Marcia’s Story
Marcia started her career in London’s Hatton Garden, working for the gemstone dealer George Lindley Ltd. In the evenings she studied for her Fellowship of the Gemmological Association, which she was awarded with distinction in 1969. The Association’s diamond certificate followed, in 1970.
In 1970 Marcia joined the business of leading jewellery designer/goldsmith John Donald, where her responsibilities included sourcing stones. In 1972 she moved to Hong Kong and there she wrote and taught an FGA Diploma course, alongside other gemmology courses. Her work in Hong Kong included consulting for the Hong Kong Tourist Association which led to the start of her stone-trading enterprise.
Following her return to London in 1975, Marcia developed Marcia Lanyon Ltd alongside making necklaces and selling these direct to the public at Covent Garden market and through major stores such as Liberty.
By 1985 the company had three staff working from the ground floor of her house. It moved to freehold office premises in Hammersmith in 2001, by which time there were six staff. In 2017 the company managed over 14,000 lines of stock, using a computer-based stock coding system that is probably still unique.
At the end of 2017, Marcia announced her retirement and consequently closed her London show room. Her love of gems has proved as eternal as the stones themselves however. Through her semi-retirement she continues to fit her passion around more relaxing activities as she spends time with her grandchildren and travelling.
Marcia’s Legacy
Marcia herself has been a source of inspiration and support to up-and-coming jewellers and craftspeople throughout her career.
Her involvement in Gemstone education began in 1972 when she moved to Hong Kong. There she wrote and taught an FGA Diploma course, alongside other gemmology courses. Some of her students have gone on to become luminaries of the gemstone and jewellery business and she was acknowledged at a 2008 ceremony as the founder of gemmology education in Hong Kong. Since then, she has continued her encouragement of new talent with mentor-ship of young designer/makers for the Prince’s Trust and her sponsorship of prizes for the use of coloured stones in jewellery. In 1993 she became a Freeman of the Goldsmiths’ Company and from 1998 to 2003 was on the National Committee of the British Jewellery Association (now the NAJ).
Marcia Lanyon Limited still visits the UK’s leading art colleges and it has always prided itself in introducing tomorrow’s designers and makers to the wonderful opportunities offered by coloured gemstones. We are proud of building lasting relationships with thousands of designers and goldsmiths, supporting their gemstone needs from their very earliest collections.