Katerina Perez, a luminary in the world of high jewellery, has successfully run her blog, Jewellery Insights by Katerina Perez, for over a decade. She recently spoke to us about her journey as a jewellery key opinion leader, her passion for the craftsmanship of high jewellery, and the career milestones that have shaped the last 10 years of her life. 

What inspired you to start your blog?

My entry point into the world of high jewellery was through client-facing roles in retail and management environments. I worked for Tiffany & Co., Chaumet, Asprey, and Boghossian in London while simultaneously studying for a Gemmology Diploma at Gem-A, the Gemmological Association of Great Britain. In 2011, after seven years in sales, I learned so much about people and their tastes. However, I was always asked the same limited questions about carat weights and costs. 

I longed to explain to clients how the price of a jewel isn’t dictated solely by carat weight but also by craftsmanship, innovation, ideas, inspirations, and materials; this is what I wanted to communicate to the world. I felt the pull to articulate my passion for jewellery artistry, and there was no better way of communicating than via my blog. That’s how it all started; it was the launchpad for where I am today. Now, I live and work in Paris and travel the world searching for jewellery and meeting new designers.

What sets your blog apart from others in the jewellery industry?

What makes me different from other jewellery bloggers is my laser focus on design-led precious jewellery with coloured gemstones (and not just big diamonds, fashion jewellery or everyday pieces). I look for jewellery that tells a story because I am interested in exploring how a jeweller expresses themselves through what they create. Therefore, I really delve into the craftsmanship, artistry, and design behind unique art jewellery creations, and I run an online magazine, KaterinaPerez.com (no other jewellery bloggers operate such a platform that gets updated three times a week with high-quality content). 

Also, I am the only blogger who merges jewellery with other art forms by conducting editorial shoots and collaborating with illustrators and even fashion designers to create engaging and visually intriguing content.

I think what helps me stand out from the crowd is my genuine passion, or should I say obsession, with high and fine jewellery. I have been intrigued by jewellery for as long as I remember. When I was three years old, my favourite thing was to raid my grandmother’s jewellery box. For me, jewellery is a form of art that I have the utmost respect for, and I love to hear how designers have channelled ideas, inspirations, and cultures into jewels. 

What are your notable career accomplishments?

I have enjoyed many highlights, but there are two that I always return to in my mind. The first was when I received the Influencer of the Year Award at International Jewellery London in 2018. The second was when I was given the ‘Jewellery Influencer’ accolade at the World Influencers and Bloggers Association (WIBA) Awards in 2021.

I have had the pleasure of judging the Couture Design Awards, HRD Awards, and INHORGENTA Awards and have enjoyed some great red-carpet experiences as a guest at the BAFTA, Cannes Film Festival, and Venice Film Festival. Although I am always thrilled to receive such recognition, what matters most is the opportunity to represent jewellery on an international stage.

What is your mission, and how do you strive to achieve it?

My mission is to inspire as many women as possible to appreciate and wear jewellery that is meaningful to them. I want to help them understand jewellery and not be scared to try new pieces, discover something different, and open their minds to new creative forms of self-expression. Also, to help women make jewellery a part of their daily wardrobes and look and feel amazing! 

From a business perspective, I would like to keep growing and developing KaterinaPerez.com so it continues to be a destination for the best in high jewellery. Looking into the future, I would like to curate more opportunities to educate my audience and share the knowledge I have accumulated over the past decade. I would like to create more courses and host seminars to engage people and share a little bit of my world with them. 

How can our readers connect with you?

You can find my detailed insights on high jewellery on my website and photos of timeless pieces on my Instagram. 

As our conversation with Katerina Perez draws to a close, we are left with a greater appreciation for her unwavering passion and her commitment to the world of high jewellery. Her unique perspective on the subject and her dedication to her craft have established her as a true influencer in the industry. We do not doubt that she will continue to be a trailblazer in the jewellery world for many years to come.

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