LONDON.- Bonhams announced this week that it has appointed Sophie Stevens as a specialist in the Jewellery Department based in New Bond Street, London.

Sophie combines jewellery degrees and experience with PR Marketing and Communication skills. A highly capable jewellery professional she has experience of valuation, research and business development in the international jewellery and art markets.

Educated at Bristol University, with a BA (Hons) in Theology, she also holds Diplomas in Gemmology and Diamonds from the Gemmological Association of Great Britain.

Since 2009 she has worked as a jewellery specialist with Lucas Rarities in London, sourcing and selling period jewellery, loose diamonds and gemstones internationally and was involved in leading the company’s expansion into Asia by exhibiting in Hong Kong for the first time.

Prior to this she worked in PR, Marketing and Communication with Hill & Knowlton Corporate Marketing in Beijing, and as sponsorship manager for the Jane Goodall Institute in China and then with the Forum for the Future in London.

Sophie was Reviews Editor at Jewellery History Today, the magazine of the Society of Jewellery Historians.

Jean Ghika, Director of Bonhams Jewellery Department, comments: “We are delighted to have Sophie join us. Her international experience, especially in China, will be a great asset as we grow our business in new markets. Her communication and marketing skills will also be a key asset following a year in which the Dept has broken a number o f world records including one for blue diamonds.”