At Custom Jewellery Designs, Hillarys we treat jewellery photography like a craft that complements our metalwork and gemstones. A great image does more than show a piece it conveys texture, colour, scale, and emotional value. This guide explains the practical, repeatable steps we use to produce consistent, sale-ready images that make jewellery read as tactile, luminous, and irresistible.
Equipment and Studio Setup
• Camera
We use a dedicated mirrorless or DSLR body with a macro-capable lens for close detail. The priority is a sensor that handles fine detail and low noise at moderate ISOs.
• Lenses
A true macro lens in the 60–105mm range gives life-size reproduction, controlled depth of field, and minimal distortion. For contextual hero shots we use a short telephoto or 50mm for consistent perspective.
• Tripod and Focus Rail
A stable tripod eliminates blur at small apertures. A precision focus rail is essential for focus stacking when we need every facet and edge perfectly sharp.
• Lighting Gear
Continuous LED panels and small softboxes form the core. We also use LED light banks, light tents, and a selection of diffusers, reflectors, and flags to shape highlights. Small controlled light sources like fibre-optic spotters and LED strips create crisp gem fire.
• Surfaces and Props
Neutral matte cards, textured backgrounds, and small props consistent with the brand help communicate scale and lifestyle. All surfaces are non-reflective unless reflection is a deliberate creative choice.
• Cleanliness Kit
Microfiber cloths, peg tools, air blower, and polishing cloths ensure every piece is free of dust, fingerprints, and polish residue before shooting.
Lighting Techniques That Make Gems Pop
• Diffuse Main Light
A soft, broad key light establishes even exposure and reveals metal textures without harsh hotspots. We control shadow density with secondary fill lights or reflectors.
• Specular Accent Lights
Small, harder light sources positioned to create precise specular highlights on metal edges and facets are the secret to perceived sharpness and sparkle. We dial the angle so that highlights trace the profile without washing out detail.
• Backlight and Rim Light
A low-intensity backlight separates the piece from the background and can illuminate thin metal edges, adding perceived depth. Rim lights cut cleanly around gemstones, enhancing brilliance.
• Gem Fire Technique
To show gemstone dispersion we introduce tiny point lights or fibre-optic tips aimed to hit the pavilion facets. We experiment with angle and distance until the fire is visible without bleeding into blowout highlights.
• Controlling Reflections
We use flags and polarizing films to eliminate unwanted reflections while allowing controlled highlights where they add visual interest. The interplay of diffused and specular light is balanced until the metal reads like metal and the gem reads like fire.
Camera Settings and Capture Workflow
• Aperture and Depth of Field
For single-frame shots of an entire piece we typically work in the f/8 to f/16 range to keep most of the subject sharp while retaining crisp highlights. For extreme macro detail we focus stack 6–20 frames using a rail and blend them in post.
• Shutter Speed and ISO
Use the lowest ISO possible for clean files and set shutter speed according to lighting. Tripod use allows long exposures to capture highlight nuance without noise.
• White Balance and Colour Fidelity
We custom white balance using a grey card and shoot in RAW to preserve colour data. Accurate white balance ensures gemstone hue and metal tone remain faithful and reduces correction time in post.
• Focus Technique
Live view magnification and manual focus are our standard. For rings and pendants we pin the focus on the eye-catching element, usually the main stone or hallmark.
• Bracketed Exposures
When highlights and shadows are extreme, we bracket exposures to retain detail across tonal extremes and choose the best exposure or merge exposures during post-processing.
Styling, Composition, and Brand Consistency
• Scale and Context
Always include at least one image that communicates real-world scale. This may be a simple model hand shot, a coin for reference, or a lifestyle image styled to the brand.
• Composition Principles
Use clean negative space, consistent horizon lines, and simple diagonals to lead the eye. The piece should be the unequivocal focal point.
• Brand Palette and Props
Maintain a consistent background palette and prop style for all product images. For Custom Jewellery Designs, Hillarys we favour coastal neutrals and uncluttered textures that echo our local identity.
• Angle Variety
For each product list at least four angles: hero, close macro of focal detail, scale/context, and a three-quarter or profile shot that shows depth and setting.
• Story Image
Add one crafted image that tells a short narrative about the piece stone origin, maker’s mark, or a tiny imaginative touch that reflects your visual storytelling.
Post-Production Workflow
• RAW Processing
Start in RAW to adjust exposure, white balance, and micro-contrast while preserving highlights and shadows. Keep global adjustments conservative to retain natural sparkle.
• Focus Stacking and Sharpening
Merge stacked frames for maximum depth of field. Apply selective sharpening to facets, edges, and hallmark areas while avoiding oversharpening reflective planes.
• Noise and Spot Removal
Clean dust, sensor spots, and stray fibres manually. Use noise reduction sparingly to retain texture.
• Colour and Tone Refinement
Calibrate to a colour-managed workflow and, when necessary, match the piece to in-studio measured swatches. Emphasize true gemstone hue and metal warmth rather than exaggerated saturation.
• Sparkle Enhancement
Subtle local contrast boosts and micro-highlight recovery enhance perceived brilliance. Dodge and burn selectively to model the metal and restore lost highlight structure.
• Compression and Export
Create export templates for web, social, and print with consistent naming, sRGB conversion for web images, and quality settings that avoid banding. Include a high-resolution master for archival and print needs.
Delivery, Consistency, and Testing
• A/B Testing
Test hero images across product pages and social ads to learn which lighting style, background, or crop converts best.
• Template System
Build a shoot template that records lighting positions, camera settings, and styling notes for each SKU. This preserves consistency across product lines and over time.
• Client Review and Retouch Requests
Share proofs with clients for custom pieces and offer retouch rounds for final approval. Maintain an edit log to track changes.
• Archival Practices
Keep RAW masters, layered PSDs, and metadata for every shoot to enable future edits and accurate colour matching for remakes.
Conclusion
Photographing jewellery is a technical craft that demands rigour, artistry, and repeatability. At Custom Jewellery Designs, Hillarys we marry studio discipline with small creative flourishes so every piece looks as alive in pixels as it does in hand.
