There is a stretch of streets in central Birmingham where the air itself feels different. Walk through the Jewellery Quarter on a weekday morning and you will hear the hum of polishing wheels, the tap of setting tools, and the quiet concentration of people making beautiful things by hand. I have worked in this quarter for years, and every time I step through its streets, I feel connected to something much larger than myself - a tradition of craft that stretches back over two centuries.
When I first arrived in Birmingham from Iran in 2017, it was the Jewellery Quarter that drew me. I had been a CAD designer for two years already, but I wanted to learn from the best. The School of Jewellery at Birmingham City University sits right in the heart of the JQ, surrounded by working workshops and studios. It felt like the right place to grow. It was.
Now, Birmingham has received a designation that confirms what those of us who work here have always known: this city is a world-class centre of craft. In 2024, Birmingham became the UK's first World Craft City, recognised by the World Crafts Council. For anyone considering bespoke jewellery in Birmingham, this matters more than you might think.
Birmingham Becomes the UK's First World Craft City
The World Crafts Council, part of UNESCO's network of creative organisations, awards World Craft City status to cities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to traditional and contemporary craft. Previous recipients include Jaipur in India, Icheon in South Korea, and Hangzhou in China. Birmingham is the first city in the United Kingdom to receive this honour.
The designation recognises not just the Jewellery Quarter, but Birmingham's broader craft ecosystem - its silversmithing heritage, its glass and metalwork traditions, and its thriving community of independent makers. However, the Jewellery Quarter is undeniably the crown jewel of the bid. With over 700 jewellery-related businesses operating within a single square mile, it remains the largest concentration of jewellery businesses in Europe.
For buyers, this is more than a ceremonial title. World Craft City status brings international attention, investment, and a renewed commitment to preserving the skills that make this place extraordinary. It is a signal to the world that Birmingham takes its craft heritage seriously - and that the people working here are among the best in the world.
A Brief History of the Jewellery Quarter
The Jewellery Quarter's story begins in the late eighteenth century, when Matthew Boulton established his Soho Manufactory on the edge of what would become the JQ. Boulton was a pioneer of industrialised metalwork, but he also championed quality and design. His influence attracted silversmiths, toymakers (as small metal goods craftspeople were then known), and eventually jewellers to the area.
By the mid-nineteenth century, the Jewellery Quarter was producing roughly a third of all jewellery made in Britain. The area developed its own infrastructure - assay offices, tool suppliers, gem dealers, engravers, and specialist workshops for every stage of the jewellery-making process. This concentration of skills meant that a designer could walk from one workshop to the next, assembling a team of specialists for any project.
The twentieth century brought challenges. Mass production, changing consumer habits, and two world wars all took their toll. Many workshops closed. But the Quarter never died. The skills were passed from generation to generation, and a core of dedicated craftspeople kept the tradition alive. Today, the JQ is experiencing a genuine renaissance, with a new generation of designers and makers choosing to base themselves here precisely because of this heritage.
What World Craft City Status Means for Buyers
If you are looking for bespoke jewellery in Birmingham, World Craft City status should give you confidence. Here is why.
Quality assurance through tradition. The JQ is not a collection of isolated workshops. It is an ecosystem. When I need a specific stone cut, a particular finish, or an unusual technique, I can find the right specialist within walking distance. This concentration of expertise means that bespoke jewellery made in the JQ benefits from a depth of skill that is genuinely rare in the modern world.
International recognition. The World Crafts Council does not hand out this designation lightly. Their assessment process examines the breadth and depth of craft activity, the quality of training and education, and the city's commitment to preserving and developing its craft traditions. Birmingham passed on every count.
Investment in skills. World Craft City status brings funding and attention to apprenticeships, workshops, and educational programmes. This means the skills you rely on when commissioning bespoke jewellery will continue to be taught and developed for generations to come.
When you commission a piece from a Jewellery Quarter designer, you are not just buying a ring or a necklace. You are investing in a living tradition that has been refined over 250 years.
The Jewellery Quarter Today: A Living Craft Tradition
Walk through the JQ today and you will find a fascinating blend of old and new. Historic workshops where fourth-generation craftspeople still work alongside contemporary studios using CAD design and 3D printing. The Birmingham Assay Office, which has been hallmarking precious metals since 1773, still operates from its home in the Quarter. The anchor hallmark it stamps on every piece is recognised worldwide as a mark of Birmingham's quality.
The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, housed in the preserved Smith and Pepper factory, offers a window into the working conditions of Victorian jewellers. But step next door and you might find a young designer creating engagement rings using digital sculpting software. This is the beauty of the JQ - it honours its past whilst embracing the future.
The Quarter is also home to the School of Jewellery, part of Birmingham City University, where I studied from 2017 to 2019. The school has been training jewellers since 1890 and consistently produces some of the finest young talent in the country. Many graduates choose to stay in the JQ, drawn by the community and the infrastructure that supports independent makers.
Explore bespoke design with Silux London
Why I Chose Birmingham to Build Silux London
I could have based Silux London anywhere. London has its jewellery heritage in Hatton Garden. Edinburgh has a growing craft scene. But for me, Birmingham was the only real choice.
When I arrived in the UK on a Global Talent Visa in 2020, I already had seven years of experience in fine jewellery design and manufacturing. I had worked on the new product development team at Britain's largest fine jewellery manufacturer, right here in Birmingham. I knew the JQ intimately - its people, its workshops, its capabilities.
Silux London draws on my Persian heritage for its design language. The name itself comes from the Silk Road and luxury - two concepts that feel natural in a city built on trade and craft. Birmingham has always been a meeting point for cultures and ideas, from Boulton's partnerships with global markets to today's diverse creative community. My Iranian background and British training feel perfectly at home here.
The Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Council has recognised my work three times, in 2018, 2020, and 2024. Each of those pieces was conceived and developed in the Jewellery Quarter. The skills, the materials, the specialist support - everything I need is within reach. That is the JQ advantage, and it is why I chose to build my brand here.
How to Find and Commission a JQ Jewellery Designer
If you are considering commissioning bespoke jewellery in Birmingham, here are some practical steps to help you find the right designer.
Research online, but visit in person. Most JQ designers have websites and social media profiles, but nothing replaces an in-person visit. Walk through the Quarter, visit open studios, and get a feel for the different styles and approaches on offer.
Look for credentials. Check for hallmarking (the Birmingham anchor mark), industry awards, and formal training. The Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Council Awards, for example, are one of the most respected benchmarks of quality in British jewellery.
Ask about the process. A good bespoke jeweller will walk you through every stage - from initial consultation and sketching to CAD rendering, wax model approval, and final production. You should feel involved and informed at every step.
Understand materials. Ask where their gold is sourced, how they select gemstones, and whether they use recycled metals. Transparency in materials is a hallmark of a trustworthy maker.
Consider heritage and design philosophy. Every designer brings a unique perspective. At Silux London, that perspective is rooted in Persian artistry - geometric patterns, warm gold tones, and a reverence for nature that runs through Iranian decorative arts. Find a designer whose vision resonates with yours.
- Visit the Jewellery Quarter during Open Studios events for direct access to makers
- The Birmingham Assay Office website lists registered makers in the JQ
- Ask for references or testimonials from previous bespoke clients
- Request to see CAD renders or wax models before final production
Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter has been making exceptional jewellery for over 250 years. With World Craft City status now confirming its global significance, there has never been a better time to commission a piece from this remarkable corner of England. Whether you are looking for an engagement ring, a wedding band, or a piece that celebrates a personal milestone, the JQ has a designer who can bring your vision to life.
I am proud to be part of this community, and I would be honoured to help you create something extraordinary.
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About the author: Hamed Arabuk is a British-Iranian jewellery designer, Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Council Award winner, and founder of Silux London.
