The Country & Town House Responsible Buyers’ Guide

What Is A Tennis Bracelet?

Characterised by its strong clasp, thin metal chain and row of symmetrically patterned stones, a tennis bracelet is the more common name for a ‘line diamond bracelet’.

Why Is It Called A Tennis Bracelet?

As the name suggests, the jewellery design was given a new lease of life on the tennis court itself.

During the 1987 US Open, professional tennis player Chris Evert paused her match as she noticed that her George Bedewi line diamond bracelet was no longer on her wrist. The following moments, which were played on live television, saw Chris search for her missing bracelet on the court – and find out that the reason for its disappearance was a broken clasp. The pop culture moment led to many jewellers adapting their designs into sturdier versions that could withstand sporting activities.

Are They Unisex?

While first made popular by female players, tennis bracelets are – like all other jewellery – unisex pieces that can be worn by everyone. If it matches your personal style then there should be nothing stopping you from wearing one.

Beautiful Bracelets To Wear On The Court

What better way to welcome the British tennis season than with the sport’s very own unofficial merch? Shop our edit of the best tennis bracelets below:

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Featured image: Suzanne Kalan

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The Country & Town House Responsible Buyers’ Guide

Why Is Shell Jewellery Trending?

For some people, the words ‘shell jewellery’ may conjure up images of puka shell necklaces, surfers and (admittedly a little cringe) early 2000s fashion. For the rest of us, it’s the latest trend set to crest this summer.

So, what is shell jewellery? As the name suggests, it refers to accessories created using various types of shells. Most used in jeweller pieces are sourced from marine molluscs like abalone, conch, cowrie, and mother-of-pearl shells, as these pieces carry nice colours and patterns – but it’s easy enough to put something together using the dainty shells found on beach shores.

The trend comes and goes most summers (something about warm weather makes us crave the beach, apparently), but this season it’s set to be bigger than ever. It comes just as we embrace the mermaidcore wave, another trend celebrating oceanic visuals and sea life, and shows no signs of disappearing anytime soon.

Shell Jewellery You’ll Want To Wear All Summer

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Featured image: Getty Images

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Bidding Starts Now: Tan France’s Handpicked 1stDibs Auction

A mid-century vase crafted in elegant smoked murano glass. Sleek dark wood and leather chairs portaled direct from buzzy 1960s Rome. Eighteen-carat modernist statement earrings that glimmer. And more – because this certainly isn’t your typical auction. There’ll be no placing bids on lots dressed in black-tie and scavenging canapés – on collections of items by faceless curators. In fact, the curator is a very recognisable face, and one known for his impeccable taste. 

From today, bidding is open on a limited time only auction curated by designer-cum-presenter Tan France, comprised of hand-selected items from online vintage marketplace, 1stDibs. The items, many of which were discovered while shopping for his own Salt Lake City home, are a celebration of Tan’s signature style. Expect remarkable pieces ranging from gorgeous Scandi mid-century cabinetry to arresting contemporary American art.

Lucky bidding!

1stdibs.com

Sneak Peek: What To Expect

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Illustrated Jeweller: Great British Brand 2023

‘I’m a tattooist – I’ve had my shop Gilded Cage Tattoo Studio in Brighton for 14 years – but tattooing was the last industry to reopen after lockdown, so during that time I decided to turn my jewellery making hobby into a business. The biggest challenge was having the confidence to put myself out there in a whole new world. I had the basic skillset but I’ve learnt lots very quickly, from knowing what sort of gemstones to pair with which settings to how to use CAD software. I initially employed someone else to put my drawings into CAD but I found it frustrating working to their timeline so now I do everything myself. 

Launching a new business in one of the toughest economic climates, on top of being a fulltime tattooist, looking after my team, and educating myself about the process of bespoke jewellery making (casting, soldering, stone setting, polishing), has also been my greatest achievement. Although there are similarities between tattooing and jewellery, especially in terms of following a customer’s brief, I’ve gone from working with skin to metal. My designs are quite opulent so I have to figure out how to make them work in 3D. 

This next year is about brand identity and telling the story of the collection, which is based around my great-great-grandfather who was lost at sea, as well as sailors and the symbolism of swallows. In January, I’m building on the existing designs by launching new pieces that focus on the cosmic universe. For instance, one cocktail ring is inspired by the Big Bang. It has a little secret star underneath the shank where someone can put their own birthstone as a place for affirmations and wishes, and another hidden explosion of stars that reveal themselves when seen in the right light.’ James Robinson, founder

DID YOU KNOW? 

1. The Illustrated Jeweller was founded by tattoo artist turned designer James Robinson in 2020.
2. Growing up on the Jurassic Coast, James always had a strong fascination with the calmness and power of the ocean, and its relationship with the moon and stars.
3. Inspired by his current Brighton base, James celebrates the symbolism of the sea in his designs, from sailors to swallows.
4. James’ jewellery is influenced by his greatgreat-grandfather Albert Self, who worked as a caulker for the Royal Navy and was lost at sea, vanishing on Christmas Day in 1885.
5. Other nautical objects feature heavily throughout the collection. Each piece is emblematic and meaningful, representing, fable, belief or tales from the sea.

THE ILLUSTRATED JEWELLER  

theillustratedjeweller.com  

@the_illustrated_jeweller

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Skydiamond: Great British Brand 2023

‘I am pleased to have created the first sustainable diamonds, made from the sky. I was thinking about how to remove CO2 from the atmosphere on a planetary scale and store it in the most permanent way, and suddenly realised that a diamond is the ultimate form of carbon. It was a lightbulb moment but the idea was the easy bit – five hard years of research and development followed. 

It’s a complicated high-temperature process, powered solely by solar and wind energy, but to cut a long story short, the air we put back into the atmosphere is cleaner than the air we take out. Skydiamonds are far kinder to the planet even than lab-grown diamonds, which are mass-produced, often using brown energy and gases that are byproducts of the fossil fuel industry. We are the only diamond producer on the planet to be carbon negative through our production process and not offsetting. 

Diamond mining is notorious for its negative environmental, social and ethical impact. So, diamonds are the perfect frontier for the new environmental movement. We’ve harnessed a combination of technology and imagination to come up with the ultimate piece of climate bling. Turning something base into something precious is perfect 21st century alchemy. Above all it’s fun, which is central to our ethos. 

Skydiamonds are optically, physically and chemically identical to mined diamonds and we were thrilled to launch our first jewellery collection in October last year. We also worked with jeweller Stephen Webster to launch the world’s first Skydiamond collaboration in time for Christmas 2022. We’re not asking people to give anything up or to stop buying beautiful things, but to buy better. The beauty of Skydiamond is that it gives you an exquisite gem entirely free from conflict, pollution and guilt. What’s not to love?’ 

Brand Timeline

2012 

Dale Vince comes up with the idea for Skydiamond while thinking about geoengineering and how to lock up carbon forever

2017 

The recipe for how to make brilliant diamonds is processed and perfected

2018 

The first Skydiamond in the world is made from a combination of wind, sun, rain and carbon dioxide

2021 

Skydiamond starts selling its stones – the following year in October it starts selling jewellery

2022 

In December the first jewellery collaboration launches with British jeweller to the stars, Stephen Webster

DID YOU KNOW?

1. Skydiamond’s founder, Dale Vince, is an eco-warrior and accidental businessman who ‘dropped back in’ from life as a traveller in the 90s to found Ecotricity, the world’s first green energy company.
2. Dale runs the world’s first carbon neutral and vegan football club, Forest Green Rovers.
3. Dale is a United Nations Climate Champion and received an OBE from the late Queen for services to the environment.
4. It takes approximately 14 days to grow a Skydiamond in a mill and every part of the process happens on site at its Sky Mining facility in the Cotswolds.
5. A ‘Life Cycle Analysis’ report was completed by Imperial College London consultants giving Skydiamond a negative carbon footprint of -6kgs CO2e per one carat. 

SKYDIAMOND 

The Sky Mining Co. Lion House, 2 Rowcroft Stroud GL5 3BY 

skydiamond.com  

@skyminediamond

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Robinson Pelham: Great British Brand 2023

‘In 2022, we marked our 25th anniversary as only jewellers would – that is, by making jewellery and introducing fabulous new additions to our existing ranges and launching new collections. These included “Entwined”, a capsule collection comprising two dazzling geometric diamond rings with overlapping surrounds. Inspired by a bespoke engagement piece, they symbolised a union of two. We also introduced our “Zouk” earring collection, with its distinctive flicked-up edges inspired by soundwaves, and “Labyrinth”, a collection of rings and pendants featuring a physical maze, whose path and centre are depicted in gemstones, focusing on a journey of positivity. 

‘Sourcing raw materials and working with suppliers has become an issue over recent times, but we are lucky to hold long-term relationships with the most respected in the business. We are also encouraging apprenticeships and training people in specialist skills so that we have numerous options on the doorstep rather than relying on, say, one overseas specialist. As a drive to become more independent and to minimise air miles, we are also working with more freelance goldsmiths who are based here in the UK. We’re working towards production security, so that we have all the skills and everything we need within our own walls. 

‘This year, we’ll be extending our “Ear Menu”, which is our entry level, bestselling collection. It has 13 hoops in four different sizes and 120 charms, or EarWishes, making for over 6,000 possible combinations. We didn’t think we would need to introduce more, but many people collect them, so the line is being extended due to popular demand. About ten years ago, we used to throw piercing parties and people absolutely loved them, so we’ve decided to revive these as a slightly late anniversary celebration in late spring. They’re going to be a great deal of fun.’ Zoe Benyon, co-founder 

Brand Timeline

1997

Robinson Pelham is launched by partners Vanessa Chilton, Zoe Benyon and Kate Pelham Burn as a salon privé, making bespoke designs.

2011

Kate Middleton wears Robinson Pelham’s diamond earrings for her wedding to Prince William.

2012

Robinson Pelham opens its flagship boutique on Elystan Street in Chelsea. The store is a blaze of colour, including a yellow velvet sofa.

2013

The brand starts retailing in Japan, working on a programme of pop-ups and events to engage with the specific demands of this market.

2022

Robinson Pelham celebrates its 25th anniversary at the Couture Show in Las Vegas in addition to launching four new jewellery collections.

DID YOU KNOW?

1. The Robinson Pelham team has an average of five piercings each, ranging from two to nine, and they enjoy using the ‘Ear Menu’ to create unique looks each day. 
2. The brand’s Identity necklace is one of Gwyneth Paltrow’s favourites. She can often be seen wearing it day-to-night in addition to selling it on Goop.com. 
3. Robinson Pelham offers 13 colours of Orb hoops in four different sizes and 120 EarWish charms, meaning you can make a staggering 6,240 different earrings! 
4. Sales of the brand’s silver and Murano glass bead Ukraine bracelets in blue and yellow have raised £12,500 and counting for the Red Cross Ukraine Appeal. 
5. Over the last 25 years, Robinson Pelham has made over 16,600 bespoke pieces of jewellery. Highlights include a tiara that breaks down into a necklace, pendant, earrings and tummy button ring.

ROBINSON PELHAM

39 Elystan Street, London, SW3 3NT

+44 (0)20 77828 3492

robinsonpelham.com

@robinsonpelham

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Boodles British Craft Garden at Chelsea Flower Show 2023

It’s the event the green-fingered among us wait for all year long: Chelsea Flower Show, which will be held this year, as ever, at Royal Hospital Chelsea, from 22-27 May.

Top of C&TH’s list to catch in 2023 is the Boodles British Craft Garden, created with award-winning garden designer Thomas Hoblyn, who last year won a gold medal for his creation of the Boodles Travel Garden.

His theme for 2023 is the ‘Best of British’, and this time around Thomas was inspired by the Pre-Raphaelites’ stylised depiction of woodlands in art. ‘In particular Woodland Glade by William Trost Richards, Ophelia by Sir John Everett Millais and The Lady of Shalott by John William Waterhouse,’ he explains. ‘I like the way they interpreted nature in a stylised way, and I thought it could translate well into a garden.’

Thomas was inspired by Pre-Raphaelite artworks Sir John Everett Millais’s Ophelia

Thomas will create a romantic woodland glade for the show, filled with plants like the rambling rose Félicité Perpétue, the feathery Alnus Imperialis alder tree, and weeping silver birches. But, ‘the weather can often work against you in May,’ he hedges. ‘This year’s palette requires a cool spring, so let’s hope that’s what we get.’

The garden will also be a celebration of British craftsmanship, with an arbour created by furniture designers Cox London, rustic-yet-refined paths by stonemason Jake Catling of Landscaping Consultants using Chatsworth stone, and furnishings curated by interior designer Rachel Chudley.

At the heart of the garden will be a floating pool created by water sculptor Bamber Wallis; it’ll ripple as if raindrops dance across the surface, and was inspired by Boodles’ new Raindance jewellery suite, which will also be unveiled on the opening day of the show.

Garden designer Thomas Hoblyn

‘The Raindance special release for Chelsea Flower Show explores two ideas,’ explains Boodles’ head of design, Rebecca Hawkins. ‘The first of these is rainfall: if looking directly upwards, raindrops radiate out and towards you from a central point.’ In the resulting new  suite, the ‘smaller diamonds are set further back and towards the centre, and the larger ones are set higher and further from the centre to give a sense of perspective. Pink diamond accents dance amongst the white brilliant cuts.’ The other design is based on a raindrop making contact with water: concentric circles of smaller diamonds form around the larger individual stone.

Pieces from the Boodles Raindance Chelsea Flower Show Suite

For those who are inspired by romanticism of the Boodles British Craft Garden, Thomas has some sage advice for his fellow gardeners. ‘Analyse the colours in a natural landscape and then mimic how they are put together,’ he recommends. ‘Mother Nature does not make mistakes and comes up with the most wonderful planting combinations.’

rhs.org.uk; boodles.com

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Best New Watches 2023

Breguet Quantième Perpétuel 7327

When it comes to watch making, Abraham-Louis Breguet really was a GOAT ( ‘greatest of all time,’ geddit?). Between the second half of the 18th century and the first quarter of the 19th, he perfected just about everything worth perfecting watch-wise and, notably, created a series of pocket watches that combined his ‘perpétuelle’ automatic winding system with a calendar display and his signature ‘hobnail’ patterned dial. Now the modern-day Breguet (owned by the mighty Swatch Group since 1999) is paying tribute to those historic pieces with the new Quantième Perpétuel 7327 wrist watch, a work of genius that contains 294 components and sports a ‘mechanical memory’ that enables its calendar to automatically take account of leap years and short months. Measuring just 39mm in diameter and a svelte 9.1mm thick, the watch is replete with exquisite Breguet-style finishes – including that delicious hobnail dial – and can be had in white or rose gold. All yours for £73,100… breguet.com

Richard Mille RM07-04

High-tech, high-priced watch maker Richard Mille has produced its first sports model made specifically for women. The 36-gram RM07-04 is said to have taken three years to develop and was designed with the help of half-a-dozen female sports stars, including French racing driver Margot Lafitte, American golfer Nelly Korda and Czech snowboarder Ester Ledecká. Available in six versions – five with Quartz TPT cases and one made from Carbon TPT – the watches feature platinum winding rotors and movements with titanium base plates and bridges. Cream, orange, navy, pink and black colourways are offered, each with sharply contrasting highlights and bright, textile straps. 167,000 CHF, richardmille.com

Patek Philippe Aquanaut Luce 5261R

Patek Philippe has long believed that interesting, mechanical watches appeal as much to women as they do to men. But it wasn’t until 2009 that the revered maker debuted a ‘complicated’ model for women with the launch of what it called ’the Ladies First Chronograph’. That was followed by ‘the Ladies First Minute repeater,’ and now Patek has added a complication to its Aquanaut Luce range, launched in 2004. This new version of the Aquanaut sports watch for women gets an annual calendar function, meaning the date needs to be adjusted but once a year (at the end of February). But guard it carefully, girls – at 39.9mm in diameter and without a single diamond on its rose gold case, it wouldn’t look out of place on the hairy wrist of  ’im indoors. £49,530, patek.com

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph

Audemars Piguet created the Royal Oak ‘Offshore’ in 1993 to mark the 20th anniversary of the original , smaller, Royal Oak designed by Gerald Genta. And now, to celebrate 30 years of the Offshore itself, AP has released this mighty 43mm number that’s based on the ‘End of Days’ limited edition produced in 1999 in collaboration with the film’s star, Arnold Schwarzenegger. The 30th anniversary special is made from black ceramic with yellow detailing and comes with a choice of black or yellow calfskin straps. Just 500 examples of the flyback chronograph watch will be available worldwide. Instant collector’s piece… £POA, audemarspiguet.com

Cartier Privé Tank Normale

Cartier introduced its ‘Prive’ collection in 2017 with the aim of reviving historic models and making them in small numbers – just the way things were back in the old days. A new model is honoured each year, with the latest being one of the first Cartier wrist watches of all, the Tank Normale. Designed in 1917 and first sold two years later, the first (and purest) Tank design gave way to several variations on the theme – but the new Prive model remains true to the original. Measuring just 32.6mm by 25.7mm, it contains a tiny, hand-wound movement and can be had in platinum or yellow gold, with both versions being available on leather straps or matching bracelets. If you can afford it (and can track one down) go for the platinum version on platinum bracelet with a red cabochon in the crown. Just 100 will be made – and they will be a better bet than money in the bank. £29,700, available on request at Cartier boutiques. cartier.com 

Oris ProPilot x Kermit Edition

Oris has set-out to ‘bring joy’ to buyers of a new variation of its ProPilot X Calibre 400 watch by giving it a make-over honouring Kermit the Frog, star of the celebrated Muppet Show. The Swiss maker collaborated with Disney+ – which began streaming the show in 2021 – to give the watch a frog green dial and a special calendar feature: an emoji of Kermit’s smiling visage appears in the date window on the first day of every month. The ‘ProPilot X Kermit Edition’ is due to be promoted by a Hollywood-filmed TV commercial in which everyone’s favourite amphibian is seen singing and playing the banjo. Word of warning: if you see a commercial pilot wearing this watch, head straight back to the safety of the terminal. £3,700, oris.ch

IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40

Back in the 1950s IWC introduced a watch for lab workers, technicians and engineers called the ‘Ingenieur’ and featuring a specially-developed ‘Pellaton’ automatic movement encased in a Farady cage integrated with the dial to combat magnetism. The original look prevailed for more than 20 years before being freshened-up by freelance designer Gerald Genta to create the ‘Ingenieur SL’ of 1976. IWC revisits that model with the new Ingenieur Automatic 40, which subtly re-interprets the SLs screw-down bezel, grid pattern dial and integrated bracelet. Differences include the addition of crown guards and the use of IWC’s Calibre 32111 in-house movement. From £10,500, iwc.com

Bremont Broadsword Recon

Resolutely British manufacturer Bremont has added to its ‘Armed Forces’ collection with this limited edition take on the so-called ‘Dirty Dozen’ watches produced to a standard Ministry of Defence specification by 12 different makers towards the end of World War Two. The ‘Broadsword Recon’ (for ‘reconnaissance’) is a rugged, 40mm steel watch with a two-part ‘sandwich’ dial designed to glow bright in the dark during those risky night ops. The case backs are stamped with the symbols of each of the UK’s three armed forces and each watch is supplied with a ‘NATO’ style nylon strap as well as alternatives in black rubber and brown leather. Just 200 Broadsword Recons will be available. £3,195 (15 percent off for serving military), bremont.com

Harry Winston Emerald watch

The late Harry Winston – him they called ‘the King of Diamonds’ – liked nothing better than an emerald cut stone. Which is why the modern-day brand that bears his name created the ‘Emerald’ cocktail watch, a jewel-like creation with an eight-sided case based on the emerald cut shape. This new version of the watch is the first to feature ruby hour markers on its mother-of-pearl dial, the stones being complemented by a wraparound strap in red satin. A total of 44 brilliant-cut diamonds adorn said dial and there are 108 more on the case, which can be had in white or rose gold. From £12,800, harrywinston.com

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Celebration Bubble

Rolex sent fans into a lather at this year’s Watches & Wonders show in Geneva when it pulled the wraps off new ‘Celebration’ dial versions of its stalwart Oyster Perpetual model. The mighty Crown caused a feeding frenzy back in 2020 when it released new OPs with pink, blue, yellow, red and green lacquered dials, some of which quickly appeared on the pre-owned market at more than six times RRP. It’s likely to be a similar story with the bubble-icious Celebration models, which can be had in 31, 36 and 41mm steel cases. Despite their playful appearance, the watches still come with ‘Superlative Chronometer’ certification, meaning they should remain accurate to plus or minus two seconds per day. £5,400 (41mm version), rolex.com

Longines Spirit Flyback

The holder of the 1936 patent for the first flyback chronograph, Longines has returned to the complication for the latest addition to its Spirit collection, which celebrates the adventuring ethos that has driven the brand since it was founded in 1832. The Longines Spirit Flyback continues this tradition with its new exclusive calibre, resistant to magnetism and equipped with a silicon balance spring, with a power reserve of 68 hours. Perfect for your next adventure. £4,100 on leather strap, longines.com

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Pragnell: Great British Brand 2023

‘Although this year’s been tricky at times, we are agile enough to adapt and weather the storms. We’ll continue to focus on the uncompromising quality of the craftsmanship of our jewellery and watches, and our personal service. Waters & Blott, on my mother’s side of the family, has been making jewellery in London for over 170 years, and we’ve been serving customers to a high standard under the Pragnell name since 1954 in Stratford-upon-Avon. 

‘We owned Philip Antrobus in Bond Street [makers of Queen Elizabeth II’s engagement ring] but it was only in 2018 that we opened the Mount Street store, with “Pragnell” over the door. It was a step change, bringing our different companies under one name. Early in 2019 we realised that we had underestimated the demand for a Mayfair-based family jeweller offering a full, personal service. So, in 2022, we doubled our showroom’s size. Patek Philippe and Rolex have their own dedicated spaces. The exciting highlight of our trade is the variety of our customers, from Middle Eastern Sheikhs, African leaders and financiers to royals, actors and musicians. The price of rare diamonds has appreciated significantly over recent years. They are viewed as an investment class by some customers, who are ever more informed and able to distinguish authenticity instantly. With many of our pieces, customers can see exactly where our diamonds have come from – our finest are often from Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Canada. 

‘Ultimately, rare beauty has lasting value, whether that’s a 1960s Ferrari or a royal blue Kashmiri sapphire. The most beautiful jewels’ value seems to hold, and that’s often regarded as an appealing, tangible hedge against other investment possibilities. All Pragnell’s fine jewellery pieces are made in its British workshops by its talented team of jewellers and apprentices. The major development of 2022 was installing our walk-in diamond vault. Mount Street had to be closed three times for cranes to lower it in. We’re excited about having that open in 2023.’ Charlie Pragnell, Managing Director 

Brand Timeline 

1815

Philip Antrobus, maker of Elizabeth II’s engagement ring, founded on Bond St.

1850

Waters & Blott, a fine jewellery manufacturer, is started in London.

1913

George Tarratt starts in Leicester with watch and jewellery workshops.

1954

George and Margaret Pragnell found Pragnell in Stratford-upon-Avon.

2018

Pragnell opens its first London store under the family name on Mount St.

DID YOU KNOW? 

1. Pragnell’s Stratford-upon-Avon building, with its Jacobean ceiling, was built in 1585 by Abraham Sturley, a friend of both William Shakespeare and King James I. 
2. Pragnell owns a locket sent to one of Napoleon’s lovers containing a lock of his hair – the locket has never been photographed. 
3. The Pragnell family tiara has been worn at three coronations.
4. Prince Philip commissioned a diamond ring for the Queen from Philip Antrobus under the chandelier that is hung in the new Mount Street diamond ring showroom. 
5. Pragnell is a proud patron of the Prince’s Trust, with two of its watch workshop technicians coming from the scheme. 

PRAGNELL

Stratford-upon-Avon, Leicester and Mayfair

pragnell.co.uk

@pragnelljewellery

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Stephen Webster: Great British Brand 2023

Last year was tumultuous. We had to pull out of our flagship store in Moscow, and Russia is a bigger market than the US for us. Despite the havoc, we ended the year on a high, launching our collection in collaboration with Dale Vince of Skydiamond. I met Dale seven years ago, when he was still experimenting with creating diamonds from carbon extracted from the sky. They were opaque brown crystals and I loved the idea of them absorbing all the atmosphere’s muck, so debris was the inspiration behind this wonderfully disruptive collection. I threw the kitchen sink at my designs, using titanium to give a space age feel. I expected millennials to be our first buyers but to our surprise it was a couple in their seventies who snapped up the first ones. 

I also launched my limited edition collection of rings, “Rebelles”, inspired by the compelling stories of seven legendary women, from a terrifying Chinese female pirate to Anna Pavlova and Mata Hari. 

I’m also really enjoying my Reset offer, which I began four years ago, enabling people to bring in their jewellery boxes that might contain an odd earring, a broken chain or a wedding ring post-divorce for me to repurpose. Transforming things that have an emotional attachment to people is not just sustainable but also totally uplifting. Jewellery is about celebrating life’s joys – love, a new baby, an anniversary – and that’s why I take such delight in being a jeweller.

I work with my Russian wife, Assia, and I’m so happy my daughters have found their way into the business, too. It’s important to train the next generation up to keep our craft and skills alive, which is why I and others like Theo Fennell, set up The Leopards in 2016 to encourage, mentor and support young jewellers starting out.’ Stephen Webster MBE, founder

Brand Timeline

1989 

Stephen Webster founds the brand. Today it’s a family business of two generations, a father, mother, brother, and daughter.

2011 

Stephen becomes one of the world’s first jewellers to receive a Fairtrade Gold license. He visited mines globally to understand working conditions.

2013 

King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, presents Stephen Webster with an MBE, for his services to training and skills in the British jewellery industry.

2016 

First of three accreditations from Positive Luxury’s Butterfly Mark, which awards brands contributing to the future of the planet.

2022 

Launches the first collaboration with Skydiamond, the world’s first carbon negative diamond, marking a new era for the industry.

DID YOU KNOW? 

1. When Stephen started his apprenticeship in Hatton Garden in 1977, he spent the first three years hand making chains. There was no possible link he couldn’t make. 
2. Aged 21, Stephen talked his way into an exhibition set up to showcase British jewellers at the British Embassy in Brussels – he was the youngest designer by at least 10 years.
3. In the 1980s, aged 24, Stephen set up a workshop in Montecito, Santa Barbara. His first celebrity client was Elizabeth Taylor.
4. Returning to England in 1990, Stephen applied for a job as production manager at Theo Fennell but Theo said he was far too talented and encouraged him to start out on his own.
5. Always keen to give back, Stephen has run various marathons to raise money for charities. His fastest time was 2 hours and 47 minutes. Impressive!

STEPHEN WEBSTER  

Second Floor, 130 Mount Street London W1K 3NY 

+44 (0)20 7199 6463 

stephenwebster.com  

@stephenwebsterjewellery

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