Joanne Gowan has been running her own business designing and making wonderful jewellery for over 26 years with the technical experience and knowledge to provide the very best quality for all her customers. In 1988 Joanne opened her own retail shop / workshop The Gowan Gallery  in Sawbridgeworth on the Hertfordshire / Essex border, selling her own designs as well as those of selected other jewellers and designer makers. 

In 2011 the shop premises were re-designed to include a clients consultation area and with the decision to emphasise bespoke commissions the shop was re named Gowan Jewellers.

Joanne completed her training at Central School of Art and Design, London in 1985 receiving a B.A.(Hons) Degree in Jewellery Design.  She also learnt specialist techniques, such as enamelling and stone mounting,  at the jewellery department of Sir John Cass College in London. In 1989 Joanne received a Theory Grade A in Gemmology from the Gemmological Association of Great Britain, giving her the professional background knowledge required for working with a wide range of gemstones.

Joanne set up a workshop in Putney as soon as leaving College and sold her work via high quality fairs, exhibitions at British galleries and through private commissions.

Exhibitions have included the highly prestigious annual Goldsmiths’ Fair , which Joanne has been selected to take part in 13 times. In additional Joanne has taken part in the National Wedding Shows at Olympia and Earls Court, and has exported collections to Japan. Joanne Gowan now sells a wide range of pieces, including one-off designs, from stock at the Gowan Jewellers. Pieces are also sold through exhibitions at  selected Shows including Desire in Richmond and Winchester.

Joanne designs and makes many one-off pieces usually with a distinctly organic style and dramatic shapes. Pieces are handmade using the highest quality materials and the best craftsmanship with Joanne's team of select 'in-house' jewellers.  Items can be made in Silver , 18ct  Gold (yellow, white and red), 22ct Gold, Palladium and Platinum.  White Gold pieces can be rhodium plated on request.  Top quality diamonds and a wide range of other gemstones are used.  Wedding, engagement and eternity rings are a speciality.

A trouble-free commissioning process provides design sketches following consultation with the customer. Jewellery can be made to suit your budget and requirements. We can provide a selection of gemstones on approval so that you can choose your favourites. We also specialise in using customers existing stones - whether bought abroad, from inherited or old jewellery - to create  wonderful new wearable pieces. There is no additional charge for the designing process and a small handling fee of 10% (of the gems value) is made where customer stones are used so that these are fully insured against all risks whilst in our care.
 

A large proportion of the business continues to be individual private commissions, made on the premises. Joanne and  her staff particularly enjoy producing pieces that are specific to each individual . The aim is to make jewellery which expresses the wearer’s own personality and will give them pleasure on every occasion that it is worn.

No obligation design consultation appointments with Joanne can be made on Mondays, Fridays or Saturdays between 11am and 3pm - please telephone or email to book your appointment.

Please enjoy browsing the website and contact the Gallery for any further information and advice.

But the best way to appreciate the jewellery is to try it on! - We look forward to seeing you at the Gallery.

Kind regards

Joanne Gowan

Gowan Jewellers, 3 Bell Street, Sawbridgeworth, Herts. CM21 9AR.

 telephone: 01279 600 004        email:   joanne@gowanjewellers.co.uk