ABOUT ME
Hi, I’m Chloe May Lightfoot; a fine jeweller based near Canterbury in Kent.
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I grew up in Kent on a family-run farm, and returned here to put down firm roots after travelling around Europe studying fine jewellery.
I established my business in May 2020, seven years after my journey in this wonderful trade began, setting up my workshop in the Kentish countryside. This is where I hand craft my fine jewellery.
Selecting from the most exquisite gemstones and diamonds, I mount them in precious metals utilising age-old traditional skills and tools to create the sparkling, unique pieces that I hope you and future generations will cherish for years to come.
2019:
Received the honour of being selected as an Ambassador for the Women’s Jewellery Network, becoming their Diamond Mounter representative. This made my year as a proud woman in the jewellery trade.
2013:
One year of study at The Goldsmiths’ Centre in London; I completed The Foundation Programme with a distinction.
2014:
Started a five-year apprenticeship at one of London’s oldest and highly respected jewellery workshops, E.Wolfe & Co in Hatton Garden.
2016:
Received a ‘Gold Award’ from The Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Awards which is awarded for a piece of jewellery of exceptional quality made by a craftsperson under 30. From the same organisation I also received the ‘Junior Award’, given to the best piece by someone under 30 across all categories.
2018:
To complete my apprenticeship I had to make a masterpiece. I chose to hand make a platinum tiara set with 22 carats of diamonds; an intricate and delicate process that took six months to complete. After presenting my platinum tiara to the wardens at Goldsmiths’ Hall, I was made a Freeman of The Goldsmith’s Company and awarded Freedom of the City of London. I was also admitted into the Guild of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, one of the Twelve Great Livery Companies of the City of London since 1327.
2019:
Named one of Retail Jeweller’s Rising Stars. This award recognises the brightest talent in the industry under the age of 30.​
2020:
Awarded a grant by The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust. This allowed me to travel around Europe visiting leading jewellers, attend exhibitions and visit museums. I travelled through Russia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and France.
2020:
​Trained at a fine jewellery workshop in Paris. As part of the team, I crafted huge suites of jewellery for big fashion houses such as Dior, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, that took literally hundreds of hours to make.
2020:
Established Chloe May and set up my workshop in the Kentish countryside.
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TIMELINE
THE FUTURE
I intend to continue on this journey I love; designing exquisite pieces of jewellery that will encapsulate your love for each other forever.
Listening to the stories behind your precious pieces of jewellery and seeing your face when you open my little green boxes for the first time is a huge privilege to me. I endeavour to ensure that the experience isn’t overwhelming, by guiding you through every step of the way, offering design ideas at your free consultation and assisting with the selection of your gemstones.
Giving back to the jewellery trade is also very important to me too, so many people gave their time to help me learn my craft and in time I would like to have my own apprentices to share these skills with and keep the old ways of the jewellery trade alive.
