User:Malcolmbetts

Born in Surrey, England in 1964, Malcolm Betts first expressed an interest in being a goldsmith after a visit to Birmingham’s famous Jewellery Quarter at the age of sixteen. Attending a two-year jewellery trade course at Mid-Warwickshire College gave Malcolm an immediate grounding and understanding of working in precious and non-precious metals. Malcolm then joined an art foundation course, followed by a four year jewellery course at Middlesex Polytechnic from which he achieved a first class BA Hons degree.

In 1989 Malcolm completed his Master of Arts at the Royal College of Art, London. Later that year Malcolm set up his own workshop in Islington,London with the help of a Crafts Council grant, where he developed his innovative contemporary designs working with precious metals combined with diamonds, emeralds sapphires and rubies.

Malcolm Betts’ opened his first showroom in Campden Street Notting Hill, London in 2001, where he offers a bespoke jewellery service to an ever-growing clientele. All pieces are made by hand, using Platinum, 18ct and 22ct gold, finished with Betts’ distinctive hand beaten finish. These original designs are set with unusual diamonds of high quality, of both antique and modern cuts.

The inspiration for his work are the stones themselves, Malcolm sources antique stones from all over the world, his particular favourites being the Old Cushion cut diamond, Fine rubies, and sapphires from Ceylon. Malcolm Betts is passionate about bring the past into the present, and by re setting diamonds that are centuries old he gives them new life in  one off pieces for future generations to enjoy.

Malcolm has long standing relationships with reputable diamond dealers, and when buying diamonds Malcolm's commitment to use conflict free diamonds is paramount, and he fully supports the Kimberley process. (A process established in 2003 to prevent diamond sales from financing rebellious movements. )

Malcolm designs bespoke jewellery for a growing number of celebrity clients both in the States and the UK. An extract of this list includes Meg Ryan, Tom Cruise, Danielle Steele, Dustin Hoffman the late Princess Diana’s brother Earl Spencer, Film director Lisa Cholodenko, Marina and the Diamonds, Lisa Snowdon and many more. For the past 10 years Malcolm Betts has been commissioned by U2 to make pieces for their tours, and also private work for members of the band. All special commissions are unique to each client.

In addition to his broad UK client base, Malcolm Betts has stockists throughout the United States and Japan, including showing his work at Barneys New York stores in New York, Beverley Hills, Chicago, Dallas, Seattle and San Fransisco.

Malcolm lives in London, and in the winter months when he is not at the bench he can be found in the mountains indulging in his passion for skiing.

Malcolm is an official ambassador for London Jewellery week 2011 and will be participating in the week's special events.