Rough diamonds, according to 48-year-old jewellery designer Tamara Gomez, are diamonds that are completely natural and come straight from the earth. “Each stone is unique,” she explained. Listening to her describe how she enjoys the process of meeting with her clients and getting to know them so she can attempt to understand what makes them unique, it was hard not to liken this very process to how diamonds are perceived.
“I am incredibly sensitive,” shared Gomez, adding that she feels quite a lot of empathy towards people. “I often feel I can pick up people's emotions and energies very easily. I think that really helps me with my clients because when they come to the studio to have a chat with me about a commission, I always want to get to know them first as a person; to make a human connection. It's never about selling them a piece of jewellery or never about trying to get that sale.” Perhaps it’s Gomez’s empathetic nature or perhaps it’s her masterful ability to create jewellery pieces that celebrate individuality, but those initial meetings almost always translate to a purchase. And when clients choose her to come along on a journey of celebrating something in their lives, Gomez gives it her all.
“Jewellery is bound with so much symbolism, storytelling, and emotion. I really love getting caught up in the sentiment of making jewellery. Oftentimes, it might be for somebody celebrating a relationship with somebody else or marking a milestone in their life, and the process of using precious materials to help define how precious a relationship is and celebrate that is enjoyable. And obviously, the symbolism behind the stones that go back thousands of years. I really enjoy being part of that world,” enthused Gomez.
[caption id="attachment_131845" align="alignright" width="544"]
Tamara Gomez in her studio Cockpit Arts in Central London[/caption]
All That Glitters
Gomez, who was born in Sri Lanka, grew up in England. She’s the only Sri Lankan-born contestant in Katherine Ryan’s new BBC show All That Glitters: Britain’s Next Jewellery Star. The show kicked off on 13 April and will follow the journey of eight jewellery makers who will be challenged to prove their skills over the next six weeks, after which the contestants will be whittled down until just one of them is crowned Britain’s next big jewellery name. The second episode aired on Tuesday, 20 April.
Gomez specialises in rough diamonds and gemstones. She graduated from the Royal College of Art with a Masters’ in Goldsmithing and Jewellery in 1997, and has over two decades worth of experience in jewellery making. Her brand – Tamara Gomez Jewellery – is based out of a studio at Cockpit Arts in Central London.
Having heard about the new BBC show through the industry grapevine in 2019, Gomez, who said she wasn’t particularly in a happy place personally and professionally at the time, decided to get out of the rut she was in. She got through different stages of the application process and got into the show after a final audition where she had to make a piece of jewellery.
“It's been an amazing experience. I applied because I wanted a creative adventure. I wanted to push myself, I wanted to learn and grow. The learning curve of having to design new pieces of jewellery using lots and lots of different materials, is a fantastic experience.”
On a journey to find her voice
Gomez’s childhood wasn’t an easy one. She lost two of her sisters to blood cancer when she was very young and this had a devastating effect on her parents. Her father, who was an obstetrician and gynaecologist, struggled. “(He was) bringing new life into the world every day, and yet his own two daughters were struck down with leukemia, so that was really hard. My parents became quite sick because of that and they passed away by the time I turned 35.” With both her parents gone and having lost siblings at an early age as well, Gomez said her life has been erratic and tough. She thinks that these trying times were what made her choose a creative career because she could lose herself in it. “I didn't have to think about the horrors of what was going on around me.”
Accepting my condolences, Gomez smiled and said: “That’s life isn't it? We've all got a story to tell.”
Although she had fleeting thoughts of becoming a surgeon like her father, she knew in her heart that she wasn’t an academic. She was always drawn to art and design. After having completed her Advanced Levels (A/Ls) in English, history, and art, Gomez was sure she wanted to pursue a career in the arts, but she wasn’t decided on what area. So she took a one-year foundation course trying different areas of art and design, exploring everything from fine art, painting, sculpture, and textiles to graphic design, photography, and jewellery.
“I bonded with making jewellery immediately,” she said, adding: “I really enjoyed the kind of intimacy, and the preciousness of materials, and also the symbolism that's always wrapped up behind jewellery.”
She then went on to pursue a Bachelor’s (Hons) at Loughborough College of Art and Design in silversmithing and jewellery, moving on to gain a Masters at the Royal College of Art in London. As soon as she left college, she went about setting up her studio/workshop at Cockpit Arts in London where she is still based today. “I design and hand-make everything myself using traditional goldsmithing skills and equipment but in a modern and idiosyncratic way.” Gomez sees herself as privileged to be earning a living from making jewellery and making people happy along the way. Save a bookkeeper, she runs a one-woman operation in the UK's only business incubator for makers and designers – Cockpit Arts in Central London – a building that houses hundreds of creative minds. “It's hard work, it's really hard work, and it's really exhausting. It’s a competitive and saturated market, but I do believe that if you work hard, you can create a niche for yourself.”
It’s not difficult to see that Gomez has succeeded in creating this niche for herself. Browsing through images of her pieces, what is brilliantly evident is that each of them stood out in their own way; no two pieces looked alike, and all of them seemed to tell a story – a story of where their materials came from and how they were brought together.
“I know that my work doesn't appeal to everybody, but I do have a small and loyal following of clients that will buy from me, and often come back again and again. I think, in an oversaturated market, it's better to be niche rather than to be trying to please everybody.” While Gomez usually gets sales through her online shop, there are times when people find her on the internet and come to see her at her studio. Categorising her market, she said they would probably be 30 years and upwards, and those who tend to be very interested in culture and design, “perhaps a little bit more liberal thinking”. This was also evident in her pieces, which looked like they would suit people who are eager to express their own individuality. “Definitely not people that are sheep, and follow everyone else.”
Her materials – uncut diamonds – have been gaining popularity for some time now; and they themselves make her products unique. “People come to me because they've made a decision that they want something different. Although they still want traditional materials like gold and diamonds, they just want a little bit of a twist.” Gomez has also recently started working with two gem suppliers in Sri Lanka, having them cut sapphires for her. “So, once again it's offering people very traditional materials, but with a twist. If you can do that, then, I think, that gives you a voice in a very saturated market.”
[caption id="attachment_131847" align="alignleft" width="417"]
Ceylon sapphire ring[/caption]
Materials, the pandemic, and Sri Lanka
What’s most challenging about her work, is finding a consistent supply of materials. With rough diamonds or unusually shaped stones, no two stones look the same which poses a challenge for Gomez when clients browse through her catalogue and ask for similar looking pieces. Trying to find stones that look similar is a time-consuming process but her clients understand that and are willing to wait. “They know that they'll still be getting something quite unique.” Gomez has a supplier she’s been working with in Antwerp – a great company that supplies her with rough diamonds. “All of his stones are conflict-free and ethically sourced. They all comply with the Kimberley Process which is incredibly important.” She also has a couple of suppliers in London that she uses. “Once again, trusted suppliers, people that have got a very good reputation.
“I can't afford to buy stones that are from illegal sources because that's my own reputation at stake.” Added to her list, as of late, are the two suppliers from Sri Lanka. “I am really, really happy that I can be using stones from where I'm from,” she shared.
The pandemic, obviously, has affected her sales and what she misses the most is clients not being able to come to her studio to visit her, which is something she really enjoys. I’ve really missed that and I'm really looking forward to welcoming people back again.” Her online sales, however, have benefited because of the pandemic. “We've been very fortunate here in the UK, that the Government has been given grants out to people. And they've also been giving grants to self-employed businesses. So I've taken full advantage of that and applied for grants and received them, and they've been really helpful.”
Commenting on Sri Lanka, which she last visited around nine years ago, Gomez shared that the time she came down, she tried to visit artisan jewellers and learn some skills and it was really difficult locating someone who took her seriously. “I don't know a huge amount about the jewellery industry in Sri Lanka, apart from the fact that I know we have thriving gem, mining and export business, which is wonderful. In terms of design, though, it still feels quite traditional – the style of jewellery that people like. For example, trying to get unusual cuts of stones is still very hard, people still think it has to be the very traditional way.” Gomez feels that if people become more open to doing things a bit differently, that would be a welcome change.
Website: tamaragomez.co.uk
IG: @tamaragomezjewellery
Photo Tracy Gomez
Tamara Gomez in her studio Cockpit Arts in Central London[/caption]
All That Glitters
Gomez, who was born in Sri Lanka, grew up in England. She’s the only Sri Lankan-born contestant in Katherine Ryan’s new BBC show All That Glitters: Britain’s Next Jewellery Star. The show kicked off on 13 April and will follow the journey of eight jewellery makers who will be challenged to prove their skills over the next six weeks, after which the contestants will be whittled down until just one of them is crowned Britain’s next big jewellery name. The second episode aired on Tuesday, 20 April.
Gomez specialises in rough diamonds and gemstones. She graduated from the Royal College of Art with a Masters’ in Goldsmithing and Jewellery in 1997, and has over two decades worth of experience in jewellery making. Her brand – Tamara Gomez Jewellery – is based out of a studio at Cockpit Arts in Central London.
Having heard about the new BBC show through the industry grapevine in 2019, Gomez, who said she wasn’t particularly in a happy place personally and professionally at the time, decided to get out of the rut she was in. She got through different stages of the application process and got into the show after a final audition where she had to make a piece of jewellery.
“It's been an amazing experience. I applied because I wanted a creative adventure. I wanted to push myself, I wanted to learn and grow. The learning curve of having to design new pieces of jewellery using lots and lots of different materials, is a fantastic experience.”
On a journey to find her voice
Gomez’s childhood wasn’t an easy one. She lost two of her sisters to blood cancer when she was very young and this had a devastating effect on her parents. Her father, who was an obstetrician and gynaecologist, struggled. “(He was) bringing new life into the world every day, and yet his own two daughters were struck down with leukemia, so that was really hard. My parents became quite sick because of that and they passed away by the time I turned 35.” With both her parents gone and having lost siblings at an early age as well, Gomez said her life has been erratic and tough. She thinks that these trying times were what made her choose a creative career because she could lose herself in it. “I didn't have to think about the horrors of what was going on around me.”
Accepting my condolences, Gomez smiled and said: “That’s life isn't it? We've all got a story to tell.”
Although she had fleeting thoughts of becoming a surgeon like her father, she knew in her heart that she wasn’t an academic. She was always drawn to art and design. After having completed her Advanced Levels (A/Ls) in English, history, and art, Gomez was sure she wanted to pursue a career in the arts, but she wasn’t decided on what area. So she took a one-year foundation course trying different areas of art and design, exploring everything from fine art, painting, sculpture, and textiles to graphic design, photography, and jewellery.
“I bonded with making jewellery immediately,” she said, adding: “I really enjoyed the kind of intimacy, and the preciousness of materials, and also the symbolism that's always wrapped up behind jewellery.”
She then went on to pursue a Bachelor’s (Hons) at Loughborough College of Art and Design in silversmithing and jewellery, moving on to gain a Masters at the Royal College of Art in London. As soon as she left college, she went about setting up her studio/workshop at Cockpit Arts in London where she is still based today. “I design and hand-make everything myself using traditional goldsmithing skills and equipment but in a modern and idiosyncratic way.” Gomez sees herself as privileged to be earning a living from making jewellery and making people happy along the way. Save a bookkeeper, she runs a one-woman operation in the UK's only business incubator for makers and designers – Cockpit Arts in Central London – a building that houses hundreds of creative minds. “It's hard work, it's really hard work, and it's really exhausting. It’s a competitive and saturated market, but I do believe that if you work hard, you can create a niche for yourself.”
It’s not difficult to see that Gomez has succeeded in creating this niche for herself. Browsing through images of her pieces, what is brilliantly evident is that each of them stood out in their own way; no two pieces looked alike, and all of them seemed to tell a story – a story of where their materials came from and how they were brought together.
“I know that my work doesn't appeal to everybody, but I do have a small and loyal following of clients that will buy from me, and often come back again and again. I think, in an oversaturated market, it's better to be niche rather than to be trying to please everybody.” While Gomez usually gets sales through her online shop, there are times when people find her on the internet and come to see her at her studio. Categorising her market, she said they would probably be 30 years and upwards, and those who tend to be very interested in culture and design, “perhaps a little bit more liberal thinking”. This was also evident in her pieces, which looked like they would suit people who are eager to express their own individuality. “Definitely not people that are sheep, and follow everyone else.”
Her materials – uncut diamonds – have been gaining popularity for some time now; and they themselves make her products unique. “People come to me because they've made a decision that they want something different. Although they still want traditional materials like gold and diamonds, they just want a little bit of a twist.” Gomez has also recently started working with two gem suppliers in Sri Lanka, having them cut sapphires for her. “So, once again it's offering people very traditional materials, but with a twist. If you can do that, then, I think, that gives you a voice in a very saturated market.”
[caption id="attachment_131847" align="alignleft" width="417"] Ceylon sapphire ring[/caption]
Materials, the pandemic, and Sri Lanka
What’s most challenging about her work, is finding a consistent supply of materials. With rough diamonds or unusually shaped stones, no two stones look the same which poses a challenge for Gomez when clients browse through her catalogue and ask for similar looking pieces. Trying to find stones that look similar is a time-consuming process but her clients understand that and are willing to wait. “They know that they'll still be getting something quite unique.” Gomez has a supplier she’s been working with in Antwerp – a great company that supplies her with rough diamonds. “All of his stones are conflict-free and ethically sourced. They all comply with the Kimberley Process which is incredibly important.” She also has a couple of suppliers in London that she uses. “Once again, trusted suppliers, people that have got a very good reputation.
“I can't afford to buy stones that are from illegal sources because that's my own reputation at stake.” Added to her list, as of late, are the two suppliers from Sri Lanka. “I am really, really happy that I can be using stones from where I'm from,” she shared.
The pandemic, obviously, has affected her sales and what she misses the most is clients not being able to come to her studio to visit her, which is something she really enjoys. I’ve really missed that and I'm really looking forward to welcoming people back again.” Her online sales, however, have benefited because of the pandemic. “We've been very fortunate here in the UK, that the Government has been given grants out to people. And they've also been giving grants to self-employed businesses. So I've taken full advantage of that and applied for grants and received them, and they've been really helpful.”
Commenting on Sri Lanka, which she last visited around nine years ago, Gomez shared that the time she came down, she tried to visit artisan jewellers and learn some skills and it was really difficult locating someone who took her seriously. “I don't know a huge amount about the jewellery industry in Sri Lanka, apart from the fact that I know we have thriving gem, mining and export business, which is wonderful. In terms of design, though, it still feels quite traditional – the style of jewellery that people like. For example, trying to get unusual cuts of stones is still very hard, people still think it has to be the very traditional way.” Gomez feels that if people become more open to doing things a bit differently, that would be a welcome change.
Website: tamaragomez.co.uk
IG: @tamaragomezjewellery
Photo Tracy Gomez