A Swansea woman’s glittering 35-year career in the jewellery business has seen her serve Welsh entertainment legend Max Boyce and pick out earrings for comedian Freddie Starr.
And now Dianne Harris has picked up a top national award from her employer, jeweller Ernest Jones.
Dianne, 65, from Sketty, who works at Ernest Jones in the Quadrant Shopping Centre, Swansea, scooped the National Lifetime Achievement award at the Real Reward Signet Gala Evening held at the Crown Plaza Hotel, Birmingham.
The dazzling event, organised annually by Signet which owns household names Ernest Jones and H.Samuel in the UK, recognises the loyal work of some of their most special members of staff from the 186 stores they have countrywide.
Dianne, a mother-of-one, who had already won the regional award for Wales and the West, said the national recognition was a highlight in a 35-year career which has seen her handle some very expensive and beautiful jewellery and serve famous customers.
One of the most expensive items she has sold in her career with the company was a gold Rolex watch worth almost £20,000 to a lady who has become one of Dianne’s regular customers.
Dianne said: “It was a few years ago now and it was a beautiful piece. The lady was treating herself I believe which is a wonderful way to do it!”
She also recounted the time she served madcap Scouse impressionist actor, comedian and all round entertainer Freddie Starr at the Quadrant store.
Dianne said: “He was a lovely man and very, very funny. I made him a cup of coffee in one of the special cups we have for visitors.
“He had some solitaire diamond earrings designed specially for him and I think he was very pleased with them.”
Dianne, whose own favourite jewellery piece is a bespoke solitaire diamond ring which was bought for her by her husband Peter from the store where she works to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary, said some of the most special moments in her job had been with everyday customers and that she never tired of sharing in the special occasions for which they were buying jewellery.
Dianne said: “I had one young man who I watched get down on one knee outside the shop and propose and then they came into the shop to buy the ring! Thank goodness she said yes!”
She added: “It is such a privilege and a joy to share in all these experiences with my customers. All the different occasions there are – the special birthdays, the weddings, the engagements, christenings, anniversaries. It just makes it such a lovely job.
“I have known people to come back and show me their wedding photos or the fabric for their bridesmaids’ dresses.”
Dianne was also full of praise for the company she works for. Starting out with H.Samuel, she joined Ernest Jones 16 years ago and since that time they have trained her to be a diamond and watch specialist.
She said: “They are an amazing company to work for and I have always felt well supported and I love the products that we sell.
“I really don’t know why I have had this recognition because I am simply doing a job that I really love.”
But her manager, Chrys James, is clear on why Dianne’s loyalty and hard work have been recognised.
He said: “I’ve worked with Dianne for 15 years and her customer focus is inspiring.
“She always treats customers as if they are long lost friends, so much so that customers will ask specifically for Dianne and come in when they know she is working.
“She is a great asset to our store and we’re very proud to have her as a member of our team.”
