Taylor Swift and Hailey Bieber have made personalised jewellery popular – shop for charms, bangles and necklaces from the likes of Boochier, Chantel Shafie, Anabel Chan and Gold Steed Atelier

In an age dominated by the rapid dissemination of information through the internet, individuality in style is becoming increasingly elusive. Thanks to the ease of social tags and image searches, it’s now possible to recreate an outfit you admire online in a matter of clicks – having the entire ensemble, or something very similar, hanging in your wardrobe within days.

With this surge in style uniformity, the yearning for something truly unique has never been more pronounced. While a shift towards personalisation and made-to-order services has infiltrated all areas of fashion, it is perhaps the jewellery world that has seen the most significant growth.

Historically, jewellery has marked key milestones – engagements, anniversaries and birthdays – but now more than ever, shoppers are seeking pieces that speak directly to their identity and experiences, often through incorporating meaningful motifs, textual touches or hand-picked stones.

Hong Kong-based fine jewellery label Boochier is one place where shoppers can find gemstone-encrusted letter charms, with clients able to personalise the brand’s 18k gold and diamond Nostalgia Bangles with their choice of text. “The most common requests are generally children related – anything from the birth of a child to a special milestone in a child’s life,” Boochier founder Melinda Zeman shared. “I think it’s because they inspire us so much with their innocence and optimism. One of my absolute favourite pieces that I created was a Nostalgia Bangle that said ‘Angel of Mine’. I grew up listening to Brandy [and Monica] in the early 2000s, and this song reminded me so much of my daughter, who is my little angel.”

With the rise of personalised jewellery, it’s no surprise that bespoke services have become the cornerstone of established and emerging designers alike. Chris Li of local label Gold Steed Atelier, known for handcrafting floral-inspired jewellery using the lost-wax casting technique, reveals that many of his designs are custom commissions, often by clients looking to immortalise a flower that holds sentimental value. “All custom pieces are unique and have a sense of storytelling for me and the audience, which creates a bond between the maker and the recipient,” he said.

Similarly, Chantel Shafie Jewellery has become a go-to for Hongkongers looking for bespoke and made-to-order pieces. In particular, designer Chantel Shafie’s Signature Medallion collection, which features vintage 22k gold coins set in diamond-encrusted frames, has been a bestseller. Some coins are sourced by Shafie herself, while others are heirlooms passed down through generations of her clients’ families. “I’ve seen clients further customise their medallions with engravings, birthstones or symbols that hold particular significance to them, creating a unique narrative that transforms each piece into a cherished memory,” she said.