Julia Castelli has worked in the diamond industry for more than 25 years, having always been passionate about studying and sourcing precious gemstones.
Over the past three decades, she has held leadership roles at the likes of Sotheby’s, Chopard and Leviev Diamonds, and advised UHNWIs on the acquisitions of extremely rare gems – including pink, green and chameleon diamonds.
These lofty transactions, some exceeding £20 million, have taken Castelli on regular trips abroad and introduced her to some of the world’s finest five-star hotels.
It wasn’t until a few years ago, however, that the idea of combining her two passions – diamonds and luxury travel – struck the Bulgarian native as a realistic business prospect.
“A client asked me if I could book two One&Only Reethi Rah villas over the festive period after their own advisor had been unable to fufill the request,” Castelli told TTG.
The jewellery connoisseur jumped into action, leveraging her VIP connections to get the £160,000 enquiry over the line. It didn’t take long; within days, she’d secured both villas for the exact dates the clients had needed.
“They were so impressed – they thought I was like a magician!” Castelli said.
Before she knew it, she was receiving travel enquiries from more and more high-net-worth people.
“Those One&Only clients returned from their trip and told their friends and family, and it went from there,” she said.
‘It’s all about the detail’
For Castelli, the expansion into luxury travel feels almost inevitable.
Decades inspecting rare gemstones has given her a razor-sharp eye, as well as an understanding of the clients who seek exceptionality.
“I believe it’s all about the little touches, like being greeted by your favourite flowers and handwritten notes,” she explained.
“There’s an assumption that very wealthy people want everything, but I’ve found that isn’t always the case. Often, they want fewer things – but for those things to be extremely high quality.”
Having spent years sourcing the right diamond for her clients, Castelli also knows all too well the importance of meticulous attention to detail.
“People say perfectionism isn’t a good thing, but in diamonds and travel, it’s a must,” she insisted. “I triple check everything with the hotels and partners – connections I’ve made through my diamond career – to ensure the experience is flawless.”
Rare gems to rare experiences
Castelli has also used her jewellery contacts to create exclusive itineraries for clients.
Once the destination is confirmed, she will often arrange a diamond activity that isn’t available for purchase on the market.
These experiences vary from private appointments on New York’s 47th Street and London’s Hatton Garden to shopping tours of tanzanite, an ultra-rare gemstone only found on the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Castelli also loves “sprinkling diamonds and gems” into special occasions, having organised a proposal at Place Vendome, the heart of France’s diamond world, and a 21st birthday limousine tour of Bond Street’s finest jewellery boutiques.
“It helps a lot that I know the owners,” she added, noting she particularly enjoys working with high-end houses like Graff, Harry Winston and David Morris. “I can do lots with them, like in-store dinners and closing early for private viewings.”
For those clients who buy jewels abroad, Castelli will typically liaise with a courier who specialises in securely delivering diamonds. She also advises on the most economical way to acquire the gemstone, such as collecting from a tax-free zone (like Dubai or Hong Kong).
The future is shiny
Castelli is now keen to diversify her services, with hopes to soon offer group trips for her diamond-loving clientele. She is also open to expanding her team, though admits to being extremely cautious of maintaining her high standards.
“I don’t have the grand desire for something incredibly massive because I still want to be the one who makes sure the quality stays,” she explained. “Do I want to let go of the control? I don’t know. I’ll leave it to the universe!”
Julia Castelli is an ultra-luxury travel and lifestyle adviser, GIA-trained diamond specialist, TEDx speaker and published author with over 25 years of experience serving high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients internationally.
Her career spans some of the world's most prestigious jewellery houses, including Chopard, Asprey, Leviev and Sotheby's, where she developed her expertise in rare diamonds, exceptional client relationships and multimillion-pound transactions.
She has also served as Managing Director of Ithaafushi – The Private Island by Waldorf Astoria, the largest private island in the Maldives, where she focused on sales, marketing, promotion and business development.
