Bespoke Jewellers vs Chain Jewellers: Why the Choice Matters More Than You Think
Choosing between bespoke jewellers and chain jewellers directly affects the quality, value, guidance, and long-term satisfaction of your jewellery purchase. Stop guessing. Start saving. Get guided. If you are planning an engagement, organising a secret proposal, scheduling a wedding, or investing in a meaningful piece of diamond jewellery, the jeweller you choose matters more than the cabinet you are standing in.
Most people buying engagement rings, wedding rings, diamond earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and other pieces of jewellery are doing it for the first time. You want to make the right decision. You want your partner to love it. You want to avoid overpaying. And you do not want a pushy retail jewellery shop experience. That is exactly why smart couples choose Burgundy Bespoke Jewellers.
When you work with me, you are not walking into a traditional jewellery shop. You are speaking directly with Michael Dransfield, your Ringman Wingman, bringing over 50 years of experience crafting bespoke jewellery. I do not carry stock. I do not have diamond engagement rings, wedding rings, earrings, necklaces, or bracelets sitting in a showroom. Every piece of jewellery is handcrafted to your design.
In-person consultations are available in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast. Outside of those areas, we meet via Zoom anywhere in Australia. This is a we come to you jeweller model built around convenience and discretion. Book your appointment today!
Made for You – Not Manufactured for Thousands
Chain jewellers operate from a retail shop structure. They design a jewellery collection – diamond engagement rings, wedding rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and more, manufacture it in batches, distribute it to jewellery stores, and sell from stock. You choose from what exists.
I operate differently.
There is no stock to try on. There is no cabinet in a jewellery shop to select from. There is no fixed range. All diamond engagement rings, diamond wedding rings, necklaces, bracelets, or pairs of earrings are created after our consultation, based entirely on what you want to design.
- You work directly with me, not a sales assistant in a jewellery shop
- We look at natural and lab grown diamonds on my online diamond platform, connected to global diamond dealers
- I show you 3 to 5 options within your budget and explain why one offers stronger value
- I provide sample sizes and cuts in cubic zirconium, so you understand scale and proportion
- Jewellery designs are viewed and refined together during our meeting
The diamonds available range from under 1 carat to over 5 carats if required. Stones are certified by IGI or GIA. Because I source directly through this platform, clients typically achieve stronger value than traditional retail jewellery shop structures allow.
You are not buying what I have. You are creating what you want.
You are not shopping from a jewellery collection or walking into a retail jewellery shop to choose an engagement ring or wedding ring from stock. You book a private appointment with me, Michael Dransfield, and we create something bespoke from the very beginning.
Whether we meet in person across Brisbane, the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast – or via Zoom – I guide you through the entire process, keeping the secret proposal a secret if needed. During your appointment, we view diamonds together on my online platform and refine your design in yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, or platinum, using sample sizes to understand proportion.
Every piece of jewellery is handcrafted after our consultation, typically completed in around four weeks. No stock. No standard collection. Just expert guidance and a bespoke jewellery piece designed around you. Book your appointment and let your Ringman Wingman help you create it properly.
The Truth About High-Street Mark-Ups
Traditional retail jewellers operate a physical shop with rent, staffing, displaying their collection, and advertising overhead. Those costs are built into the price of the ring or other piece of jewellery.
I do not operate a high street jewellery shop with a showroom. I do not carry a collection across multiple stores. I operate through private consultation and workshop craftsmanship.
Here is a simple comparison:
| Chain Jewellers | Burgundy Bespoke Jewellers |
|---|---|
| Fixed showroom stock | No stock, every piece crafted to order |
| Retail overhead is included in pricing | Lean structure focused on materials |
| Sales staff model | Direct access to Michael |
| Choose from an existing collection | Client-led design from the start |
Because I am not maintaining a traditional retail footprint, more of your budget goes into the diamond, the yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, or platinum, and the craftsmanship itself.
High-street jewellers need you to walk into a shop, view a collection, and select a ring or other piece of jewellery that already exists. That structure shapes what you see – and what you pay for.
My approach is different. There is no retail shop front and no standing collection to choose from. You book a consultation, and together we create a new ring or other piece of jewellery designed specifically around your priorities, whether that means a timeless yellow gold setting or something more contemporary.
Instead of funding a showroom, your investment goes directly into the materials and the craftsmanship behind your bespoke jewellery. If you prefer a more considered way to create something new and meaningful, book a consultation and experience a better way than the traditional jewellery shop model.
A Personal Design Journey, Not a Sales Transaction
I have been crafting bespoke jewellery for over 50 years. I know which settings hold stones securely. I know how different cuts perform in different metals. I know what works structurally and what fails over time.
The process is clear:
- Personal consultation where we discuss your vision, timeline, and whether the proposal needs to remain completely secret
- Diamond or gemstone selection through my online platform, view 3 to 5 carefully selected options together
- Final design approval followed by handcrafted production in my workshop, with bespoke engagement rings and wedding rings taking approximately four weeks to complete
If you are planning a surprise proposal, I can help you keep it discreet. Communication can be structured carefully. We can send our free world-famous Multisizer so you can size a finger at home without raising suspicion.
We can source natural diamonds, lab grown diamonds, and any precious gemstones, including sapphire, emerald, tourmaline, and amethyst. My role is to educate you clearly so you understand quality, value, and durability.
Jewellery Designed to Outlast Trends – and Lifetimes
A ring should not only look beautiful on the day of the proposal. It should perform for decades.
That comes down to craftsmanship and structure. I focus on proportion, secure settings, appropriate band thickness, and long term wearability. Whether you choose yellow gold, rose gold, white gold or platinum, the design must suit both lifestyle and longevity.
In the unlikely event of a manufacturing fault, I stand by my craftsmanship and ensure it is put right. My reputation is built on quality, not volume.
Every new piece of jewellery is created to stand the test of time, not just to look impressive at first view. During your consultation, we view your design carefully to ensure it is balanced, durable, and made to last – so your new jewellery piece continues to look right at every view for decades to come.
Why Discerning Couples Choose Bespoke Jewellers
Most clients come to me because they want guidance, not pressure. They want someone experienced to explain diamonds clearly. They want to understand why one option represents a better value. They want to feel confident.
Smart couples choose Burgundy Bespoke Jewellers because:
- They want expert guidance instead of guesswork
- They want direct access to diamond dealers through my online platform
- They want a ring handcrafted specifically for their partner
- They want a discreet, convenient consultation model
- They want to work directly with a master jeweller from start to finish
Do not propose with something ordinary.
If you are ready to stop guessing and start designing with confidence, book a free diamond consultation and let me show you how to get the best value for your budget.
