Birmingham Jewellery Quarter Awarded World Craft City Status

For years and years, the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter has been regarded as a central hub of culture, craftsmanship and heritage in the UK. With roots tracing back over 200 years, this vibrant and historic part of the city is home to a diverse range of workshops and jewellers. 

Now, this unique area has also been recognised on a global scale, after being awarded World Craft City status by the World Crafts Council. This is a huge and well-deserved accolade, placing Birmingham among a very select group of cities celebrated for their excellence in craft and creativity. The Birmingham Jewellery Quarter was awarded World Craft City status by an independent judging panel, which visited over a three-day period. Judges took part in a silversmithing workshop at the School of Jewellery, stopped by the Birmingham Assay Office, and took in the historic Coffin Works, before deciding that the area was worthy of this accolade.

The History Of Birmingham Jewellery Quarter

Since as early as the 16th century, Birmingham has had strong links to the jewellery industry. What we now know as the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter came to be as early as the Industrial Revolution in the 1700s, when more and more skilled workers moved to the city for manufacturing jobs. The numbers making jewellery grew and grew, and by the mid-19th century, the area was a clear craft hub, with jewellery, silverware and decorative items being produced for markets all around the world.

In the 21st century, the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter has successfully retained its unique character. A mixture of small workshops and independent makers continue to operate from heritage buildings that have stood for generations, while the consistent presence of the Birmingham Assay Office adds depth to the offering of the area. Now, there are over 800 businesses found within the quarter, and it is thought that over 40% of all jewellery made in the UK is made here.

What World Craft City Status Means

The World Craft City programme was established by the World Crafts Council in 2014 to “showcase the reputation and assets of creative cities/regions specializing in specific craft disciplines, raw materials, articles, or a variety of crafts on a global platform.” It is hoped that World Craft City status helps these areas secure ongoing support and stability, and create new opportunities for growth, innovation, and creative tourism. 

By achieving World Craft City status, Birmingham Jewellery Quarter joins fewer than 100 cities worldwide celebrated for the highest levels of craftsmanship. It’s a celebration of both the region’s historic significance and present-day innovation, and hopefully the catalyst for even further investment and development in the years to come, with plans for a UK jewellery festival – the Birmingham Jewellery Biennial – in the coming years. 

Our Relationship With Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter

At Bonds the Jewellers, we have long held a very close connection with the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter and were delighted to hear about the World Craft City status. 

We know this region very well, and all of our Mallards Collection heritage jewellery is made in the quarter from high-quality silver using time-honoured techniques. 

Our gold and platinum bespoke jewellery offerings are also brought to life in the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter. Every commission begins and ends in the heart of the district, where we transform your vision and ideas into samples and final pieces. 

With World Craft City status now placing a spotlight on the craftsmanship of this area, now could be the perfect time to create and invest in something special with our help. Whether you’re seeking a one-off piece of jewellery or a complete collection, please do get in touch with us and we can help you bring your vision to life from the latest World Craft City: Birmingham Jewellery Quarter.