Sheffield silversmiths bring lustre to Black Diamonds Ball at Wentworth Woodhouse

Sheffield silversmiths bring lustre to Black Diamonds Ball at Wentworth Woodhouse – and launch winter event at the mansion.

Ballgoers can bid for chance to be a silversmith for a day.

Two acclaimed Sheffield silversmiths have forged a link with Rotherham’s gem Wentworth Woodhouse, ahead of its glittering annual Black Diamonds Ball on October 10.

Multi award-winning Brett Payne and Rebecca Joselyn are the founders of Goldsmiths North, the prestigious annual fair which brings the UK’s finest makers of contemporary jewellery and precious metalware to Sheffield’s Cutlers’ Hall each summer

They now plan to bring a winter version of their luxury event to the State Rooms of Grade I listed Wentworth Woodhouse on November 13.

But ahead of the event, the pair are offering themselves up as a unique prize in a silent auction at the Black Diamonds Ball, the major fundraising event of the year for the preservation trust restoring the Georgian architectural masterpiece.

Ball-goers can bid to become silversmiths for the day and work alongside Brett and Rebecca in their workshop at Sheffield’s Persistence Works.

After learning about the craftsmanship behind one of the city’s most celebrated traditions, the auction lot winner and three guests will take up the tools to make their own solid silver pieces.

Afterwards, they will head to the historic Sheffield Assay Office to witness their items being hallmarked and take a behind-the-scenes tour for an insight into the process carried out in the city since 1772.

The ‘trainee makers’ will be in experienced hands. Brett is a leading contemporary silversmith with over 40 years of experience and numerous awards to his name. His work can be seen in collections including the V&A in London and The House of Lords.

Rebecca is internationally recognised for her silverware and bespoke jewellery and was commissioned to make a piece for Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee and the Coronation of King Charles.

The prize also includes tickets to the first-ever Goldsmiths North Show to be staged at Wentworth Woodhouse. The event will bring together exceptional contemporary jewellery and silverware from some of the UK’s finest makers for an early Christmas shopping extravaganza 

Brett and Rebecca launched Goldsmiths North in 2019 to continue the city’s reputation for fine silversmithing and support makers keeping centuries-old skills alive. It has generated over £250,000 in business for makers, the majority sole traders and small businesses.

“Wentworth Woodhouse is the county’s gem and we are delighted to be supporting it by donating a silversmithing experience,” said Rebecca. 

“One of the most architecturally significant country houses in England and a testament to outstanding design and craftsmanship, it is a very fitting location for Goldsmiths North, which features only the finest makers.”

The mansion’s annual Black Diamonds Ball was founded in 2019 by the late Dame Julie Kenny, the South Yorkshire entrepreneur who helped to save the house for the nation and was Chair of Trustees until her sudden death in February 2025.

It is named after author Catherine Bailey’s best seller, Black Diamonds, which tells the story of the house and its owners the Earls Fitzwilliam, who made their fortune from coal. 

Black diamond jewellery created at cost by Bakewell master jeweller Richard Croft, has always starred in the event’s fundraising auction and has raised thousands for the Trust. 

This year he has crafted a set of platinum, chain-linked cufflinks set with 60 brilliant-cut black diamonds and an Art Deco-inspired platinum pendant featuring a 1.6 carat black diamond and 56 brilliant-cut white diamonds. 

A small number of tickets for the ball are still available, priced £160, or £1,500 for a table of ten https://wentworthwoodhouse.digitickets.co.uk/event-tickets/67688?catID=59134

Businesses can sponsor the ball by contacting WWPT’s Fundraising Manager sarahwhattam@wentworthwoodhouse.org.uk