Since graduating from the British Academy of Jewellery (BAJ), alumna Cece Fein-Hughes has gone from strength to strength. In 2022, she launched her eponymous brand Cece Jewellery. Her story is defined by talent, dedication, and international acclaim.

Achievements

Cece’s work has received global recognition:

• Shortlisted for Jewelers of America 2026 Gem Awards – one of only three nominees in the ‘Jewelry Design’ category, alongside Silvia Furmanovich and Catherine Sarr.
  
• Forbes 30 Under 30 (2023) – Forbes recognised her as the only fine jeweller in the ‘Art and Culture’ category, highlighting her influence and innovation.

• Celebrity clientele – Taylor Swift, Kendall Jenner, Sydney Sweeney, and Dakota Fanning have worn her pieces, showcasing their international appeal.

Journey and inspiration

Cece’s love for storytelling has always influenced her jewellery. She reflects:

“Growing up in Dartmoor, the folklore and fairytales of our wild English moorland surrounded me. My deep-sea diver father’s tales lulled me to sleep, as I traced the outlines of his tattoos and his stories beneath the waves.”

Finding inspiration – Cece’s creative journey

“Studying History of Art at Exeter University, I discovered the allure of the stories behind art. Later on, my mother and I walked the corridors of the V&A together, where we explored all its beauty and wonder. On one visit, I found a Renaissance gold band, crafted in France and enamelled with pink-and-white flowers. Engraved with declarations of love, the fusion of beauty and meaning took my breath away. Inspiration bloomed, and a new chapter had begun.”

At BAJ, Cece honed her jewellery design skills and discovered the magic of making:

“At the end of a day’s making, gold has become jewellery, and a story has come to life.”

Vision

Cece is expanding Cece Jewellery internationally while staying true to her British heritage.

Looking ahead, Fein-Hughes said she hopes to open a showroom in London and New York within the next year, all the while staying close to her roots. At the same time, she shared “I love the signet ring because it’s so British. Moreover, we make everything in the UK and plan to keep it that way. In addition, I think it is beautiful and it is heritage, but it also means that we have control over each stage of the making process.”

BAJ’s pride

At BAJ, we nurture the next generation of jewellers. We provide the skills, creativity, and technical expertise to bring visions to life. We’re proud to have supported Cece’s journey and celebrate her remarkable success. 

Read more BAJ alumni stories here.