Sarah Ho’s dazzling collections are akin to leafing through the gilded pages of her personal memoir—each piece a radiant chapter of her life’s ever-evolving story. Every collection is an ode to a moment, a passion, or a cherished memory. Her jewellery isn’t just adornment; it’s an archive of life’s passing seasons and milestones met, capturing them in precious metal and gemstones.
Born in Hong Kong but forever a Londoner at heart, Sarah Ho infuses every creation with a multi-ethnic soul and a storyteller’s heart.
Her vision? To continue blending sustainability, artistry, and creating jewellery that is both meaningful and forward-thinking.
How have your early experiences in Hong Kong and Macau shaped your design aesthetic?
My early experiences growing up in Hong Kong and Macau have played a significant role in shaping my design aesthetic. Asian culture and traditions have been deeply embedded in my upbringing, and they continue to influence my designs.
One aspect that has particularly resonated with me is the significance of numbers in Chinese culture. My family followed this tradition closely—we even had a Feng Shui Master select auspicious dates for important life events.
My grandfather, for instance, considered 9 his lucky number as he was the ninth child among 13 siblings, and he ensured it was present in everything from phone numbers to car plates. Similarly, my grandmother favoured the number 8, a number symbolising prosperity in Chinese tradition.
This deep-rooted family tradition inspired my award-winning Numerati collection, which has since become one of our most beloved collections. Each Numerati ring is crafted in 18-karat gold and set with fancy-shaped diamonds, where the numbers 1 to 9 are subtly integrated into the design. When displayed, the numbers are visible, but once worn, they become hidden—creating a secret, personal connection between the piece and its wearer. It’s this blend of heritage, symbolism, and mystery that makes the collection so special to our clients, as everyone has a lucky number or a number that holds personal significance.
Your grandmother’s style played a significant role in inspiring your love for jewellery. Can you share a particular memory or piece that influenced you?
My grandmother’s style had a profound influence on my love for jewellery, and one particular piece stands out— a jade and diamond pendant she gifted me to wear on my wedding day. It was not only a beautiful piece but also carried deep sentimental and cultural significance, as jade is highly revered in Chinese tradition for its symbolism of wisdom, protection, and prosperity.
This meaningful heirloom became the inspiration behind my Clementina collection, where I sought to capture the elegance and timeless beauty of jade in contemporary designs.
Following this, I expanded the concept further by creating a collection featuring Imperial and Ice jade, exploring the unique textures and colours of this remarkable gemstone. Through these collections, I wanted to honour my heritage while giving jade a fresh and modern interpretation for today’s jewellery lovers.
What drew you to London as the place to establish your jewellery brand?
London was a natural choice for me to establish my jewellery brand. I moved to the UK at a young age for boarding school and later pursued my studies in fashion design and jewellery here, so it already felt like home in many ways.
Beyond that, London’s cosmopolitan nature and its global reputation for design and creativity greatly appealed to me. The city is a melting pot of cultures, influences, and artistic innovation—whether in fashion, architecture, or fine jewellery—making it an inspiring place to build a brand.
Moreover, my mother was British, which created a strong personal connection to the UK. This blend of Eastern and Western influences has shaped both my identity and my design philosophy, allowing me to create jewellery that effortlessly merges tradition with modernity.
Storytelling is a strong element in your collections. How do you weave personal narratives into your jewellery designs?
Storytelling is at the heart of my design philosophy, shaped by my background in fashion design before transitioning into fine jewellery.
My approach is deeply influenced by the world of textiles—many of my designs take inspiration from embroidery, and you can see elements of fashion in the way I set, pair, and layer gemstones. This is very evident in my Bright Young Things collection and continues to be a defining aspect of my work.
Our USP lies in creating truly unique pieces. Unlike traditional jewellers who release seasonal collections, we design organically, letting inspiration flow naturally. Since most of our gemstones are antique-sourced, each piece holds a distinct character and history, ensuring that our clients receive something rare and deeply personal.
My work is about more than just aesthetics—it’s about preserving the past while reimagining it for the present, crafting jewellery that tells a story with every detail.
Sarah Ho Fine Jewellery has been recognised for its commitment to sustainability. How do you ensure that ethical sourcing and sustainability remain central to your creative process?
We are deeply committed to ethical sourcing and responsible craftsmanship. One of the keyways we uphold this is through our focus on repurposing antique and vintage gemstones. I am constantly on the lookout for these rare treasures, sourcing unique stones and antique jewellery that can be reimagined into new designs. Over the years, I have built what I call a ‘gem vault’—a carefully curated collection of exceptional gems. When inspiration strikes, I select a stone from this vault and design around its history, character, and beauty.
By breathing new life into these gemstones, we reduce the demand for newly mined materials while preserving their unique legacy. We also work only with trusted suppliers who share our commitment to ethical practices, ensuring that any newly sourced materials are responsibly mined and traceable.
We also take a mindful approach to production. Rather than following seasonal collections, we create as inspiration flows, thus avoiding unnecessary waste. Our skilled artisans use traditional techniques, ensuring longevity and craftsmanship that stands the test of time.
For us, sustainability isn’t just about materials—it’s about creating jewellery with intention, meaning, and respect for both the past and the future.
Technology and craftsmanship are the key pillars of your brand. How do you achieve this balance?
Technology and traditional techniques go hand in hand in our design process, allowing us to push creative boundaries while maintaining the soul of handcrafted jewellery.
A prime example of this is our Sarah Ho T&A collection, which stands for titanium and aluminium. In this collection, I focus on repurposing exceptional precious stones—such as diamonds and emeralds—by framing them within a titanium and aluminium anodised in different colours. These materials allow us to create bold, contemporary designs while keeping the jewellery lightweight and wearable.
However, even with these modern techniques, the centre stone always leads the design. We make sure that the gemstone is in the best condition, and craft the setting to enhance its natural beauty rather than overpower it.
While advanced techniques like laser cutting and 3D printing help us achieve precision, the finishing touches are always done by hand. Master artisans bring the final piece alive through intricate engraving, stone setting, and polishing, to retain the artisanal quality in each piece. This balance allows us to create jewellery that is both innovative and timeless, celebrating the beauty of repurposed stones in a modern yet respectful way.
Your ‘Full Circle Project’ reflects a strong commitment to conservation. What inspired this initiative, and what impact has it had so far?
The Full Circle Project was inspired by my deep love for gemstones and pearls, as well as my desire to protect the environments and communities that bring these treasures to life.
Through my travels and sourcing journeys, I have seen first-hand the beauty of these natural wonders and the impact that responsible sourcing can have on the places they come from. This initiative allows us to give back by investing a portion of the profits into environmental and community projects in these regions, ensuring their future prosperity.
For this project, I partnered with Gem Forest and Suwaidi Pearls, selecting gems from their private collections. These stones are chosen for their exceptional quality and rarity, and I am personally involved at every stage—from discovering the rough gemstone to its final transformation into a wearable masterpiece.
This initiative has been incredibly rewarding … by combining conservation with craftsmanship, we hope to encourage a more conscious and sustainable approach to fine jewellery, ensuring that these extraordinary natural materials can continue to be celebrated for generations to come.
What challenges have you faced in sourcing antique gemstones and pearls?
Sourcing antique gemstones and pearls comes with its challenges, from finding stones in excellent condition to ensuring their authenticity and provenance. Over the years, we have built relationships with trusted suppliers who share our commitment to quality and ethical sourcing. We also work closely with reputable auction houses to acquire exceptional gems.
However, even when sourcing from established channels, every gemstone undergoes rigorous testing by professional accredited gemmologists and reputable gemstone laboratories before being used in our designs. This ensures complete transparency and honesty with our clientele, giving them confidence in the rarity, quality, and integrity of each piece.
How challenging is it to work with reused gemstones?
Working with reused gemstones presents unique challenges, as each stone carries its own history, wear, and characteristics that must be carefully considered. We examine the stone’s structural integrity, checking for chips, cracks, or weaknesses that could affect its longevity. If needed, we may choose to re-polish or re-cut the gem to enhance its brilliance while preserving as much of its original beauty as possible.
Another important factor is ensuring the new design complements the gemstone’s existing characteristics rather than putting unnecessary stress on it. Certain antique stones, such as old-cut diamonds or vintage emeralds, can be more fragile, so we carefully select the appropriate setting and materials to provide both aesthetic appeal and structural support.
Despite these challenges, working with reused gemstones is incredibly rewarding.
Can you share insights into your ‘Revamp’ service?
Our Revamp service is a deeply personal and interactive journey where we transform pre-loved jewellery into contemporary, one-of-a-kind pieces tailored to our clients’ style and needs. It’s more than just redesigning—it’s about infusing new life into sentimental pieces while preserving their emotional significance. Clients are involved throughout the entire process, providing input at key stages, making the experience both engaging and highly personal.
One particularly memorable project involved a client’s 17-carat rectangular emerald-cut solitaire ruby ring. We reimagined it into a magnificent piece, enhancing its beauty with a frame of marquise diamonds and a bold cobalt blue titanium and aluminium frame—giving it a modern presence.
Another special project involved a mother who wanted to create something meaningful for both herself and her young daughter. We transformed a pair of morganite and sapphire earrings into two exquisite pieces: a sapphire and pink enamel rose gold pendant for the daughter and a pair of morganite, Australian opal, and diamond statement earrings for the mother. This way, both pieces carried sentimental value while being uniquely suited to each wearer.
Sometimes, our revamps are about enhancing existing pieces rather than completely transforming them. For instance, we’ve designed removable jackets for rings or earrings, allowing clients to switch between a classic look and a more vibrant, statement-making design.
Clients love this service because we involve them at every step of the way. We go through multiple iterations to ensure the final piece truly resonates with them, and we don’t stop until they are completely satisfied.
What’s next for your brand?
Looking ahead, we are excited to continue expanding our Revamp service, offering more clients the opportunity to breathe new life into their pre-loved jewellery. This service is close to my heart, and I look forward to helping more people create unique, pieces tailored to their personal style.
We are also dedicated to implementing more sustainable practices within our business, and explore ways of reducing our environmental footprint.
I’m particularly excited to develop new pieces within our T&A collection, pushing the boundaries of design with titanium and aluminium while maintaining a balance of elegance and modernity.
Additionally, we’re working on creating masterpieces featuring natural pearls, which will be an exciting new chapter for the brand. These pearls will be showcased in designs that celebrate their organic elegance and timeless appeal.
We recently opened our very first flagship boutique in Monaco Monte-Carlo situated in the Metrolope Shopping centre. Our London presence still remains as a by-appointment showroom in Mayfair.
What’s a day in the life of Sarah Ho?
Every day is different, and I love the variety that comes with balancing my family life and business. With two teenagers and a husband, I make a conscious effort to carve out family time while managing my boutique and studio in Monaco. My days are often split between the two—meeting clients to discuss Revamp and bespoke projects, spending time in the studio designing, and working closely with my team in both Monaco and London.
Outside of work, I find joy in simple moments, like walking my dog, Blue. It’s my time to clear my mind, step away from my desk, and recharge. Whether it’s sketching new ideas, traveling for inspiration, or enjoying family time, I always try to keep a balance between creativity, work, and personal life.