Pragnell: Purveyors Of Exquisite Rare Gems For Six Generations

Jewellery & Watches / 2 months ago

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Pragnell is an entry in our Great British Brands 2023 book. 

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