Time to sparkle in support of care for seriously ill children

After a local charity was gifted a number of precious gems, an independent family jeweller has stepped in to help them showcase the stones and raise money to support the care of seriously ill children.

Petra Jewellery, based at Viables Craft Centre in Basingstoke, has teamed up with Hampshire Hospitals Charity to share their skills and expertise with guests at an exclusive Gemstone Tea Party, and all the money raised will support the hospital trust’s Firvale team which provides essential respite care and support for families with children who have complex health needs, requiring 24/7 care.

The Gemstone Tea Party takes place at Oakley Hall on Friday 17 October and those attending will be able to get hands on with a range of gems including sapphires, aquamarine and amethyst, through intimate masterclasses run by the Petra Jewellery team. In each class experts will share their wealth of knowledge and experience as they talk through the origins and unique qualities of each stone. There will also be the opportunity to use jewellers’ tools like tweezers and a loupe, to really see and understand the gems that will be available in a charity auction a little later in the day.

Mitch Lloyd, owner of Petra Jewellery, said; “I’m delighted that my team and I are able to help Hampshire Hospitals Charity in this way. When I met Lisa and she mentioned the generous donation of the gems to me, my mind immediately started rushing with ideas on ways we could help.

“Masterclasses are something we regularly offer in house to showcase exceptional pieces, and this Gemstone Tea Party is a great opportunity to share the sparkle with a broader community for a good cause and give people a rare opportunity to learn about something really unusual. It's going to be quite a special experience and knowing you could be taking one home with you at the end of the day is fabulous.”

Following the intimate masterclasses, guests will enjoy an elegant afternoon tea prepared by the culinary experts at Oakley Hall before being given the opportunity to bid on the gems they’ve just seen in a silent auction.

Sabrina Marsden, fundraising manager at Hampshire Hospitals Charity, said; “We’re thrilled to be working with Mitch and the team at Petra Jewellery on this exciting event. It will give guests the opportunity to get up close with the gems and learn all about them from the experts who work with them every day.

“It’s going to be a really lovely event and the perfect way to spend an afternoon with friends, learning something new and having time for a good chat and catch up over tea and cake.”

A limited number of tickets are available for this event so, if you’re looking to book, you’re encouraged to do so early to avoid disappointment. Find out more and reserve your place via the button below.