed with lighter shades.
• Carnelian: courage and motivation. A warm, rich orange-red tone that adds real warmth to any piece.
• Amazonite: hope and balance. A soothing green-blue stone that complements both metal choices.
• Apatite: inspiration and creativity. A vivid blue stone that catches the light beautifully.
• White jade: peace and purity. A soft, milky white stone that adds a gentle contrast to coloured beads.

Many customers choose birthstones for personalised gifts. If you are not sure which stone belongs to which month, my guide to birthstone meanings by month has the full list. A bracelet with your children's birthstones, your partner's birthstone alongside your own, or a full family set makes a gift that carries real personal meaning. Because you are choosing every stone yourself, no two pieces are ever the same.

How the Process Works

Ordering a Create Your Own piece is straightforward. Here is exactly how it works, step by step:

1. Choose your piece type. Decide whether you want a bracelet, earrings, ring, necklace, or anklet.
2. Select your metal. Pick between sterling silver 925 or 14ct gold filled.
3. Pick your gemstones. Choose up to 8 gemstones from over 30 options. You can mix and match any combination you like.
4. Place your order online. Add your design to the basket and check out through my Shopify store. You can include a gift message if it is a present.
5. I handcraft your piece. Every order is made by me, by hand, in my studio in Four Crosses, Powys (SY22 6NE). No machines, no factory line.
6. Dispatched within 1 to 3 working days. Your finished piece is carefully packaged and sent via Royal Mail. Free delivery on orders over £100.

That is it. Six steps from idea to finished jewellery, with a real person making it for you along the way.

Gift Ideas

Create Your Own pieces make some of the most thoughtful gifts I send out. Because every element is chosen by the giver, the result carries a level of personal meaning that off-the-shelf jewellery simply cannot match.

Birthday Gifts

Choose the recipient's birthstone as the centrepiece, then surround it with stones in their favourite colours. A birthstone bracelet or pair of earrings tells someone you thought about every detail.

Bridesmaid Gifts

Order matching sets for your bridal party, but personalise each one with individual birthstones. Your bridesmaids get a coordinated look on the day and a meaningful keepsake they will actually wear afterwards. Browse my wedding jewellery collection for more bridal gifting ideas.

Mother's Day

A bracelet with each family member's birthstone is one of my most requested Mother's Day gifts. It is a piece that represents the whole family in one design.

Anniversaries

Choose gemstones that represent the years you have spent together, or pick stones that hold a shared memory. Some couples choose the gemstone associated with their wedding month, combined with stones from places they have travelled.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a Create Your Own piece take to make?

Every piece is handcrafted to order in my studio. I typically complete and dispatch orders within 1 to 3 working days. During busy periods (Christmas, Mother's Day), it may take slightly longer, but I always keep my dispatch times updated on each product page.

Can I mix sterling silver and gold filled?

Yes, absolutely. Mixing metals is a popular choice and it looks gorgeous. You might choose a gold filled wire with sterling silver accent beads, or the other way around. There are no rules here; go with what feels right to you.

How do I choose gemstones if I cannot see them in person?

The photos on each product page show accurate colours. However, every gemstone is a natural stone, so there will always be slight variations in shade, pattern, and size. That is part of what makes each piece unique. If you are unsure about a particular stone, send me a message on Instagram or through my contact page and I will help you choose.

Can I order Create Your Own as a gift?

Yes. At checkout, you can include a personalised gift message. I will handwrite it on a card and tuck it into the packaging. If you need the piece sent directly to the recipient, just enter their address as the shipping address.

What if I want more than 8 gemstones?

Get in touch with me directly. I am always happy to discuss bespoke arrangements that go beyond the standard options. Whether you want a longer bracelet with 12 stones or a completely custom design, I can make it happen.

Designed by You, Made by Me

I started Lae Jewellery in 2020 at my kitchen table during the first lockdown, making bracelets for friends and family. The name "Lae" comes from our family initials: L for Lucy, A for Alastair, and E for Emma. Six years on, I am still a one-woman studio, still handcrafting every single piece myself.

The Create Your Own range is the heart of what I do. It is the purest expression of what Lae Jewellery is about: meaningful jewellery at accessible prices, made with real metals and genuine gemstones. With over 219 products across 6 product types and more than 30 gemstones to choose from, there is always something new to design.

If you have any questions about the Create Your Own range, or if you want to discuss a bespoke idea, drop me a message. I would love to help you create something special.

Lucy x