Every street in the West End has its own character and when you begin to know a bit about them, you’ll be able to find where the best jewellery shops are and, most importantly, the brands that you’ll love.
Bond Street is the home of classic luxury. Here you’ll find the flagship stores of some of the world’s best loved jewellery houses. You’ll find some fashion collections but by and large these brands dish up exquisitely crafted fine jewellery in timeless styles. As such, it’s an extremely popular destination for engagement rings and wedding bands.
Tiffany & Co’s iconic blue bags always make a beautiful gift. The treasured American brand has mastered the art of sentimental jewellery over 160 years and their signature heart pendant is a style icon in its own right. They’re also famed for their elegantly simple, diamond engagement rings made, of course, with the Tiffany setting.
Cartier offers something a little more extravagant for those who believe more is more. The French, ultra-luxurious jewellers has two boutiques on Bond Street for their widest selection possible. For a true statement piece, check out their haute joaillerie collection for dramatic, vintage-inspired jewels. The New Bond Street store is one of only three historical maisons, known as “temples”, worldwide.
One of the most influential diamond jewellers of the 20th century, De Beers also has a dazzling presence on Bond Street. The company that introduced the 4Cs of diamond quality and first utter the phrase “A diamond is forever”, De Beers combines passion and expertise. Here you’ll find classic shapes and materials embellished with diamonds that will make your jaw drop. This is the site of the very first De Beers store and their signature setting is named Old Bond Street after it.
The Bulgari store will transport you back to glamorous, vintage Italy. Their bold, exuberant designs are housed in an exact replica of their Rome flagship from the 1930s. Never afraid to use colour or go big in their designs, Bulgari is unashamedly luxurious.
For something a little more refined, try Mappin & Webb at the far end of the street. Jewellers to the Queen and guardians of the crown jewels, you’re in safe hands here. Well-loved for their watches and silverware as much as their jewellery, they are traditionalists at heart and that’s reflected in their tasteful designs.
If you have luxury tastes but prefer something more fashion-forward, Mount Street should be your destination. This characterful, Mayfair street hosts the perfect blend of young designer brands and established names that prefer a more understated approach. When it comes to jewellery there’s some exciting names who blend an artistic approach with luxury metals and stones.
Georg Jensen is a brand with a long history but a distinctly modern aesthetic. Scandinavian minimalism shines through in both the interiors of the shop and the collections housed within it. A more sculptural approach makes Georg Jensen’s pieces suitable for the everyday but no less striking because of it.
For some Italian fieriness, Delfina Delettrez makes fine jewellery with a playfulness that’s always a hit with the fashion editors. Nature is a strong, and often very literal, inspiration for her designs which don’t shy away from colour either. There’s also a range of engagement rings for brides who want something a little different.
Hidden away on the second floor of a townhouse on Mount Street, Stephen Webster serves up luxe jewels with a dash of rock ‘n’ roll. Expect bold, gothic showpieces for women and men in a setting that will make you feel at home. A celebrity favourite since the brand launched over 25 years ago, these distinctive pieces have a dedicated following who return time and time again.
There’s nothing quite as romantic as vintage and antique jewellery and if this is more to your taste, the West End has plenty to offer in this department too. For the very best unusual pieces from days gone by, peruse the vendors in Burlington Arcade. This Victorian shopping centre, presided over by the beagles dressed in original top hats and frockcoats, is the perfect setting for them.
Susannah Lovis is an independent specialist in pre-loved jewellery that has run a shop in the arcade for over 20 years. Additionally, they also take bespoke commissions for something new inspired by the selection on the shop floor. If you want to try a piece before committing, or need something for a one-off occasion, they also offer a hire service.
Antiques specialists Somlo carry a lovely selection of jewellery worth checking out but it’s their watches that they’re best known for. True experts, they know everything there is to know and only carry the very best as well as offering one of the best restoration services around. Particularly noteworthy is their collection of Omega watches.
One of the oldest shops in Burlington Arcade, Richard Ogden has had its boutique here since the 1950s, passing it down from generation to generation. From affordable trinkets to highly collectible pieces of jewellery history, this place has plenty to offer. You’ll find a lovely selection of 20th century artefacts but their range of Victorian and Edwardian jewellery is unparalleled.