The Best Jewellery Brands in 2024: A Detailed Guide
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Jewellery is a diverse and incredibly fascinating art form that’s been around for thousands of years. Today, all kinds of brands saturate the industry with products, and it’s becoming increasingly hard to understand who you should buy from. This guide to the best jewellery brands will shine some light on this question.
You’ll learn who you should buy from and why, as well as what you should look for when purchasing jewellery both online and in-store.
Without further ado, let’s get to it!
The Most Relevant Jewellery Brands in the UK
1. Harry Winston
You can’t compete with the king of diamonds and jeweller of the stars.
Harry Winston isn’t just one of the best jewellery brands around—it’s on a whole other level.
Founded in 1932 in New York City, this label forged a legacy that we can’t ignore. In 1947, Cosmopolitan magazine crowned Mr Winston ‘King of Diamonds’, and since then, this moniker has best represented the most luxurious jeweller in the world.
Madonna, Natalie Portmann, Rosario Dawson, Coco Rocha, and Jessica Alba are some of Harry Winston’s most famous endorsers.
Visit Harry Winston.
2. Graff
Graff is arguably the best UK jewellery brand.
Founded by Laurence Graff in 1960, this label is synonymous with perfection. Few brands will give you more refined products.
The brand’s manufacturing process is void of compromises or shortcuts, from choosing the gems to work with to an excellent final piece. Graff has been at the forefront of the bespoke jewellery industry for 80 years, and it’s not going anywhere.
The most valuable diamond Graff has ever worked on is the Peacock Brooch, worth a whopping £76 million. However, more standard products will range from £1,000 to £100,000.
Visit Graff.
3. David Yurman
David Yurman is a diamond among designer jewellery brands.
The brand became famous thanks to its iconic cable bracelets, first designed in 1982. They maintain their popularity today, and Yurman still considers them its signature product.
Overall, the best word we could use to describe this brand is innovative. Innovation has always been the driving force behind its success, be it from the aforementioned cable bracelets, the mixed metals designs, or the revolutionary practice to set diamonds in silver, which led to the birth of Silver Ice.
If you’re more interested in men’s products, Yurman’s got you covered. Its men’s section is full of incredible designs and peculiar materials, like meteorite, carbon fibre and titanium.
Visit David Yurman.
4. Margaux Studios
Margaux Studios is one of the top jewellery brands from the UK, with a strong focus on pearls.
Margaux Studios focuses mainly on pearls, which might be a deal-breaker if you’re primarily interested in gems. However, it doesn’t deal with high-end stones, making its options much more affordable than other British jewellery brands.
That said, the brand does utilise materials other than pearl, and each item it manufactures is exceptionally well-crafted and void of imperfections.
If you want to show some love for a truly romantic, sustainable, and independent manufacturer, buy from Margaux Studios.
Visit Margaux Studios.
5. Wanderlust Life
Looking for affordable minimalist jewellery brands in the UK? Check out Wanderlust Life.
Inspired by Scandinavian and Japanese products, Wanderlust Life’s designs are simple, elegant, and perfect for everyday wear and special occasions. Each piece is handmade in the UK by experts at its studio based in Braunton, North Devon.
You can either visit the brand in North Devon, or shop directly from its online storefront and get its pieces shipped straight to you, free of charge, anywhere in the UK.
Visit Wanderlust Life.
6. Monica Vinader
Only the classiest of ladies know about Monica Vinader.
Women’s jewellery brands are seldom both affordable and excellent. However, with Monica Vinader, you won’t need to compromise on quality to get yourself some incredible jewels.
The brand’s goal is to empower and celebrate women in all their aspects through sustainable and ethical means. Monica Vinader only uses recycled gold vermeil, sterling silver, and cruelty-free gems. It’s truly hard to find other ladies’ jewellery brands that put so much effort into protecting our planet.
Monica Vinader’s team is based in Norfolk, and you can find all its products in the shops of well-known retailers such as Liberty, John Lewis, Farfetch, and Nordstrom.
You can also visit the brand in its London, Hong Kong, New York, and Singapore boutiques.
Visit Monica Vinader.
Shop with Monica Vinader vouchers.
7. Tasaki
Tasaki is a renowned Japanese jewellery brand famous for developing Sakuragold: a striking pink gold with a deeper red hue than other conventional options.
Besides gold, Tasaki also deals with pearls and diamonds, producing elegant and innovative designs that will leave you utterly speechless. This brand is perfect for those looking for the most unique among pearl, diamonds and gold jewellery brands.
You can visit Tasaki’s flagship boutique in London, at 170 New Bond Street.
Visit Tasaki.
8. Tiffany & Co.
How could we not mention Tiffany?
It’s an almost 200-year-old company that’s still highly relevant in this industry, and rightly so. There’s no question that it’s a juggernaut among luxury jewellery brands, and the quality of its pieces is tough to match.
That’s what you get from two centuries of experience.
Tiffany’s blue boxes are famous worldwide and are an instantly recognisable quality guarantee.
You can find Tiffany & Co. pieces in almost every jewellery shop in the world, or you can visit its online catalogue. Either way, be sure to check them out.
Visit Tiffany & Co.
9. Chanel
In 1912, Gabrielle Chanel opened her first boutique in Deauville. We still talk about Coco Chanel’s designer fashion jewellery more than a hundred years later.
Coco Chanel’s bohémien-inspired jewellery is as good as it gets. It has an aura of gravitas and prestige that you can’t find elsewhere.
It’s the stuff of legends.
The list of VIPs who loved Chanel’s fine jewellery more than anything else is too long for this article, but we can assure you that this brand has always been a favourite in high society, even more than other famous luxury jewellery brands like Gucci or Graff.
Granted, its pieces are expensive, but Chanel’s quality more than makes up for the investment.
Visit Chanel.
10. Buccellati
Milan’s finest.
Buccellati has a uniquely provocative aesthetic, perfect for those looking for something sharp, aggressive, and elegant at the same time.
The brand doesn’t shy away from showing off its Italian heritage with its Renaissance-inspired motifs and constant references to the 500-year-old Milanese goldsmithing tradition.
This label’s most important qualities are the experience behind every collection, the thought behind every design, and the craftsmanship behind every piece.
Truly one of the best jewellery brands the world has ever seen.
Visit Buccellati.
11. James Allen
James Allen is all about professionalism and quality. A brand for those who don’t like to waste their time.
The label was founded back in 2006 by Oded Edelman, James Schultz, Michele Sigler, and Dean Lederman. Since then, they’ve applied their extensive experience in this field to bring a complete and convenient catalogue in the vein of other classic jewellery brands to bijouterie lovers.
Compare its pieces to any from other major manufacturers in the industry, and you’ll see that it’s truly more convenient to shop at James Allen than brands like Dior or Cartier.
The shopping experience they offer is also somewhat less complex and quicker than other top jewellery brands. Overall, we highly suggest you give James Allen a chance.
Visit James Allen.
12. Mejuri
Mejuri is a millennial-centric sustainable jewellery brand with an eye to the future.
Not everybody has thousands of pounds to spend on stuffy, expensive jewellery, and Mejuri shows you that you don’t need to pay that much to get your hands on quality pieces.
The brand aims to democratise jewellery, making it accessible for everybody while keeping costs low and manufacturing processes ethical and sustainable.
Mejuri is also very active on social media, which underscores its desire to appeal to a younger demographic that might not have access to much funds.
A must-have among budget-friendly women’s jewellery brands.
Visit Mejuri.
13. Pandora
Pandora is a brilliant, beloved, and modern brand for younger ladies who don’t like compromises.
Established in 1982, the brand’s come a long way since its debut in Copenhagen, Denmark. The label’s most famous product is its patented charm bracelet, allowing customers to personalise their own with hundreds of charms and their combinations.
Pandora is an absolute classic, and you can’t go wrong by choosing their products. If you’re looking for tried and tested designer fashion jewellery for a younger demographic, you’ve come to the right place.
All of Pandora’s pieces are handcrafted by expert goldsmiths and made only from sterling silver, 14k or 18k solid gold.
Visit Pandora.
Shop with Pandora vouchers.
What to Look for When Buying Jewellery
Now you know enough about the best jewellery brands for the UK to know who to shop from, but what exactly should you buy? Which materials are best for you? Should you guess your ring size?
Alright, settle down. We’re going to give you some more advice on shopping for jewellery.
Know Your Materials
Sterling silver, pink gold, platinum, titanium, carbon fibre, meteorite—what should you choose?
Although we’ve mentioned a lot of materials, all popular jewellery brands mainly deal with only three of them: Platinum, gold, and silver.
- Platinum is durable, shiny, and the most expensive material out of the three. It looks good, won’t erode, and will outlast most other available options.
- Gold comes in different colours and purities, ranging from white to pink and from 9k to 18k. It’s a jack-of-all-trades, perfect for everyday wear, gifts, and engagement rings.
Silver is affordable, pretty, and the least durable precious material. Although less valuable than the other two options above, it’s a favourite among the best jewellery brands in the UK. It’s perfect for gifts and a great accessory choice for special occasions.
Learn About Gems and Stones
If you’re interested in buying diamonds or other precious stones, educate yourself. Even the most basic knowledge on the matter will keep you from getting scammed most of the time.
Scams, now more than ever due to the luxury market’s recent and ongoing rapid expansion, could always be lurking behind the corner.
In this day and age, you don’t even have to buy physical diamond or gem guides—just look online for a reputable website to read from or get an ebook written by experts in the field.
If you’re reading an article about the best jewellery brands, you’re already turning your interest in jewels into knowledge. Go the extra mile and keep doing research!
Know Your Jewellery Size
If you’re not confident about your size, double-check before shopping. Learn how to measure for rings and bracelets so you don’t have to trouble yourself with returns. This especially goes for personalised items, as companies usually don’t accept returns in their case.
Look For The Hallmark
All reputable fine jewellery brands will stamp a hallmark into their pieces, a legal guarantee that the product is made out of precious metal.
If you can’t find one, or if the hallmark looks suspiciously wonky, you might be dealing with contraband.
Don’t waste your money—make sure you’re getting what you’re paying for.
Buy Conflict-Free
Don’t buy blood diamonds.
While the international diamond manufacturing community has excluded diamonds mined in war zones, there’s still a chance you’ll find jewels made from these stones going around, especially if you’re buying from a shady retailer.
These stones are illegal, and if you have reason to believe you’re in front of one, just don’t buy it. Only purchase pieces from sustainable jewellery brands produced according to the international Kimberley Process.
Beware of Nickel Alloys
Nickel is a popular, cheap material used as an alloy for pieces made out of precious metals. However, some people are allergic to nickel, and wearing a jewel containing the material could lead to some nasty consequences.
If your skin turns red and becomes itchy after you start wearing a necklace or ring, you could be allergic to the item’s nickel alloy, and you should see a doctor, who’ll most likely recommend a patch test.
However, nickel alloys aren’t a mark of inferiority, and even the best fine jewellery brands use it in some of their pieces.
Compare Prices
Before buying, always check your options and see if you’re looking at the most convenient variant possible.
Jewellery is already expensive per-se, and you don’t want to overpay for something you can quickly get elsewhere for cheaper.
Sometimes, it might be impossible to find another item of the same quality elsewhere, and that’s ok. If you want to pay more for an overall better item, you absolutely should.
However, as with any industry, name brands charge more than lesser-known, more affordable jewellery brands on an item of a similar base value.
Jewellers Matter
So far we’ve only talked about designs, manufacturing, and materials—let’s talk about another essential aspect of all top jewellery brands: the people behind the counter.
An excellent jeweller will know how to answer all your questions and will ultimately always win your trust. If a jewellery shop can train their salespeople to be this good, you’re probably in the right place.
Check if wherever you’re buying from is a member of the National Association of Jewellers, and how long its products’ guarantee period is. These are two tell-tale signs of service reliability.
Don’t Go Generic
You should never buy something generic for somebody you love.
Tailor your choice to their lifestyle, character, and personal interests. If you take care to do this, you’ll go home with a truly unforgettable gift.
Buying from the best jewellery brands is nice, but making a personal gift will bring everything to a whole new level.
Best Jewellery Brands FAQ
Which jewellery brand is the best?
While there’s no universal answer to this question, we can give you a couple of ideas to understand which brand would be the best for you specifically.
If you’re looking for the perfect balance between quality and price, you’ll like Monica Vinader, Margaux Studios, James Allen, and Mejuri. These affordable jewellery brands offer outstanding pieces at attractive prices.
Those looking for luxury brands, on the other hand, might prefer Chanel, Cartier, Tiffany & Co, or Tasaki instead. These are the top names in the industry, both iconic and recognisable.
What is the most popular jewellery?
According to a Diamond Nexus survey, earrings are the most popular jewellery item among ladies, with 87% of the 3,779 women surveyed saying they wear them regularly.
The most popular style of earrings are studs with a round stone shape.
According to the Gentleman’s Gazette, for men, rings are by far the most worn jewellery item. The most popular styles are wedding rings, pinky rings, and signet rings.
What are good brands of earrings?
Today’s most popular earring brands are Cartier, Harry Winston, Tiffany & Co, and Graff. These labels offer delicate and elegant pieces coveted by royals and actors worldwide.
Final Thoughts
From the king of diamonds to sustainable jewellery brands, we’ve talked about the creme de la creme of the ever-expanding jewellery industry.
You can’t go wrong with these brands, and if you want the best possible buying experience, we highly suggest you follow our tips on how to buy jewellery.
We hope you enjoyed this article. Good luck, and happy shopping!