We share a brew with Rebecca Howarth, director of design at the leading bespoke jeweller
Cambridge Edition: Hi Rebecca! Firstly, can you tell us about your background in design and how you came to work at Harriet Kelsall?
Rebecca Howarth: As of this month, I’ll have been with the business for 20 years! I originally started as Harriet’s assistant after I graduated with a degree in silversmithing and jewellery design. At the time, the business had been going for five years and was doing really well, so Harriet needed more help to expand.
She recruited myself and Alice, who is now our ethics ambassador. Today, I oversee all the design teams across our studios in Cambridge, St Albans, London and here in Hertfordshire where we have our main workshop.
CE: Congratulations on your recent double win at the UK Jewellery Awards for both bespoke and ethical jeweller of the year! What does this recognition mean to the business?
RH: We’re chuffed because those are the two driving forces of our business. We don’t market ourselves specifically as an ethical business, but we’re always making small steps to give our customers more options – whether that’s offering Fairtrade gold or traceable precious stones. In terms of being bespoke, this defines our whole approach. We always start with a blank piece of paper, focusing on a clean-sheet design to bring the customer’s creation to life.
We make everything in-house, and customers will work closely with the designer to make something that will stand the test of time. It’s been wonderful for the team to be recognised in this way for the specialism of our offering and the focus on our craftsmanship. Creativity has always been the driving force of our business, and we are constantly working to bring new skills in-house – such as engraving – and preserve the traditions of our craft while moving with new technologies.
CE: Aside from being bespoke-driven with an emphasis on ethical jewellery, what sets Harriet Kelsall apart?
RH: Our approachability. We understand that our customers are making once-in-a-lifetime purchases which are often surprises, and that can be quite daunting – especially when dealing with something beyond their usual price range. We break it down as much as we can, advising and guiding them towards a beautiful outcome in line with their budget and vision. The customer works directly with the designer, and they in turn work directly with the goldsmith. This personal approach means the designer is extremely invested in making their customer happy.
We are very connected with our customers in this way, and that’s reflected in the wonderful feedback we get. These are meaningful pieces of jewellery, so having that point of connection is extremely important. We always want the experience of our customers to be as wonderful as the final outcome. We want our customers’ experience to be as wonderful as the final outcome – and I think we’re succeeding at that.
After over 25 years in business, and thanks to long-standing connections, we’re now seeing the next generation of families coming back to us for new pieces. Or people returning for TLC on jewellery we made for them many years ago. We see ourselves as a jeweller for life.
