We are one of Britain's leading bespoke jewellery design companies.
Over the last twelve years we have grown from Harriet designing and making on her kitchen table to an award winning company of people who are passionate about great design and craftsmanship.
Recent Awards
- UK Jewellery Award winner 2011
- Professional Jeweller's 'Hot 100' 2011 company
- Retail Jeweller's 'Inspiring Independents' top 25 company
- Everywoman in Retail's 'Woman of the Year' 2011
- Cambridge Business Excellence Awards Winner
Company History
Harriet Kelsall Jewellery Design began life in a spare room in Harriet's home in 1998, but by early 2000 business was flourishing so Harriet expanded into her first studio in the beautiful North Hertfordshire village of Weston. The Countess of Verulam kindly conducted the opening ceremony.
Harriet was awarded the North Hertfordshire New Business Enterprise Award in early 1999 and soon afterwards the 1999 North Hertfordshire New Business of the Year (a prestigious local award for new businesses), Jonathan Ross presented the award.
As Harriet's client list increased, expansion was inevitable and Harriet began recruiting, starting with Deborah Souza, as the business expanded into a new appointment room and workshop.
The team was awarded the North Hertfordshire Website Award and were delighted to find themselves at the 2002 National Jewellery Awards where they recieved a commendation from the judges.
2002 also saw the arrival of a second designer - Antoinette Corbishley to work alongside Harriet and this number has now risen to 4 with the addition of Rebecca Howarth and Alice Rochester. As the number of commissions increased Richard Tunstall came on board. With over 30 years experience he is a master craftsman in gold and silversmithing and works alongside the designers making many of the commissions.
The company recieved a finalist placement in the 'Alternative Retail Jeweller of the Year' category at the '2003 National Jewellery Awards', and in November 2003 they were awarded the 'Most successful Business (1-30 employees)' at the North Hertfordshire Business Awards 2003.
The growth continued into 2004 as the company moved into its stunning new premises up the road in Hall's Green in a converted tudor barn - kindly opened by Charlie Higson - better known as Swiss Tony from BBCTV's The Fast Show.
September 2004 saw Harriet and the team being shortlisted in the Department of Trade and Industry's e-commerce awards 2004 competition and their announcement of an exciting new branch of Harriet Kelsall Jewellery Design to open in historic Green Street in Cambridge. The stunning new shop was opened in May 2005.
Since then Harriet Kelsall Jewellery Design has grown from strength to strength with 30 employees across two locations. The company was finalists in the medium sized business category of the Hertfordshire Business Awards and the British Small Business Champions Award - a national competition organised by the Federation of Small Businesses. You may have also seen Harriet and the team on "Tales of the Country" on ITV1 and featured in the April 2008 issue of the Financial Times.
2011 has been a tremendous year for the company with the launch of their 'bespoke jewellery for the high street' concept for central Cambridge designed by Callum Lumsden. This led to winning the 'business initiative of the year' category at the 2011 UK Jewellery awards.
February saw the launch of Fairtrade gold and Harriet Kelsall Jewellery Design was chosen as the Fairtrade Foundation's choice of luxury bespoke jeweller and one of only twenty jewellers worldwide to be involved at the beginning of this important milestone in ethical jewellery.
The company's trailblazing approach to retail and ethics meant they were included in Professional Jeweller Magazine's 'hot 100' UK Jeweller's list and Retail Jeweller Magazine's top 25 'Inspiring Independent Jewellers' 2011.
Harriet is held up in the world of retail as an example to women hoping to achieve success in that industry, so she was very proud to be awarded the Everywoman 'Woman of the Year' in retail award at the Savoy in London in September.
The company has finished off 2011 by gaining certification from the Responsible Jewellery Council meeting their ethical, human rights, social and environmental standards, the first Independent Jeweller and small business in the UK to have achieved this.
2012 was a hugely successful year for Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery, starting with winning the 'Best Small Business' award at the Cambridge Business Awards 2012. The company then went on to win the Inspiring Hertfordshire Award for 'Small to Medium Business of the Year,' just a few short months after the success at the Cambridge awards.
During 2012 the company had a massive redesign of their Hertfordshire based studio. With the amazing talent of Callum Lumsden, who designed the new look of the Cambridge studio, the company transformed the rural Halls Green studio into the UKs first jewellery centre. The centre boasts a coffee shop selling homemade cakes and lunches; as well as lots of other treats, a jewellery themed garden and decked area so their customers can enjoy the beautiful views the Hertfordshire countryside has to offer. The new centre also has gorgeous display areas dedicated to unusual sparkly gemstones, as well as the beautifully designed bespoke rings from their Ready to Wear range.
2013 has been a fantastic year so far. At the Goldsmiths Council Craft and Design Awards in March, our head of design and production, Rebecca, won gold for her entry into the QVC Fashion Award. Her entry was a design inspired by the Cheapside Hoard. The brilliant design was also one of the runners up for the Goldsmiths Company Award, an overall winner's category - which was a tremendous achievement.
The stunning new design of the Hertfordshire Jewellery Centre gained recognition in April when Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery was shortlisted for a UK Jewellery Award, for 'Boutique Retailer of the Year.'
