Jewelry has always been part of my world. My great-grandmother Minnie and grandmother Katrina had a real love for beautiful things and impeccable personal style. I remember being fascinated by their jewelry pieces by Stuart Devlin, John Donald, Grima, those memories stuck with me. I trained as a gemologist and worked as a colored stone trader in Hatton Garden, which gave me a solid foundation in understanding gemstones and value. During lunch breaks, I’d visit the goldsmiths’ offices in the building, it all inspired me to create. That’s how Minka Jewels began: from a love of color, craftsmanship, and timeless design.

Hatton Garden is a treasure trove of tradition. Visiting diamond dealers was always fascinating, you’d go up dusty staircases into tiny offices and speak through hatches. It felt like stepping back in time. I’ve always been drawn to antique and old-cut diamonds. There’s something so romantic about hand-cut stones from the past. I now work with an incredible antique diamond dealer and prioritize natural diamonds with unique tones, champagne, chocolate brown, old mine cuts. Clients really care about provenance and ethics, so I only work with trusted suppliers.

Sapphires have been in high demand, especially yellow, padparadscha, and untreated “no heat” varieties. They’re rare and incredibly beautiful. I love sourcing them and educating clients on what makes them special. Tourmalines have also become more popular over the last decade. Their vibrancy and uniqueness make them stand out. Generally, investing in stones with strong natural color, excellent cut, and solid provenance is always wise.

It’s incredibly personal. We sit down with every client, look at gemstones together, talk about color, quality, and value. It’s a collaborative design process, and clients leave feeling more connected to their jewelry. The final piece is always one-of-a-kind, handmade here in London with care and intention.

We’re always adding new one-of-a-kind pieces. Every gemstone we find inspires its own design. Even within our collections, no two pieces are exactly alike because each stone tells its own story.

My designs are bold but simple, fuss-free with clean lines. I want the stone to speak for itself. I focus on vibrant color, elegant shapes, and beautiful cutting. I love pieces that are eye-catching, timeless, and full of presence.

Color is always the first thing I notice. I look for vibrancy, character, and life in a stone. Then I evaluate shape, size, and cut quality. For bespoke work, I take the client’s preferences into account, but I always seek something that feels alive and meaningful. The goal is to find a stone that resonates deeply with the wearer.

Jaipur was magical. It made me fall in love with color even more. There’s so much creativity and energy there, stacks of rough gemstones, incredible craftsmanship. It gave me a deeper appreciation for hand-cut stones, which is why I adore old-cut diamonds today.

Clients are definitely becoming more adventurous. Colored gemstones like sapphires, tourmalines, and emeralds are in high demand. People also love mixed metals and distinctive settings. There’s a real move away from the classic solitaire, clients want something unique that tells their personal story.

More bespoke pieces, that’s where my heart lies. I love designing alongside clients to create jewelry that’s deeply personal. I’ll also continue crafting small batches of unique designs each year, always guided by the stones I discover and fall in love with.

If you're drawn to jewelry with soul, color, and craftsmanship, Minka Jewels is a studio where tradition meets individuality in the most vibrant way.