15 Best High & Low British Jewelry Brands
For beautiful designs at affordable prices, you need to look no further than our favorite British jewelry brands.
For the highest quality and still affordable pieces, there are now plenty of brands with beautiful pieces that will stand the test of time. Contemporary brands are now focusing on sustainable designs by working with skilled artisans and aiming towards being carbon neutral, with some incorporating recycled materials and lab-grown diamonds.
Some may argue that gold vermeil [a gold plating used by some of these brands] should be snubbed over solid gold or other precious metals, or that natural stones should be given more importance than lab-grown stones – but these can also be investment pieces. The key is to look for minimal pieces for everyday wear so that you can get your use out of them!
We’ve put together a list of our favorite British jewelry brands with good quality pieces, at good price points, without compromising on personal style.
15 British Jewelry Brands
1. Monica Vinader
This brand’s pieces are loved by the likes of Kate Middleton. In fact, even Meghan Markle has some of her favorite pieces from the brand.
Monica Vinader started her eponymous brand in 2008 and continues to strive towards being as sustainable as possible. The brand uses 100% recycled gold and sterling silver, as well as using 100% recycled packaging.
Monica Vinader was the first of its kind. At the time of its launch, there were very few demi-fine jewelry options available, and while the market is flooded with options, the brand stays firm in its positioning and values.
2. Astrid & Miyu
Connie Nam founded Astrid & Miyu in 2012. Spending most of her life travelling the world, she became accustomed to collecting quirky, dainty jewelry from local markets.
The idea for her own brand sparked when she wanted to purchase items with the same aesthetic to gift to family and friends. Unfortunately, no such brands were available, both in design and buying experience.
One of the brand’s most notable pieces, which has expanded its international presence, is the “permanent” bracelets and anklets, where a dainty silver or gold chain is welded onto the wrist or ankle so as to not be removable. However, if you do like the style but cannot commit to the non-removable aspect, you can add a clasp.
3. Boodles
This family-run business is one of the few left in the high-jewelry industry. To get to the start of the Boodles journey, we must go back hundreds of years to 1798. The Kirk family would start a jewelry brand which would later, in 1910, acquire Boodle and Dunthrone.
Boodles’ beautiful designs also caught the attention of the royal family over the years. They designed the cake stand for Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding and have also been involved in many sporting events attended by the family; in 1989, the ‘Boodles Trophy’ was presented to HRH The Prince of Wales after his team won the polo match.
Boodles focuses on only precious stones, so an option to keep in mind if you’ve got a big budget, or want to do some window shopping.
4. Edge of Ember
British brand Edge of Ember was founded by Lynette Ong in 2014 after moving from Singapore to London and quitting her career in finance to do so.
Her passion for ‘invisible craftsmanship’ is what inspired her brand and motivated her to create a platform for these artisans who have mastered an ancient craft. The brand also only works with members of the Responsible Jewelry Council, meaning they pay living wages, and are working on reducing their carbon footprint.
If you’re looking for ethical, sustainable jewelry, this is the option for you. Edge of Ember uses recycled metals and lab-grown diamonds – but still creates new, fresh designs.
5. Missoma
British jewelry brand Missoma was founded by Marisa Hordern in 2007 with the aim of inspiring confidence and self-expression.
It’s a true British brand to its core, with every piece being designed in-house in the Notting Hill studio. Missoma focuses on pieces for everyone, whether your preference is dainty jewelry, or whether you like a statement piece.
6. Tada & Toy
Tada & Toy was founded by friends Tansy Aspinall & Victoria Van Holthe. The pair have been friends since they were 13, and since then, they have dreamed of launching their own brand.
Tada & Toy focus on ethical production, and all pieces are produced out of Jaipur, India, under the guiding hand of their third business partner, Shubhi Kumar.
The brand focuses on timeless Scandinavian designs whilst also incorporating a funky, playful aesthetic. This is a great brand if you’re looking for fun layering pieces.
7. Annoushka
If you don’t have a tight budget but are looking for funky, unique designs, Annoushka is the brand for you. Annoushka Ducas had always been passionate about jewelry. When she moved to Hong Kong in the late 80s, she worked with local artisans to design jewelry for herself.
She describes her own brand as “out of the box, “why not” design”. Inspiration for designs has been taken from literally everywhere. In fact, Annoushka has over 500 charm designs, perfect if you’re looking for unique fine jewelry to add to your collection.
8. Otiumberg
Otiumberg was founded in 2016 by sisters Christie and Rosanna Wollenberg. The name comes from the Latin word ‘otium’ for leisure time.
The pair founded their brand because they identified there was a space for a brand with attainable jewelry, but was still fashionable and funky for the needs of the new fashion generation.
9. Roxanne First
Roxanne First launched her brand in 2018 after leaving her 9 to 5 job in pursuit of her true passion, jewelry. The women in her family sparked this love, from seeing her grandmother’s collection, to her mother’s layered bracelets, to her godmother’s engagement ring.
For her, the best jewelry is the pieces you never have to take off, and so all pieces are made in solid gold to avoid tarnishing.
Every piece by Roxanne First is timeless and cool but made from precious stones and metals. This is the perfect place if you’re looking for statement pieces to never take off.
10. Alighieri
Rosh Mahtani named her brand Alighieri after her love for Dante Alighieri. While she was studying French and Italian at Oxford, she carved a piece of jewelry after each Canto of Dante’s The Divine Comedy.
Though she had no formal training in jewelry, it inspired a rawness and personality, which is still apparent in the brand today.
Every piece is hand-crafted in the UK, and each has its own unique story – inspired by Dante’s journey.
11. Maya Magal
After completing an art degree and working as Head Designer at Miquella Jewelry, Maya Magal created her own brand in 2013. The independent, female-founded British jewelry brand works out of a studio in the heart of London’s jewelry district, Hatton Garden.
Whilst still being a global brand, Maya Magal focuses on local production, with every piece being handcrafted by in-house jewelers. They work with 100% recycled gold and sterling silver and source from family-run suppliers and local craftsmen.
12. Alice Van Cal
Alice Van Cal was founded in 2018 and focuses on durability, intended to be worn safely every day. Her patent-pending ‘The Alice’ is truly the future of fine jewelry, and means the design can be worn as a necklace, bracelet, earring drop, and hand jewel.
Something unique to the brand is that Alice is pursuing further education in Lithotherapy, the practice of using crystals in healing. A practice that will enable her to create jewelry that is beneficial to the wearer.
For those who are invested in their spiritual healing, each piece from Alice Van Cal has been energised under full moons and so is charged with healing properties.
13. Loveness Lee
Loveness Lee founded the brand in 2016 for those with a daring style and an ‘anything-but-ordinary’ approach to jewelry. Every piece looks like an antique work of art, perfect for those with a unique sense of personal style.
The pieces are handcrafted in London and focus on sustainable production. Their approach to jewelry production means ‘happy accidents’ are embraced, cutting down on waste products and allowing for one-of-a-kind pieces.
The jewelry is made from recycled sterling silver, lab-grown gemstones and freshwater pearls, which is perfect if you’re looking for something good for the world.
14. Lark & Berry
Founded by Laura Chavez, Lark & Berry was the first designer jewelry brand to commit to using only lab-grown gemstones in its designs – a move that has proved to be very successful for the British brand.
It’s important to understand the devastating impact that natural diamonds have on the environment. Mining can ruin whole ecosystems and communities, and so jewelry brands who say they are sustainable but still use these natural diamonds, aren’t really that sustainable at all.
Lark & Berry is committed to their stance as a sustainable brand, and so is a great brand to follow and support.
15. Stephen Webster
Stephen Webster is an old-school ‘if you know’ brand, established in 1989. Webster revolutionized fine jewelry with thought-provoking designs and respect for British craftsmanship.
The brand still produces statement jewelry, under the guidance of Stephen Webster, and his daughter Amy, who now serves as an Art Director.
We hope you found this guide useful in finding new jewelry brands to explore. As fashion aesthetics change, it allows more opportunities to experiment with your personal style, and more fine brands are offering options to do so.
Up next: David Yurman Vs Tiffany & Co: Which Jewelry Brand Should You Go For?
