What’s the Jewellery Quarter all about? 

Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter is home to more than 100 retailers and skilled craftspeople, producing more than 40% of all jewellery made in the UK. A pretty impressive stat! 

The area also boasts stunning architecture, intriguing museums, and bustling cafés and restaurants. So make sure you factor in plenty of time to explore on foot, perhaps stopping for lunch or a coffee and cake. 

Planning a trip? Check out our comprehensive guide to the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter before you visit! 

Buying jewellery: expectations vs reality 

Here are some of the myths we’ve heard along the way – any of them ring true with you? 

Expectation: Jewellery in the Jewellery Quarter is expensive. 

Reality: Prices in the Jewellery Quarter are often better than anywhere else in the UK. Jewellery here offers good value for money, representing the intricate craftsmanship that goes into it, as well as the quality of the materials. 

You’re unlikely to find the same high quality goods for the same excellent prices anywhere else in the country. 

Expectation: Customers will be given the ‘hard sell’. 

Reality: If you choose an independent, family-run jewellers, they should be honest with you at every stage, finding you the right wedding rings, engagement rings or other items within your budget. 

There should be zero pressure at any time. When you find the right jewellers, it will feel right. 

Expectation: All engagement rings look the same! 

Reality: Far from it – the Jewellery Quarter is full of skilled craftspeople bringing innovative designs to life. Whether you or your partner prefer traditional designs, twists on the classics, nature-inspired looks, or something totally contemporary, you’ll find it here.

Expectation: I’ll buy the wrong size engagement ring. 

Reality: This is a valid concern (one that lots of our customers come to us with!). 

Here’s the answer from our FAQs on this topic: 

Our advice: don’t worry about this. 

9 times out of 10, you’ll get the ring size wrong anyway, so there’s no reason to get worked up about it, or to try any Mission Impossible stunts just to find out your partner’s ring size. 

We’ve been doing this for a long time, and we always advise people to pop into our shop and talk to us about your partner - what they’re like, what they want, what their lifestyle is like, et cetera. 

All of this information combined with our expertise and experience means that we’ll be able to get a better idea of ring size, stress-free and zero fuss. 

If the ring’s not the right size, it doesn’t matter anyway! We’ll always resize your ring for free once you know for certain. Bottom line - there’s no need to worry about buying the wrong size ring! 

Expectation: I might buy a sub-standard item of jewellery. 

Reality: A good jeweller will only work with top quality metals and gemstones, with a team of qualified diamond experts to ensure diamonds are of the highest quality. 

They’ll be passionate about craftsmanship at all stages: from design through to casting, mounting, setting and polishing. 

Not only this, but a good jeweller will ask questions about you, your partner, your lives and more in order to form a complete picture of exactly what you want and need. If a jeweller is pushing for a sale, then they probably don’t have your best interests at heart. 

Expectation: I’ll feel embarrassed because I don’t know a thing about jewellery. 

Reality: There’s no need to be shy; let the experts guide you through the four Cs (cut, colour, clarity and carat), so you can choose rings that you and your partner will love (that’s our job!).