Birmingham is renowned for its Jewellery Quarter and the stunning jewellery the area has produced throughout the years. Known as a pioneer of all major technological jewellery making advancements since the mid-1700s, 40% of all the jewellery made in the UK, is designed and made in Birmingham. Currently, the jewellery quarter has the biggest concentration of jewellery makers in Europe as well as the world’s largest Assay Office, which hallmarks around 12 million items a year. Although jewellery production in Birmingham has declined somewhat since it’s peak, due to cheaper production in other areas of the world, the jewellery industry in Birmingham is still thriving and this is set to continue for the foreseeable future.
The jewellery industry in Birmingham began in the early 16th century. In the year 1553 local goldsmith Roger Pemberton was registered as one of the first jewellers in Birmingham. Benefitting from the Industrial Revolution, the city went onto become a large industrial town with suburbs for workers to live. In 1780 there were approximately 28 jewellers recorded in the city, by 1800 the number of jewellers had grown to 400, due to the rapid pace and industrial demand in the city. The middle-class families in the area began moving out, which meant more factories were opened and canals were created to help transport goods. In 1820, the jewellery trade in Birmingham did start to decline, mainly due to the end of the Industrial Revolution, however, by the early 1900’s trade has started increasing again and at this time more than 30,000 people were employed in the Jewellery Quarter alone. Another sharp decline came in jewellery trade in 1920’s as demand for jewellery lowered due to the Great Depression and the second World War.
Many famous jewellers are known for their work in Birmingham, for example, Matthew Boulton a silversmith who lobbied the British government for a hallmarking act and an Assay Office, which is the Birmingham Assay Office we mentioned earlier, this office now has a long-established reputation as an independent centre for quality assessment and expert opinions. Ultimately, this office changed the landscape of jewellery making in Birmingham, making the process easier and much more lucrative.
As we’ve discussed, the jewellery industry in Birmingham has grown throughout the years, despite some small period of sharp decline, the industry has always managed to recover, to become stronger than it was before. Since the Industrial Revolution, jewellery production has become (and remains today) one of the biggest contributors to the city’s thriving economy. One of the reasons for this was the development and rise of Birmingham’s infamous Jewellery Quarter.
The Jewellery Quarter, located in the north-western area of Birmingham City Centre has a rich and diverse history. From its connection to the Industrial Revolution and the early jewellery makers that began to congregate there, to the thriving jewellery, business and nightlife hub it has come today. After connecting roads and canals were created in the area to transport goods and stock, and the stunning Victorian houses (which are still in existence today) were built for jewellery makers working in the area to live in, the area really began to thrive. The output of the jewellery quarter surpassed the amount and quality of jewellery made in Derby. Meanwhile, the jewellery trade also declined in Edinburgh, meaning the middle classes in London became more reliant on the Jewellery Quarter for their supply of jewellery. As well as making jewellery, the area has been known for other manufacturing. For example, in the 19th century there were approximately 100 pen factories and at this time the city produced more than 75% of the world’s pens. The area also manufactured the first football whistle (in 1878) and the first police whistle (in 1883).
Since World War two and as a result of globalisation, stronger competition and technological advances, the output of the Jewellery Quarter has been damaged, as has and its ability to be innovative and competitive in an international market. Therefore, to protect and sustain the area, policy makers and agencies have worked to (and continue to work to) reinvent itself from a stagnant manufacturing industrial district into an urban creative district. Due to the historical background of the Jewellery Quarter many of its remarkable features, including the listed buildings and conservation areas, are legally protected and will continue to be maintained. Despite this, there are many buildings in the area that have been neglected and vandalised. For this reason, and to ensure the area continued to thrive, planning and development is always ongoing, although there are many views as to how the area should or could be transformed in-line with the Quarter’s historic and architectural assets, as well as its unique environmental qualities. Now, the area which was predominantly a jewellery making area, has become an urban village that continues to be the European hub for jewellery making, but is also a hub for thriving businesses, food, drinks and entertainment.
All industries evolve and change over time and this requires new techniques to be implemented and new technologies to be adopted. One of the biggest advancements and changes to jewellery making is the introduction of 3D printing, which has been used in the industry for several years now. 3D printing allows jewellery makers to create custom pieces and/or very intricate and detailed designs, with complete ease. 3D printing has also been combined with an advancement in the manufacturing industry known as CAD-CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing). CAD-CAM helps to reduce human errors and waste, as well as increasing productivity and allowing for more intricate and unique bespoke designs.
Laser technology has also had a big impact on the way jewellery making companies create their pieces in Birmingham. Using laser powered tools, jewellers are able to create more intricate designs, and both shape and cut stones with much better precision. The advancements in robotics also have some beneficial design applications for jewellery making, robotics has recently become more affordable and widespread, meaning this process is now easily applied by jewellery makers. Other advancements and technological advancements include nano technology, innovative electroforming and wearable technology trends.
As well as technological advancements, other advancements are also impacting the jewellery trade, including the rise in online shopping and social media, through which jewellery makers have a wider reach when it comes to advertising and selling their goods.
The history of jewellery making and the historical Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham has continued to thrive for centuries. This is in part due to the unique and quality work the area produces, it’s ability to change and adapt to trends and technological advancements and excitement over the future of both the area and its productions.
