Around the world, our humble isle has a reputation for nurturing creativity and freedom of expression.
Among the four fashion capitals, the style set flocks to London in particular for the rich, diverse scene that pushes the boundary at every turn and takes an experimental POV to the everyday. Sure, you have the stalwarts, but they mingle with emerging talent where you never know quite what you’re going to get.
The same is true for jewellery.
The UK is home to a wealth of independent brands making a name for themselves across every price point, from the accessible to the fabulously flashy. What makes the British jewellery market stand out from the crowd are the sheer options in the mid-range. It has never been easier - or more affordable - to enhance your treasure chest of bling. Quality jewels are no longer reserved for the one per cent with the rise of hard-wearing demi-fine, fashion and lab-grown diamond labels giving high-priced contemporaries a run for their money.
These brands have already garnered the celebrity seal of approval beyond British borders with the likes of Monica Vinader worn by Kendall Jenner and Selena Gomez and Missoma icing regularly spotted on A-listers like Gigi Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski.
Bellwethers in jewellery crazes, leading British brands are responsible for popularising many of the latest obsessions, from layering necklaces to pearl mania. While trinket trends don’t move quite as quickly as the clothing cycle, they follow the same cyclical pattern where this season cocktail rings, drop-like earrings and chunky cuffs have ridden the wave of 90s and 00s nostalgic in their return to the top of most-wanted fashion lists. These are pieces you’ll find in the treasure trove of ornaments at each of the labels below.
So, with no time to waste, shop the best British jewellery brands below.
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Monica Vinader
Price: ££
Designing for men and women, all of Monica Vinader’s pieces can be personalised. Their friendship bracelets have already reached cult status, and the other pieces on offer are equally as covetable.
Buy now, Monica Vinader
Tada and Toy
Price: £
With a chic store on Portobello Road, Tada & Toy was founded by childhood best friends Tansy and Victoria to fill a gap in the market as they saw it for sparkling jewels with a Scandi edge that are affordable yet high quality. Earrings are where the brand shines, in particular the celestial star adornments. The brand’s celebrity fan base includes Emma Watson, Maya Jama and Maisie Williams.
Buy now, Tada and Toy
Astrid & Miyu
Price: £
An Instagramer’s dream, Astrid & Miyu’s designs have been worn by the likes of Georgia May Jagger and Pippa Middleton. Including a wide selection of delicate hoops, studs and initial earrings – in many shapes, sizes and metals – for edgy, chic everyday jewellery, look here.
Buy now, Astrid & Miyu
By Alona
Price: ££
Alona Shelemy’s eponymous jewellery label takes inspiration from her Middle Eastern and European heritage. While she has a background in fine jewellery, the styles are made for everyday wear. She specialises in the use of 18kt gold, creating covetable pieces that will inspire you to book your next Ibiza break with shells, gemstones and pearls punctuating the collections.
Buy now, Matches
Rachel Jackson
Price: ££
Rachel Jackson wants to change your perception of your jewellery purchases. Each and every piece in her offering is designed to be treasured with engravable styles that go beyond just aesthetics as necklaces, pendants, earrings and rings to represent a moment. The brand is best known for its birthstone collection, lockets and star sign pendants.
Buy now, Rachel Jackson
Daisy Jewellery
Price: £
We first spotted British jewellery label Daisy on our Instagram feeds as it has become hugely popular with some of our favourite influencers, including Estee Lalonde who has created a capsule collaboration collection with the understated brand. Daisy Jewellery combines everyday essential designs with statement pieces with adorable, feminine and hugely covetable constructions. The range extends to necklaces, rings, and earrings with the likes of chains, chokers and pendants. Stack them up or wear them solo.
Buy now, Daisy
Missoma
Price: £
Trend-setting label Missoma is one of our favourite jewellery brands out there.
The demi-fine trinket specialists offer delicate and vintage-inspired pieces that you will be sure to cherish. Leading the pack on some of the most sought-after designs, you will find chunky chains, layering sets, customisable pendants, envy-inducing ear stacks, statement rings and much more.
The brand also has an ongoing and hugely popular collaboration with blogger Lucy Williams starring coin necklaces, chokers and retro hoops.
Buy now, Missoma
Otiumberg
Price: ££
Everyday jewellery on a reasonable budget is what sisters Christie and Rosanna Wollenberg had in mind when they founded Otiumberg in 2014. The sterling silver and gold-plated designs are ultra-wearable, making them perfect workwear accessories.
Buy now, Otiumberg
Lark & Berry
Price: ££
In addition to dealing in lab-grown diamonds, Lark & Berry plants five trees per purchase made in partnership with One Tree Planted.
Buy now, Lark & Berry
Heavenly London
Price: ££
Heavenly London was founded in 1993 and specialises in the inclusion of imitation diamonds that give the real thing a run for its money. The pieces are decidedly modern with a retro flair – just look at the bestselling necklace, The Marilyn, where a striking stone is set on a figaro chain. Diamonds (even if they are faux) are still a girl's best friend.
Buy now, Heavenly London
Edge of Ember
Price: £
Fresh from the opening of its first store in Covent Garden, the London-based jewellery label Edge of Ember puts socially responsible and ethically sound practices at the forefront. The accessories are crafted by small groups of artisans across India and East Asia with pieces made to order. Update your collection with engravable jewels, beach-inspired pieces and solid gold fine essentials. You can also personalise pendants with initials, numbers, gemstones or meaningful charms.
Buy now, Edge of Ember
Lily & Roo
Price: £
With most of the label’s pieces being handmade in London’s jewellery capital, Hatton Garden, Lily & Roo’s collections are ethically sourced and produced, including the likes of recycled precious metals and conflict-free diamonds. From the alphabet collection to the cute heart pendants, it’s perfect for gifting for birthdays or anniversaries.
Buy now, Lily & Roo
Ania Haie
Price: £
For Instagrammable designs look no further than Ania Haie. Think medallion necklaces and cuff bracelets: her jewellery is designed to be layered or stacked. The affordable offering is dominated by 925 sterling silver with rhodium or 14kt gold plating.
Buy now, Ania Haie
Orelia
Price: £
If you want fashion-forward pieces at a great price, Orelia’s collections have you covered. From classic chains to chunky rings, drop earrings to chunky bracelets, there’s something for every taste in the wallet-friendly offering.
The choice doesn’t stop there. The retailer also sells other independent jewellery brands, which have been carefully selected through Orelia & Co. If you really want to treat yourself, there’s a Luxe section, as well, with pieces made using precious metals.
Buy now, Orelia
Muru London
Price: £
Struggling with a gift idea for the jewellery lover in your life? Muru has got you covered. The London-based label specialises in meaningful designs that will honour the special occasion with something truly unique. From personalised initial necklaces with hand-stamped designs to necklaces, earrings, bracelets and anklets adorned with a moon charm to symbolise female empowerment, the pieces are effortlessly chic and are crafted from sterling silver and 18ct gold vermeil.
Buy now, Muru
Astley Clarke
Price: ££
Award-winning British designer Astley Clarke produces easy-to-wear pieces, from fine diamond to demi-fine gemstone jewellery. With an impressive price range – just £15 to £9,996 – some of the pieces (such as their lockets) can be personalised.
Buy now, Astley Clarke
Alighieri
Price: ££
For pieces that are brimming with old-world charm, it’s Alighieri that should be on your radar. From the antique-looking chains with a unique mottled texture to pendants that could have been plucked from a treasure chest, every piece has the appeal of a bygone era.
Founder and designer Rosh Mahtani takes inspiration from the tales of Dante Alighieri (it’s suddenly apparent where the name comes from...), and places emphasis on creating pieces responsibly, using recycled materials wherever possible.
Buy now, Matches
Rachel Entwistle
Price: ££
Amulets - which date back to Ancient Roman times - are believed to protect their holders, and it’s such concepts as this which inspire the work of Rachel Entwistle. From her East London neighbourhood, Rachel creates covetable designs that are both symbolic and beautifully handcrafted. Favouring ethically sourced and recycled materials, she uses precious metals, bronze and gemstones to create geometric and zodiac-inspired designs.
Buy now, Rachel Entwistle
Loveness Lee
Price: ££
You can spot a Loveness Lee design a mile off. Introduced to the world of design by her architect mother, it’s no wonder that founder, Loveness, designs pieces with abstract shapes and sculptural forms.
Handmade in the label’s London-based workshop, the pieces are responsibly crafted using lab-grown gems, recycled sterling silver and freshwater pearls, and each piece is created in small batches to ensure zero waste.
Buy now, Loveness Lee
Annoushka
Prices: £££
Every piece from Annoushka’s enviable jewellery range is handcrafted in 18ct gold and set with precious gemstones and diamonds. Drawing from the designer’s Russian heritage and love of travel, the collection ranges from charms and pendants to bangles and necklaces. Her initial earrings, however, are what we’ve got our eye on.
Buy now, Annoushka
