Our Founders

Paul Daughters is the founder of Berganza and one of Britain’s leading specialists in antique and vintage jewellery.

A lapidarist by training, Paul began his career in Hatton Garden at the age of 16, going on to establish England’s largest lapidary workshop, working with the finest gemstones and objets d’art for prestigious houses such as Asprey, Garrard, and Graff. With a lifelong dedication to sourcing and restoring exceptional jewels, and a deep knowledge of historic craftsmanship, Paul founded Berganza in 1987 to offer a curated collection of the world’s finest antique pieces. His expertise and commitment to authenticity helped shape Berganza’s reputation as a guardian of Britain’s jewellery heritage.

As Managing Director of Berganza, Justin Daughters continues the legacy of one of Britain’s foremost names in antique and vintage jewellery.

With over 25 years in the trade, he has developed a discerning eye for the rarest historic jewels and natural, unenhanced gemstones. Since assuming leadership of the family business in 2017, Justin has overseen the growth of a collection of more than 3,000 original pieces, regarded as among the most significant of its kind worldwide. Under his stewardship, Berganza has strengthened its international reputation, becoming a destination for collectors and connoisseurs who value knowledge, heritage, and the highest standards of curation.

With an unrivalled level of specialist knowledge and expertise in all that we do, our team is made up of qualified gemmologists with both practical laboratory experience and advanced academic training.

• Our gemmologists are Fellows of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (FGA, Gem-A).
• They hold diplomas in coloured stones from Gem-A.
• They also hold BA degrees and MA degrees in Art History and Decorative Arts.

Every gemstone is examined under high magnification. This process ensures that we invest in only the finest material. Our specialists study inclusions and physical characteristics of each gemstone, details that can reveal both quality and origin.

• Our diamond experts are Graduate Gemmologists (GG, GIA).
• They also hold the Gemmology Diploma (GA, GIA).

These qualifications — FGA, GG, GA, BA, MA — combined with practical experience, allow our experts to provide authoritative assessments of both coloured gemstones and diamonds. This guarantees that every piece within our collection meets the highest possible standards of authenticity and quality.

Jewellery crafted by hand deserves to be cared for with the same dedication. At Berganza, our workshop is home to some of the most highly skilled craftsmen in the jewellery trade.

• Our team includes mounters, setters, and polishers.
• We also work with specialists in rare and fading artforms, such as hand-engraving and enamelling.
• Every antique jewel is restored entirely by hand, using traditional techniques and authentic materials.

This ensures each piece remains true to its original history, integrity, and aesthetic.

Jewellers have long been regarded as artisans. At Berganza, we are dedicated to preserving this tradition of craftsmanship. We also believe in the importance of the future:

• We actively support the development of new talent within the industry.
• We encourage and mentor the next generation of jewellers, gemmologists, and historians.
• Our workshop stands as a place where traditional skill meets ongoing inspiration.

This balance of heritage craftsmanship and future innovation ensures that Berganza continues to protect and advance the artistry of jewellery for generations to come.

Alongside our gemmologists, our team also includes specialist historians with extensive academic backgrounds.

• They hold BA degrees and MA degrees in the History of Art, Decorative Arts, and Jewellery Heritage and Design.
• Their studies were undertaken at prestigious British institutions, known for excellence in the arts and humanities.
• They bring both scholarly knowledge and practical expertise from decades of combined experience in the jewellery trade.

Our historians research and catalogue every piece in our collection. They ensure that the individual story of each jewel, its provenance, design, and cultural significance, is brought vividly to life. This rigorous approach means that whether you are a collector, a gemstone connoisseur, or a jewellery enthusiast, we can offer a level of service that is both informed and unparalleled. At Berganza, the work of our historians ensures that each jewel is appreciated not only as a beautiful object, but also as a piece of living history.

We are often asked how we acquire the jewels that make up our collection. The answer lies in our network of trusted antique jewellery dealers.

• These individuals have spent decades refining their expertise.
• They possess a keen eye for quality, for original craftsmanship, and for exceptional gemstones.
• Their knowledge and judgement are rooted in longstanding experience within the trade.

Our dealers travel extensively:

• Across the length and breadth of the United Kingdom.
• To important markets and collections across Europe, the United States, and beyond.
• Always in pursuit of rare, original antique and vintage jewels that deserve to be preserved and appreciated.

This dedicated network enables us to continually curate one of the most significant collections of antique and vintage jewellery in the world. At Berganza, we are proud to offer these unique finds to our esteemed clientele, ensuring that each jewel we present has been sourced with the same rigour, discernment, and respect for heritage that defines all we do.