Remco Broekhuis

Remco Broekhuis, founder of DiamondsByMe:

“Each jewel has a story to tell.”

Whether you are looking for a personalised ring or necklace, or wish to design a piece of jewellery entirely from scratch, DiamondsByMe offers exclusive, handmade creations to suit every budget. Founder Remco Broekhuis shares his thoughts on a new way of crafting jewellery and his love for coloured gemstones.

Remco Broekhuis explains that it gives him great pleasure when customers customise or fully design a bracelet, ring or necklace and choose to incorporate one or more coloured gemstones.
“People do not often opt for rubies, sapphires, garnets or emeralds. It can feel like a risky choice, but at the same time these gemstones are quite rare. You will most likely be the only person wearing such a striking, exquisite sapphire or emerald. Many jewellers do not even sell stones like these, but I know exactly where to source them in Europe. My own wife wears a wedding ring with a bright yellow, square-cut diamond — as remarkable as she is.”

Gold rush

Remco’s father was a watchmaker and jeweller who owned a shop in Puttershoek. He worked closely with a goldsmith, and one day Remco accompanied him to collect some repaired pieces from the goldsmith’s attic. He must have been around ten or eleven years old, and from that moment on, he was hooked.

He watched in amazement as the goldsmith seemingly played with fire. With files and pliers handled carefully, precisely and with intense concentration, something beautiful slowly began to emerge: a perfectly finished jewel, crafted entirely by hand.

“I couldn’t take my eyes off it,” Remco recalls. “That afternoon I knew: when I grow up, I want to become a goldsmith.”

Craftsmanship

His parents noticed his enthusiasm and built him a small workbench in the attic at home, complete with a blowtorch. Even before starting trade school in Schoonhoven, Remco had already experimented with making silver jewellery. He also completed an internship with a goldsmith in Barendrecht.

After finishing his studies, he worked in a design studio, where he spent his days repairing jewellery. While valuable experience, he soon realised he wanted more — his own studio. And so he started one, working from an attic in Barendrecht. For two years, the business flourished.

“We soon had six other goldsmiths working with me, often ten to twelve hours a day. We were simply creating beautiful jewellery,” he says. Yet something was missing.
“I only met the jeweller when orders were collected — never the customer. And in my view, the customer’s reaction is what truly adds sparkle to a piece of jewellery.”

Trendjuwelier — the online shop

Remco went on to open a shop in Spijkenisse, complete with an in-house studio, followed by a second shop in Hellevoetsluis.
“With the rise of the internet around twelve or thirteen years ago, I decided to launch an online jewellery shop called Trendjuwelier. I passed my studio on to a friend but kept my tools. I was determined to start again.”

At heart, Remco has always remained a craftsman.
“Whether it’s a shoemaker, a violin maker or any other artisan — I deeply admire what people can create with their own hands. Sadly, true craftsmanship seems to be disappearing.”

3D printing

Standing still has never been an option for Remco.
“At the start of the 2000s, I was the only jeweller in the world working with a laser, which significantly improved repair techniques.” This constant drive to innovate is why he regularly attends international trade fairs.

“Suppliers often ask why I keep attending. The answer is simple: I want to learn and keep moving forward.”

It was at a trade fair in Hong Kong six years ago that the idea for DiamondsByMe was born. There, Remco encountered a 3D printer for the first time. Although he did not yet fully understand the technology, he was instantly fascinated.

Pioneer

From customisation to 3D printing, Remco had to figure everything out himself. In many ways, he became a pioneer — inventing new processes because no other goldsmith or jeweller had done this before.

“I spent over a year researching, followed by two years building the website. Today, our database contains more than 40 million images. This allows customers to create virtually any design online, even in moving 3D. Before a ring is finished, you can already watch a video showing how it will look on your finger.”

A goldsmith who translates emotions

This is what makes the modern way of crafting jewellery so fascinating.
“In the past, customers explained their wishes and trusted the goldsmith to interpret them. Today, designs can be discussed, adjusted and refined online.”

Polishing and setting stones remain at the heart of this ancient craft.
“Jewellery tells stories. It translates emotions and captures memories. I feel honoured to interpret those emotions and to play a small part in someone’s life. That is something truly special.”

DiamondsByMe is the only artisan jeweller in the world offering customers the opportunity to customise or fully design exclusive jewellery online. Based in Rhoon, the company is a pioneer in modern handmade jewellery, making the creation process faster and more accessible through its digital platform.

All diamonds and gemstones are sourced legally through trusted suppliers. DiamondsByMe employs 28 people.

Customers can easily customise their jewellery online according to their personal taste and preferences, choosing from a wide selection of precious metals and gemstones in countless shapes, colours and sizes.