Fine jewellery company Richard Hans Becker will be bringing its collection of unique and distinctive designs to International Jewellery London this September.
Here, third generation owner Hans-Joachim Becker discusses the differences between UK and German trade shows, the best-selling Triple collection and the resurgence of opals as a gemstone of choice for fine jewellery customers…
Q: For any British retailers who may not be familiar with Richard Hans Becker, can you tell us a little bit about the history of the brand and its specialisms?
HJB: Based in Idar-Oberstein, Germany, Richard Hans Becker is a third generation family company with over 40 years experience in the manufacture of beautiful jewellery. Our passion is for beautiful gemstones and our workshop produces spectacular jewellery with unique and distinctive designs. We work in 14ct and 18ct gold, setting with opal, tanzanite, aquamarine, tourmaline and morganite, to name a few. We also offer a full design and manufacture service either using our own or our customer’s stones; we help to make their imagination come to life.
Q: What has been your experience of exhibiting at International Jewellery London and why do you see it as an important part of your yearly trade show calendar?
HJB: Our experience of exhibiting at IJL, especially in the new Olympia venue, has been very positive. It is well supported and it is very important for us to be there, both for our existing customers and to meet new retail partners.
Q: How do British trade shows compare to trade shows in your native Germany – are there any differences?
HJB: The main differences are that most of our British customers buy at the fair, while our German customers prefer to look and then make appointments for later. I think the reason for this is that we appear only once a year in the UK and have a much larger collection of jewellery with us there than I can possibly bring if I come over to visit people. As many of our products are unique pieces and can be sold out quickly, this gives our UK customers a much bigger choice – they get the actual pieces that they select at the fair.
Q: Have you noticed any trends in consumer tastes recently?
HJB: Our customers work with us because they like our designs, our ‘point of difference’ and the range and quality of our gem stones. We work mostly in red and yellow gold as they enhance the colour of many gems, and we are finding that opal is particularly strong at the moment.
Q: What are your thoughts on the fine jewellery industry in general at the moment? Are you feeling positive?
HJB: We have a good feeling about the fine jewellery market at the moment. It is not easy for any of us, supplier or retailer, but we are still growing strongly in our home market and the UK is developing well. Last year was good for us and this year has started strongly, a testament I think to the strength and popularity of our designs. We have a product that appeals to the customer who is looking for something more individual.
Q: What collections are proving particularly popular at the moment?
‘Triple’ is a new and already successful design from Richard Hans Becker. The rings (pictured above) can be worn either together in multiple combinations of shape and colour or individually; the setting design also allows them to be worn snugly against a wedding band as the engagement ring with a difference.
Pieces are available in 18ct and 14ct red, white and yellow gold with a wide choice of gem stones – almost any colour you desire – in oval, round and marquise cuts.
See Richard Hans Becker at IJL 2015 Stand D90