The Heart Behind Gemz By Emz

Hi, I’m Emma – founder of Gemz By Emz and the face behind the keepsakes. If you’ve followed me for a while, you probably know what I do: I create deeply personal engraved memorial jewellery that helps keep loved ones close. But what you might not know is the story behind me… and how some of my darkest days led to the light I now pour into this business.

So, if you’re comfortable, and you’ve got a warm cuppa in hand, I’d love to share a little more of the journey with you. The real one. The one that brought Gemz By Emz to life.

A Childhood Filled With Anxiety

Growing up, I was the anxious child.

The one who couldn’t go on school trips, parties, or even a short car ride without feeling sick—or actually being sick. It was relentless. And when you’re a child who’s terrified of being sick (emetophobia), that kind of anxiety becomes all-consuming.

My nickname at home was “sicknote”—said with love, but it was a constant reminder of how different I felt. I was that kid. The one other children laughed at. I tried my best to blend in, to be brave… but it was exhausting.

And just when I thought I’d faced enough, life threw something else my way.

A Life Changing Accident At Just 10 Years Old

At 10 years old, I slipped on a wet McDonald’s floor—no sign in sight—and that fall changed everything. I developed Osteomyelitis, a rare and serious infection of the bone. So rare, in fact, that my doctors didn’t even recognise it at first. I spent 9 long, painful months waiting for an ‘urgent’ referral, as my foot turned red, inflamed, and unbearable to walk on. The pain became my new normal.

Doctors initially feared it was cancer. But by pure chance—and grace—one consultant had seen this condition before, in his home country of Africa, and quickly diagnosed me.

The next few years were some of the hardest of my life. I lost weight rapidly, dropped to just 5.5 stone, developed anaemia, and couldn’t stand for more than five minutes without being in agony. I endured two surgeries, endless blood tests, antibiotics every six hours, and constant stares and whispers at school. Rumours about eating disorders started to spread.

I felt broken. Alone. Embarrassed of the body I was trapped in but thankfully by some miracle the doctors managed to get rid of it!

And then, at 14, something else happened.

Battling Vitiligo and My Own Reflection

I noticed white patches forming on my skin—first on my spine, then spreading rapidly across my body. I was diagnosed with Vitiligo, a condition that strips your skin of all pigment. At the time, no one really understood it. I didn’t even understand it. All I knew was that my skin was changing in ways I couldn’t control.

And once again, the bullying began.

Summer was a nightmare. While other girls were sunbathing in bikinis, I was layering on fake tan and long sleeves, doing everything I could to hide. I didn’t feel pretty. I didn’t feel lovable. And whenever I opened up to a boyfriend, showed them my skin without makeup—they left.

So I kept it hidden. I wore makeup to bed. I pretended I was okay. But inside, I felt ashamed and unworthy.

A Toxic Relationship and Rock Bottom

At 18, I got into a relationship with someone older—someone who said my vitiligo didn’t bother him. But the relationship became toxic. Panic attacks, tears, stress… it consumed me. I stayed, not because I was happy, but because I believed I didn’t deserve better.

When it ended, I was 21—and utterly lost.

I spiralled into a deep depression. I shut everyone out—friends, family, the world. I didn’t want to be here anymore. I felt angry, empty, like I was constantly failing at just being me.

Jewellery As A Lifeline

In the thick of that darkness, I picked up a little jewellery kit. Just something to distract myself. I started making pieces in the quiet of my room. And one day, I posted a few designs on Twitter… and people actually loved them. They wanted to buy them.

Me? I couldn’t believe it.

That tiny spark—just a glimmer of joy—began to grow. I started thinking… maybe I could turn this into something. I’ve always loved photos and memories (I’m a qualified photographer too!), so I thought, what if I could bring the two together? Photos and jewellery.

I researched. Learned. Practised. And finally, Gemz By Emz was born.

Finding Faith, Hope and Healing

But something else happened around the same time. One of my oldest friends randomly invited me to church—completely unaware of what I was going through. At my new job, I met women who had also battled life’s storms. They understood me in a way few others did.

Then, the universe nudged me again. A book called The Secret kept appearing everywhere—on Twitter, in conversations, on shelves. Eventually, I bought it. And I couldn’t put it down.

Between prayer, spirituality, and mindset work, something inside me began to shift. I realised my vitiligo, my anxiety, my scars—they weren’t weaknesses. They were me. And I was enough. More than enough.

I stopped trying to hide who I was. I stopped chasing validation. And slowly but surely, life began to reflect that inner change. Toxic people disappeared. My depression lifted. My business grew. And in the most unexpected miracle—my vitiligo started to re-pigment.

I met the love of my life—someone who adores me exactly as I am. My health improved. My business flourished. And I finally began to believe in myself.

From Hobby to Award-Winning Brand

Now, 14 years on, I’m proud to say Gemz By Emz has helped thousands of people hold onto the ones they love. I’ve won awards, created pieces for celebrities, been featured on TV and in the press—and most recently, I’ve been invited to join a new small business council for the government.

But the thing I’m most proud of? Helping people feel closer to the ones they’ve lost. Turning memories into something tangible, meaningful, and forever.

This brand is so much more than jewellery. It’s a piece of my heart. A reminder that no matter how dark life gets, there is always a way through. Always.

A Message From My Heart to Yours

This brand is so much more than jewellery. It’s a piece of my heart. A reminder that no matter how dark life gets, there is always a way through. Always.

So if you’re struggling right now, feeling lost or broken—please know: you’re not alone. And you’re not broken. You’re becoming. You're building strength in the silence.

Adversity doesn’t mean failure. Sometimes it’s the very thing that sets your soul on fire and leads you to your purpose.

With all my love,
Emma x