Meet Tamara: Our London Office Manager & Jewellery Consultant
If you’ve visited our London office, chances are you’ve already met Tamara- our office manager and go-to for bespoke pieces. We sat down with her to talk about her journey from admin team to office manager, how she helps clients bring their dream jewellery pieces to life and what she loves about working here.
Tell us a little bit about your journey with S Weissbart – how did it all start?
I joined just over 8 years ago, when Ilana mentioned to me that there was an opening on the admin/sales team. At the time, I was looking for an interim job after working in hotel care as part of the reception team. This was supposed to be a “temporary” stop until I could find a long-term management position.
It didn’t take long until I really connected with the people here and was afforded more opportunities to grow into a leadership role. This past year, I started working as the London office manager- which was my career goal all along.
You’ve been a part of the team for nearly a decade- what's changed the most over time?
The modernisation within the jewellery industry over the decade has impacted a lot. The big picture changes include the rise of lab grown diamonds and a shift in the way customers buy their stones.
On a smaller (but equally important) scale, a lot has changed in the way our team operates. We’re growing in our social media and online presence, connecting with the industry in a different way than we used to. While every company will experience its ups and downs, I think we’re on an upward track and constantly improving ourselves.
What drew you to jewellery in the first place?
That one’s easy. What girl doesn’t love diamonds?
When did the idea for the bespoke service come about, and how did your role shift?
Our office always offered a jewellery service for clients who came through via personal recommendation. David and Jonathan used to be the primary contacts for end customers.
Over time, I showed a lot of interest and excitement in this side of the business and grew within my role. They were happy for me to take over the bespoke projects; it was all a very natural shift.
What’s the process like for someone coming to you with a jewellery piece?
The first point of connection will usually be a chat via phone call or email. We’ll take details from the client about what type of piece they are looking for, any ideas they may already have and (of course) their budget.
At the end of our conversation, we’ll set a time to meet for an initial appointment in person. When we sit down together for the first time, we’ll go through different diamond shapes, mount styles, sit stones into various settings etc. Once we’ve captured their exact vision, we’ll decide whether we need to meet one or two more times before putting the final piece together. We’re flexible and can even offer bespoke pieces- I'm careful to make sure that all our customers leave with assurance that they’re in good hands. I’d say 98% of customers are happy with everything we’ve put together the first time around!
Do you find that most people come in with a clear idea, or are they looking for guidance?
Most customers come in with a clear idea of the budget and style they’re looking for, but we’ll typically provide more guidance on the 4 Cs and their specific preferences.
What do you love most about working one-on-one with clients?
I love the personal side, getting to know people and their stories. It’s also a great opportunity to give over diamond knowledge to clients who would like to learn more.
What’s one piece or moment that stands out from your time working on bespoke jewellery?
I’ll always remember the first bespoke piece that I put together. The couple I was working with had been together for 15 years at the time and had decided it was now time to tie the knot. As they weren’t in a rush, and wanted to find something they really loved, we scoured the world for videos of diamonds to meet their exact requirements.
The final single stone ring ended up showcasing a 2.07 D VVS2 round diamond shipped in from New York. The moment they were finally able to try on their special piece will stick with me forever!
Lastly, if you had to sum up your role at S Weissbart in three words, what would they be?
The big sister. While I’m technically the office manager, I love being someone that the team can confide in and just have fun conversations with. Nothing beats a good catch up, swapping shopping finds and sharing some drinks from Costa.