Sarah has turned personal and professional challenges into a renewed commitment to the trade she loves.

1 st prize: A certified 8.23cts natural unheated blue sapphire a true showstopper.

2 nd prize: A certified Emerald 1.77cts a classic addition to any jewellery maker’s repertoire

3 rd prize: A certified 0.69cts Mozambique ruby, pigeon blood red -small but mighty

An additional 50 prizes of small parcels of mixed real gemstones from our stock, perfect for designers and makers of all kinds. Each has a retail value of £150.00

2023 was the year everything changed.

In March 2023, I received a phone call that would alter the direction of my career. After some discussion, I found myself taking over a gemstone business, previously known as "Julies”, following Julie’s retirement. I wasn’t new to the industry; I had supplied specialist stones to Julie for years, and we’d built a strong working relationship. I rebranded as JQV GEMSTONES LTD, moved from a tucked-away backstreet office to the vibrant heart of the Jewellery Quarter, launched a website, and began letting people know we were here. But what I didn’t know then was how deeply my life was about to change, personally and professionally.

In September 2023, my husband and business partner started experiencing serious vision problems. As a diamond mounter and model maker with over 50 years of experience, his work is his passion, and he’s exceptionally skilled at it. So, a loss of sight was devastating.

A visit to the opticians on a rainy Friday afternoon revealed a diagnosis we’d never even heard of: a large macular hole. Without prompt treatment, he would almost certainly lose the sight in that eye. We acted quickly and proceeded with surgery. Unfortunately, the recovery didn’t go as hoped. His vision has not returned, and pain and fatigue have since limited the bespoke jewellery work we once loved creating together.

At the same time, I was finalising the purchase of the gemstone business. Backing out wasn’t an option, and in hindsight, it was exactly the right move. The transition into the gemstone trade was far from smooth. There were many unexpected challenges. But thanks to a lifelong obsession with gemstones (and a healthy dose of knowledge from years of hands-on work), I managed to navigate those early trials, with an enormous amount of help from friends who really helped carry us through. By October 2024, we had overcome the most pressing issues.

Then, heartbreak struck again. We lost Lincoln, one of our beloved sausage dogs and workshop companion. He was part of the team and Eddie’s trusted workshop boss.

Now in 2025, my husband’s eyesight has not improved, and it’s unlikely to. We've come to accept the new reality, and while life has been incredibly tough, we’re still standing and moving forward.

Giving Back: The £30,000 Gemstone Giveaway

Fast forward to June 2025: amid a tough year for the trade, sky-high gold prices, global unrest, and economic uncertainty, I came into the office and announced something big: “We’re going to give away £30,000 worth of gemstones. The top three prizes will be certified stones.”

You should have seen the looks I got! The unmistakable “Have you finally lost your marbles, Sarah?” expressions. But I meant it. We're also donating 15% on profits made from competition-eligible sales to The Benevolent Society, a charity supporting the UK jewellery, giftware and allied trades.

I’ve come to truly understand how life-altering it can be to lose the ability to earn a living in our trade. Many of us aren’t wealthy, but we are rich in purpose, creating beautiful, lasting keepsakes for others. The Benevolent Society also supports those entering the trade, a cause close to our hearts. We want to help.

How the Competition Works

Here's what you can win:

- 1st Prize: A certified 8.23ct natural unheated Blue Sapphire – a true showstopper.

- 2nd Prize: A certified Emerald 1.77cts – a classic addition to any jewellery maker’s repertoire.

- 3rd Prize: A certified 0.69ct Mozambique Ruby, pigeon blood red – small but mighty.

- 50 additional prizes – parcels of real, high-quality mixed gemstones from our own stock, perfect for designers and makers of all kinds.

How to enter:

15% of profit from competition sales goes to The Benevolent Society Charity.

- For every £10 spent, you’ll receive one automatic entry into the prize draw.
- There is no limit to how many entries you can earn.
- Not yet a customer? Sign up for an account. It’s easy and start shopping to enter.

Competition launches 18 th August and runs until November 18th 2025
Winners will be presented with their winning stone at The Benevolent Society Ball in December. The winners will be informed of their succes on the 19th November. Runners up will be informed of their prizes on 20 th November.

Full terms and conditions apply and are available on our website. www.jqvgems.co.uk

The Benevolent Society will also receive their charity cheque donation at the Ball Our website is live and growing every day. We're constantly adding to our online stock, but don’t hesitate to call, email, or WhatsApp us if you’re looking for something specific. We're always happy to help!

Let’s make this an opportunity not only to grow our industry’s visibility but also to support our peers and pave the way for the next generation.
We have a fantastic team here and a pretty vast inventory, which is constantly growing. Let’s do some good with gemstones. Help us to help others, too.