Custom CommissionsAndrea Li Designs
Bespoke & Custom Jewelry
One-of-a-kind pieces, designed with you, handcrafted in Denver
Andrea Li Designs creates one-of-a-kind jewelry in 14k gold-filled, 14k gold, and sterling silver, handcrafted in a Denver studio using gemstones sourced by hand.
Every piece exists once. No duplicates. No reorders. When it is gone, it is gone.
A commission takes that principle further. Instead of choosing from what already exists, you start a conversation about what does not exist yet. You bring the feeling, the occasion, the screenshot from Instagram, the gemstone your grandmother left you, or nothing at all except the knowledge that you want something that belongs only to you. Andrea builds the piece from there.
Over the past decade, Andrea has completed dozens of custom commissions for clients across the country. Some were single pieces for a single moment. Others became relationships spanning years, with clients who come back again and again because they have stopped looking for jewelry anywhere else.
Commission Gallery
Custom Earrings
Statement, chandelier, drop, and stud designs handcrafted in 14k gold-filled, 14k gold, and sterling silver. From runway-inspired silhouettes cut and soldered from sheet metal to gemstone clusters in labradorite, citrine, blue topaz, and amethyst. Every pair exists once.
Custom Necklaces
Gemstone pendants, statement collars, and layered centerstone designs built around hand-sourced stones including labradorite, aquamarine, tourmaline, and blue topaz. Some clients bring their own stone. Some bring a screenshot. Andrea builds the piece from there.
Custom Bracelets & Cuffs
From gemstone cluster cuffs to heirloom pearl integration on lace backings, each bracelet is fabricated by hand in Andrea's Denver studio. Pieces range from delicate chain bracelets to architectural statement cuffs in sterling silver and 14k gold.
Custom Rings
Hand-carved, cast, and fabricated one-of-a-kind rings in solid 14k gold and sterling silver. From sculptural gold bands with architectural facets to gemstone cocktail rings with vintage components. No molds. No duplicates.
Custom Men's Jewelry
Sterling silver cufflinks with moonstone cabochons, gemstone tie clips with faceted aquamarine, AAA baroque pearl cufflinks, and sculptural accessories designed for men who want something beyond what a department store offers. The same one-of-a-kind approach, the same handcrafted quality, built for a different wearer.
How a Commission Starts
From your first message to a finished piece
There is no formal application. No intake form. No minimum spend. A commission starts when you reach out, and every client reaches out differently.
Janet called the phone number on the website after seeing a necklace she loved. Tricia sent a screenshot of a necklace she spotted on a TV show. Loretta texted a new idea for her annual tradition. Some clients come with a detailed vision. Others come with nothing more than a feeling. Both are the right starting point.
- 01
The Conversation
We start by talking. This can happen over the phone, by email, by text, or on a virtual appointment over Zoom. I want to understand what you are drawn to, what the piece is for, whether you have a timeline, and what budget you are comfortable with. If you have inspiration images, a gemstone you want to use, or a sold-out piece from my site that you loved, bring it. If you have none of those things, that is fine too. The conversation is how we find the direction together.
- 02
Design & Materials
Once I understand what you are looking for, I begin sourcing materials and developing the design. Depending on the project, I may need to order specific gemstones or metals, which can take three to four weeks if sourcing from specialty vendors. I confirm every detail with you, including materials, dimensions, design direction, and projected cost, before I pick up my tools. You will never be surprised by a higher price than what we discussed.
- 03
Creation
Your piece is handcrafted in my Denver studio. Andrea draws on every technique available, fabrication, wire work, casting, and assembly, to build pieces where no single element is recognizable in the final design. I will give you an estimated completion date during our consultation. I prefer to under-promise and over-deliver, and most clients receive their piece earlier than expected.
- 04
Delivery
Your finished piece ships FedEx 2-Day, fully insured for its full retail value, with signature required. It arrives in branded packaging with a care card and certificate of authenticity. The same care I put into making the piece goes into how it reaches you.
Think of this as a starting point, not a final answer. Tell me what sings and what you would shift, and I will lock each one before I source a single stone.
01Palette
- magenta
- plum
- burnt orange
- gold
- deep tropical green
The palette, before a single stone 02Stones in hand
The stones, already in hand: gold-edged geodes, sapphires, beer quartz, and orange Herkimers. 03Design direction
Bridesmaid
- Pendant
- Gold-edged geode in a honey, amber tone
- Pop
- her sunflower yellow, led by beer quartz and a golden pop from my stock
- Earrings
- gold sapphire and geode-toned accents
- Base
- warm gold-tone wire
Not Sure Where to Start?
Answer a few questions and I will point you in the right direction
Question 1 of 5
What brings you here today?
Question 2 of 5
What type of piece are you thinking about?
Question 3 of 5
Do you have materials or a gemstone in mind?
Question 4 of 5
Do you have a deadline or event date?
Question 5 of 5
How would you describe your comfort level with custom jewelry?
Who Commissions Custom Jewelry?
There is no single type. These are real clients.
Every commission starts with a different reason. Here are some of the people who have been where you are now.
The woman who is done with retail
Janet
15+ commissions over a decade
She saw one necklace online and called the number listed. That was the last time she bought jewelry from a store. Her commissions now include gemstone necklaces, a memorial collection in blue topaz honoring her mother, and statement earrings inspired by Alexander McQueen runway shows.
Read Janet's storyThe sold-out seeker
Judy
multiple commissions built from sold-out DNA
She found a necklace she loved on the website. It was sold out. Instead of moving on, she went page by page through every collection, flagging everything that spoke to her. Each commission was built from the DNA of a piece that no longer existed.
Read Judy's storyThe tradition builder
Loretta
six consecutive years, 18+ pieces
What started as one commission became an annual tradition for herself and the two women she built a company with over two decades. Eighteen pieces and counting, including custom cufflinks for the men who stand beside them.
Read Loretta's storyThe self-purchaser
Patricia
a solid gold ring, no occasion
No gift. No event. No gemstones. She wanted a solid 14k gold ring that looked like nothing else, and she bought it for herself because she wanted it. Andrea hand-carved the form from wax and cast it in gold.
Read Patricia's storyThe milestone gift-giver
Debi
a 10th birthday tradition for every granddaughter
Every granddaughter receives a one-of-a-kind Andrea Li necklace on her tenth birthday. Real diamonds, solid 14k gold, and a design made for who she is at ten, built to grow with her.
Read Debi's storyThe screen-inspired buyer
Tricia
from a TV show to a commission
She found Andrea's work twice. First through a sold-out piece she could not stop thinking about. Then through a necklace she spotted on a character on screen. Both times, the result was something entirely new.
Read Tricia's storyThe online trust seeker
Deb
what happens after you buy
She bought a statement necklace online from a designer she had never met. It did not fit her petite frame. Andrea shortened it for free, no questions asked. That is what after-sales care looks like.
Read Deb's storyThe leap of faith
Travis
a necklace, then earrings, for his mother's 70th
He was a son searching online for something special for his mother's 70th birthday when the Janis Gold Leaf necklace stopped him. He feared it was a scam and took the chance anyway. It arrived exactly like the pictures, and he came back to commission matching earrings.
Read Travis's story
Featured Studio Story
Carolyn's Three Necklaces: When Heirlooms Become Something New
Five years. Three commissions. One client. Carolyn brought me three heirloom pieces she could not bring herself to wear as they were: an aunt's jade pendant, an aunt's whiskey topaz pendant, and a strand of pearls from her late mother-in-law's collection. None were melted. All are now worn.
Read Carolyn's Story
Finding a ture love in late middle age, a youthful, honest and kind love, discovering life with a beautiful, brilliant, captivating woman. You knew I wanted a ring that embodies those eternal virtues; you knew what it would mean to her. You clearly poured your heart into creating this stunning ring, and in the process, melded my heart with hers. Sheer artistry, sheer magic!
Wedding Commissions
Commissioning for a Wedding?
Bridal, mother of the bride, wedding party, or guest
Some of the most personal commissions Andrea has ever made were for weddings. Not because weddings demand expensive jewelry. Because the women who commission for a wedding arrive with something deeper than a style preference. They arrive with a dress they love, a family tradition they want to carry, or a feeling they want to walk into the room with.
- 01
The bride who did not want pearls
Lisa's Earrings
She knew what she did not want: pearls. Andrea sent four concepts. Lisa mixed elements from different designs, and together they created something in white topaz, Herkimer diamonds, and rose quartz that did not exist until the conversation found it.
- 02
The earrings that became the wedding theme
Laura's Earrings
Her family sings "Going to the Chapel" at every wedding. She wanted earrings that, if they could speak, would sing that song. When her coordinator saw them, she redesigned the entire wedding around an "opulent twilight" theme inspired by the jewelry.
- 03
The bride who arrived with research
Victoria's Necklace
Fifteen links to pieces across the site. Photos of her dress, her venue, her Edwardian boots. She did not need a custom build. She needed someone who knew the collection deeply enough to find the match before they even got on the Zoom call.
- 04
Five women, five pairs, zero duplicates
Lily's Wedding Party
Her taste defaults to Valentino. Opulent, high couture, nothing understated. They pulled gemstones together in person: London Blue Topaz to echo her sapphire ring, gray pearls to soften the palette. She arrived at her New Orleans wedding by horse-drawn buggy.
- 05
Her mother's pearls, built into a lace cuff
Sarah's Cuff
She brought pearls from her mother's old necklace. Something old. Andrea built the cuff around them on a lace backing, a first for the studio. The cuff appeared in every ceremony photograph, visible as her husband placed the ring on her finger.
- 06
A matching set for her son's wedding
Peggy's Wedding Set
Peggy found a pair of Green Amethyst Burst Earrings on Andrea's site and purchased them for her son's wedding. Then she realized she didn't have a necklace. Andrea sketched a design that complemented the earrings without copying them, shaped specifically for Peggy's deep V neckline.
- 07
A gift from her husband
Marisa's Necklace
Marisa's jewelry came from the person who knows her best, her husband, John. He found a multi-strand gold necklace on Andrea's website and bought it for Marisa to wear to their daughter's wedding. The necklace made it to the wedding. Marisa looked radiant.
- 08
The bride who came back as a guest
The Victoria Collection
Victoria first came to Andrea as a bride. After her own wedding, she came back as a guest, commissioning a completely new set for a family member's wedding. The result was so distinctive that Andrea named it the Victoria Collection.
- 09
The aunt of the bride, at the shore
Autumn's Beachside Wedding Set
Autumn found Andrea during a midnight Google search for "statement necklace tourmaline." She was the aunt of the bride, shopping for a beachside wedding on the Jersey Shore. Her review: "Dazzling blues and greens, and waves of golden movement that mirrored the ocean tide."
Five brides, five completely different processes, one studio.
Inherited a piece you never wear?
Heirloom jewelry redesign
The jade pendant is still the jade pendant.
If a piece came to you from your mother, an aunt or a grandmother and it has sat unworn ever since, it does not have to stay that way, and it does not have to be melted down to change. I rebuild inherited jewelry into pieces you will actually wear, by hand in my Denver studio, and your original setting is incorporated into the new design rather than used as raw material for it. Carolyn's aunt's jade pendant, her aunt's whiskey topaz and her late mother-in-law's pearls all became necklaces she wears now. None of them were melted.
Heirloom redesigns run from $300 to $10,000 depending on the design and the materials it needs, and take about as long as any commission. It starts with photographs, and nothing travels until we both know it will work.
See how heirloom redesign worksIncludes the Heirloom Matcher, which tells you in three questions whether I can work with what you have.
I never melt the original.
What I can work with
Strands of gemstone beads or pearls, pendants, charms, and finished jewelry. Anything already drilled, including pieces that are broken.
What I cannot
A loose, undrilled gemstone has to be set into metal, which is not what I do. I will send you to Heather at Bohemi instead.
Pricing
How custom pricing works
There is no fixed price list for custom work, because no two commissions are the same. A pair of baroque pearl earrings is a different project than a three-piece memorial set in blue topaz with solid gold components. The materials, the complexity, and the time required shape the cost.
What does not change is the process. You name the budget you are comfortable with. I design within it. I will never pressure you toward a higher price point, and I will never surprise you with a final number that exceeds what we discussed. If material costs shift after we have agreed on a price, I absorb the difference.
It's not as expensive as you would think, of course, depending on which stones and metal you choose.
Here is what influences the cost of a commission:
- 01
Metal
This is typically the largest factor. Sterling silver is the most accessible. Gold filled offers the look and durability of gold at a lower price point. Solid 14k gold carries a premium, especially at current market prices. I will tell you up front how metal choice affects the total.
- 02
Gemstones
Cost varies widely by stone type, size, and quality. Some gemstones I already have in my studio inventory. Others I source specifically for your project, which may add lead time and cost. If you bring your own stone, that reduces the materials portion.
- 03
Complexity
A single pair of earrings requires different labor than a statement necklace with dozens of individually set gemstones, or a multi-piece set that needs to coordinate across necklace, earrings, and cuff. I factor complexity into the estimate so you know what you are investing in.
- 04
Down payment
For commissions involving solid gold or high-value gemstone sourcing, I may request a down payment before beginning work. This applies primarily to new clients and covers the cost of materials I need to purchase for your project.
Timeline
What to expect from consultation to delivery
Every commission has its own timeline, shaped by the complexity of the piece and the materials involved. A pair of statement earrings using gemstones already in the studio moves faster than a multi-piece set requiring solid gold and internationally sourced stones.
Material sourcing is often the longest phase. Specialty gemstones ordered from vendors, particularly international suppliers, can take three to four weeks to arrive before fabrication begins. Andrea factors this into every estimate so there are no surprises.
Andrea prefers to under-promise and over-deliver. Most clients receive their finished piece earlier than the estimated completion date.
I highly recommend talking with the artist as her custom work is where she really shines. Her ability to understand the person and create something uniquely fitting for them is a rare gift that she powerfully wields with sophistication and love.
Two Ways to Start
Send a Message
No commitment. Just a question, an idea, or a feeling.
If you are not ready to book a consultation yet, that is completely fine. Use the form below to tell me what you are thinking about. A piece you saw on the site. A screenshot from Instagram. A milestone coming up. A question about pricing or timeline. Whatever is on your mind.
I read every message personally and respond within one to two business days.
Book Your Consultation
A conversation, not a commitment
This is a 30-minute virtual appointment over Zoom where we talk about what you are looking for. You do not need to have a fully formed idea. You do not need to know gemstone names or metal types. You just need to know that you want something.
Come with whatever you have: a screenshot, a sold-out piece you loved, a color, a feeling, a budget, a deadline, or simply curiosity about what is possible. I will take it from there.
- Duration
- 30 minutes
- Format
- Zoom (virtual)
- Cost
- Complimentary
Custom Order Policy
All custom and bespoke pieces are final sale. Because each piece is designed and handcrafted specifically for you, returns are not available for commission work.
This is why the consultation and design confirmation steps matter. I confirm every detail, materials, dimensions, design direction, and price, before I begin work. You will know exactly what you are getting before I pick up my tools. I want you to love your piece before it exists.
- FedEx 2-Day Shipping
- Fully Insured for Full Retail Value
- Signature Required
- Branded Packaging
- Care Card
- Certificate of Authenticity
- Monday through Wednesday Ship Window
- Same-Day Processing
Frequently Asked Questions
01How much does a custom commission cost?
There is no fixed price because every commission is different. Cost depends on the metals involved (sterling silver, gold filled, or solid 14k gold), the type and quantity of gemstones, and the complexity of the design. You name the budget you are comfortable with, and Andrea designs within it. She confirms all costs before beginning work, and you will never receive a final invoice higher than what was agreed upon.
02How long does a commission take from start to finish?
Timelines vary by project. A simple pair of earrings using materials already in the studio could be completed in three to four weeks. A complex statement necklace or multi-piece set requiring internationally sourced gemstones may take eight to twelve weeks. Material sourcing is often the longest phase, with specialty stones taking three to four weeks to arrive. Andrea provides a specific estimate during your consultation and typically delivers earlier than promised.
03Do I need to know what I want before booking a consultation?
No. Some clients arrive with detailed inspiration images, specific gemstone preferences, and exact color palettes. Others arrive with nothing more than a feeling or a vague sense of what they are drawn to. Both are valid starting points. The consultation exists to find the direction together. Andrea will guide you through options, show you possibilities, and help you articulate what you might not yet have words for.
04Can I commission a piece that looks like something I saw from another designer?
Andrea does not make copies, but she regularly creates original pieces inspired by designs her clients admire. If you have a screenshot from a runway show, a photo of designer earrings, or a piece from a magazine that resonates with you, bring it. Andrea will study the form, scale, and movement, then design something original that captures the same energy using her own techniques and materials. The result is always one of a kind.
05What if a piece I loved on the website is sold out?
This is one of the most common ways commissions begin. If you found a piece on the site that is no longer available, Andrea can create something inspired by it. It will not be an exact duplicate, because all of her work is one of a kind. But it can capture the spirit, the color palette, or the design language of what you loved. Several of Andrea's long-term commission clients started exactly this way.
06Can I bring my own gemstone or materials?
Yes. If you have a gemstone with personal significance, whether inherited, collected, or purchased on your own, Andrea can incorporate it into a custom design. She has built commission pieces around client-provided labradorite, family pearls, and stones collected on travels. The stone's size, cut, and properties will shape the overall design, which Andrea works through with you during the consultation.
07Is there a deposit or down payment required?
For commissions involving solid gold or high-value gemstone sourcing, Andrea may request a down payment before beginning work. This covers the cost of materials that need to be purchased specifically for your project. The amount depends on the scope of the commission and will be discussed during the consultation. For returning clients with an established relationship, the arrangement may be more flexible.
08Are custom pieces final sale?
Yes. Because each custom piece is designed and handcrafted specifically for you, commissions are final sale. This is why the consultation and design confirmation steps are so thorough. Andrea confirms every detail, including materials, dimensions, design direction, and price, before she begins work. She wants you to love your piece before it exists.