Biography of Elke Berr

Elke Berr, whose father was already in the gemstone trade as an antique jewellery specialist, became at an early age a passionate gemmologist. After her studies in Germany, she completed her education and gained experience through jewellery and lapidary internships. Chopard eventually offered her work in Geneva. She quickly became responsible for the gemstone purchasing department.

Thanks to this rich experience, she created, at the age of 21, Berr & Partners SA, a company which continuously searches for extraordinary stones around the world, often from the original mines and launches in 2003 its own finest jewellery lines as well as custom creations under the brand name of "Elke Berr Créations", distributed by the world’s most prestigious jewellers.

« Tomorrow's trends to be worn forever» such is her vocation as always "avant-garde", she loves and knows how to anticipate trends.

As a designer, she favors working with rare and unusually cut gems. To those selected she applies her creative gift - to evoke a world of magic, emotion and elegance.

Gemmologist, lapidary, jeweller, stone hunter, avant-garde designer and teacher, Elke Berr, strong in her career and her passion for fine and precious stones, is regularly hired by jewellery, watch and financial companies to pass on her knowledge of diamonds and precious stones through seminars.

Elke Berr’s expertise is recognized all over the world. Not only do lovers of gemstones recognize her talent and instinctive gift to unearth stones of rare beauty, but she has also won wide acclaim from the international press.

The details of her extraordinary career in the demanding world of gemmology have been recorded in a television documentary entitled “Pierres de Rêve” (“Dreamstones”), broadcast in French-speaking countries.

Elke Berr has been named ambassador of ICA (International Colored Gemstone Association), the largest nonprofit organization in the field. Ethics and traceability of stones is a fundamental aspects of this association.

In February 2005, ICA awarded Elke Berr recognition for her outstanding efforts as a long-term ambassador of the trade in Bangkok. 

Elke Berr has regularly presented her stones and jewelry lines in international trade shows and has participated as jury in numerous international gemstones competitions.