My Story

Every piece of jewellery I create begins with a spark of inspiration – a place explored, a story overheard, a moment recalled. Hi, I'm Jitterbug founder and designer maker Rachel Kearsley and I remember my grandpa telling me a true tale that started my own journey into jewellery. As a soldier fighting in SE Asia, he once rescued a Burmese princess and was given a handful of rare and precious jewels as a token of gratitude. The story had a lasting effect on me, and I’ve been gemstone obsessed ever since.

Many years later, after dabbling at making jewellery as a hobby, I retrained, gaining my diploma in Jewellery Manufacturing & Design in Hatton Garden, London's world famous jewellery quarter. Soon afterwards, Jitterbug was born. Inspired by travel, history and diverse cultures, I regularly return to my grandpa's beloved Asia, and have travelled extensively throughout the world over the years. Searching out striking colours and stones, I find rich inspiration in exotic cultures, vibrant aesthetics and unforgettable stories that provide the creative spark for each new collection.

Colourful, creative and contemporary with a twist, my jewellery is handcrafted combining traditional and modern techniques with exceptional attention to detail. Using a variety of precious gemstones and crystals mixed with recycled sterling silver and gold, each piece is designed and handmade by me in my Sussex studio. I design for women who are looking for jewellery that’s effortlessly wearable. They want to look as captivating wearing my pieces with a T-shirt and jeans as they do with a cocktail dress. Like the wearer, I create pieces that are confident and individual and that capture the spirit of something meaningful for each individual owner.  Above all, I try to encapsulate the magic and beauty of gemstones in timeless pieces of jewellery.