A NEW antique jewellery shop in Hexham is a dream come true for Katerina Dutschak.

After buying and selling her first precious items as a youngster, the new business on St Mary’s Chare signals the realisation of a long-held ambition for the jewellery collector, turned trader.

Hailing from Throckley, Katerina pursued her love of collecting as a hobby while working as a window-dresser for big-name stores in Newcastle including Thornton’s the chocolatier and footwear retailer Charles Clinkard.

But when her position was made redundant, Katerina saw the opportunity to take a risk, and admits she has plunged every penny of her severance payment into the new venture called Opulence Jewellery.

“Some might say it’s a bit of a bold move but I’ve always loved Hexham and have done a lot of research on choosing the right area to set up,” Katerina explained.

“There are a lot of independent traders here who benefit from local shoppers and tourists. I’ve been made to feel so welcome.”

Aged just nine, Katerina remembers buying her first piece of jewellery at a jumble sale for just 50p and sold it on to a friend.

“From there my interest grew. I initially started out as a collector, but I then started trading in jewellery,” she explained.

“I’m a regular at antiques fairs in places like Newark and I have a couple of cabinets in antique centres around the country, like York.”

And, since taking on her new business premises in October, she has also gone on to support other antique traders with stock from collectors in Whitley Bay, Newcastle and Edinburgh on display.

“I would say 90 per cent of it is silverware and jewellery but there are some other unique pieces too,” she explained.

A Russian enamel perfume bottle is among her favourites.