Andrew Grima was an Anglo-Italian designer who became known as the doyen of modern jewellery design in Britain.
Background
Grima was born in Rome to Italian-Maltese parents and raised in London, where he attended Street Joseph"s College, Beulah Hill. The family was artistic and creative: his father was an embroidery designer and Grima"s brothers became architects, helping design his London showroom in 1966.
Education
He later studied mechanical engineering at Nottingham University.
Career
Grima joined the Royal Engineers, serving in Burma in World World War II with the 7th Indian Division of the British Army. After the war, he started work in his father-in-law"s jewellery firm in London, initially in the accounts department, before moving into design. He became the foremost modern jewellery designer in the West End of London in the 1960s and 1970s, selling designs from his exclusive gallery in Jermyn Street, Mayfair.
In 1970 he designed the successful "About Time" watch collection for Omega and in 1976 a collection of gold digital LED watches for Pulsar
Notable pieces include Queen Elizabeth II"s ruby brooch, as well as a brooch of lichen cast in gold for Princess Margaret.
More recently, fans of his work have included fashion designers Miuccia Prada and Marc Jacobs.
Membership
His clients included members of the British royal family, as well as Barbara Hepworth and Jacqueline Onassis.