41 Banks Lyon Jewellers

36-40 Church Street, Lancaster
Who you need to know
Rodney Banks-Lyon, managing director
Brands and designers include
Breitling, Bremont, Cartier, Chopard, Emporio Armani, Fope, Georg Jensen, Gucci, Links of London, Longines, Mont Blanc, Omega, Pandora, Rolex, Rotary, Tag Heuer, Theo Fennell, Tissot, TW Steel

Lancashire favourite Banks Lyon Jewellers has nurtured a strong reputation in the northwest of England and even has visitors trekking over from farther afield
to make the most of the treasures on offer. One retailer said: “[Rodney Banks Lyon] has created a very active business in a sparsely populated part of the country and has [made] his business a bit of a destination”.

The beautiful shop front has striking arched windows, which do ample credit to its collection of watches and head-turning diamonds. However, it is the exemplary customer service, well-known throughout the industry, that keeps the retailer’s peers voting for it.

The roll-call of watches reads like a horologist’s dream and is likely to have collectors chomping at the bit. The retailer has recently welcomed into its family of timepieces watches from British brand Bremont, which earlier this year won the watch brand category in the UK Jewellery Awards. An addition such as
this is likely to win the shop even more loyal customers.

As an Authorised Watch Stockist, as well as being able to offer customers extensive advice and expertise, the retailer operates a comprehensive watch repair and valuation insurance service for all of the many brands that it sells. But watches aren’t the only wow factor at Banks Lyon Jewellers.

All of the exclusive jewellery collections are personally chosen by the retailer’s owner Rodney Banks-Lyon together with manager Bob Breden, both of whom are highly qualified diamond experts. Banks-Lyon and Bredon travel to diamond centres across the world to find the best diamonds at the most competitive value. Fantastic commitment.

42 Goodman Morris

48 Market Street, Brighton
Who you need to know
Alex Goodman and Nicola Morris, owners
Brands and designers include
Alex Monroe, Bjørg, Claire Van-Holthe, Georg Jensen, Niessing, Paul Finch, Pomegranate, Poppy Dandiya

The historic Laines area in Brighton is a creative hub where jewellers have to be something really special to stand out. Goodman Morris is exactly that. Positioned in the heart of the Laines, the shop sits next door to the old House of Correction on Market Street.

Headed by Alex Goodman and Nicola Morris, the jeweller’s own-label collections have evolved through the team’s impressive multitude of skills with all of the jewellery designed and produced in the Goodman Morris shop and workshop. The Brighton workshop is where the attractive collection of own-brand products are produced, including a varied range for men, that recognises how the less-fair sex is embracing a more experimental approach to jewellery. For example, the Honor ring - available for men or women in platinum, 18ct yellow, red and white gold - offers the menfolk out there something different.

As well as its own offering, the retailer stocks European brands including Pomegranate, Paul Finch, Alex Monroe, Niessing, Georg Jensen and Claire Van-Holthe, and there is an experienced team on hand to help consumers find the perfect piece. As an added bonus, on top of the appealing product offering, Goodman Morris offers a valuation, repair and commissioning service. The retailer also supplies other selected retail outlets including Charles Fish, Liberty and Argenta.

Located physically in the heart of the cool and the hip, Goodman Morris is also modern when it comes to its online presence. Active on the social networking scene, the retailer also has a colourful blog (Brightonjewellery.co.uk), giving it personality and vibrance, which is definitely worth a visit.

43 Forum

184e The Broadway, Broadstone, Dorset
Who you need to know
Helen Molloy, director
Brands and designers include
Citizen, DKNY, Fiorelli, Hot Diamonds, Lovelinks, Molly Brown, Pandora, Raymond Weil, Thomas Sabo

Forum Jewellers was set up in 1982 by Iain Munroe and wife Sue with the idea of selling traditional jewellery alongside more modern designs - an ethos to which daughter Helen still adheres.

Situated in Broadstone, near Poole, it is a vital part of the local retail scene, with the local chamber of trade regularly saying it has put Broadstone on the map and contributed to the success of other businesses. Last year, following feedback from the Company of Master Jewellers Bus Tour - an initiative for which retailers open their business to other retailers and get feedback - Forum decided to overhaul the interior of the shop, making it bigger, brighter and giving it more floor space. It paid dividends - turnover increased by 22% and there was a marked rise in footfall.

However, it is not the new, improved interior that keeps people coming back to Forum, but the service they receive. One customer explained: “you enter Forum Jewellers as a customer and leave as a friend”, while another said that “whether it’s a £5 or £5,000 sale, you receive the same personal attention and care”.

Forum certainly nurtures its customers; from birthday cards and a free box of chocolates to monthly champagne prize draws and the quarterly in-house newsletter, it makes customers feel valued while giving them a gentle reminder that it is still there. As if they’d really forget.

44 Head & Hart

12 King Street, Maidstone
Who you need to know
Debbie and Andrew Marshall, co-owners
Brands and designers include
BCBG Max Azria, Chamilia, Ice-Watch, Issey Miyake, Jayce Wong, Lucas Jack, Shaun Leane, Stephen Webster

This is not the first store Debbie and Andrew Marshall have worked on together; they also took over Andrew’s parents’ store, Lumar Jewels in Gravesend in 2001. But they had a dream to own a store that sold jewellery that inspired them. The result is Head & Hart, which they opened in July 2010.

The cool contemporary interiors are the result of drafting in-store design company Ordeso, which created the look because the Marshalls wanted their store to look 21st century, rather than akin to the more-traditional jewellery store.

Their modern outlook is certainly represented in their brands. Head & Hart was the first Kent-based stockist of Shaun Leane and Stephen Webster and has challenged its customers with brands and designers with whom they may not be so familiar such as Jayce Wong - whom they discovered at IJL last year - and Tomasz Donocik. The watch selection also mixes the well known with the slightly different - Ice-Watch and Swatch rub shoulders with BCBG Max Azria and Issey Miyake.

The store also has a bespoke element that, judging by the customer feedback on its website, is a very popular service. And the Marshalls aren’t content to rest on their laurels; they want to expand their product range and introduce Maidstone to some new designers. We’re sure whatever they do, it will be a success.

45 John Greed

314-315 High Street, Lincoln
Who you need to know
John Greed, chairman
Brands and designers include
Accurist, Bjørg, ck, Coeur de Lion, Daisy, Daniella Draper, Diesel, Dogeared, Fossil, Fred Bennett, French Connection, Guess, Hot Diamonds, Hugo Boss, Hultquist, Kit Heath, Pandora, Police, Sheila Fleet, Storm, Swarovski, The Branch, Thomas Sabo

Not an industry to shy away from a night on the tiles, it’s no wonder the jewellery folk are fans of the John Greed flagship store in Lincoln. Chairman John Greed set out to create a space with a nightclub feel and the result is a vibrant shopping experience where slick fixtures and fittings and effective lighting create a fun and stylish shop.

It’s already been a successful year for the retailer, which was a finalist for the Independent Retailer of the Year at the UK Jewellery Awards 2011 and, with the recent launch of a personal jewellery parties arm to the business - John Greed at Home - the company is striding forward.

A brand powerhouse, the retailer knows what works for its audience when it comes to popular watch and jewellery names, and has an impressive array of brands to draw in consumers. Its website too is a must-visit platform and, with a relaunch in the pipeline, it is certainly a space to watch.

As well as its flagship positioned prominently on the high street, John Greed’s Steep Hill store continues to thrive; both are supported and driven by a substantial headquarters team.

46 Timothy Roe

12-13 South Street, Chichester
Who you should know
Dan Roe, manager
Brands and designers include
Alex Monroe, Bjørg, Lovelinks, Matthew Campbell Laurenza, Nomination, Young Free and Jingle

There is more than one reason to love this jewellery store. Firstly there are the brands - in an increasingly homogenised brand-led retail landscape, its mix of designs makes it stand out from the crowd. The window displays are eye-catching and the layout of the store encourages browsing. The second reason is the fully functioning workshops that exist in a rabbit warren of rooms behind the store.

From design to deliver, Timothy Roe prides itself on being able to do every step of the process. And this is something the shop emphasises. It was borne out of a desire to be able to say “yes we can do that” and to offer customers jewellery at a better price.

Goldsmiths on the shop floor are on hand for expert advice about repairs; the first floor is where the design happens, and where the CAD machine and two rapid modelling machines for waxes are housed. On the top floor more craftsmen set stones and the polishing happens while, in another room, the casting and alloying occurs. Timothy Roe is so committed to offering its customers the full jewellery experience, the team has even developed its own 9ct white gold.

Interestingly, it is one of the few jewellers on the list that doesn’t sell watches - a decision that was made to make the store stand out from the other retails. This is a store that strives to be different. What could be more inspiring than that?

47 Jonathan David Jewellers

33 St Mary Street, Cardiff
Who you need to know
David, Margaret and Jonathan Hughes-Lewis, owners
Brands and designers include
Clogau Gold, Kit Heath, Mondaine, Pandora, Royal Selangor, Sekonda, Trollbeads, Victorinox Watches

Cardiff is a vibrant city, popular not only with the Millennium Stadium-visiting rugby fans, but also with shoppers keen to exploit its hub of retail gems. Jonathan David Jewellers has been doing its bit to entice shoppers from Wales and beyond with must-have jewellery since as far back as 1896, when the St Mary Street store was originally known as Kingston Brothers.

This heritage, and the family values that come with it, continue to play an important role for Jonathan David Jewellers, tying into the shop’s fixtures and fittings.
As well as providing Cardiff shoppers with an alluring mix of brands, Jonathan David Jewellers has tapped into the pre-owned and second-hand jewellery market. It also has a scrap silver and gold buying service or can make unwanted or used gold into something new.

A real asset to Wales, and a retailer that shows the city dwellers the full rainbow of services that a fine jeweller can deliver, Jonathan David Jewellers also offers on-site jewellery repairs, engraving and watch repairs in addition to giving insurance valuations.

48 Michel Jewellers

116 Patrick Street, Cork, Ireland
Who you need to know
Tim Keane, managing director
Brands and designers include
Boss, Citizen, Ebel, G-Shock, Gucci, Hot Diamonds, Longines, Maurice Lacroix, Mondaine, Rado, Seiko, Spinning Jewelry, Swatch, Tag Heuer, Thomas Sabo, Tissot, Victorinox

Back in 1961 Michel Jewellers first threw open the doors of its Cork-based store and so this year celebrates its 50th anniversary. In honour of this significant birthday, the retailer - which is a favourite among locals and visiting tourists - has created an anniversary selection of jewellery.

Known throughout Munster for quality, service and value, Michel Jewellers is a third-generation family retail jeweller, goldsmith, silversmith and diamond merchant that offers a plethora of classic gold and diamond jewellery that is ideal for engagements and weddings but also includes fashionable and contemporary pieces. Much of the jewellery is custom designed by Michel Jewellers under the TK brand and hallmark.

Also keeping the jeweller busy and evolving, this year has seen it extend its offering with the Canadian Maple Leaf Diamonds range, making those important engagement ring decisions even more of a challenge for consumers.

It has been a full 50 years for the award-winning Irish jeweller, which has included a refurbishment of the iconic period building in Patrick Street. We expect the next 50 years to be similarly significant.

49 Pebbles

2 Hope Street, Bo’ness, Lothian
Who you need to know
Val and Kevin Trotter, co-owners
Brands and designers include
Bjørg, Fred Bennett, Gracie J, Lapponia, Manu, Paul Finch, Rolf Cremer, Step by Step, Tina Lilienthal, Ute Decker

Pebbles was started back in 2005 by husband and wife team, Val and Kevin Trotter. Both had a background in jewellery - Val’s experience was in sales and display, while Kevin’s was geared towards design and manufacturing.

They opened the shop not only to develop and utilise these skills, but also to give a platform to bring the designers and brands they are passionate about to a wider audience.

The result is an incredibly eclectic mix of names from Ute Decker and her sculptural forms to Lapponia’s clean, Scandinavian lines, to Bjørg’s skulls, skeletons and gothic designs.

The Trotters certainly pride themselves on pushing the boundaries. Alongside designs in the usual materials - silver, gold and platinum - they also use titanium, aluminium and palladium as well as steel, silicon rubber and recycled plastics.

Part gallery, part jewellery store, this is one indie definitely forging its own path.

50 Matthew Stephens

8 O’Connell Street, Limerick
Who you need to know
Matthew Ryan, managing director
Brands and designers include
Citizen, D&G, Gucci, Guess, Hearts on Fire, Hot Diamonds, John Rocha, Links of London, Longines, Omega, Rado, Raymond Weil, Seiko, Swatch, Ti Sento

Matthew Stephens prides itself on being Limerick’s largest jeweller and diamond specialists. And it certainly knows its diamonds - if the images on its website aren’t enough to convince you, local newspaper stories of managing director Matthew Ryan explaining the problems of consumers being sold “fractured filled” and “overvalued” diamonds should help.

But diamonds aren’t the only things Matthew Stephens does. This beautifully designed store also houses a wealth of watch and jewellery brands. From stylish silver from Ti Sento and Links of London to timepieces from Longines, Raymond Weil and Gucci, it has every customer covered.

The store was voted Best Limerick Jewellers by readers of LIMERICKnow in 2010 and, garnering accolades from further afield, last year it was the only European Jeweller to be inducted into the Hearts of Fire Hall of Fame in Las Vegas.

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