About Us

Who are we?

Hi, I’m Katherine and I have always been passionately obsessed with jewellery and wanted to collect every colour of gemstone in the world, it was always about colour for me, and gems are the best colours in the world, the business started in earnest over a decade ago because I ran out of money to buy more jewellery with. I had already built a network of jewellers, dealers and pawnbrokers who knew I loved the unusual and I was being offered stuff I couldn’t say no to, so I used the eBay account that I’d set up to sell the kids old baby stuff to sell pieces I wasn’t wearing as much to give me funds to buy more.

Those of you afflicted with jewellery addiction will completely understand, and you're amongst friends here!

The first piece I bought that wasn’t for me personally was a huge sapphire, I remember it still, and it sold within four hours, I was sitting in a pub, and my phone went kerching, and I thought well ok then, I can do this. It was a really nice ring, just not outrageous enough for me. When I was selling initially I talked about how it made me feel and the old guard in trade laughed at me for my flowery descriptions on Facebook, and couldn’t believe jewellery was selling online, but it flew out. They started giving me stuff on appro to sell and it sold fast. Stuff they’d had for years would fly out. Men have dominated the jewellery market and they did it like they were selling a car with specs and measurements, I’d use my hand to model it, and waffle about it. I was selling to women, and I was selling it the way I buy it, which is because I love it. We’re standing outside the jewellers window together saying oooohhhhh.

And I get that visceral lure, it sings to me like sirens song and I know that feeling because my entire life I’ve felt it. I actually think that as humans we have an innate desire to handle, touch and just behold the best things the earth makes and gemstones in buttery yellow gold is undoubtedly earths most precious treasure. The richness of the colours and the mesmerising hold the best gems have on us as earthlings. Also the immutableness of gemstones, the timeless, Egyptian stuff is still mind blowingly intricate, the piratey, Vikingy portable wealth of jewels, they’re just the absolute best.

We were one of the early internet jewellers, and now, it’s all change again, it is such an exciting time to be in, and shopping for jewellery, lab-grown diamonds are changing the game. When I first started, pieces that once felt like wildest dreams—huge diamonds—were out of reach for all but Hollywood A listers and Royalty. But today, these stunning, ethical stones make those dreams a reality. Lab-grown diamonds offer all the same brilliance as natural ones but at a fraction of the cost, opening up a world of possibilities for creating show-stopping jewellery without compromise.

Today, KJJ is a small and passionate team, all of us dedicated to the joy of discovering and sharing beautiful jewellery. We’re here for the “ooohhh” moment when a piece makes your heart skip a beat, for the treasures that sing to you like a siren’s call. Whether you’re adding to your collection, marking a milestone, or getting engaged, we’re here to help you find or create something truly special.

Jewellery from the heart of London

Tucked away in the heart of London’s historic jewellery quarter, our snug little office in Hatton Garden is where all the magic happens. Surrounded by the quiet buzz of setters and goldsmiths at work, it’s a charming space brimming with glittering treasures and endless inspiration. Whether we’re unwrapping vintage finds, sketching out new designs, or chatting about gemstones over a proper cup of tea, this is the cosy corner of the world that KJJ calls home.

Mission Statement

Here at Katherine James, sustainability is at the heart of what we do. From responsibly sourced materials to embracing lab-grown diamonds as stunning, eco-conscious alternatives, we strive to reduce our environmental impact without compromising on quality or brilliance.

With our background in vintage and antique jewellery, we have always celebrated the timeless craftsmanship of the past, and have an ever changing choice of beautiful original antique jewellery, and a fabulous collection of pieces with stones we’ve recut, repolished, and reset to give them a new chapter. Preowned pieces not only carry unique stories but are also a very sustainable choice.

For us, it’s about more than just sparkle. It’s about restoring and treasuring vintage and antique jewels wherever possible, and leaning on all of our experience, to craft meaningful, sustainable, heirloom-quality jewellery that feels as good to own as it does to wear, knowing it was made with integrity and care, and will go on for generations to come.