Nothing but praise for Greg and his team: they made and delivered my self-designed wedding ring just in time, spot on budget, and the personal service was outstanding. Two reviews in one:
--I first visited Element in January 2010 when looking for a palladium engagement ring.
Element is situated in the heart of the jewellery quarter. Their shop is relaxing, with wooden display cases letting you see what's what. No overwhelming 'huge selection', just a range of very tasteful modern jewellery. Lots of helpful display materials: examples of diamond cut and sizes, examples of wedding ring profiles and thicknesses, that kind of thing.
They also have their jewellery making workshop out back and you can see the work through a large window in the store. Like restaurants that have the kitchen on display, you can see the machinery and the craftsmen at work. In an age of outsourced mass production, I find this reassuring :).
Overall it's a great place to learn and choose a ring. The staff are relaxed and helpful. They're quite unlike the pushiness or salesy approach demonstrated at some places in Jewellery Quarter. I can't imagine a better place to help you select your wedding or engagement ring.
-- Later in 2010 I used Element's bespoke service for my palladium wedding ring. They were specifically recommended for this by a friend I know at the design school nearby. Here's how it went:
* First, I faxed them my sketch of what I wanted it to look like. Soon I had a call back from Greg who asked me more details and gave me his direct line.
* They then sent me, by registered post, a wax model to try on and approve.
* My fiancée suggested the ring profile be made wider and less heavy. I called Greg to discuss this and suggested he go ahead with the change but with no need for a further wax by post as I trusted his understanding. The price did not change - like I say, excellent customer service.
* They had the ring cast in palladium in very quick time.
* The finished ring, polished asymmetrically and engraved just as I'd hoped, hallmarked in Birmingham (palladium is now hallmarked), arrived by recorded delivery just in time for my wedding day. It looks perfect, fits perfectly, and my (now wife) was stunned.
On the basis of this experience I'd be happy to recommend Element Bespoke Jewellery to anyone looking for a custom design. You only get one chance to buy wedding and engagement jewellery; how valuable it was to have someone trustworthy and helpful to make it for me. Five stars. read more