All That Glitters interview with Katherine Ryan

All That Glitters is a show all about hunting for the UK’s next up-and-coming jewellery star. Hosted by the fabulous Katherine Ryan, the six-part series takes place in a specially built workshop nestled in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter, home to more jewellers than anywhere else in Europe. Here, Ryan will welcome a fresh batch of talented jewellers each hoping to prove they’re the next big name in jewellery. We speak to Katherine Ryan, the presenter of the BBC’s new jewellery competition.

The latest series welcomes new judge Dinny Hall, a jewellery world titan with over 35 years’ experience in jewellery making, who has created pieces for celebrity A-listers across the world. Alongside jewellery royalty Shaun Leane who returns as a judge, each episode they will decide who has earned the coveted title of Jeweller Of The Week – and who will be leaving the competition.

Katherine Ryan Interview

Welcome back to the workroom! How did it feel to be back for a second series?

It was great to be back in Birmingham! It’s incredible to see how much the first series of All That Glitters resonated with jewellers across the UK, and how many were inspired by the show. Showing the beautiful work and talent of this season’s jewellers to audiences is going to be a thrill.

We had an amazing cast and one jeweller with a truly incredible story: he started to make jewellery whilst he was living in the Calais jungle, having walked there from Syria, and he’s now settled in the UK. We get to see his heritage in his work and it’s so beautiful. We also have a Brummy jeweller who could not be more proud of her hometown, weaving a little bit of it in to all her creations. But honestly, they’re all so talented.

The first series of All that Glitters was such a success, what do you think made it such a hit?

Jewellery making is so visual and satisfying to watch, but it’s the jewellers themselves that make the show unmissable. They’re all so warm and different, and they all have uniquely compelling personalities and stories that they bring into their craft.

Hugo, our winner from series one, has gone on to do amazing things and launched the most beautiful collections, I think he has been nominated for an award too. That’s pretty amazing. It’s a cliché but proves that this show really can change our jeweller’s lives.

And we have a new judge, Dinny Hall. How was it working with her and Shaun?

I had been a longtime fan of Dinny’s jewellery – she’s created some incredible jewellery for all kinds of A-listers all over the world – and to know her in person just makes me love her work more. She’s hilarious, sweet and effervescent, but also an absolute expert in her field as a maker with a keen eye for detail and story. So our jewellers won’t be in for an easy ride; she and Shaun are absolute forces to be reckoned with. I love Shaun and it’s been joyous seeing him get his loupe out again. He likes to do that.

Did you do anything differently this series with the contestants?

I saw some comments online saying I shouldn’t joke around so much when the jewellers are trying to complete a serious assignment, so I just did more of that really this time.

Are there any funny or dramatic moments that jump to mind from this series?

It was amazing to have Shirley Ballas as a celebrity guest client. It was a very tense challenge for the jewellers who were all desperate to have their piece worn on an episode of Strictly Come Dancing. There are some real gut-wrenching moments this series too where pieces break at the last minute or just that the jewellers just don’t finish in time. You spend so much time with them you want everyone to do well and when it goes wrong it’s awful. But it does make great TV…

Has the series changed how you shop for jewellery? What are your favourite pieces?

I borrow a lot of jewellery and own very little, but All That Glitters has inspired me to investigate more local artists and invest in their work. It’s so easy to forget the hours of work that go in to designing and making jewellery, but seeing it being crafted in front of you really brings it home. I love rings and broaches.

Was there a piece from the series you wish you could keep?

The jewellers made very ornate modern earcuffs for a special client and I loved those, but overall the pearl challenges are my favourite. I love every piece that comes from a pearl.

From spinner rings to mismatched earrings, engagement rings to hairpins, each episode of All That Glitters sees the jewellers face two real-world challenges: The Bestseller, where they are tasked to design the latest must-have piece that everyone will want, and The Bespoke, where they create a one-off piece for some very special clients from all walks of life.

Gleaming with gemstones and precious metals, All That Glitters gives a fascinating insight in to the craftmanship and hard work that goes into creating stunning bespoke jewellery that will last forever.