Meet Helen

helen, abridged

Helen is a specialist in jewellery both modern and historical. A qualified gemmologist and diamond grader, Helen has nurtured her passion for both people and the pieces they wear through a 20-year-strong career that has taken her from the busy delights of the auction house to senior roles in respected jewellery retailers Tiffany & Co. and Green + Benz, to running her own consultancy as a leading industry expert.


Helen loves the stories and sentiments that lay behind what draws us to a piece of jewellery, or even to a particular gemstone. Her innate warmth, insight and enthusiasm for the subject not only guides her clients to understand their own jewellery preferences but also shines through in her exuberant talks and training sessions.

HELEN, ABRIDGED
HELEN’S STORY

Helen’s Story

Helen became captivated by jewellery at a young age, dressing up in her grandmother Annie’s costume jewellery. Her future career fell into place at the age of 16, when she saw an image of Tutankhamun’s intricate gold chestplate; her fascination with the beauty of jewellery – and its personal and cultural significance – blossomed.

Helen went on to study an Art History degree at Manchester University, followed by a postgraduate diploma in Museum and Art Gallery studies, both of which underpin her understanding of paintings, sculpture and architecture alongside the historical and cultural context of all decorative arts, including jewellery.

Helen also has a deep love for ballet, having trained since the age of 3.

Helen’s Career

Academic theory is undeniably invaluable, but Helen wasted no time in eagerly establishing a richly-rewarding career. Starting out at an auction house, then moving on to royal warrant holders Bentley & Skinner, followed by the infamous Tiffany & Co. in London’s Bond Street, to owning her very own award-winning independent retail jeweller Green + Benz. Phew!

After selling the Green + Benz business with a proud and tearful farewell, Helen now excels as an independent consultant. She guides private individuals through the often bewildering process of choosing the right gemstones, precious metals, settings and design to arrive at the perfect jewellery gift, and assists corporate clients with identifying new sales opportunities, building strong business relationships and developing experiential brands.

Helen has also teamed up with a number of independent designer-makers and industry friends for bespoke collaborations and featured collections, including London-based luxury jewellers PureJewels and online retailer Chelsea Rocks.

Helen is now consulting and speaking globally at conferences, events and for TV. With exciting future plans in the pipeline, keep watching this space!

HELEN’S CAREER
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

Fellow of the Gemmological Association (FGA)

Qualified Diamond Grader (DGA)

Assay Office Guardian, Sheffield Assay Office

Retail Ambassador at the National Association of Jewellers

Former retailer and interim business leader of the Company of Master Jewellers (CMJ) buying group

Jewellery and Accessories Retailer of the Year award at the Chesterfield Retail Awards, 2017*

Independent Retailer of the Year for the UK Jewellery Awards, 2016*

Featured as one of Professional Jeweller’s HOT 100 RETAIL STARS, 2016*

Winner of the CMJ Retailer of the Year award and Supplier of the Year award, 2013*

Winner of The Anderson Medal and Trade Prize for one of the highest grades worldwide, from The Gemmological Association of Great Britain, 2000

Winner of The Christie’s Prize for Gemmology (then known as the Diploma Trade Prize), 2000

(*for Green + Benz)

Charitable Commitment

Helen has set up ‘Annie’s Legacy’, an initiative in memory of her beloved grandmother who first kindled in her a love of jewellery. ‘Annie’s Legacy’ will allow jewellery left behind by loved ones to be treasured forever, with network of workshops available to resize rings, remodel jewellery, recycle gold for cash or even create bespoke items. A 15% contribution to the East Cheshire Hospice will be made for all works undertaken or purchases made in memory of a loved one.

CHARITABLE COMMITMENT

Latest Press

how to sell in a post-covid world

Helen writes for Attire Accessories magazine on ‘how to sell in a post-covid world

press

sept 17 2021

READ ON >

Helen and Phil Ainsworth’s wedding

Helen and Phil Ainsworth’s wedding featured in The Times

press

FEB 11 2021

READ ON >

Latest news from Helen HQ

Helen brings the Bling to new ITV show

Helen brings the Bling to new ITV show

OCT 11 2021

Sharing her expertise and love of jewellery with the one and only Gok Wan, Helen will be featured in ITV’s new daytime series Bling, starting 11 October, which delves into the dazzling world of jewellery and beyond.

The show explores buying and selling to fixing and making beautiful bespoke eye-catching pieces, with charismatic experts (including our very own Helen!) on hand to guide, advise and get the best deals. The series is full of heart-warming stories as excited couples seek that perfect wedding band, sell a hidden gem such as delicate jewellery, fix a much-loved family treasure, or even create a one-off bespoke item. Customers also share the more emotive stories behind their trinkets – beloved family heirlooms they hope are not damaged beyond repair or treasured objects belonging to a departed loved one. Meanwhile, the craft experts at the fix and make counters will have their skills stretched as they work on everything from necklaces to pocket watches. All are set to be wowed and surprised. Join Gok and the team as eye-catching items, emotional stories, hard bargains and quick deals collide under one roof.

Bling begins Monday 11 October on ITV.

Meet Helen

helen, abridged

Helen is a specialist in jewellery both modern and historical. A qualified gemmologist and diamond grader, Helen has nurtured her passion for both people and the pieces they wear through a 20-year-strong career that has taken her from the busy delights of the auction house to senior roles in respected jewellery retailers Tiffany & Co. and Green + Benz, to running her own consultancy as a leading industry expert.


Helen loves the stories and sentiments that lay behind what draws us to a piece of jewellery, or even to a particular gemstone. Her innate warmth, insight and enthusiasm for the subject not only guides her clients to understand their own jewellery preferences but also shines through in her exuberant talks and training sessions.

Helen’s Story

Helen’s Story

Helen became captivated by jewellery at a young age, dressing up in her grandmother Annie’s costume jewellery. Her future career fell into place at the age of 16, when she saw an image of Tutankhamun’s intricate gold chestplate; her fascination with the beauty of jewellery – and its personal and cultural significance – blossomed.

Helen went on to study an Art History degree at Manchester University, followed by a postgraduate diploma in Museum and Art Gallery studies, both of which underpin her understanding of paintings, sculpture and architecture alongside the historical and cultural context of all decorative arts, including jewellery.

Helen also has a deep love for ballet, having trained since the age of 3.

HELEN’S CAREER

Helen’s Career

Academic theory is undeniably invaluable, but Helen wasted no time in eagerly establishing a richly-rewarding career. Starting out at an auction house, then moving on to royal warrant holders Bentley & Skinner, followed by the infamous Tiffany & Co. in London’s Bond Street, to owning her very own award-winning independent retail jeweller Green + Benz. Phew!

After selling the Green + Benz business with a proud and tearful farewell, Helen now excels as an independent consultant. She guides private individuals through the often bewildering process of choosing the right gemstones, precious metals, settings and design to arrive at the perfect jewellery gift, and assists corporate clients with identifying new sales opportunities, building strong business relationships and developing experiential brands.

Helen has also teamed up with a number of independent designer-makers and industry friends for bespoke collaborations and featured collections, including London-based luxury jewellers PureJewels and online retailer Chelsea Rocks.

Helen is now consulting and speaking globally at conferences, events and for TV. With exciting future plans in the pipeline, keep watching this space!

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

Fellow of the Gemmological Association (FGA)

Qualified Diamond Grader (DGA)

Assay Office Guardian, Sheffield Assay Office

Retail Ambassador at the National Association of Jewellers

Former retailer and interim business leader of the Company of Master Jewellers (CMJ) buying group

Jewellery and Accessories Retailer of the Year award at the Chesterfield Retail Awards, 2017*

Independent Retailer of the Year for the UK Jewellery Awards, 2016*

Featured as one of Professional Jeweller’s HOT 100 RETAIL STARS, 2016*

Winner of the CMJ Retailer of the Year award and Supplier of the Year award, 2013*

Winner of The Anderson Medal and Trade Prize for one of the highest grades worldwide, from The Gemmological Association of Great Britain, 2000

Winner of The Christie’s Prize for Gemmology (then known as the Diploma Trade Prize), 2000

(*for Green + Benz)

CHARITABLE COMMITMENT

Charitable Commitment

Helen has set up ‘Annie’s Legacy’, an initiative in memory of her beloved grandmother who first kindled in her a love of jewellery. ‘Annie’s Legacy’ will allow jewellery left behind by loved ones to be treasured forever, with network of workshops available to resize rings, remodel jewellery, recycle gold for cash or even create bespoke items. A 15% contribution to the East Cheshire Hospice will be made for all works undertaken or purchases made in memory of a loved one.

Latest Press

How to sell in a post-covid world

Helen writes for Attire Accessories magazine on ‘how to sell in a post-covid world’

press

sept 17 2021

READ ON >

Helen Dimmick in The Times Article

Helen and Phil Ainsworth’s wedding featured in The Times

press

FEB 11 2021

READ ON >

Latest news from Helen HQ

Helen brings the Bling to new ITV show

Helen brings the Bling to new ITV show

OCT 11 2021

Sharing her expertise and love of jewellery with the one and only Gok Wan, Helen will be featured in ITV’s new daytime series Bling, starting 11 October, which delves into the dazzling world of jewellery and beyond.

The show explores buying and selling to fixing and making beautiful bespoke eye-catching pieces, with charismatic experts (including our very own Helen!) on hand to guide, advise and get the best deals. The series is full of heart-warming stories as excited couples seek that perfect wedding band, sell a hidden gem such as delicate jewellery, fix a much-loved family treasure, or even create a one-off bespoke item. Customers also share the more emotive stories behind their trinkets – beloved family heirlooms they hope are not damaged beyond repair or treasured objects belonging to a departed loved one. Meanwhile, the craft experts at the fix and make counters will have their skills stretched as they work on everything from necklaces to pocket watches. All are set to be wowed and surprised. Join Gok and the team as eye-catching items, emotional stories, hard bargains and quick deals collide under one roof.

Bling begins Monday 11 October on ITV.