For this season’s masterclass in jewellery design at The Jewellery Cut Live in association with Fuli Gemstones, we have invited star of the red carpet Anabela Chan to impart her wisdom. As well as sharing her creative design process, the pioneering jeweller – known for her work with laboratory-grown gemstones and repurposed metals – will talk about her experiences of building an ethically-minded jewellery house.

If there was ever anyone who showed that jewellery design has no fixed path, it is Anabela Chan. Before turning her hand to fine jewellery, the London-based designer built careers in fashion and architecture, and her experience in these worlds continue to influence her approach to design today. 

From Beyoncé and Taylor Swift to royal families, the women who wear Anabela Chan jewellery are attracted to the designer’s thought-provoking, glamorous designs. A champion for laboratory-grown and ethically mined gemstones, she is leading the way in emphasising the importance of sustainability in jewellery and creating a lasting positive impact through her work.

Jewellery designer Anabela Chan

In her recent collection Mermaid’s Tale, inspired by capturing “a glimpse of the magic and wonder of our magnificent oceans”, the designer once again turned to a sustainable material that is unusual for luxurious jewellery designs – recycled aluminium drinks cans. Anabela first explored this medium with last year’s Blooms collection, which garnered much attention.

The used cans must be cut into minuscule squares before being melted at temperatures of 600 degrees Celsius. For Mermaid’s Tale, many of the cans used were collected from beach cleans, some personally by Anabela and her children during holidays to the British seaside.

Anabela Chan titanium, 18ct gold and vermeil Titan earrings set with lab-grown diamonds and lab-grown Paraiba tourmalines, £1,990, shop at Anabela Chan

For her talk at The Jewellery Cut Live in association with Fuli Gemstones, Anabela hopes to educate both aspiring and practising jewellery designers, as well as lovers of her designs, on how conscious decision making can create change. Drawing from her own experiences of what led her to focus on material innovation and ethical sustainability, Anabela will guide us through the challenges and opportunities of incorporating sustainability into design. She believes that finding fulfilment in what you do, is more rewarding than any publicity or award. 

“In my talk, I will speak to my thoughts for both lab-grown and mined gemstones, and how I see both working together for better progress,” says Anabela, who is a visiting lecturer at the Royal College of Art and was selected as a Walpole British Luxury Brand of Tomorrow in 2020. “I also hope to deliver the message that being able to do what you love, finding that positive purpose and touching people’s lives where it matters most are by far more fulfilling and rewarding than any publicity or awards.”

Anabela Chan titanium, 18ct gold and vermeil Rainbow Canary Titan earrings set with lab-grown quartz, lab-grown blue sapphires, synthetic pink sapphires and synthetic topaz, £1,990, shop at Anabela Chan

A Masterclass in Sustainable Jewellery Design with Anabela Chan will take place at 2pm on October 15th, 2021, at The Jewellery Cut Live, in association with Fuli Gemstones held at The Royal Institution, 21 Albermarle Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 4BS. Early bird tickets start at £10 (£20 thereafter). Book your ticket here

If you want to attend more than one talk, why not upgrade to our AAA Pass? This luxurious jewellery experience includes access to all our talks at The Jewellery Cut Live in association with Fuli Gemstones, a VIP goody bag, a glass of wine, free tea and coffee on both days of the show, and secures you an invite to our exclusive VIP opening night party at which we will be serving drinks and canapés. Upgrade here by selecting the AAA Pass ticket option.