About
Meet Your Design Team
Find out more about the people who will be assisting you on your journey to perfection
Manu
Our founder, Manu has a Masters in Mechanical Engineering and is a self- declared geek. Manu is fascinated by the law of physics, mathematics in action and combining mixed methodologies to provide people with the best possible solution/ outcome to a problem. These passions combined with the obvious gap in the market for bespoke engagement rings, exposed when searching for his partner’s proposal piece, Manu founded what is today ‘Durham Rose’.
He has now found a way of actualising what most engineers dream of; overseeing a project from a singular thought or discussion, through to a piece that has intense sentimental meaning with the possibility of lasting for generations to come.
“I was at dinner with some close friends recently; 3 out of the 4 couples were wearing engagement rings that I had helped bring to life. That is the highlight of my profession: seeing meticulous design in a deeply personal context.”
With regards to designing, Manu enjoys assisting in the creation of intricate and unique designs that challenge not only the design team, but the law of physics themselves. Lab grown diamonds, precision cut stones and palladium are some of his preferred materials to work with.
Faye
Our Senior Design and Sales Consultant has a degree in metalwork and jewellery from Sheffield Hallam, United Kingdom and has been designing incredible, unique, bespoke jewellery for the last 10 years since her graduation.
Faye was captivated with antique jewellery from her early years when she used to tour antique shops with her Mum and Aunties. She credits the fascination of each piece’s personal history as inspiration for her continued passion of jewellery design.
Faye first began her career designing for a platinum and diamond specialist where she realised her eternal love for diamond jewellery; especially diamond engagement rings. Faye then progressed to having her own business producing silver and gold jewellery where she crafted every piece on the bench, by hand.
She now has a profound love for creating bespoke, as the work allows for a deep balance between the exploration of client’s personalities and her technical creativity. Designing bespoke jewellery permits Faye to create lasting relationships with her clients and to become an integral part of their journey together.
With regards to favourite pieces, Faye has expressed an appreciation for Rose Gold and Ballerina rings. She states “There something very magical about them, the craftsmanship and the intricacy of the baskets”. Faye also enjoys projects involving emeralds and peridots, especially the contrast of diamonds and emeralds.
Melissa
Melissa, our Design and Sales Consultant knew she had a passion for jewellery and small intrinsic objects from a very young age expressed through continuous exploration of her close family members jewellery collections.
Whilst growing up she always thrived in creative subjects at school. Melissa then studied Art after her A levels, which broadened her approach by working within different artistic specialisms. It was here she truly discovered her love for jewellery design. Exposed to this discovery, she then focussed her creative flair studying Contemporary Jewellery Design at Buckinghamshire University, United Kingdom. Here she learnt how to design, craft and explore jewellery by testing and expressing her creative vision through wearable objects.
Melissa then went on to begin her career in Hatton Garden where she worked with skilled craftsmen creating beautiful items of jewellery which would be cherished forever and passed down for many generations to come.
She loved being part of a customer’s romantic journey and seeing their emotive responses as she unveiled them the finished piece.
Melissa spent a year designing jewellery in China where she expanded her creative horizons with culture and travel and learnt the importance of self-expression.
Here she specialised working within the fashion industry.
Melissa enjoys projects that blur the lines between fine and fashion jewellery to create something exclusive and thought-provoking. Designing the unconventional, mixing traditional details with the contemporary allows for a piece to truly represent one’s self and tell a story about the wearer.
Melissa has expressed Sapphires as her favourite stone to work with “Due to its vast natural spectrum of colours, striking look and ultimate versatility”.
Callum
Callum our absolute lifesaver tech guru excel spreadsheet wizard has always felt a strong connection with the digital and technological world. Callum has been with Durham Rose from internship to their Graduate recruitment programme. He has a Degree in Computer Science from University of Kent.
He is constantly inspired by technological advances of the world and has a greater interest for stats, numbers and spreadsheets.
Working for Durham Rose has allowed Callum to combine his fascination with AI, software, technological solutions to human problems with the excitement of an innovative company that is pushing the Jewellery sector into a digital contemporary direction. Also he likes Chicken wings, Pokemon and short central London commutes o its pretty perfect.
Why not schedule your design consultation today below?
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TrustPilot Reviews
Christopher
I did unwrap and it’s brilliant. Came out far better than what I could have imagined, it’s stunning. Love the metal work and definitely made the right decision on the bigger Ruby. Thank you for helping me design this ring. Looking forward...
