Behind the Sparkle: A Chat with Rachel
A: Rachel, can you tell us a bit about yourself and what led you to start Rachel Muscat London?
R: I currently live in London with my husband and our three cats. I had been obsessed with jewellery brands for years—following trends and designing my own pieces but never actually making them. In April, I had an opportunity to meet with a supplier, and that’s how it all accidentally began!
I was so surprised by how high prices are in the fine jewellery market; it feels like such a huge barrier to entry for so many people. Being able to design affordable fine jewellery at a range of price points just felt like the right fit for me.
A: That’s such an inspiring start! What was it like taking the leap from designing jewellery for yourself to creating a brand for others?
R: It was amazing—a huge, scary step, but so exciting! Jewellery is such a personal and emotional purchase, especially when it’s for milestones like birthdays, engagements, or weddings. Knowing that people trust me with those significant moments in their lives is incredible—it’s something I’ll never take for granted.
A: That must be incredibly rewarding. Do you have a personal favourite piece from your collection?
R: I absolutely love The Florence, which I named after my great-grandmother. It’s the perfect eternity band, with brilliant-cut diamonds that catch everyone’s eye—I get compliments every time I wear it. It’s such a timeless design, and it feels so special to me personally.
A: The Florence sounds stunning, and what a beautiful tribute to your great-grandmother! When it comes to your designs, where do you find inspiration?
R: I think it’s quite hard to be unique in the world of jewellery, so I lean toward creating timeless, classical pieces that will stand the test of time. I want my designs to seamlessly layer with my clients’ existing collections or mix and match with other pieces from Rachel Muscat London.
I also draw inspiration from other women in the industry, like Ose Jewellery and Cece Jewellery. Their styles are very different from mine and from each other’s, but seeing their success is so empowering!
A: That’s a thoughtful approach. What do you hope your clients feel when they wear a piece from Rachel Muscat London?
R: I’d love for them to feel like the brand is part of their story, that they can make it their own. A lot of what I design is bespoke, which is magical because it allows customers to be part of the creative process. They get to feel like the designer too, which makes their jewellery even more personal.
A: That collaborative aspect sounds so special. What’s it like designing bespoke pieces for clients?
R: Honestly, it’s my favourite part of the job! When a client reaches out with a design idea or concept, I start by creating a mood board to determine the style, metal, gemstones, and any personal elements they’d like to include. Then, I create a CAD design so they can see their vision come to life. When I’m designing wedding bands, I even mock up their existing engagement ring in the CAD design so they can see how the two will look together. After the piece is made, the best part is seeing the client’s reaction—it never fails to make my heart sing!
A: That attention to detail is incredible. What’s one thing about running Rachel Muscat London that surprised you the most?
R: Definitely the timelines for the production process. Each step can take 4-7 weeks, which feels like such a long time. A lot of it is due to the supply chain, which has long lead times. But what I’ve realised is that every single piece I’ve made has been completely worth the wait.
A: It’s great to hear that the wait pays off! Looking ahead, what’s next for Rachel Muscat London?
R: I’m so excited about some new designs I’m working on—they’re being drawn up right now! I think about them constantly, and I can’t wait to share them.
A: That’s so exciting—new designs to look forward to! Lastly, what advice would you give to someone dreaming of starting their own jewellery brand?
R: Do it with love. As long as you love what you’re doing, everything will come together in the end. It can be tough because I’d say only 1 in 10 enquiries actually converts into a sale, but even with the clients I don’t get to work with, I treasure the interaction. As long as everything I do is rooted in love, I’m happy.
