INTE RVIEW
Are diamonds a girl’s best friend? Mary Bremner meets Mo Cerrone from Legacy in Uppingham to find out more about gems and antique jewellery
T
ell me a bit about yourself and how you came to Uppingham I’ve been involved with jewellery all my working life, and have covered every aspect from designing, identifying gems, working at the bench making pieces, through to the final polishing of the finished item. It is a lifelong passion and a joy to be involved with the colour and magic that gems bring to people’s lives. As a child I loved my grandmother’s old button box full of twinkly treasures and my mother’s jewellery box, trying on each brooch, bangle and ring, numerous times! I am a jewellery historian as well as a gemologist but my entry into the world of jewels I put down to serendipity. I was based in London and managing a shop in Tottenham Court Road when my boyfriend (later my husband) rang me to say that a manager in one of his Hatton Garden shops had quit and could I stand in. So that was it, a Baptism of Fire. Once I took over the shop I trained and learnt the trade so can design, make and repair items and made and sold every type of precious e ellery ’ also a ualified jewellery valuer. I did a BA in Fine Art and Antiques and Jewellery Valuation specialising in jewellery. I’m also a gemologist. This is someone who can test stones and knows about the science of gems. A gem is a living, breathing entity and they have been used for their healing properties for many years, particularly in their uncut state; turquoise is worn for protection for example. Remember a gem is a mineral so their elixirs are even used in face creams and aromatherapies. ncient ci ilisations belie ed di erent ge s brought di erent ualities protection, luck, health, strength, that sort of thing.
Jewellery was worn - and still is - to express loss, love, status, friendship, temporal power, religion, fashion and, of course, for self adornment and as a badge of honour. I’m also a director of The Society of Jewellery Historians, the oldest society in the world dedicated to the history of jewellery. My charitable work involves being a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Arts Scholars, a livery company which encourages younger people to pursue a career in the arts, and scholarships are awarded by the company. I came to Uppingham for a change of scenery and friendship really about 20 years ago. I had been based in the south and around London for many years and wanted a di erent ay of life as great chu s ith Wendy Grindley from the antique centre (when it was based behind The Crown Hotel). I took some space in the centre (which I still
have), moved up to the area and then opened my shop, Legacy, 11 years ago. Three years ago I expanded into the shop next door as I needed more space; I’m like a little magpie al ays finding ore for the shop The shop is fabulous, stuffed to the rafters with the most amazing things. I’ve heard it described as a ‘little box of delights,’ and it really is like Pandora’s Box. What exactly do you sell and where do you get everything from? I mainly sell jewellery - antique, vintage and second hand as well as gem stones. We also make jewellery, alter it and do repairs such as re-stringing necklaces, replacing stones, that sort of thing. A lot of the work is done here but I also still have my workshop in Hatton Garden so can send pieces there for more intricate and detailed work. As well as jewellery I sell designer
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