Greg Bires has been creating jewelry for more than three decades, but the industry is changing. More than half his business now comes from custom orders, sometimes with very specific instructions.
"The nice thing about being able to design a piece is that there are no limitations," said Bires. "Whatever a person has in mind, we can recreate that. We can incorporate their ideas."
Bires credits the millennial generation with pushing the custom-made trend; many of them use their own inherited gemstones that are in need of a new setting or an updated look.
"More jewelry stores are filling that niche," said Angie's List founder Angie Hicks. "They're buying their own technology and creating an environment where you can come in and design your own piece that matches your own personality."
Not everyone knows exactly what they want, so it's important to help find an experienced designer who can help guide you along.
Greg Bires said the first thing any customer should do when selecting a design mentor is look at their previous work to see if their style is compatible with the customer's goals.
"Be able to articulate the types of things you like," he said. "You can even bring in pictures of things that are your style."
Bires espcially enjoys designing pieces that tug on the heart. He made one ring for a woman who lost a sister, but wanted a daily reminder of her, so he combined their birthstones in a unique setting.
"It was really simple, but it meant so much to this person," he said. "And that's the only ring like that in the world now."
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