Sophie, when did you realise you wanted to be a jeweller?

My great grandfather was one of the original directors of De Beers when it was founded by Cecil Rhodes. This, coupled with a love of design and a mother who is borderline obsessed with jewellery, meant that the jewellery industry was an obvious path for me.

Louis Breitmeyer, 1898

Do you think of yourself as an artist or a technician?

I wish I could do it all. I trained as a goldsmith as well as a designer and my heart lies at the jewellery bench. However, as the business has grown, I have come to realise that my strength now lies in the design and development side of the business

Sophie ... and the very attentive Hackle

Which of your pieces are especially popular at the moment?

I think we will forever be renowned for making engagement rings – our specialty is incorporating antique techniques and design ideas into modern rings. I always wanted to make engagement rings when I started out and to this day nothing excites me quite as much. 

What percentage of sales are to women and what percentage to men?

My clients are mainly men buying jewellery for women. We developed our online shop and website with this idea in mind – we want to feel as approachable to the men buying the jewellery as the women wearing it. Most of our new business comes by recommendation – men ask their friends the best place to buy an engagement ring and word gets round, or our female customers come into the shop, see something they like, and drop hints.

Do most customers know what they want or need advice?

A lot of clients come with a general idea of what they are looking for but need some advice or reassurance that they are heading in the right direction. Men not used to buying jewellery usually have a fear of making a mistake and they can also be uneasy about price – they don’t want to pay too much, but on the other hand they don’t want to pay too little! Our job is to reassure them on both points.

How much do customers care about the source of stones and ethical issues?

This is as important to me as it is to my clients. We make sure that all our stones come from dealers who adhere to the Kimberley process – that's a system which works to prevent ‘conflict’ diamonds entering the market. And the gold we use is all recycled.

What type of commissions make your pulse race?

Engagement rings… I don’t think there is anything more special than being involved at the beginning of a couple’s story. 

What are you most proud of in your business?

Seeing anyone wear my jewellery means the world to me. I have spotted pieces in the funniest of places ... on a ski lift being one of the more memorable.

What’s the worst mistake someone in your profession can make?

Lose a diamond… (I’ve done this!!). On a more serious note: it’s so crucial to me to adhere to a client’s brief and budget. If a jeweller did not respect this, it would be a huge no-no in my eyes.

Which other jeweller’s work do you most admire?

It would be hard not to say Jessica McCormack. Her ability to make antique-inspired pieces so contemporary is phenomenal. 

If you hadn’t been a jeweller, what would you be?

I would love to have studied History of Art, so something in the art world or perhaps art restoration.

Thank you Sophie!

Sophie Breitmeyer
24 Powis Terrace, London, W11 1JH
+44 (0) 20 7243 2253