DISCOVER: 10 Jewellery Brands You Might Not Know
This gifting season, rather than turning to the usual suspects, consider investing in an independent jewellery brand for a truly unique and special gift.
I don’t know about you but with the Black Friday sales still in full swing and gifting season upon us, I’m getting bombarded with emails and feeling a little overwhelmed. In those moments it’s easy to be tempted to turn to the same retailers or brands to shop to almost get it over with.
With this in mind, if you’re thinking of gifting a loved one (or yourself, we love a self-gift) some jewellery this year, rather than turning to the usual suspects, consider buying a special, hand-crafted piece from an independent jeweller that they’ll (or you’ll) treasure forever.
Allow me to introduce you to ten independent British-based jewellery brands that you may not have heard of, all with a truly unique and distinctive style. I hope you see something you like and I’d love to hear from you in the comments below if you decide to buy anything or if you have any other independent brands to share.
Ella Stern - a graduate of Central St Martins, Ella started her eponymous brand after graduating while working full time in marketing. After Covid left her redundant, she threw all of her time into growing her brand which is now thriving. Taking influence from architecture, art and antique jewellery, Ella’s jewellery is full of vibrant coloured stones, organic, sculptural shapes, and is crafted from recycled metals and ethically sourced diamonds. Modern heirlooms that are wearable for everyday.
Indy Cockcroft - based in one of my favourite parts of the UK, North Cornwall, Indy Cockcroft makes jewellery full of personality, crafted from recycled metals and fairtrade stones. I’m finding myself so drawn to any piece with a smile on at the moment; if I’m having a bad day, I think a flash of a smile pendant in a reflection would just cheer me right up - so naturally, my favourite pieces are from Indy’s Smile collection. The Smiley necklace which is available in silver, gold vermeil and 9ct solid gold, Cowrie ring and Smile ring with gemstone.
Shop Indy Cockcroft jewellery
Liv Luttrell - Liv is a fine jeweller based in London known for her sensual and sculptural designs, with clean lines and organic forms crafted from the finest materials. She experiments with different textures and finishes including the Florentine silk engraving method which gives a softness to her more dramatic pieces. I absolutely love Liv’s design aesthetic which makes it very difficult to narrow down my favourite pieces but the Twist Hoop earrings and Paravent earrings are both statement pieces you’d wear over and over again while the subtle sculptural lines of the Strata earrings and Folde ring offset with clean diamonds edges are my kind of quiet luxury. The pièce de résistance for me is the Awn necklace (pictured below) crafted from petal-like layers of 18k yellow and white gold and diamonds.
Sophie’s Sister - created by two friends Hayley and Sophie who met in NCT classes, Sophie’s Sister is a made-to-order fine jewellery brand making everyday pieces with a cool, luxury edge. Their signature pieces are the Loveheart curb chain necklaces and bracelets adorned with gorgeous precious heart-shaped stones including tourmaline and emerald that look stunning worn alone or build up an enviable collection of different colours for the ultimate wrist stack. A special mention also goes to the North Star pinky ring set with a round brilliant diamond and available in 14k or 18k solid gold.
Sophie, who is GIA-certified, also offers a bespoke service if you’re looking to create a one-off special piece.
Shop Sophie’s Sister jewellery here
Robyn Smith - in her own words, Robyn creates “jewellery defined by the philosophy that roughness and refinement can coexist.” Inspired by ancient objects in modern silhouettes, Robyn’s jewellery is intricate, delicate and finely crafted. Some of my highlights are the fine pieces scattered with diamonds
T-bar diamond necklace, Martha drop earrings with stunning tanzanite and sculptural silver twisted Joan necklace.
Shop Robyn Smith jewellery
NORMA Jewellery - mixed metal fans unite, NORMA is the brand for you. Creating cool, contemporary, genderless jewellery that combines different metals, chain types and a smattering of freshwater pearls. My current faves are the XL Hydra ring, I love a knot, the Aquila necklace that marries a belcher chain and a curb chain in contrasting metals and the Ara hoops. Buy for yourself, share with your partner.
Bar Jewellery - Bar was founded by Sophie Mckay in 2015 and stands for Born from Ambition to create Responsibly which follows through the full journey from the materials, manufacture, worker welfare and transparency. The brands aesthetic is timeless, simple and elegant that transcends trends. I love the delicate sculptural shapes that look like they’ve been tied into place like a piece of art on the wearer. The Fiocco collection ties bows around your wrist and ears, the Fiocco bracelet is versatile enough to wear every day, while the Dancing Lines choker makes a statement worn alone. For me, earrings are the stand-out category with so many beautiful options like the Drift earrings, Flora earrings and Gracilis earrings, all available in both silver and gold.
Elise Friedman - Elise creates fine jewellery that explores and expands the facets of womanhood, with pieces that compliment the wearer’s personal style without overwhelming it and to be worn and treasured for a lifetime. All of Elise’s pieces are hand-made in London from ethically sourced and recycled fine metals. The delicate and versatile Modular collection offers pieces that can be built up in layers with more or less diamonds on each piece - image below features two of the blackened stone earrings worn together in different sizes and directions to create a modern diamond stack - I also love the idea of layering the blackened gold and yellow gold together for a unique play on light and dark. The Lozenge collection evokes a sunshower with pear-shaped diamonds and sapphires dropped on to rows of diamonds - the Lozenge ring with it’s flash of cool blue sapphire would make a beautiful engagement ring or wedding band for those looking for a piece that can be worn alone but still have enough personality to make a statement. Cool fine jewellery for the modern, multi-faceted woman.
Shop Elise Friedman
Jayne Fowler - I first discovered Jayne on her stand at Broadway Market in East London and was drawn in by her distinctive designs. Her jewellery, which is carefully crafted from her workshop in Margate, is inspired by and literally crafted using nature through the cuttlefish casting method. The resulting pieces are organic, molten shapes with precious stones look like they’ve been swallowed by the surrounding gold or silver. A Jayne Fowler piece is a true talking point.
Shop Jayne Fowler jewellery
Liv Thurlwell - Liv’s jewellery is inspired by her travels; the natural world, architecture and culture, all meticulously hand-crafted from her studio in the serene English countryside. Her ready-to-wear collection is chock full of versatile and stunning pieces that would slot seamlessly into your everyday jewellery stack - some of my favourite pieces being the Bamboo bangle, Twist ring and the absolute wishlist item - Elsyian Emerald charm chain.
Liv also offers a bespoke design service and antique remodelling, examples of which are regularly showcased on her Instagram for you to drool over, including this recent incredible chunky topaz stepped pendant and this insane three-stone engagement ring
