Bespoke Fine Jewelry
What would you create if nothing were predetermined?
One vision, One Pair of Hands,
One Piece That Exists Nowhere Else.
At kataoka, a bespoke commission is not a customization. It is an original work of art, conceived for one person and made by one pair of hands. Yoshinobu Kataoka, our founder and master goldsmith, personally reviews every inquiry, draws every sketch, and oversees every stage of creation in the Tokyo atelier where all kataoka jewelry is born.
We accept only a limited number of bespoke projects each year. Each piece is handcrafted in custom-blended 18k recycled gold or platinum 900, set with natural, ethically sourced diamonds and gemstones, and finished to the same uncompromising standard as our permanent collections.
Every bespoke piece begins as a conversation
and becomes an heirloom.
The elements we shape together
No element is predetermined. Nothing is selected from a catalogue. Four decisions define your piece, each made in close dialogue with Yoshinobu.
Design and silhouette
Your piece may draw from the organic language of September Eight, the structural clarity of Iceberg, or emerge as something entirely its own. Every design begins as Yoshinobu's hand-drawn sketch, developed through dialogue with you until the form is right.
Gemstones
kataoka works exclusively with natural, ethically sourced diamonds and gemstones. Sapphires, emeralds, tourmalines, aquamarines, opals, and rare paraiba tourmalines are among the stones Yoshinobu selects. Each is chosen for its character and the way it holds light, not merely its grade.
Metals and finish
kataoka's custom-blended 18k gold alloys exist nowhere else: beige gold, grey gold, and rose gold, each with a warmth and depth that standard alloys cannot replicate. We also work in platinum 900. All metals are recycled. Every surface is finished by hand.
Craftsmanship and detail
Milgrain, hand-engraving, hand-carved textures, personal inscriptions. The details that distinguish a kataoka piece are the ones applied by Yoshinobu's hands, not by machine. A date, a name, or the particular rhythm of beaded edges along a ring's profile: these are the marks that make the piece unmistakably yours.
How a bespoke piece comes to life
Inquiry
Submit a bespoke inquiry through the form on this page. Tell us about the occasion, your preferences, and any references that inspire you. There are no wrong answers. Yoshinobu personally reviews every submission.
Consultation and concept drawings
If your project is a fit, we schedule a one-on-one video call or an in-person meeting at our Tokyo atelier to explore your vision in detail. Yoshinobu then creates hand-drawn concept sketches for your review, refining until the design is exactly right.
A $5,000 consultation fee applies at this stage, covering the call, Yoshinobu's time, and the creation of your design drawings. This fee is credited in full toward the final piece if you choose to proceed. There is no obligation beyond the consultation.
Crafting
Once the design is approved, Yoshinobu and his artisans begin handcrafting your piece in the Tokyo atelier. You receive progress updates and photographs at each stage. Nothing leaves the workshop until it meets the standard Yoshinobu sets for his own name.
Delivery
Your finished piece arrives in kataoka presentation packaging, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and our Limited Lifetime Warranty. Fully insured shipping is included worldwide.
Investment and timeline
Bespoke commissions begin at $15,000 and typically require 12 to 20 weeks from consultation to delivery. The final investment reflects the complexity of the design, the choice of metals, and the stones selected. We provide a detailed quote after the initial consultation.
The $5,000 consultation fee is credited toward the final piece if you choose to proceed. There is no obligation beyond the consultation, and the design drawings remain yours regardless.
Questions about bespoke
Is the design process collaborative?
Your input shapes every stage. Yoshinobu presents hand-drawn sketches for your feedback before any metalwork begins, and the design is refined together until it is exactly right. This is not a templated process. It is a genuine creative partnership between you and the maker.
What if I choose not to proceed after the consultation?
There is no obligation to continue. The $5,000 consultation fee is non-refundable, but the design drawings remain yours. Many clients return months or years later to revisit a design when the time is right.
Can I provide my own gemstones?
We work exclusively with stones sourced through our own supply chain. This allows us to guarantee the quality, provenance, and ethical integrity of every gemstone that enters a kataoka piece. If you have a stone of particular sentimental value, please mention it in your inquiry and we will discuss what is possible.
Does kataoka work with lab-grown diamonds?
No. kataoka works only with natural diamonds. Each stone is sourced individually for its character and the way it interacts with light. Every diamond in a kataoka piece is ethically sourced and fully traceable.
What metals are available?
We work in custom-blended 18k recycled gold, including our signature beige gold, grey gold, and rose gold, as well as platinum 900. Each gold alloy is blended in our Tokyo atelier and cannot be found elsewhere.
Can I visit the atelier?
Yes. In addition to video consultations, we welcome in-person meetings at our atelier in Tokyo, where you can explore materials and discuss your design with Yoshinobu directly. Please contact us to arrange a visit.
Can I follow the progress of my piece?
Yes. You receive progress updates and photographs at key stages throughout the crafting process. For clients who visit in person, we also welcome atelier visits during production when the schedule allows.
How is the finished piece delivered?
Your piece arrives in kataoka presentation packaging, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and our Limited Lifetime Warranty. Shipping is fully insured worldwide. For clients near our Tokyo or New York flagships, in-person delivery can also be arranged.