Statement Jewels is an appointment only jewellery business owned and operated by certified appraisal expert in jewels and golden objects, Mart van Drunen. At any one time the Statement Jewels collection may comprise important pieces crafted in the 19th Century, all the way through to contemporary designs from the latest season. Yet these individual articles will always share three things in common: quality, craftsmanship and passion.

Mart first entered the jewellery business at age five, when at a diamond dealer his mother asked his opinion on the diamonds she was buying. Three parts instinct and two parts her guidance, he managed to pick out the best stones. From that moment on he has never passed up any opportunity to train his eye and add to his extensive knowledge of jewellery, art and art history.

As a teenager Mart attended many antique fairs and exhibitions, then in the early nineties took a part-time job in antiques, while studying for his Masters in Art History from Utrecht University. He has worked with porcelain, silver, and paintings, and with furniture at Sotheby's, but jewellery has always been his passion. Piece by piece he has slowly built up a collection comprising a diverse range of styles from Victorian and Belle Epoque, to Art Deco and Contemporary.

For a time Mart ran a jewellery business on Amsterdam's Nieuwe Spiegelstraat, but soon decided a storefront was not his style of business. Because of his varied commitments travelling to exhibitions, auctions and appraisal assignments, it was not easy to maintain regular store hours. But even more so, Mart found the 'shop' atmosphere less than ideal for his way of selling.

Mart believes people should be free to take their time when buying jewellery, to find out how pieces feel on the body. Coffee, champagne, conversation, clothing and hair changes, and trips to the mirror are all integral to the experience. In a shop these things are rarely possible; by private appointment however, time is no barrier.

To keep current with the state of the business, Mart is a regular attendee at jewellery fairs in Europe, North America and South East Asia. For more information of this specific aspect of Mart's business, please visit the Appraise page here.

Pictured left: Statement Jewels at Primavera 2010 - Art, Antiques, Jewellery - Rotterdam.