“A thing of beauty is a joy forever.”
John Keats
I was fortunate enough to have been brought up by a father who taught me (amongst many things) about fine craftsmanship, whether that be in a beautiful piece of hand crafted Jewellery, the cut and colour of an emerald, the intricate makings of a clock or the finely tuned engine of a sleek and beautifully designed classic racing car.
As I grew up this appreciation developed into a passion and eye for fine, handmade Jewellery on which I was able to build a business. I am very picky when selecting Jewellery and dismissive of poor craftsmanship. Mass produced Jewellery just leaves me cold. For me, a handmade piece of Jewellery, formed with skill accuracy and care by a highly skilled goldsmith, tells a story.
Identifying goldsmiths and diamond mounters to work on our bespoke commissions, craftsman who excel in their specialized fields, has taken time and I feel extremely privileged to be able to work with two people in particular, Anthony Griffin and Mike Hambling. Their vast range of skills and experience in the field of diamond mounting sets them apart from others in the Jewellery trade.
Art Deco bespoke diamond earrings
Anthony Griffin, bespoke jeweller, at the bench
Both are fellows of the Institute of Professional Goldsmiths. Anthony trained as a diamond mounter and has won awards for his work. Just recently he completed a micro diamond-setting course in Antwerp adding yet another string to his already full bow. Over the years we’ve worked together on a number of commissions, each as unique as the next. It’s a joy to be able to sit down with him and work through the details of an intricate design for a bespoke piece and watch the same design gradually come to life.
Mike Hambling has over forty years experience and is highly regarded within the British jewellery world. It’s a pleasure to visit him in his workshop and watch him at his bench, seeing the raw materials transformed into an exquisite piece of micro-engineering. Mike’s son Ben is currently doing his apprenticeship with his father and is already showing natural talent and promise. It’s reassuring to know that Mike’s skills are being passed down to the next generation, which in turn helps to keep the slowly diminishing group of British makers alive.