Fine jeweler Hannah Florman
“Off the Cuff” is a Q&A series from Luxury Daily exploring the career paths, current projects and next steps of those shaping the world’s best luxury brands.
The interviews feature a Proust-style twist, allowing readers to get to know industry leaders on a personal level. This edition features Hannah Florman, fine jeweler and owner of Hannah Florman Fine Jewelry.
In this Q&A, Ms. Florman discusses lessons learned from motherhood, the power of personalization and the luxury of feeling connected.
Here is the dialogue:
What was your first job ever? What did it teach you?
My first job was as a marketing and events assistant at a nonprofit that connected financial service companies with fundraising sponsorship opportunities.
It was just me and one other woman working out of two small cubicles in the middle of a bustling consulting firm filled with 20-to-40-year-old men constantly trading sports stats and nutrition tips. While they clocked long hours five days a week, we worked a focused Monday through Thursday schedule and still managed to accomplish twice as much.
That experience shaped how I approach work today: with intention, efficiency and respect for balance. It’s why Hannah Florman Fine Jewelry continues to operate on a four-day workweek.
Which skills have been critical to your success? Did you gain these skills within or outside of the workplace?
Resilience, intuition and awareness have been key.
I mostly developed those skills outside of traditional work settings, especially in my motherhood journey. Learning to pivot, prioritize and trust your gut is essential both at home and in business.
My years as an attorney sharpened my attention to detail and negotiation skills, both of which I still rely on daily when sourcing stones and designing bespoke pieces.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Don't be afraid to change your mind.
Leaving law to pursue jewelry was a leap, but it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. You’re allowed to evolve, and often that evolution leads to your truest path.
How has your field changed since you started out in luxury, and what do you think your industry will look like in a decade?
When I first entered the luxury space, the market was dominated by legacy brands, such as Tiffany & Co., VanCleef & Arpels and Shreve, Crump & Low.
While shopping for my own custom engagement ring, I found I was craving a more intimate experience and greater connection to the design process with more transparency and a deeper sense of meaning. While iconic, the traditional retail experience can feel impersonal and outdated to a younger generation of buyers.
My own experience ultimately inspired the foundation for Hannah Florman Fine Jewelry and how we approach our client philosophy. Looking ahead, I believe we’ll continue to see the luxury consumer gravitate toward private-client service models, values-driven design and custom heirlooms that honor both legacy and individuality.
What recent projects have ignited your passion for working in luxury?
I’ve been especially energized by clients who are reimagining family heirlooms into designs that feel both modern and meaningful. Many of the women I work with are marking significant moments in their lives, whether it's a personal milestone, an anniversary or a new chapter like motherhood.
Together, we’ve created everything from engraved pendants featuring their child’s handwriting to diamond rivieras and bold statement pieces they’ve chosen for themselves. I love helping clients invest in jewelry that not only elevates their everyday, but also becomes part of their legacy.
Who, in any industry or sphere, would you most like to share a long lunch with and where would you take them?
Sharing a meal with Diane von Furstenberg would be an honor. Her reinvention story and commitment to empowering women mirror so much of what I strive to do.
I’d take her to the Street Car Bar at the Newbury Hotel. Specifically, at the table by the window overlooking the Boston Gardens. It’s the perfect setting for a long, intimate conversation: elegant, warm and never too formal.
How do you get into the right mindset before a big meeting or presentation?
During my initial client meeting, but prior to presenting any jewelry or designs, I always take time to connect with them on a human-to-human level, learning about their profession, what they wear every day, how and when they plan to wear their rings and what they feel is missing from their current collection. That insight allows me to tailor the entire experience around their lifestyle and aesthetic.
Ahead of each meeting, I also prepare intentionally, sourcing stones that will resonate with their taste or pulling existing pieces to serve as inspiration for a custom design. It’s all about creating a thoughtful, intimate starting point that reflects who they are and what they value.
On your days off, what can you be found doing to relax or have some fun?
You’ll usually find me spending time with my husband and two boys, whether we’re at the beach in Martha’s Vineyard or simply cooking dinner together at home. I’m lucky that my boys share my love of creativity, so weekends often include art projects, beading sessions or rainbow loom masterpieces spread across the kitchen table.
What does luxury mean to you?
Luxury is intentional. It’s not about excess, it’s about meaning, quality and care. Whether it’s a diamond passed down through generations or a quiet moment with family, true luxury leaves you feeling more connected and alive.
Whether a product or service/experience, what is your favorite luxury indulgence?
Aside from travel (I’m a true sucker for a beautifully designed hotel room), there’s nothing quite like a top-quality cashmere sweater. It’s the kind of piece you reach for a hundred times over and it never loses its softness or magic.
It’s timeless, effortless and always makes you feel like the best version of yourself.