This April, Chichester jeweller Timothy Roe Fine Jewellery celebrates 30 years in business – marking three decades of craftsmanship, creativity and bespoke jewellery design.
Founded by local goldsmith Tim Roe, the business has grown from a small independent workshop into a thriving team of 16 specialists, creating handcrafted gold jewellery, diamond rings and one-of-a-kind commissions for customers across the region.
Chichester born and raised businessman
Born and raised in the Chichester area, Tim developed an early interest in creativity through his father Charlie, a market gardener who was also a photographer, painter and wood carver. After studying art and product design at Worthing Art College, Tim took his first steps into the jewellery trade at the workshop of C.C. Allen & Son in South Street. After running a jewellery partnership for a decade, Tim decided to strike out on his own in 1995, focusing on designing and making new jewellery inspired by historic styles.
“I had no grand plan at the beginning,” Tim recalls. “I simply wanted to set up independently and focus on making new jewellery. I’ve always been fascinated by jewellery history, and that has always influenced my designs.”
Moving with the times
By 1996 the Timothy Roe shop had opened, specialising in gold jewellery, diamond rings and bespoke commissions. Demand quickly grew as customers sought more personal and meaningful pieces. Over the following decades the business expanded steadily, embracing new technology alongside traditional craftsmanship. Timothy Roe was among the early adopters of computer-aided design (CAD) in jewellery, later investing in 3D printing and building a highly skilled in-house workshop team.
“It’s been essential to adapt,” Tim says. “CAD allowed us to design exactly what customers wanted and show them the piece before it was made. By combining technology with skilled craftspeople in one workshop, we can create truly original jewellery.”
Today the company includes goldsmiths, apprentices, designers, gemmologists and customer sales consultants, with Tim now leading the business alongside his son Dan Roe. Each month nearly 400 commissions, repairs and remodelling projects pass through the workshop.
Essential craftmanship
For Tim, the heart of the business remains the craft itself. “The most rewarding part is designing something personal for a customer and seeing their reaction when they receive it,” he says. “When designers, goldsmiths and stone setters are working together in the same workshop, ideas evolve and the final piece becomes something really special.”
30-year celebrations
To celebrate the 30-year milestone, Timothy Roe Fine Jewellery will host a variety of anniversary celebrations starting 1st April, with giveaways, special offers and in-store surprises throughout the month. Customers are encouraged to follow the jeweller on Instagram or sign up to the newsletter for the first updates about the celebrations.
Reflecting on the journey so far, Tim says the passion for jewellery has never faded. “Every project still brings a new challenge,” he says. “And if I had the chance to start all over again, I’d do it 100%. I’ve loved every minute of it.”
Find out more about the celebrations and how you can get involved by visiting – timothyroe.com
