BORN IN LAGOS
MADE IN ANTWERP
REALISED IN LONDON
TW, Creative Director. Keeper of Stories.
@thelmawestdiamonds
MY STORY
"In today's impermanent world, we're all looking for objects of meaning.
We want to connect with something that lasts. Jewellery is that gift.”
— Thelma West
In our family album there’s a photograph of me sitting on my mother’s lap, my arms dripping with bracelets and necklaces.
Her jewellery box was a treasure chest, brimming with a myriad of colourful precious stones and gold. The sparkling diamonds, especially, entranced me. For that little girl they seemed magical.
In Nigeria, where I was raised, the custom of giving jewels as gifts is much more common than in the West. It’s also traditional for babies to have pierced ears. Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I was mesmerised by how my very first tiny diamond studs caught the light.
That passion has never dimmed but for a while my path went in another direction. At the time I was 18-years-old, I was living and studying in Antwerp, the diamond capital of the world. One of just a handful of women in the industry, and the only black person in my class. I didn’t know another soul in Belgium, let alone speak the languages. It was a tough act, but I knew from the first tutorial that I’d found my vocation.
I immersed myself in learning everything about gems. In my spare time I also worked unpaid as a sorter for one of the city’s numerous diamond dealers, helping to grade stones for their weight, colour and clarity. I thrived in this environment and, best of all, got to handle my favourite gems every day. I felt like a little girl again!
Eventually I ended working in London and launching Thelma West Diamonds years later in 2012.
“I want each piece to feel special, quietly luxurious and have its own story.”
— Thelma West
Since the start, my creative ethos remains the same: to make beautiful, unique jewellery and spread happiness through my designs. I want each piece to feel special, quietly luxurious and have its own story. Like the person wearing an item of jewellery, every diamond has its own character. Being a diamond expert and a designer, I can truly match the client’s personality to an individual stone.
Blending contemporary design with traditional techniques, and sometimes working with recycled stones from old or damaged jewellery, I use all types of gems. But no-one will be surprised to discover that 90 per cent of the jewels used in my designs are diamonds. They still give me a thrill!
My brand has expanded organically, largely through word of mouth, it is still a boutique with an emphasis on quality over quantity. This allows me to be authentic, experimental and principled. At my studio in London, I work with a small team of female professionals, who all share my values.
Every TW piece is custom made and crafted by hand. We obsess over the fine detail. Nothing is rushed. And I always offer a lifetime guarantee on service and polish for all my bespoke pieces.
Buying jewellery can often be an intimidating, rather cold and clinical process. My approach is all about the personal connection…building a relationship, making the client feel welcome and relaxed. I appreciate that jewellery is an emotional purchase.
The women who collect my jewellery tend to be confident, feminine and powerful. I’m honoured that bespoke Thelma West designs have been chosen by many inspiring women. Most recently, the icon that is Rihanna chose the TW Rebel Black ring to complete her 2021 MET Gala look!
