Fusing tradition and innovation

Gavin and Lorraine Marsh co-founders of The Diamond Setter tell Eileen Leahy how their Pantiles-based jewellery store, which opened earlier this year, has proved to be such a success and why they’re delighted to become the UK’s first official ambassadors for crystalline osmium…

With its gleaming custom-made glass cabinets boasting unique glittering gems of all shapes, styles and sizes, two exclusive consulting spaces and busy atelier workshop, which is run by master jeweller Gavin Marsh and sits discreetly behind the public-facing area, The Diamond Setter’s luxury double-fronted shop, located in the heart of the historic Pantiles is certainly impressive.

As you’d expect, you have to be buzzed into this treasure trove of some of the finest handcrafted jewellery. But despite the obvious security required, once inside this stunning high-end boutique, The Diamond Setter’s co-founders Gavin and his wife Lorraine are only too happy to talk to customers about their exquisite collections and bespoke services.

In fact, creating an open and unintimidating ambience has always been the couple’s goal when it comes to working with their clients. Whether that’s sitting and working through the various options for transforming an heirloom piece of jewellery into something more contemporary, designing a timeless engagement ring or consulting on special gifts for a loved one.

Gavin and Lorraine took possession of their smart new premises at the end of last year and officially launched at the end of February. During that time the pair have worked tirelessly to ensure the shop, located in a gorgeous period building complete with stained glass windows, looked as good as its fine jewels on display. It’s certainly had a glow-up from the couple’s first out-of-town workshop.

“We’ve had a number of our clients follow us here but we have also had so many new ones too,” explains Gavin who trained as a jeweller, goldsmith and stone setter over 20 years ago and is now carving a niche for himself thanks to his impressive artisan skills.

Lorraine adds that sourcing and working locally, ethically and sustainably is the hallmark of The Diamond Setter business along with creating unique pieces from heritage jewellery. 

“That could be making a ring out of a pair of earrings or using a specific inherited stone as part of a necklace. We understand how important these pieces which have been handed down in families, so people can rest assured their jewels will be in very safe hands with us,” she says.

Thanks to Gavin’s craftsmanship skills, he helps other jewellers, both locally and around the country help set stones due to his extensive bench experience and exceptional talent.  And although he boasts all the latest tech to assist him with designing and creating, Gavin is still very much an advocate of using traditional tools to help achieve the required intricate results.

This also puts The Diamond Setter way ahead of the game when it comes to designing unique  engagement rings as the store boasts a clever system where you can play around with different diamond cuts and sizes, and mix-and-match them with a variety of settings to suit your personal preferences. “The opportunities are endless,” says Gavin.

The store also sells enduring classic pieces such as diamond stud earrings and tennis bracelets and is also one of the sole UK stockists of the Italian high-end Annamaria Cammilli jewellery brand.

But one of the biggest things Lorraine and Gavin are most proud about since they launched is the fact they are now the UK’s only and official ambassador for Osmium. Never heard of it? Well neither had I until I chatted to the couple and asked them to explain a little more…

“Osmium is one of the rarest and purest metals on earth,” states Gavin. “It has been used in a lot of artwork and things like decorative fountain pens but we are now using it more and more in jewellery.”

Lorraine explains that unlike diamonds osmium is flat but the sparkle appeal is huge – greater than that of diamonds and rarer than gold, silver or platinum. Pale blue in colour, Gavin can make all sorts of jewellery using it such as rings, pendants and earrings. 

“We recently attended the Jewellery Show UK at Olympia and had a chance to showcase and talk about our affiliation with osmium,” smiles Lorraine who says she is really excited to be involved with this project and wants other jewellers to get on board with it.

“It’s really changing the world of jewellery and it’s very exciting for us to be pioneering it,” says Gavin.

Contact The Diamond Setter:

Website: www.thediamondsetter.co.uk

Instagram: @the_diamond_setter