About The Steensons
Bill and Christina Steenson are graduates of The University of Ulster where they studied jewellery and silversmithing. In 1976 they set up a workshop in the beautiful and historic village of Glenarm, Co. Antrim, where they traded as “Jewellery Workshops”
They brought an imaginative and fresh approach to jewellery in Ireland, refusing to follow what was available in the “high street” jewellers or to go down the route of “Celtic” design. Instead they put their own strong design ideas on show and soon found that the clients out there loved it. From their atmospheric landscape pieces of the seventies, bold geometrics of the eighties, the minimalist nineties, to the softer organic feel of the new millennium, Bill & Christina’s jewellery continually evolves through their innovative approach.
Now firmly established as one of Ireland’s leading jewellery designers, their highly skilled team of crafts-people produce a wide selection of jewellery. Combining textures and materials have become the hallmark of The Steensons. Working in silver, gold and platinum, with precious gems and diamonds, The Steensons use the properties of these materials along with specialised techniques to create the unique designs that set them apart.
They also offer a commission service making it possible to order an exclusive ‘Steenson’ design.
In 1988 they opened their store in Belfast, now situated on Bedford Street. Here Bill & Christina choose to introduce other European and Local Designers to display alongside their own designs, so their customers could have an even wider choice. Today it is Northern Ireland’s biggest gallery of Designer jewellery, a must for any visitor to the city. Indeed The Steensons were finalists in the Retail Jeweller “UK Independent Retailer of the Year” awards 2005.
Bill and Christina are still very “hands-on” jewellers and are to be found “at the bench” most days. Glenarm has always been their manufacturing base but in 1996 they moved the workshop to an old bank premises in the centre of the village. This allowed them the space they needed to expand the workshop and open a visitor’s centre, where the customers and public alike can watch the crafts people at work.
Bill and Christina believe the success of the past 30 years is due to the enthusiasm and loyalty of you, their Customers - Thank you.
