The Creators of egemz are myself, Veronica Craig and David Noyce. We have both run succesful businesses since 1989.

Back in the old days of apprenticeship David was apprenticed into the Jewellery Trade at a young age. He discovered an innate creativity and an aptitude for very fine and delicate workmanship. He loved his trade. Over the years he studied and practised all aspects of jewellery design and making.

Development
He opened his first workshop in 1989, specialising in Bespoke Jewellery. His excellent reputation for providing high quality work quickly spread and he was approached by Retail Jewellers to handle sensitive repairs and to make specially commissioned pieces.

The business quickly outgrew its' premises and larger premises were sought and secured. During the ten year period from 1989 to 1999 an in-depth expertise in the jewellery trade was developed. David became a "name" in the industry, producing not only for the Retail Jewellery Trade but also for prominent Jewellery Designers.

Jewellery
In 1998 I was bequeathed many pieces of jewellery, some of it obviously quite valuable. Having very limited (as in none!) knowledge of precious stones, gold, workmanship, assay marking, etc. etc., I set about finding a jeweller in whom I could place my trust.

The search lasted for six months. The exercise was frustrating, as most High Street Jewellers do not manufacture for themselves. Whilst some were offering services of remodelling and valuation, a little investigation made clear that they would not do the work themselves but would commission an independent workshop.

During the search I was on a steep learning curve and gleaned the basic facts of gemmology and gold values. I could identify quality jewellery, cheap mass produced jewellery, hand made and machine made jewellery, good workmanship, shoddy workmanship, and could make a fairly accurate "guesstimate" of the true value of items sold across the counter in Retail Jewellery Stores.

A Step In The Right Direction
In the meantime, David had ventured into the Retail Market and had opened his first Jewellery Store in the South East of England. Purely by chance I crossed the threshold of David's store in the summer of 1998. I spied the most beautiful gold bangle in the store window and knew immediately that a) whoever had made it was very talented, and b) I wanted one!

Cynicism and suspicion accompanied me through the shop door (hadn't I been here before? Many times?!). I spoke to the large, unassuming, friendly jeweller and asked about the bangle. "Oh that... I made it". Intuitively, in that moment, I knew I could trust this man. I made arrangements to show him the jewellery I had been bequeathed.

Over a period of some eight months David and I worked closely together, remodelling and designing jewellery. Two-way trust was established. A very strong relationship developed.

The original bequest was converted into the most exquisite pieces of jewellery. The combined effort of two creative people had produced a unique and valuable jewellery collection. A collection much prized and loved.

With expertise and enthusiasm egemz was born.