What's the name of your business? We trade as Alexis Dove Jewellery and Justin Small Jewellery. We make and sell jewellery.
How long have you been running the business? We have both been in the trade for around ten years. The current business is a year old on April 5th. We have been in the Star since February.
What was on the premises before? A graphic artist. Originally, though, we think it was the hop store for the Old Star Brewery, because Justin is constantly banging his head on what looks like it might have been the hopper they were poured in through.
What’s the most expensive item you sell? With bespoke jewellery, the sky’s the limit on a commission. In reality, we’ve done a number of engagement rings for around £7,500
And the cheapest? A repair for £5.
And the most unusual? We sell a heart shaped necklace to help raise funds for a fantastic charity called Little Hearts Matter. The money helps pay for incredibly complicated life-saving heart operations to be carried out on babies who would otherwise simply die soon after birth.
What sort of customers do you get? It ranges from people wanting quick repairs to those who want to be an integral part of the creation. About 50% are local, the rest are from Brighton, London and beyond.
Is there anything that annoys you about the business? The work is never annoying, because as people are excited by process, it’s usually a pleasure. It’s sometimes funny when people want stones with ‘mystic’ qualities. Apparently an amethyst under the tongue wards off the effects of alcohol. Personally we think that any ring with over 1.5 carats in is extremely lucky - certainly for everyone involved in the process of making and receiving.