Exquisitely British - The British Entrepreneur Club for Luxury Brands 

 

Tell us about yourself Lulu.

 

I’m Lulu Tyers, a jewellery designer who is passionate about pearls. I grew up in China and came to London in 2001 to help expand my family business. I have an obsession with different types of pearls and have been studying them since childhood. I had the great privilege to be trained in pearl grading and sourcing at GIA - the world’s most renowned authority on diamonds, pearls and coloured stones. I worked in many different areas before I started my own business. 

Pearl-Lang is an online boutique that specialises in contemporary fine pearl jewellery. We’re totally obsessed with the superior quality and fine craftsmanship we offer to our customers, as I believe that every woman should enjoy this gem in its finest quality. 

 

How did the idea for Pearl-Lang begin?

 

I’ve always had a passion for jewellery. My initial encounter with this amazing gem was the first pearl necklace given by my mother on my 18th birthday. I remembered that I asked my mother how the pearls were made. The funny thing was despite at the time I had no idea about the technical aspect of pearl culturing, I was instantly attracted to the unique beauty and femininity of these gems.

My love for the classic aesthetic and passion for this organic gem helped shape my vision of Pearl-Lang. I realised that the pearl jewellery market was missing a fresh and young design approach that marries the finest quality pearls of different varieties, colours and shapes. Many people are astonished to see that these gems actually come in an array of natural colours, such as grey, green, purple, aubergine, golden other than white and pink.

 

Who is the ultimate Pearl-Lang customer?

 

I find it hard answering this question because I simply want every woman to wear my jewellery! The woman who would wear Pearl-Lang is elegant, confident, and values fine materials and craftsmanship. These are the kind of women who truly bring our creation to life. 
 

 

What has been your most challenging experience?

 

Being an entrepreneur means constantly growing and learning. The biggest challenge for us is to find a way to empower our customers with knowledge. The pearl industry, in general, lacks education and transparency for end consumers. Not many people know about the different varieties of pearls, shapes and colours out there. 

We have always been very open since the beginning. We are among the very few that are transparent on pearl grading. We share a wealth of information on our website including how to identify real pearls from the fake ones and what to look for when buying pearl jewellery. We believe the more information our customers have on pearls, the better position they would be when making a purchase decision regardless of whether they buy online or from a high street jeweller. I do not believe in making these gems a mystery for people. It is important for everyone to understand the quality of the pearls they are buying. 

 

What's your biggest highlight?

 

While I have experienced so many exciting moments in launching my business, seeing my customers enjoy wearing Pearl-Lang jewellery was a true highlight. It was such a rewarding and an amazing experience when I receive direct feedback from our customers on how the beauty and the quality of our pearls exceeded their expectations, and the way our jewellery made them feel. 

 

What or who are you inspired by?

 

I draw my design inspirations from travelling around the world and the different culture and life around me. I love the fact that I’m working in an environment that is so close to nature. I am also very inspired by modern day women who are confident and independent. I envisage the woman for whom I’m designing. Our latest baroque pearl collection is for someone who has a sense of flair and a sophisticated style. 

 

What does your typical day look like?

 

There isn’t a “typical” day at the office. I like to get my hands in everything that goes into my company. So whether it’s working with my design team on our upcoming collections, travelling to source the finest quality pearls from the farms, or planning the next photo shoot, each day is a new venture for me.

 

Do you have any favourite British brands? 

 

I absolutely love Burberry. It’s a brand with the most incredible heritage and history. I admire its quintessential Britishness and its incredible approach in keeping each season’s designs modern and fresh. I love the fact that it takes elements of our culture and history and then mixes it with today’s lifestyle yet at the same time never compromises on the qualities.

 

What do you think is important in developing a successful British brand?

 

Be passionate and always provide the highest quality products or services possible. This is definitely something I strive for and take pride in my company. 

 

How do you manage the work/life balance?

 

I don’t really think about this. For me, there isn’t a clear demarcation between the two. I tend to focus on my immediate priorities. I love what I do every day. But at the same time, I make sure my family comes first. That means sometimes I spend the whole day with my family and then go back to work till midnight. My husband is my rock. We have a tradition that we plan at least one date night every week. 
 

What are your plans for the future? 

 

My plan for the near future is to continue to grow our presence both in the UK and internationally so that many more women can enjoy the finest pearls of all varieties, and feel more beautiful and empowered with our jewellery. 
 

 

Find out more at www.pearl-lang.com