Qualifications
GIA Accredited Jewellery Professional through the Graduate Gemology Programme.
How long have you been at Gemporia, and how long have you been a presenter?
“12 years.”
What is your earliest Gemporia memory?
“I joined Gemporia as a warehouse packing partner.
“I remember one collector’s order being a Moonstone; I had never seen a gemstone before, but when I saw this white inanimate rock, lit up with an otherworldly azure-blue glow, I knew I was hooked.
“I immersed myself in gemstones. I wanted to understand their magic, uncover what more magic there was, and buy as many of them as I possibly could.
“12 years on, I have never looked back.”
What is your favourite gemstone and why?
“Emerald. It’s a textbook case of the zeal of the convert.
“For the first half of my career I didn’t like them, didn’t understand them and didn’t understand the global passion for them. Buying them was a necessary evil, because audiences liked the green gem they were not familiar with.
“Then I found one that spoke to me like no gem ever had, and I’ve spent the remainder of my career chasing that feeling and hunting ever-greater Emeralds.”
Who do you admire the most and why?
“My dog, Zulu. Dogs are infinitely more capable of kindness and enthusiasm than we are. We could all look up to and learn so much from them.
“My own dog is a Samoyed. They have evolved metabolically to be able to enter a different state when working (pulling sleds in the snow etc), which allows them to keep going tirelessly. When their work stops, they metabolically drop a gear and recover.
“It’s fascinating to watch on the expeditions I take him on, and as the subject of many scientific studies. Alas, I don’t have an evolved second metabolic gear. However, when I find myself having to dig in to complete a challenge - physical or mental - I ask myself: ‘what would Zulu do?’
“Also, my wife. I admire her too.”
What is your favourite place in the world and why?
“The Lake District. Lakes to swim in, fells to conquer, and fire-warmed pubs to recover in.
“They only need to make a gemstone discovery there and I’m gone tomorrow.”
What are your guilty pleasures?
“A buttery chardonnay, a glowing fire and a thick book.”
What was your dream job growing up?
“Our brave Armed Forces have always inspired me from a young age. The uniforms, the history and camaraderie all appealed to me as a youngster.
“My admiration has only grown as I better understand their sacrifices, including but not limited to the ultimate sacrifice many have made so we can enjoy our lives.
“I’ll always be loudly grateful for their service.”
What advice would you give for choosing a piece of jewellery?
“Go natural. Helping families build a portfolio of heirlooms is the most rewarding part of what I do. I want heirlooms to last generations, and the portfolios they make up grow in value as they are enjoyed.
“In our market, going natural is the surest way to do this.”
What quote/motto do you like to live by?
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others - Mahatma Gandhi.”
