ASIC Meets
Liz Olver
We recently caught up with independent
jewellery expert Liz Olver on her career,
experience and expertise.
What first interested you in the Jewellery Industry?
As a child, I was always drawn to shiny things – like a magpie. I didn’t even realise jewellery could be something you study until, during my Foundation year, a fellow student pointed out that I spent more time window-shopping for jewellery than anything else. It sounds obvious now, but coming from Malaysia and a sheltered boarding school education in the Westcountry, I had no idea of the vast array of subjects available at BA level.
Where did you train?
I began my creative journey on Foundation at Salisbury College of Art, then went on to pursue a BA at Central Saint Martins. After that, I completed a Master’s at the Royal College of Art.
Who or what has been your biggest influence?
There have been many influential people in my life, but Margaret Turner stands out as the first. I met her while on Foundation at Salisbury, and she was a huge source of support. Margaret, a Central Saint Martins graduate, ran her own jewellery shop in Salisbury at the time, and she gave me the confidence to pursue jewellery design—without her, I might not have had the courage to apply to CSM. Another person who shaped my journey is the late Jane McAdam Freud. While we were both studying at the RCA, Jane brought a clarity to the theory of design development that was a real eureka moment for me, and it deepened my bond with her and her teaching.
What was your career-defining moment?
Leaving my role as Senior Lecturer at CSM and stepping into the commercial world at De Beers was a game-changer. That transition marked a pivotal shift—no longer just teaching theory, but now putting everything I’d been talking about into real-world practice. It was a humbling experience, learning new skills, tackling new challenges, and embracing the pace of commercial work. While I loved teaching and still do, I’ve always been excited by new opportunities that allow me to learn, grow, and push boundaries. The commercial projects I’ve been involved with have given me that in abundance.
What gives you the most satisfaction (designing, creating, repairing, meeting etc)?
Making has always been something I loved, though I don’t feel I fully explored my potential in that area. If I could have, I’d have spent time working closely with a master goldsmith in a fine jewellery workshop – there’s so much to learn from the craft. I also love the digital side of things. I’m extremely detail-oriented, so working with Illustrator after the initial sketching phase is a perfect fit. As Design Director at Annoushka, I enjoyed developing collections and working with other talented people to bring my designs to life. One of the best parts of that process is being in the workshop, collaborating directly with goldsmiths to iron out any design challenges.
What interests you most now?
Right now, the thing I enjoy most is passing on what I’ve learned. I do this in many ways – through my work as an independent jewellery consultant, as a mentor, and through my voluntary activities as a Liveryman of the Goldsmiths’ Company. There’s something incredibly satisfying about sharing knowledge, whether in a formal setting or in casual conversations where I can help others unlock their potential.
