HJI Behind the Scenes
Founded on a passion to inspire creativity and originality while equipping the next generation of designers with the technical skills to succeed, Hatton Jewellery Institute is led by Founder and Creative Director Nathalie Melville, Course Director Jan Preece and senior tutor and wax specialist Ruriko Ito. Specialist design tutors Bianca Chong and Rachel Yeung work with the HJI X Central Saint Martins students.
NATHALIE MELVILLE, FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR
A graduate of the prestigious Central St Martins Nathalie is a highly experienced jewellery designer and goldsmith, sustainability expert and creative education specialist.
The founder and creative director of both Melville Fine Jewellery and Hatton Jewellery Institute – Hong Kong’s foremost professional jewellery co-working space and training facility – Nathalie is sought after for the combination of her contemporary aesthetic with her traditional skills.
She works with private clients all over the world, creates Hong Kong-based training programmes for some of the most renowned fine jewellery houses and has been selected from thousands as a finalist in the 2017 Xifu international jewellery design competition.
A strong believer in ethical jewellery making practices, Nathalie is one of the leading authorities in Asia on sourcing precious materials (metals and gems) through ethical, environmentally friendly, safely produced and fairtrade supply chains.
Our Tutors
JAN PREECE
Course director, DESIGNER
As Course Director, Jan also teaches jewellery making classes.
Ruriko ITO
Course INSTRUCTOR, DESIGNER
Apart from teaching our signature jewellery making courses, Ruriko conducts specialised courses in wax carving. She also teaches tailor-made private lessons.
BIANCA CHONG
INSTRUCTOR, DESIGNER
Teaches the jewellery making group classes, as well as Private Design classes including technical drawings and 3D software Rhinoceros for jewelleries.
Read Bianca's profile
Rachel Yeung
Course INSTRUCTOR, DESIGNER
A part-time jewellery making instructor at HJI, Rachel helps students bring their creative ideas to life. She focuses on developing design concepts, silversmithing, wax carving and stone setting.
Read Rachel’s profile
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