Joe Lee

Independent Senior Gemologist Advisor within the Elites Only Club International Advisory Network, with an agreed scope covering private online gemmological consultations, Investment Gemstones Masterclasses and specialist advisory assignments on a project basis.  My role is focused on objective, science-based gemmological expertise across diamonds and coloured gemstones, including quality assessment, treatments, geographical origin, rarity and laboratory report interpretation.  The Investment Gemstones Masterclass is designed to help private clients, UHNW investors and Family Offices evaluate gemstones through a structured framework covering asset quality, verification, valuation, entry discipline, risk, liquidity and exit strategy.  The role maintains a clear distinction between independent gemmological assessment and investment decision-making. As Senior Gemologist Advisor, I remain independent from gemstone sales, pricing, brokerage and transaction execution.

Providing independent commercial, operational and technical advisory support to jewellery businesses, industry professionals and selected private clients across the international luxury jewellery sector. Drawing on nearly 30 years of experience across High Jewellery manufacturing, sourcing, operations, inventory, product development and luxury retail, I assess opportunities from both a technical and commercial perspective — connecting jewellery expertise with practical business strategy. Current areas of focus include: • Commercial strategy, product positioning and international market-entry analysis • Supplier evaluation, sourcing research, procurement support and product feasibility • Jewellery operations, inventory management and supply-chain improvement • Market intelligence across luxury jewellery, diamonds, coloured gemstones and emerging product categories • Jewellery specifications, product development and manufacturing feasibility • Luxury retail, client-development strategy and commercial opportunity assessment • Strategic relationship development across manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and jewellery businesses in the UK, Europe and Asia • Independent strategic case studies addressing positioning, go-to-market planning and commercial development Recent strategic work has included an independent UK market-positioning study for DAJIN Jewellery/BRIJIN, examining how an unconventional lightweight jewellery proposition could be translated into a credible luxury value proposition for the UK market. The work covered product positioning, reframing low material weight as a design and engineering achievement, repositioning proprietary material innovation, strengthening aesthetic authority and developing a phased UK market-entry pathway through selective distribution and direct commercial engagement. Documented feedback from DAJIN’s CEO confirmed that the strategic input contributed to further thinking around BRIJIN’s international luxury positioning.

At Kojis Jewellery within Liberty London, I combined luxury retail, technical jewellery expertise and operational coordination within one of the UK’s most iconic department stores. Working with antique jewellery, exceptional diamonds and coloured gemstones, I advised private clients on high-value purchases while supporting inventory control, workshop coordination, hallmarking, repairs, bespoke requirements and aftercare. During my time at Kojis, I contributed approximately £450,000 in annual boutique sales while maintaining high standards of technical advisory, operational accuracy and personalised client service. Key Achievements： • Contributed approximately £450,000 in annual boutique sales through technically informed Fine Jewellery advisory and personalised client service. • Built trusted relationships with new and returning private clients, supporting repeat business through gemmological expertise and tailored follow-up. • Provided specialist guidance on antique jewellery, exceptional diamonds, coloured gemstones and bespoke requirements. • Coordinated UK hallmarking, Assay Office submissions, repairs, alterations and bespoke work with specialist goldsmiths and external workshops. • Coordinated repair and bespoke quotations through to client approval and completion. • Prepared insurance valuation specification sheets for private clients. • Supported gemstone sourcing and ordering, advising management on stone quality, suitability and specifications. • Served as a key technical resource for jewellery construction, gemstone quality and product specifications.

Representing Graff Diamonds, I worked within one of the world’s leading High Jewellery houses, advising ultra-high-net-worth private clients on exceptional diamonds, rare coloured gemstones and High Jewellery in an environment where discretion, technical accuracy and exceptional client service were fundamental. Combining gemmological expertise with relationship-led selling, I supported private appointments, exclusive viewings and significant high-value purchases while coordinating closely with operations, security, logistics and master workshop teams. During my time at Graff, I generated approximately £1.5–£2 million in annual sales while supporting the daily activities of a six-person luxury sales team and maintaining rigorous standards across client service, inventory control and high-value jewellery operations. Key Achievements： • Generated approximately £1.5–£2 million in annual sales advising UHNW private clients on exceptional diamonds, rare gemstones and High Jewellery. • Built and maintained trusted long-term relationships through discreet, technically informed and highly personalised advisory. • Supported private appointments, exclusive viewings and high-value jewellery presentations. • Supervised the daily activities of a six-person luxury sales team, supporting service standards and boutique performance. • Maintained strict inventory auditing, stock rotation and secure management of multi-million-pound diamond and High Jewellery collections. • Coordinated product, documentation, logistics and workshop requirements with global operations, security and master workshop teams. • Supported repeat-purchase development through detailed understanding of individual client preferences.

Working within a small, highly collaborative wholesale jewellery business, I supported operations, commercial activities and international exhibitions across multiple business functions. Rather than working within a narrowly defined role, I contributed across manufacturing workflow, inventory allocation, supplier coordination, cross-border logistics and exhibition activity. This experience strengthened my commercial awareness, operational versatility and ability to adapt quickly within a dynamic business environment. Key Achievements： • Supported business operations across manufacturing, inventory, logistics, supplier coordination and international jewellery exhibitions. • Supported a major jewellery exhibition generating approximately HK$970,000 in sales. • Supported B2B buyers through targeted product selection and stock allocation. • Coordinated production priorities, inventory allocation, product availability and cross-border logistics. • Reviewed manufacturing and operational workflows, identifying bottlenecks and implementing practical process improvements. • Maintained accurate inventory and operational information while coordinating suppliers, internal teams and external partners. • Gained basic practical experience using Orbitvu product-photography equipment while supporting jewellery presentation and operational activities. • Worked closely with the business owner on operational planning, commercial activities and cross-border coordination.

Leading production operations at Lili Jewellery, I managed end-to-end Fine and High Jewellery manufacturing across production planning, workshop coordination, quality control, gemstone requirements, technical development and final delivery. Working with specialist external workshops, gemstone suppliers and international luxury clients, I managed multiple concurrent projects while balancing technical complexity, material availability, craftsmanship, cost and delivery requirements. The role combined production leadership with gemmological and technical expertise, translating design intent into manufacturable, quality-controlled outcomes. Key Achievements： • Managed approximately 20–30 live production jobs during peak periods, coordinating workshop capacity, supplier schedules, materials and delivery priorities. • Managed a technically demanding High Jewellery project involving nearly 200 precision-matched square emerald-cut diamonds under an accelerated production schedule. • Acted as the principal technical and manufacturing liaison supporting Louis Vuitton Paris High Jewellery, including evaluation of Patent Cut diamond integration. • Provided technical direction to CAD designers, reviewing and refining files to address construction, stone-setting and manufacturing requirements before production. • Introduced a manufacturing technique inspired by Swiss watch-setting methods to improve brilliance consistency across pavé-set jewellery. • Coordinated specialist workshops, gemstone sourcing and quality control across technically complex projects. • Supported the development and production of Titanium High Jewellery and bespoke enamel commissions.

Within KGK Jewellery’s Jewellery Division, I played a key coordination role between production, inventory, procurement and gemstone departments, helping ensure the efficient execution of jewellery manufacturing operations. Working closely with the Jewellery Department Manager, I coordinated internal production requirements, gemstone allocation and operational planning while strengthening collaboration across multiple business functions. The experience built my understanding of jewellery manufacturing, workflow coordination and production planning, providing the foundation for my progression into Production Management.

Beginning my career in luxury jewellery retail, I developed a strong foundation in diamonds, coloured gemstones and client advisory while working with one of Hong Kong’s established independent jewellery retailers. Progressing from Shop Assistant to Sales Executive, I built practical experience in jewellery sales, gemstone knowledge and relationship management, developing the technical and commercial skills that would shape my future career in the luxury jewellery industry. Key Achievements • Promoted from Shop Assistant to Sales Executive in recognition of strong performance and professional development. • Advised clients on diamonds, coloured gemstones and fine jewellery, delivering personalised service and building long-term customer relationships. • Developed a solid foundation in luxury jewellery sales, gemstone identification and client consultation. • Strengthened commercial awareness through day-to-day retail operations, inventory support and customer relationship management. • Built the technical knowledge and client-focused approach that became the foundation of my subsequent roles in jewellery operations, production management and luxury retail.