Questions
What people ask about commissioning a piece in Mallorca.
Direct answers to the questions that arrive most often. Anything not covered here is best sent as a short email to ian@atelierbarnard.com.
Pricing & process
How much does a bespoke jeweller in Mallorca cost?
A bespoke commission at Atelier Barnard starts at €5,000 for a simple, well-made piece. Most commissions sit between €10,000 and €20,000 — a serious engagement ring, a considered necklace, or a properly restored heirloom. There is no upper ceiling; the price always follows the brief.
How long does a commission take?
Most commissions take six to ten weeks. Week one is the first conversation, weeks two and three are sketches and stones, weeks four to ten are the piece itself, and the final week is the handover. Faster turnarounds are sometimes possible for simpler pieces; complex stones take longer.
Do I pay everything up front?
No. A typical commission is paid in three parts: a design deposit when sketches are commissioned, a stone deposit when stones are sourced, and the balance on completion. The exact split is agreed in writing before any money changes hands.
Stones & metals
Can you source diamonds and coloured stones?
Yes. Atelier Barnard sources diamonds and coloured stones from trusted suppliers and presents options under the right light at the workshop. Where relevant, stones come with independent grading reports (GIA, GCAL, Gübelin or SSEF) so the client sees exactly what they are buying.
Can you use stones from an old piece?
Yes. A great many commissions begin with a stone the client already owns. The stone is assessed at the workshop, recut if it would help, and set into the new design by hand. Family stones being given a second life is one of the most common briefs that comes through the door.
What metals do you work in?
Platinum, 18-carat yellow gold, 18-carat white gold, 18-carat rose gold and palladium for most commissions. Higher-purity gold (22 carat) and silver are possible on request for specific aesthetic or cultural briefs. Mixed-metal commissions are common.
Working with the workshop
Do I need to visit the workshop in Palma?
No, but most clients do at least once. Visiting the workshop in person is where you see the bench, the stones under proper light, and meet Ian directly. For clients who cannot travel, the entire commission can be done by video call and insured shipping.
Is the workshop open to the public?
No. The workshop is private and by appointment only. There is no shop floor and no walk-in counter — visits are arranged in advance so the conversation can be a proper one and so the bench is set up correctly for what is being discussed.
Do you work with clients in other languages?
Ian works in English. Spanish is spoken at the workshop. Commissions are regularly taken with clients across Europe and beyond; clients arriving by yacht in Palma during the summer are a frequent part of the workload.
Begin
Question not answered above?
Send a short note and Ian will answer personally, usually within a working day. Use the contact form on this site, or begin the commission properly at atelierbarnard.com.