Q&A: Jos Skeates

Jos Skeates a Goldsmith and the Co-Founder, along with wife Alison, of the leading, multi award winning, Central London jewellery boutique EC One the Jewellers. He is also the Chairman of the Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Council. He answers the Benchpeg Q&A.

What’s your name, and what do you for a living?

JS: Jos Skeates, Goldsmith and owner of E.C.One the Jewellers. 

How did you come to work in the jewellery industry?

JS: Total chance. I was looking for a summer job when I was sixteen and saw an advert for an apprentice Diamond Mounter. I’ve never looked back. 

How would you describe your work to someone who doesn’t know it?

JS: I’m all about the client. I’m passionate about creating pieces that are for the wearer not an extension of someone else’s ego. This means every piece is a different idea or style. We have created our ‘One of One’ offering around this concept.  

What is your creative process?

JS: We start with the recipient in mind and try to get as much information about them and what is their aesthetic. That could be anything from a boyfriend showing us a picture of his girlfriend on his iPhone to meeting the client in our showroom. 

Where do you love to shop?

JS: Exmouth Market EC1, it’s the best street in London. 

What is your inspiration?

JS: I love old churches. From the outside they look out of place in London and when you go into them they are so calm and settling.  

What piece of jewellery do you most treasure?

JS: I wear a yellow gold wedding band that I made with the first ever piece of Fairtrade Gold. I’m pretty proud of that, it’s the equivalent of having the first fair trade banana, or coffee beans but a bit more permanent!

What piece of jewellery do you most desire?

JS: Anything by Andrew Grima especially one of his watches for Pulsar.

If you could only be remembered for one piece of your work, what would it be?

JS: Probably the cross we made for the Bishop of Islington. Its based on St Cuthberts Cross and is made of recycled silver and fairtrade gold. I like the fact that its layered and really simple. We also engraved inside the piece before we finished it and only the Bishop and I know what it says!

What would be your advice to someone starting out in the industry?

JS: Don’t waste time trying to build a brand. Spend your time making pieces that speak to you or your clients.

The Benchpeg Proust Q&A

1. What’s your favourite work of art?
   JS: Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy. I adore it. 
   

2. Who from past or present would you invite to a dinner party for the evening?
   JS: Tom Hanks.

3. Do you have any pets, if yes, what is their name?
   JS: We have a 5 month old puppy called Rudy. He is a German Short Haired Pointer and lot of work but really loving.
   

4. What is your most treasured possession?
   JS: My wedding album, best day of my life and best decision I ever made.  

5. What would you consider a perfect day?
   JS: Wake up to a Latte from Artisan in Chiswick, spend the day at my beach hut on Hayling Island with my wife and girls, followed by dinner at Moro. 
   

6. Is there a favourite journey, trip or voyage you hold dear?
   JS: While studying at St. Martins I spent 3 months in Jerusalem on an exchange with Bezalel Academy of Art. I loved my time there and despite the conflict, it is a beautiful city. 

7. What is your greatest achievement?
   JS: I haven’t done it yet. 

8. What advice would tell your younger self?
   JS: Hold tight, it will be alright in the end. 

9. Can you sum yourself up in one word?
   JS: No. 

10. What motto do you live by?
    JS: My children’s school motto really resonates with me “Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God.”

Jos Skeates can be found at www.econe.co.uk

Image credits: Images sourced from Jos Skeates, EC One and Pinterest.