Then & Now: Jewellery Through The Ages With Sam Stirrat

Not many jewellers can say they made their first piece of jewellery at the age of nine, but Sam, the founder of Blackacre did just that. Collecting gemstones as a child, his hobby quickly evolved into jewellery making.

By his early teens, Sam had turned his bedroom into a workshop and was creating sterling silver and semi-precious gemstone jewellery purchased through Kernowcraft.

It was not until August 2017, that Sam founded Blackacre. The product of a lifelong passion, Blackacre specialise in the creation of the highest quality bespoke diamond and gemstone jewellery.

The company primarily specialises in bespoke engagement rings but more importantly are seeking to define a new era of responsible luxury, focusing on consumer experiences and sustainable best practices.

Sam has collected gemstones since childhood...

An image of the gemstone collection from Sam's childhood which is still in place at his parent's house to this day.

It was at an art fair that Sam took his first jewellery making lesson alongside his mother. From that moment on, he was entirely self-taught and fuelled by a passion for gemstones and jewellery that is still with him today.

Sam's earliest creations, age 9

Sam developed his skills, focusing initially on using wire working techniques with metal wire and gemstone beads.

Early teens...

Sam's jewellery making started to evolve to incorporate a number of ready-made components...

Learning from mistakes at 16...

At the age of 16, he started to teach himself some more advanced techniques such as soldering - which resulted in a lot of expensive mistakes!

Whilst at university...

Sam created his own business under the name of Samuel J Stirrat which he was awarded a Kickstarter Entrepreneurs bursary. Primarily listed on Etsy, an item would sell from time to time but all too infrequently...

The pearl bracelet featured above was sold through Etsy and would become a milestone moment in years to come. The client that bought the bracelet was so pleased with it, he contacted Sam to find out if he could do an engagement ring as well. Not wanting to say no to an opportunity, Sam responded with - "of course we do." Later that month, the client from Wales came down to London to visit a fresh-faced 21-year-old Sam and not long after that the engagement ring featured was created, with a diamond sourced from Kernowcraft.

A few years later Sam launched Blackacre and we caught up with him at the time! Read our blog post here

Featuring Blackacre designs including a solitaire engagement ring with knife edge pavé set diamond band and The Blackacre Yellow inspired by the summer sun and British fields of sunflower.

Blackacre continues to go from strength to strength...

Based in a first floor workshop in the heart of Hatton Garden, the team primarily specialise in bespoke engagement rings but more recently launched a high jewellery collection. In the last year, they have partnered with Laurent Perrier and have gained new clients as far a field as Hong Kong. If you have not seen it already, the website is well worth exploring!

Founder of Blackacre, Sam on set with Threadgold in 2019.

'The Blackacre Blue' ring with rare natural coloured diamonds, inspired by the elegant and tranquil Cornish Coastline in the West of England.

From Bedroom To London Suite & Workshop...

Blackacre's top floor suite, which sits above their workshop - providing privacy and discretion for client appointments.

"We shy away from a traditional retail sales approach, instead of making it our mission to educate our clients in the location where our rings are made and introduce them to the skilled craftsmen who make them..."

At Kernowcraft, we are incredibly proud to see how far Sam has come since ordering his supplies with us from the age of 9! Check out Blackacre's links below to explore their collection of stunning engagement and high jewellery. Or check out our interview with Sam all about his business on the blog.

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What Our Customers Say...

Frank Wilson

I have grown as a jewellery maker over the last year or so due to the encouragement the team have given me - they are all experienced jewellery makers or keen crafters. They have helped to guide me through my inventory, offered helpful tips and advice on all manner of silver working.

Claire Hall

Kernowcraft is my go to for all my gemstones! Their stones are the first ones I show when offering my clients stone choices and I can't recommend their customer service enough! This is a company that cares!

Claire

I just wanted to say a big thank you for the beautiful sapphires that arrived today. Hannah picked out just what I wanted and I’m over the moon with them.

Gloria Williams

I just came across your online shop and my first reaction was wow! It has everything i need to carry on with my jewellery making. I've seen things that i have been looking for and couldn't find in so many other shops!

Lauren Jodie Piercy

Beautiful gemstones and a lot of choice. Running competitions and being interactive as well really sets them apart. Keep up the interesting content.

Dorota Todd

I just wanted to say how impressed I am with the quality of pearls in my recent order! Thank you so much for taking time and matching them into pairs, it's very appreciated. Thank you and I am definitely going to buy at your store in the future.

Frank Wilson

It is always a joy to deal with your Company and your hints and tips always help me to improve my skills and encourage my interests. Thank you for caring about us small enthusiastic silversmiths!

Jaquie

It can be difficult to order gemstones online - no such worries with Kernowcraft - you really do care about your products & clients and it shows.

Jill Hammersely

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Sarah Tiley

Whenever I feel unsure as to where to purchase any stones or jewellery requirements I always go back to what is familiar. Thank you Kernowcraft for being true to your customers.

Maggi Henman

I’ve just had my first order from you and I am so pleased with the fast delivery and the quality of the products. The satin cords and the findings really finished off my ceramic jewellery.

Eve

The stones are excellent quality, and the special request I put in for dark citrines and paired malachites has been met perfectly. I am delighted with Kernowcraft, and will be back!

Christine Wood

Just want to say a very big thank you for your quick delivery and excellent service. The stones I ordered arrived this morning, the quality and price are second to none. I was delighted with my purchase. Thank you so much.

Deborah Roberts-Barter

I have sent a couple of email enquiries today, which have been really quickly answered. This customer service is what made me order with you straight away!

Helen

Just wanted to say thank you for picking such beautiful stones for my order. I'm halfway through making a ring for my daughter and the rose cut rainbow moonstones are particularly yummy. Thank you!

Vivienne Sadler

Always too many temptations, but a joy to look through. Thank you for such good service. I have to be very strict with myself when I visit your website!

April Luescher

Beautiful quality and colours - I rarely buy semi-precious stones anywhere else these days. Very helpful, superb service, speedy delivery. What more could anyone want?

Denise Mountain Pike

I recently ordered a couple of replacement stones from you and I'd just like to say how happy I am with my purchase and very impressed with the friendly helpful service you gave. Thank you very much.

I added a special request for moonstones with strong blue/green flashes and received 3 briolettes which were exactly that - some of the prettiest moonstones I’ve seen. Thank you!

Hayley Meredith

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Lenna

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Rhiannon Piper

The opal I received is absolutely amazing and just perfect. Its such a beautiful stone and I tried it with my wedding dress yesterday and its just set it off so well.

Daniel Coe

The customer service I have received from you and the help has been second to none. If only all companies were so helpful and understanding that i am a complete newbie. The retail world would be a better place.

Joel Martin

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Catherine Warwick

Just received my order that I placed only yesterday. I wanted to say thank you! I am delighted with the choice of cabochon, setting and books. Now I have to read up on how to set it! FABULOUS SERVICE - Thank you!

Lydia Farrow

Just to say that I have always had the best possible results for every order - however small and all your products are of excellent quality.

Mihaela Ciubotaru

I am very happy with my products... it is wonderful to have a reliable source of materials and gems with a fast delivery and a lot of tips on how to use the tools we buy.

George Inglis

Great looking website, one of the best I've seen and used. Good search function, good range of products, good prices and great advice for jewellery makers of all abilities. All-in-all a great site and one I'll use again and again.

Helen Bowles

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Kim Thomson

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Jenny Kirkwood

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Janice Scragg

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Lynn Carson

I bought the sand dollar charm to make a holiday bracelet. It’s really lovely, subtle and pretty detail. Perfect piece and exactly as described.

Julia Schofield

I’ve used Kernowcraft as a supplier for findings and pearls since beginning my business 8 years ago, because I know I can absolutely rely on the quality I get. The service is pretty impeccable too.

Marshal

Thank you to the lady who went to a great deal of trouble to find a very small opal that fitted a bezel cup. The work is now complete and looks very nice - my wife is delighted with the result.

Catriona

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