The team at Berganza combine experience with vision, practical expertise with academic excellence. A family business, our most important shared characteristic is a passionate devotion to antique jewellery. Our profound understanding of gemstones, supported by our extensive knowledge of the heritage of jewellery design, ensures that we are uniquely placed to select only the very finest for our collection, and to help our customers make informed choices in investing in pieces which, in many cases, will become their own heirloom.

Committed to the highest industry standards, we are members of the National Association of Goldsmiths, Lapada (the Association of Art & Antiques Dealers) and Cinoa (Confédération Internationale des Négociants en Oeuvresd'Art). We have also been proud sponsors of the Craft & Design Council's Craftsmanship & Design Awards for the last 8 years.

Paul Daughters - Director
Cutter, miner, adventurer and retailer, Paul Daughters has a breadth of experience and expertise seldom equalled in the field of antique jewellery and precious stones.

Growing up in Australia as the son of a prospector and jeweller, Paul's fascination with antique jewellery, and gemstones in particular, was originally inspired by the undersea treasure hunts of Jacques Cousteau.

Returning to his native England to study jewellery design and serve a five year apprenticeship as a lapidary, Paul's drive, enthusiasm, ambition and natural talent for cutting stones rapidly led to his building the largest and most respected lapidary business in Europe.

Paul's focus on sourcing the best quality stones to cut encouraged him to found a business in Switzerland importing from all over the world. It was also the catalyst to acquire his own mine in Africa from where his particular interest in emeralds, diamonds and gold, took him throughout the African continent and across Afghanistan and Pakistan. As the company grew, it opened offices in London, Geneva and on Rodeo Drive, Los Angeles.

In the early 80's, it was Paul's privilege to be asked by the Queen's jeweller to re-cut an oval sapphire. Little did he know that the sapphire was to become one of the most photographed gems in the world when Prince Charles chose the ring for his engagement to Princess Diana.

In 1990, Paul returned to the UK. As his true love had always been antique jewellery, he took the decision to move Berganza from Switzerland to Hatton Garden and amalgamate his family's jewellery business under one roof. Both Paul's sons have also entered the jewellery trade - Justin working alongside his father and Philip as an apprentice goldsmith.

Katharine Collins - Senior Valuer and Jewellery Expert
Katharine completed a Bachelor's degree in Art History from the University of Delaware, a school renowned for its programme in the decorative arts, as well as a Master's degree in Fine and Decorative Arts from the Sotheby's Institute of Art in London, the latter with a specialization in antique jewellery.

Furthering her education in gems and jewellery, Katharine also earned her Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) degree from the Gemological Institute of America, where she graduated in the top of her class, in addition to a Certificate in Fine and Decorative Arts Appraisal from New York University, and a Professional Jewellers' Valuation Diploma from the National Association of Goldsmiths in London.

Whilst in the United States, Katharine worked as an appraiser and decorative arts specialist at a private New York firm. She then took on a role at the Tiffany & Co. Archives, where she was responsible for providing research on a collection of over two thousand artefacts and one million plus design drawings and company documents

During her time at Tiffany, Katharine was also a significant contributor to the catalogue for the major international exhibition Bejewelled by Tiffany, 1837-1987. Her current writing projects include authoring a catalogue for an important private European jewellery collection, and an article on the use of coloured gemstones in jewellery of the late nineteenth century. Katharine's in-depth knowledge of antique jewellery is ideally placed at Berganza, as the company offers one of the most extensive collections of fine period pieces in the world.

Justin Daughters - Director
Justin's love of jewellery became evident at a very early age. Even before he was a teenager, he would sit in the back of the shop fascinated by the workmanship and history of the jewellery. As soon as he was able, he started working Saturdays, followed by a full apprenticeship.

Justin has been responsible for Berganza's recent diversification into specialist pieces such as mourning rings and very early pieces - a deliberate decision to broaden the company's horizons and extend the range of pieces on offer for the collectors in our customer base.

Justin's keen eye for detail, understanding of market trends and extensive knowledge of gems is why he is now involved in every aspect of the company's development. He advises on purchases, manages the restoration workshop and more than anything, delights in sharing this enthusiasm and knowledge of the items with prospective clients. He is passionate about what he does and to him Berganza's 'service for life' promise is a personal guarantee.