Award-winning jeweller Tim Palmer is starring in his very own production of “upstairs, downstairs”.

The owner of Bermuda Jewellery moved his operation in May from a spot atop the stairs on the second floor of the Somers Building to a ground-floor location at 15 Front Street.

Mr Palmer is a model maker in the jewellery hierarchy, a step above that of master jeweller. It means that he makes original pieces from designs.

Ninety per cent of the pieces on display at Bermuda Jewellery are original designs made in its full on-site workshop.

On June 1, jeweller Hannah Emmerson joined the staff full-time, as did Mr Palmer’s daughter, Kerry, in a front-of-house role.

Just prior, Mr Palmer was eagerly anticipating Ms Emmerson’s arrival on a full-time basis; she has been working part-time for Bermuda Jewellery for two years.

“She is absolutely brilliant. From a design point of view, her creative skills are off the charts.”

He said: “With Hannah arriving, we are adding one of the most creative minds on the island.

“Hannah and I work really well together. She has the conceptual design element and I have the technical side. There’s a to and fro-ing, and we usually end up pretty pleased. We really mesh well.”

Mr Palmer added: “What we are trying to do is not copy everybody else. We want pieces that aren’t just the normal, standard Bermuda pieces. We are looking to create something more interesting than that.

“Now that Hannah will be here full-time, we’ll move ahead and add pieces constantly.”

Bermuda Jewellery designs and creates signet rings, bracelets, chains and cufflinks for men, and rings, pendants, necklaces and earrings for women.

The store also designs and makes a Bermuda-inspired collection of pieces that includes moon gates, sand dollars, starfish and tree frogs as charms or pendants.

Mr Palmer said: “If you don’t see it, that doesn’t mean you can’t have it, because we can make it for you.

“Our focus here at Bermuda Jewellery is on producing pieces that are crafted and made in Bermuda.

“We can cater to anybody’s needs as far as designs are concerned.”

Bermuda Jewellery also handles engraving and repairs and alterations.

Many of the island’s jewellers call on Mr Palmer to handle repair work.

The native of Birmingham, England found his life’s calling at the age of 16 when, after finishing school, he was taken on at John Lawton & Sons as a jewellery bench-hand.

As part of his apprenticeship as a model maker, Mr Palmer attended Birmingham Polytechnic of 3D Art, where he won awards as top student.

“Everybody just called it ‘the jewellery school’,” he recalled.

Birmingham remains the epicentre of the industry in Britain — its jewellery quarter has more than 800 businesses, 100 specialist retailers and 50 contemporary design makers.

Mr Palmer came to Bermuda in 1987 to work at The Gem Cellar. Since then he has worked or freelanced for many jewellers on the island.

“I get on well with just about everybody. A lot of jewellers have been into the store here to congratulate me.”

He says the upstairs operation in the Somers Building helped him to create a good client base.

“A lot of people come to us, and only us, for repairs and alterations.”

He added: “It was small, but a good learning experience. It helped me sharpen my tools as far as the retail side of it.”

Mr Palmer, 60, reflected on what he loves about his work.

He said: “I am strong with making the original wax carving. We use a lot of wax models before casting a ring into gold.

“I love the creative process. I absolutely love it.

“I get a lump of wax and want to create a dog’s head. I take away the bits from that block — it’s what you leave — and I leave the finished item.”