Our JSS star, Isolde, aka Emily Taylor Smith, will be modelling jewellery from exclusive brand, GEM&TONIC, in her next video. In this article, we talk to Barbara Laws, the founder of GEM&TONIC about her business and how she has forged herself a career in designing and making jewellery for some very high profile customers.
Gem and Tonic, how did you come up with the name?
A course in colour analysis focused my attention on how different precious metals could light up the wearer and enhance their skin, hair and eye tone. My initial idea was the concept in offering a very bespoke service with colour analysis and jewellery matching the skin tone. I decided to call my business GEM&TONIC, “GEM” standing for the jewellery side and “TONIC” for the colour analysis side of the business. Unfortunately due to time issues I’m not offering colour analysis anymore.
The name is still appropriate though as I’m working with gems and different precious metals complementing various skin tones. Besides G&T is my favourite drink!
What is the history of GEM&TONIC, has it been in your family for a long time?
GEM&TONIC is my own brand and relatively new. I launched it a few years ago here in the UK. I am a third generation goldsmith from Austria where my family once had a booming jewellery business.
Why jewellery? Do you have a particular fondness yourself for jewellery and are there any favourites of your own that you produce?
My passion for jewellery making started very early in my parents’ workshop. Both my grandparents and parents were jewellers. I finished my traditional training with a Master in Gold and Silver smithing. I love all my pieces because they are my creations.
Also I’m fascinated by gemstones and working with precious metals is very rewarding.
My GEMBUDS collection is one of my favourites though with faceted gem beads floating on delicate gold chains. It’s a collection which includes rings, earings, necklaces, bracelets and anklets. The clasps are handmade and part of the design.
Our JSS artist, Isolde, will be promoting GEM&TONIC in her videos and promo work, which she is really excited about, what did you first look at in order to decide what colours suited her with jewellery?
I am also quite excited about this collaboration. Emily has got this young beautiful fair skin which goes lovely with green, associated with her Celtic stage name and music. But I will match her jewellery with the costumes she will be wearing. I’m sure she will look lovely in anything.
What amazing clients or celebrities have you worked with in the past and have bought or modelled your wonderful line of jewellery?
Because my jewellery is stocked in high end fashion boutiques, influencers and celebrity stylists love it. One of my high profile customers is the wife of a very famous actor. Another one is the lady in waiting for a member of the Royal family.
Isolde’s new promotional video will feature her dressed as a good Queen and then a dark Queen. What particular colours and stones have you thought of that might be fitting from GEM&TONIC for her styling?
Again, it depends on the costumes she will be wearing but as the “good queen“ she will look lovely in light colours like Aquamarine, Rose Quartz, Lavender Amethyst, green Fluorite, Moonstone and for the “dark’ mysterious Queen I will choose darker more vibrant coloured stones like Ruby, Sapphire, Garnet, Iolite, Amethyst and even the black Onyx.
Will you be there on the day to help Isolde’s preparation and styling? Are you looking forward to seeing the end result?
Yes, hope so! I can’t wait to be part of the styling and to see the end result.
Finally, where can you see yourself heading in about 10 years time with Gem and Tonic?
Of course with my business already reaching Austria and France, I’d like to expand further. However I still want to enjoy my freedom and designing and making jewellery myself. But we’ll see what happens. I’m open to every challenge.
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