“I started in the Jewellery industry by accident when I was 20. I was very fortunate that my first employer was proactive about training, and started me on my Foundation in Gemmology within a month of me joining. I quickly became hooked with gemstones, and specifically gemmology, I always liked science in school and I adore the scientific, and practical aspect of gemmology.”

“The Goldsmiths’ Company has had a significant impact on my professional development from the very start of my career. I have gained invaluable knowledge and experience through my involvement with the Company and the wider industry. Many of my achievements and opportunities have stemmed from The Goldsmiths’ Company, and I consider it a place of mentorship and support. Becoming a member felt like a natural step, as I now believe I am in a position to give back and further contribute. Through working with other organisations and silversmiths, I have come to appreciate that sharing knowledge is just as valuable as receiving support.”

“I love being part of the Jewellery Industry. I used to love coming down every year when I did the Fair and getting that great sense of being part of something bigger, and the community as a whole. Although I stock a lot of different designers and still have a great jewellery community in Edinburgh and Scotland, I miss my time in Hatton Garden where I felt more connected. I wanted to be able to be more involved and to get that sense of community again. It feeds my own passion and enthusiasm.“

“I was inspired to join so I could be part of a community that supported good causes within the trade and throughout society.  It’s important to me to try to represent and voice a woman’s perspective from my position in the trade.  It’s been my experience to work with many, many brilliant young women and we should all try to have a voice in the room!”

“I wanted to be part of an institution that is responsible and important to the trade and industry that I live and breathe. I feel as though I have come home by being a member and that is testament to every person I have met so far within the membership of the Company trade or non-trade. It is everything I hoped it would be, which is welcoming, respectful, encouraging  and a great leveller of people.”

“The Goldsmiths have a wonderful legacy surrounding their philanthropic work and charitable endeavours, which made an immediate impression on me. As a member, I can see how much more they are doing, and giving, than what the public might see.”

“I love jewellery and I remain in awe of the artistry and skill of our trade members. I wanted to get involved and use my skills and experience to ensure that the Company continues to represent and support them.”

“I’m hugely passionate about our industry and simply want to play a part in ensuring it thrives and evolves in the best way possible. I see the Goldsmiths’ Company as the beating heart of our trade and being a part of this, in a small or big way, through giving my time, energy and thoughts, felt natural.”

“I feel incredibly proud and honoured to be a member of a Company that has the spirit of philanthropy and service at its core, helping to improve lives for nearly 700 years.”

“Ultimately being a member means contributing and feeding back into a thriving community”

“I am proud to be a woman who has been made a member as part of the trade through my 5 year apprenticeship. It took an awful lot of hard work to get to my masterpiece at the end of my apprenticeship. Being awarded Freedom of the Company was very special for me.”

“The Company is an amazing organisation that helps support new talent in the industry. The support for young apprentices is absolutely amazing, it makes you feel very proud to be a part of this wonderful industry.”

“Being a member is very affirming, I think the recognition of one’s peers is very powerful, as is the opportunity to support and give back to the trade.”

“Being a member means recognition, support and inspiration. Being surrounded by interesting and talented peers makes me proud to be a member.”

“Helping to improve the life of inner-city Londoners and disadvantaged people has been a central theme to my professional life – it’s also mirrored in some of the key objectives of the Goldsmiths’ Company strategy and adds an extra sense of purpose to being a member.”

“To be part of the Goldsmiths’ Company is a special thing and being a member was something I really strived for.”

“While the past may provide our foundations, it is the future that determines this identity”