In Conversation With Jade Jagger

As she prepares to launch a new fine jewellery collection, Neverending, with 1stdibs, we chat to Jade Jagger about design, working motherhood and entering the online market.

Tell us a little about your new collection with 1stdibs.

I started working with 1stdibs about a year ago. It’s a great company to collaborate with and we have a lot in common. I love the crossover between art, design and jewellery on their website, which has always been part of what I do, and felt that the Neverending collection was perfect for them. I started with precious stones – sapphires, rubies and emeralds – and designed around them. It’s a wonderful opportunity to really show people the glory of a huge piece of sapphire. You can see the lustre and the colour and what is inside, rather than just something neat and perfect and crystal clear.

How do you go about designing once you’ve found the right stones?

The shape of the pieces actually comes from the crystal line structure of the stones – ruby and sapphire are from the same family – which I combined with pavé sapphire or enamel work. It comes quite organically; it’s about how I feel the stone wants to be worked – they have a personality of their own.

Who do you see wearing these pieces?

I think my client is always quite bold and strong. She never has an age – I think this sort of jewellery spans a wide range and I’m always very interested to see what people actually go for. Sometimes we find younger people go for more traditional things and more mature women want to be a little bit bolder. I think people use jewellery in different ways, so if you’re quite conservative with your dress then maybe you wear a crazier piece of jewellery, or vice versa.

Has your love of jewellery influenced your personal style?

Yes, I work with jewellery so it is an integral part of my style, especially for dressing up. I love going through different stages – swapping between rings and earrings – but I tend to find myself always wanting to design rings. There’s something about them that I love, they’re pivotal and they say so much.

It isn’t often you see fine jewellery of this calibre sold online; why was that something you were interested in doing?

I come from the pre-online generation and I’ve noticed that there’s huge online market for brands, like my own, that people already feel comfortable with. They know what they’re getting so they don’t worry about spending £2,000 online. Sites like 1st Dibs are also a brilliant way to find amazing things without spending all day in the shops. That’s the great thing about collaborating.

You designed this collection while you were pregnant and have recently welcomed your third child. How do you maintain a good balance between being a mother and owning your own business?

Well, you carry on working until the children demand that you don’t! I’ve always worked side by side with my family and integrated the two, and I think that’s normal. I like to give my family as much time as possible and it’s very important to be close to them but, at the same time, it’s important to show your children the importance of working life.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about going into jewellery design or starting their own business?

Be cautious and grow slowly and organically. Make sure you’re constantly watching how things are progressing because the world is changing and it’s important to adapt to what’s happening around you. Also, keep it simple.

Finally if you could get anyone in the world to wear your jewellery, who would it be?

I’m always very proud to see Kate Moss wearing my jewellery, choosing to wear it not only personally, but also in her advertising campaigns. She’s a great British icon.