To be honest, it is a love that seems to continuously grow with the more gemstones I see. I find myself getting slightly side tracked sometimes by just staring into each unique stone. That is something that I think is just so amazing about coloured stones, every single one is completely unique and while their characteristics are graded into categories of value, their beauty is so wonderfully subjective. I find myself not wanting the task of grading each one to come to an end.

It is extremely varied, which is one of the reasons why it can be such an exciting environment to work in. Very fast paced! You go from grading a simple loose diamond to the next minute taking on the task of an enormous antique necklace covered in Rubies Sapphires and Emeralds, all of which needing to be individually examined to assess if they have any treatments and of course their origins. This can sometimes be slightly daunting, but I find myself staring into the microscope in awe of the crystals and inclusions held for centuries within these gemstones. So, there isn’t really a ‘normal’ day as such which I know isn’t for everyone, but I love that. There is definitely never a dull moment!

Between loose stones and set pieces of jewellery, we probably see about the same amount, there will always be amazing diamonds coming in that you have to stop and look at and just say wow! We also get some incredible rough stones coming through as well, last week we had huge piece of rough Zambian Emerald, which was around 3,000ct. so that was pretty special I must say.

Gosh it is extremely hard but if I had to pick one, I think it would have to be an Emerald. That rich silky green colour is just completely unmatched for me.

It is so subjective, and I think when you’re choosing a stone fundamentally it must be something that speaks to you and that you love. For me, I think the cut is the most important aspect to look for because the cut can completely transform a stone. You can have a stone that face up can look bigger and the colour look brighter all through how it has been cut. I also think the timelessness of a stone is very much determined by its cut. Anything geometric is a big yes from me, I love an Asscher cut, nothing can beat an Asscher cut white diamond for me.

That’s a tough one! I love everything in the Berlin collection but I would say I am completely obsessed with the Berlin Nights Ring.