In the Trade - Part 1: An interview with Louise Berry - At The Bench
Over the next 2 months, we're doing things a little differently for our interview feature and are meeting a dynamic duo in the jewellery industry.
First up is Louise Berry - a partner in Andrew Berry Jewellery - the independent jewellery business based in South Wales, and a well-known face on the popular website At The Bench, where along with husband Andrew, she presents workshops for members of the online jewellery training platform.
Louise has also just earned her GIA Diamond Grading Certificate - exciting times indeed.
Who, what, where, how long?
I'm Louise Berry and I've worked with my husband Andrew for 7 years now, initially part time. Together we run a bricks and mortar retail space and workshop undertaking repairs and commissions, and ‘At The Bench’, an online jewellery training resource, from South Wales.
How you started, your route into the trade
For over 20 years I worked in the dental industry, and it never really occurred to me to do anything different until the 2020 pandemic – Andrew needed help with developing the online sales side of the business as the shop had closed (at this time he was spinning so many plates!).
I remember naively thinking ‘I’ll clear these shelves within a month’ – how wrong I was! But fortunately, I like a challenge. I spent all my time adding jewellery and thousands of charms to our newly developed website and became fascinated by all the different gemstones.
Any qualifications
Later that year the change of direction led me to the Gem A Foundation Gemmology qualification. Following this, I completed the National Association of Jewellers Foundations of Appraisal Practice qualificaton, to learn valuation theory and techniques. Just this month, I've completed the Diamonds & Diamond Grading at GIA London, which I am so proud of. My motivation to learn is driven by my clients – if I’m not able to help someone with something important, I HAVE to find out how to do it, and properly.
This year, I received the NAJ Roy Huddlestone Award for my work on the FoAP course – this is undoubtedly the proudest moment of my career to date.
What does your work entail?
My role is really varied! I spend a lot of time undertaking jewellery repairs and restoration as Andrew’s apprentice, and I make jewellery. I also specialise in preowned, vintage and antique jewellery, so lots of my time is spent inspecting, restoring, testing, cleaning, polishing, cataloguing and photographing old jewellery – there’s a lot more to it than people first think!
I manage our new Diploma course ‘Jewellery Fundamentals’ supporting our students and making sure they have everything they need to succeed. I really think one of the biggest barriers to employing apprentices is the time it takes to train them with workshops being such busy places. The At The Bench Fundamentals Diploma addresses this, teaching all the underpinning techniques while providing support and extra mentorship.
Favourite task
My favourite task has to be commission consultations! Particularly when this involves diamonds – I love showing clients a selection of stones and helping them make the perfect choice. We are located in a small village and when working on a special commission, I often get emotionally invested in a piece. When you get ‘that’ reaction from your client about the work you have done for them, it’s just everything! It really is an honour and very special to create something that someone really loves.
Least favourite task
Removing fire scale! Of course I try my best to avoid it, but when it happens removing it is so tedious!
Thoughts for dream client
Honestly, I’ve already met and now know my dream clients! We’re coming to the end of the first year of our At The Bench Diploma, and our students have been completely amazing. The work they have been producing fills us with pride, and to support them while they have grown and developed has been wonderful. Their hard work, dedication and engagement with the material, and with each other, has been incredible and has made our jobs an absolute pleasure.
Favourite Walsh Tool
That’s an easy one – the KT Electro Magnetic Polisher:
KT Electro Magnetic Polisher-electro-magnetic-polisher-tp28000
I use it literally every day when I’m creating, sometimes before a pre polish and rouge, sometimes before going on to apply a lovely matte finish, but often because I just love the finish fresh from the magnetic polisher!
You can vary the finish subtly by changing the pin size.
Meeting Louise in person later this month...
Both Louise & Andrew will be joining us at the Jewellery Show London Olympia on 31st August & 1st September, so please come along to see us all on Stand D80.
Many thanks to Louise for being this month's 'In the Trade' and we look forward to reading about Andrew in our 2nd part of this interview series early next month.
To find out more as well as keep up to date on Louise's work, click below:
Meet the HS Team
Leo is next up for our August news...
Name, function, time with company
Leo Hadgi-Petrou, Hatton Garden Branch Manager, 4 years.
Interests & hobbies
Sea fishing when I get the chance - the photograph shows a 16lb smooth hound that took me half an hour to land on the boat. I have also caught an 8lb sea bass, to name but a few species. We have also adopted 5 rescue cats over the past 16 years and in my spare time I'm Treasurer for "A New Beginning Cat & Kitten Rescue" as well as keeping marine fish.
Favourite food
It's a 50/50 between Thai (mixed seafood Pad Kra-Pao with coconut rice) or Indian (Chicken Tikka Jal Carta with keema rice & mushroom bhaji).
Favourite Walsh product
ORION PULSE WELDER WITH ADL SCREEN - TW2M
Because you can make/repair any precious metal jewellery/silverware.
Words to live by
“Treat a customer as you would expect to be treated yourself."
