In My Jewellery Box: Charlotte M?bjerg Ansel-Henry, co-founder of The Jewellery Room
Charlotte M?bjerg Ansel-Henry is co-founder, along with her sister Pernille, of The Jewellery Room, a Danish jewellery hub that aims to bring fine jewellery into the fashion arena.
Having previously launched a lifestyle PR and communications agency, Ansel-Henry forged strong relationships with independent jewellers across Denmark, and noticed that few of them were widely known internationally.
The Jewellery Room aims to change this, by hosting events during Fashion Weeks in London and Copenhagen to introduce jewellers to press and buyers, and by advising designers on how to grow their brands.
Earlier this year, The Jewellery Room launched an online store with a curated selection of fashion-forward fine jewellery brands, including Scandinavian stalwarts such as Georg Jensen and Ole Lynggaard alongside lesser-known, up-and-coming brands. With an enviable jewellery collection of her own, Ansel-Henry shares her most treasured pieces.
Name necklace
I got this necklace when I was three years old and lived in Kuwait. My parents bought one for me and one for my sister. It’s in 24-karat gold with my name spelled out in Arabic. Back then gold didn’t cost a lot so it was like a fun souvenir, but it’s the only piece I have from that time in my life so it’s very precious to me.
I rediscovered it in my jewellery box around 10 years ago and now I wear it a lot, usually layered with lots of other necklaces. I had a similar one made for my daughter when I was in Dubai a few years ago because I think it’s a nice story.
Pinkie ring
I had this ring made about two years ago by a friend of mine who’s a goldsmith. It’s engraved with a picture of me, my husband and my daughter which my daughter sketched, and you can flip it over - it has a white diamond on one side and a black diamond on the other to represent me and my husband. There’s a lot of symbolism to it.
I like that it’s asymmetric - I like jewellery that’s not perfect. My daughter, who is nine, is always asking if she’s going to inherit this ring - so I had the same thing made as a pendant in silver for her. I’m planning to give it to her for her 10th birthday.
Ole Lynggaard snake ring
I absolutely love this ring by Danish brand Ole Lynggaard, it’s one of my favourites. As soon as I saw it I knew I had to own it. I bought it five or six years ago and, even though I’m always changing my jewellery, this ring is almost always on my hand.
It looks good no matter what other jewellery or outfit you are wearing. It’s beautifully textured with all these little wrinkles that reflect the light. I love the shape and the fact that it’s curvy: it’s sculptural without being too chunky. I also like the symbolism: the snake is protective. Sometimes I wear it so that it faces me, but sometimes I wear it facing out, it depends what mood I’m in.
Orit Elhanati charm necklace
This necklace is from a new collaboration between Orit Elhanati and Matchesfashion.com. I just think it’s super cool with the chunky chain and the nugget-like charms. I’ve been wearing it a lot lately stacked with my other necklaces.
Orit is another Danish designer who I admire. I love her work, I think she’s very special. She told me once that her first answer to anything is always ‘no’. She’s so true to her own style and way of design, she never compromises. It’s very impressive.
She loves using gold and it’s the gold that makes the design. I’m not much of a gemstone person, I’d rather have a lot of gold than a big diamond, so her jewellery works with my style.
Vibe Harsl?f face earring
This is by another Danish jeweller who has a special place in my heart: Vibe Harsl?f. I’ve worked with her for about 12 years. The first jewellery brand I worked for would collaborate with different designers and she was one of them. Her style is very minimalistic but also innovative.
This earring is a new design: I saw it and fell in love with it immediately, but it only came as a post earring and I don’t have my ears pierced. I asked her if she could transform it into a clip-on and at first she said it wasn’t possible but she tried, and one day she called me to say she’d managed to do it. It’s one of the few earrings in precious metal I can wear because most clip-ons are costume jewellery.
I try not to buy jewellery for myself too often but when you’re exposed to so much of it it’s difficult not to fall in love! I wear everything I own, I switch it up a lot. It’s more about choosing what I feel like wearing today rather than choosing it to match my outfit. But I take everything off as soon as I get home - my house is a bit like a treasure hunt with jewellery left everywhere!
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