Berganza was founded by Paul Daughters following his apprenticeship as a polisher in Hatton Garden. By the age of just 18, he owned the largest lapidary company in England, and employed some of the finest craftsmen in the trade. Commissions for the likes of Kutchinsky, Garrard, and Asprey firmly cemented his reputation within the jewellery industry. After travelling the world in search of the best quality gemstones, he discovered they were featured primarily in antique jewellery. Berganza was then established in 1985, offering these exquisite gems to the public, alongside an extensive bespoke and repair service. The first shop opened in the picturesque village of Long Melford and very soon the shop moved to Hatton Garden, to be closer to the workshops and buying department. With a desire to offer only the finest jewellery, Berganza soon specialised solely in historic pieces and today the showroom houses the largest collection in Europe of ancient, antique and vintage jewellery, lovingly curated over the past five decades.
Charles Daughters got a prospecting licence in Australia to look for gold and opals. Bringing his family with him from Folkestone in the UK, so began a family passion for gemstones and jewellery that would be passed down through generations.
Upon moving back to England Paul, Charles’ son, studied gemmology and metalworking.
At the age of 16 Paul Daughters began his apprenticeship as a polisher at a prestigious lapidary company in Hatton Garden.
By 1972, he owned his own business. P. J. Daughters Ltd. Located on the top floor of 34-35 Hatton Garden it was the largest lapidary workshop in England with 18 lapidars and 3 secretaries.
The company worked on cutting fine gemstones and objet d'art. From making stone watch faces for Swiss firms such as Piaget, to crafting caviar rock crystal bowls set with precious gems and invisible clocks for customers including Asprey’s, Kutchinsky and Garrad, the firm quickly cemented its reputation in the jewellery trade.
Paul made frequent ventures to mines in Africa to acquire gemstones, including emeralds from Zambia, tanzanite and tsavorite garnet from Africa, and amethyst from Brazil. These would all be brought back to be cut and polished in Hatton Garden.
Alongside the lapidary company, and with a discerning eye for quality gems, Paul set up Investment Jewels ltd and began trading in fine gemstones.
In search of high quality gems, trips to mines continued, with gold and gemstones acquired in Sierra Leone, as well as emeralds from Afghanistan.
His reputation preceded him and in 1981 Paul had the honour of being asked to repolish the sapphire in the engagement ring that had been bought by Prince Charles for Lady Diana Spencer, today worn by Catherine, Princess of Wales.
In 1985 Berganza the jewellers was established, bringing together both the lapidary business and Investment Jewels ltd. The original retail shop was located in Long Melford. A picturesque town with many antique wares, Berganza quickly began acquiring historic jewellery.
As good quality gemstones from mines were becoming harder to acquire, Berganza turned to antique pieces to find the finest gems and soon discovered that these jewels also showcased the most incredible craftsmanship and unique designs that simply could not be found elsewhere.
In the early 1990s, Berganza moved to its current location at 88-90 Hatton Garden to combine the workshop, the showroom and the buying centre in one premises.
The central part of the showroom featured both a diamond cutting workshop and a lapidary workshop, where customers were able to see the restoration and cutting of gemstones first hand.
All equipment in the workshops were made by Paul and his team. From the carpentry of the benches themselves, to the making of circular blades for sawing gemstones, many tools could no longer be bought. These crafts had been passed down through the generations.
The new millennium saw Berganza become the first shop in Hatton Garden to solely sell antique jewellery, creating the market for antique engagement rings.
Berganza prides itself on creating the first jewellers website in England.
Paul’s son, Justin joins the family business.
In 2012 Berganza expanded the premises at 88-90 Hatton Garden to create an in-house laboratory with state of the art gemmological and metal testing equipment, and research library.
In 2014 Berganza wrote and published a book on the History of Marriage Rings.
In 2017 Justin took over as Managing Director.
In 2021 Berganza acquired the shop next door and the showroom underwent a large- scale renovation and expansion to encompass our ever-growing collection.
In 2024 Berganza acquired an office and photo studio to house our growing digital and marketing team.