ABOUT GINGERBELLE GEMS
We are Jean and Georgie, a mother and daughter team from the south east of England. Fortunately we share a love of antique jewellery and each bring our own individual talents together, to make Gingerbelle Gems the success it is today!
Jean developed a love of jewellery at a young age, starting work as a teenager in Farnham in the 70's, with a Saturday job in the prestigious jewellers in the Lion and Lamb courtyard. Her interest grew and her knowledge developed over the decades, selling not only antique jewellery but also china, laces and other collectables. She spent many years in West London, and sold at antique fairs and markets as well as having cabinet space in five different venues. Her particular interests are pearls of all kinds, coloured gemstones and modernist 1970’s pieces that remind her of her early days. An experienced businesswoman, Jean manages all logistical elements of Gingerbelle Gems. She uses her knowledge to catalogue our pieces, checking them over, researching and writing detailed descriptions about them. She also takes pleasure in lovingly wrapping your purchases before sending them on their way.
Georgie has always had a passion for history, the romance of the story behind these wonderful old treasures is what sparked her interest and she just can't get enough! She hunts out pieces she feels one can make a personal connection to, as she knows these are the things that will continue to speak to you for years after your purchase. What she brings to the team, is a background in photography and marketing, and a need to share these beautiful pieces with the world. She runs our Instagram page and is the head of digital content and photography. She believes that jewellery shouldn't be saved for best, but enjoyed as often as possible and in choosing the right pieces, even everyday! With a clear cut personal style, you will find her layered in antique albert chains, with gold bands a plenty; pretty, but also practical. She favours jewels from the Victorian era (they knew a thing or two about sentiment) and will always aim to deliver you the most interesting pieces, thoroughly enjoying getting lost in research deciphering the text of an intaglio or a complicated hallmark.
We work together to creatively curate the best possible selection of pieces, spanning 300 years, from the Georgian era, through Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco, to Vintage items. We primarily search for Gold jewellery but also source the finest Silver and Pearls we can find. A deep respect for these pieces, leads us to restoring things that have become a little worse for wear. We work with two talented Goldsmiths who we trust to further their longevity, replacing missing gemstones, re-tipping claws to make sure stones are secure and repairing broken shanks and chain links, just to name a few! An innovator; Georgie also loves to make bespoke pieces from antique parts, bringing things that would likely be disregarded, up to date with a new lease of life. For this we have our own makers mark G&J and have appropriate pieces hallmarked by the London assay office.
