Katerina’s 2024 Highlights: The Most Significant Milestones of the Last 12 Months 

I am sure, like me, you say this every year, but where has the time gone? One minute, we were in the exciting month of January, plotting where the year might take us, and the next, we landed in December, worrying about festive gifting and reminiscing on the months gone by. I am convinced that the older one gets, the faster time flies! Despite this existentialism, my 2024 has been anchored by some really rather wonderful moments, including beautiful trips abroad, exciting award wins and a smattering of launches. Here are my special moments of the last 12 months to mark another rotation around the sun.

Discovering Authentic Italian Craftsmanship – February & September

In my eyes, there is no better way to get to the heart and soul of a jewel than to witness where it is made. The atmosphere of a place, being able to touch the tools, see the hand-drawn sketches and meet the people who work at the bench… this is where the magic happens! This is exactly why two special visits to Italian heritage brands spring to mind when considering my 2024 highlights. I started the year in the Tuscan countryside, visiting FerriFirenze at the sumptuous Villa Corsi Salviati, which dates to the 16th century. Next, in September 2024, I flew to Florence to discover the last true jeweller of the historic Ponte Vecchio bridge – Fratelli Piccini – which specialises in making pieces traditionally by hand with authentic techniques. Both visits left me feeling uplifted and, most importantly, connected to the legacy of Italian craftsmanship. I am already hoping I can do similar trips in 2025!

Launching Paraiba: The Legacy of a Color Book – June

Good things take time, especially when it comes to coffee table books. Around two years ago, I spoke with my friend and gem specialist Carlos Torres, who suggested that I co-author a book with US-based Paraiba dealer Kevin Ferreira. Our shared goal was to tell the story of Paraiba, highlight its uniqueness, and make more jewellery lovers aware of its incredible potential. The result was Paraiba: The Legacy of a Color, which we launched at the Ritz Hotel in Paris during Haute Couture Week and at Scott’s in Mayfair, London, just a few days later. This was a labour of love but one that I am so proud of. I think the book really captures the energy and intensity of Paraiba, and its electric neon colour bursts out on almost every page. If you would like to purchase a copy, you can do so here.

Visiting Riyadh for the first time – May and November

One of the most exciting and fulfilling parts of my career is being able to travel the world, experience new cultures and understand them better through jewellery. Prior to 2024, I had never travelled to Saudi Arabia, and I was keen to see if this country had similar or different jewellery traditions to its neighbours in the Middle East. In November, I was invited to attend the debut edition of The Jewels of the World exhibition in Riyadh, featuring more than 60 designers specialising in contemporary and one-of-a-kind creations. My impressions were that Saudi women love diamonds and emeralds, much like their counterparts in other Middle Eastern nations, but there was only a smattering of other gemstones like spinels and Paraiba tourmalines, to be found. I predict that tastes will begin to develop for these collectable yet under-the-radar gems in the region. Sadly, my work commitments meant I couldn’t see very much of Riyadh during my visit, but I do look forward to going back and exploring the capital city in more detail in the future.

Attending an Indian Wedding – December

It has been a huge dream of mine for many years to attend an Indian wedding. We all know how extravagant and beautiful they can be, with romantic rituals and glitzy traditions that turn each multi-day occasion into a full-blown experience for guests. I was privileged to be invited to the nuptials of Priyal (the daughter of Arun Dhaddha, who is at the helm of Gyan Jaipur) and Devansh at the Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, which must be one of the most stunning hotels in the world! I honestly felt like I had stepped into a fairytale, surrounded by an atmosphere of love and celebration that really lifted my spirits. It was fascinating to see what jewellery was being worn, and it was clear that many guests had dusted off their most sensational creations for the event. On the final night of the wedding, during the Varmala ceremony, guests wore the most incredible emerald and diamond parures, after all Jaipur has long been the hub of emeralds. I was also fortunate enough to borrow a multi-row polki diamond necklace and a beautiful ring from my dear friend Ankit from Jewels of Jaipur. Overall, it was an experience I will never forget!

Website Redesign – December

It has been eleven years since I founded KaterinaPerez.com, which is almost impossible to believe! The wheels were set in motion for a complete website redesign in 2023 when I was celebrating the 10th anniversary of my business and Instagram profile. I really wanted to elevate the experience for my audience and provide you all with something intuitive, different, and really engaging. The website you see today is the result of two teams working for five months to completely overhaul the home of KaterinaPerez.com. The site is working much faster now, it is more intuitive in use. It has been restructured with a brand new menu and the option to read articles either chronologically (latest stories main page) or based on what’s trending (top stories main page). Plus, you can create a profile and log in to save articles and images to your ‘Favourites’ or create a digital shopping list and to store your favourite articles in one place. I really hope you enjoy exploring this new website, which was formally launched in mid-December 2024, and that it will fuel your thirst for knowledge, beauty, and advice for many years to come.

The Katerina Perez Club – December and Beyond!

Whenever a big decision must be made, you will hear people say, ‘Sleep on it’. In my case, I mulled over the idea of creating The Katerina Perez Club for seven years, largely because I wanted to launch a product that I could be proud of. Rushing isn’t in my repertoire! Now, I am thrilled to say that The Club has launched, and you are invited to join. The Katerina Perez Club is a virtual private members nexus for jewellery lovers and industry professionals who share my passion for fine jewellery and gemstones. Think of it as a way of bringing likeminded people together to nurture your passions, expand your knowledge and provide an exclusive and curated mix of articles that only you can access. My mission has always been to popularise jewellery and make it more approachable and more understood, and I believe this is the next step in achieving this goal. Plus, it’s where you can find news, event information, and articles in one place to plan your annual jewellery calendar. As we step into 2025, look out for online and offline events, talks with jewellery gurus, industry success stories, and more to bring this sense of community to life. I can’t wait for you to discover more.

Although these are my most memorable moments, they certainly aren’t the only highlights of 2024. I have been on more flights than I can count over the last 12 months, which have led to some wonderful high jewellery experiences, business meetings, catch-ups with old friends, and new opportunities to explore. Let’s raise a glass to the months gone by and say hello to 2025 and all the potential that it holds.