From Donegal to Diamonds: Meet Eimear

An Introduction to Eimear & Thomas Laine

Hello and welcome — I’m Eimear (ph. Eee-mer, rhymes with “Beamer” 😊).

I grew up in County Donegal, Ireland, as part of a family of five, where my parents run Castle Grove Country House Hotel, a Georgian gem overlooking Lough Swilly. My parents poured their hearts into restoring it, filling every room with antiques sourced from auctions across Ireland, Scotland, and England.

Some of my earliest adventures were tagging along to those auctions — watching, learning, and falling in love with the craftsmanship, history, and beauty of each piece. My mum was my greatest style influence. She instilled in me a love of fashion, vintage treasures, and the thrill of the hunt. Many of my most treasured possessions today are things we found together. She also gave me my favorite life advice: “It takes no skill to criticize, and the only real failure is not to try.”

Donegal itself is a place of beauty and inspiration — wild Atlantic coastline, rolling mountains, and endless greenery. It’s a perfect place to let your mind roam free, and it planted the seeds of my love for art, antiques, jewelry, and design.

From Donegal to London, New York… and Paris

After university, I spent eight years in London — a city with its mix of history, energy, and a gentler kind of hustle. It was there that I refined my taste, deepened my love for design, and learned how a city’s culture can shape personal style.

In 2003, I traded London’s elegant buzz for the raw, electric energy of New York City. I was drawn to its romance, opportunity, and grit — and quickly found myself in the heart of the Diamond District, learning directly from master jewelers and stone dealers who had spent decades perfecting their craft.

In 2006, I graduated from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) as a Diamond Graduate, also studying pearl and colored gemstone grading. That same year, I launched Thomas Laine with a simple but powerful vision: to blend modern design with heritage craftsmanship, and to guide clients through every step with clarity, honesty, and personal care.

And then there’s Paris — another city I can’t resist. Every visit brings a new treasure or detail that sparks my creativity, from antique market finds to the effortless elegance of its streets.

My Philosophy

I’m endlessly fascinated by the individuality of each precious gem. No two are alike — each has its own personality, story, and magic. I love understanding what makes a gem special: its features, its value, and the qualities that give it beauty.

I believe there’s a perfect stone for everyone — one that suits their style, values, and budget. My role is to help clients find that perfect match and make the journey as inspiring as the finished piece.

Life in Two Worlds

Today, I split my time between Donegal and New York — two extremes I adore. Donegal gives me calm, nature, and a steady, quiet energy. New York fuels me with its hustle, grit, and unrelenting pace. My Irish heritage grounds me in family, community, and honesty, while my years in NYC have sharpened my instinct for presenting tradition in a fresh, modern way.

My designs nod to the classics I grew up with — the symmetry of Georgian style, the glamour of the Roaring Twenties, and the boldness of the 1970s and 80s — but always with a contemporary twist.

When I’m not working, I’m probably travelling, exploring new places, or treasure-hunting for antiques and vintage pieces. I love socializing with friends, from lively dinners to gym classes, and I unwind with a good book or sometimes in the garden with mum.

The Heart of What I Do

When clients meet me, I want them to feel excited, inspired, and completely at ease. The most rewarding part of my work is the wow moment — when they see their finished piece for the first time, and I can see how much it means to them.

My hope is that every Thomas Laine piece makes its wearer feel proud, loved, and confident — and that it becomes something of beauty and value to pass on to the next generation.

This blog will be where I share behind-the-scenes glimpses, jewelry and gemstone advice, design inspiration, and stories from both sides of the Atlantic. I’m so glad you’re here, and I can’t wait to take you along for the journey.

A Few Fun Facts About Me

• Favorite gemstones: I’ll always have a soft spot for antique diamonds, emeralds, and pearls.
• Most treasured jewels: Pieces given to me by my husband and my mum.
• Gem geek: I can happily lose hours reading about stones, their origins, and what makes them unique.
• Current obsession: Listening to podcasts — right now, I’m hooked on Aspire with Emma Grede.
• A hobby a year: I try to learn one new thing annually. This year? Golf.
• Gardening with my mum: She’s older now, and gardening is her happy place. At first, I found it tedious, but it’s become a space where she shares her knowledge, and we grow something beautiful together. Roses are my favorite.
• Christmas geek: I go all in — decorations, traditions, and festive sparkle included.
• Collector at heart: Books, jewelry, antiques — I can never resist a good find.
• Pet hate: Rudeness to waiters or service staff. It tells me everything I need to know.
• Favorite quote: Maya Angelou’s “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” It took me years to truly learn — and practice — that one.