A jewellery expert whose career blossomed in Lichfield is heading to the city to offer free valuations and help charity.
Helen Smith, head of jewellery at Hansons Auctioneers, will be at the city’s Hedgehog Inn on Monday, February 4, from 10.30am-12.30pm. Valuations are free but donations are invited for St Giles Hospice.
Hansons holds free valuation events every Monday at the Stafford Road venue and, from February, Helen will be at the Hedgehog Inn on the first Monday of every month. Though she specialises in jewellery, silver and watches, general valuations will be available.
Helen said: “I’m really looking forward to meeting the people of Lichfield and uncovering some treasures which could net them a windfall at auction.
“I can assess all types of gold, silver and platinum jewellery as well as good quality, vintage costume jewellery such as Boucher, Dior, Monet, Trifari or Chanel.
“Vintage designer watches from makes such as Rolex, Tudor and Cartier are highly desirable right now and I would love to see those, too, along with quality silver and diamonds.
“Demand for diamonds is growing with worldwide sales up by 4% in 2018. Hansons has just consigned a spectacular 8.5 carat diamond ring worth £30,000 to £50,000. Large carat weights like that are difficult to come across now.”
Helen did an apprenticeship at Allen Brown Jewellery in Lichfield, honing her goldsmith skills, before gaining one of only six places at London’s New Goldsmiths’ Centre, a renowned place of learning for people in the jewellery industry.
“Thanks to the Goldsmiths company, I attended lectures led by some of the world’s greatest jewellery designers like Stephen Webster, David Marshall, Stuart Devlin, the silversmith to the Queen, and Theo Fennell,” said Helen.
Helen will offer free valuations at The Hedgehog Inn, Stafford Road, Lichfield, WS13 8JB, on Monday, February 4, 10.30am-12.30pm. Hansons is at the same venue every Monday. To find out more, email [email protected].
