Dunlop was born in Hampstead, London to Scottish parents and finished her schooling in Brussels, where she became interested in jewellery design and underwent some basic training.
[3] She established a workshop and shop at 69 Kensington Church Street, London W8, and in the early 1920s was joined by W. Nathanson as her principal craftsman.
[4] Dunlop's work is characterised by the use of semi-precious and precious gems, such as chalcedony, chrysoprase, moonstone, amethyst, agate, quartz and opals, often cabochon rather than facet-cut gemstones, set in silver in symmetrical patterns, often inspired by nature.
[5] The business closed at the outbreak of World War II in 1939 and Dunlop never returned to work due to ill health.
After the war Nathanson re-started the business and continued producing jewellery and silver under Dunlop's name until he retired in 1971.