Our
Welcome to The Jewellery Quarter, a vibrant area in the heart of Birmingham with a rich history dating back to the 18th century for jewellery manufacturing and now evolving into a thriving community that combines heritage with innovation and creativity.
In 2025 The Jewellery Quarter was proudly awarded with the World Craft City status, which is an international recognition that celebrates the area’s legacy and exceptional contribution to craftmanship.
A legacy in the making
In the mid-1700s, the Colmore family released land in what is now known as the Jewellery Quarter. By the end of the 1770s, the area had transformed into a wealthy residential neighbourhood, characterised by upmarket Georgian houses.
In 1773, the first Birmingham Assay Office was established, marking the beginning of hallmarking in the city. This move was pivotal in establishing Birmingham as a centre for precious metalwork. The Assay Office relocated to Newhall Street in 1877 and, after significant redevelopment, opened a new base on Icknield Street in 2015, becoming one of the largest and busiest assay offices in the world.
St. Paul’s Church, consecrated in 1779, became the spiritual home for many of Birmingham’s early manufacturers and merchants, including Matthew Boulton and James Watt. Built on land from Charles Colmore’s Newhall estate, the church remains a Grade I listed building and a testament to the area’s industrial heritage.
Industrial innovation
The 19th century saw the Jewellery Quarter evolve into a hub of industrial activity. Purpose-built factories began to emerge, and by 1850, electroplating was first used commercially in the area. George Elkington patented the first commercial electroplating process, allowing for a thin layer of silver to be added onto a cheaper base metal. In 1862, employee Alexander Parkes created Parkesine, the first man-made plastic material.
By the early 20th century, the Jewellery Quarter was at its peak, with an estimated 70,000 people employed in Birmingham’s jewellery and small metalware trades. The area was renowned for its concentration of specialist skills and craftsmanship.
Challenging times for the Jewellery Quarter
The Jewellery Quarter faced significant challenges during the World Wars. During World War I, fine jewellery manufacturing halted as factories repurposed their equipment to produce military items. Similarly, during World War II the government issued a ban on jewellery production to prioritise war supplies. Furthermore, The Jewellery Quarter was also targeted during the Birmingham Blitz resulting to extensive damages to the area.
However, The Jewellery Quarter is a symbol of resilience and commitment to preserving its heritage as post- war redevelopment efforts were initiated by the construction of The Big Peg in 1971 now known as the JQ Modern and with The Jewellery Quarter Conservation Area was formed in the 2000 to protect and manage the area’s architecture and history.
Timeline of Key Events
- 1760
- 1772
- 1773
- 1777
- 1820
- 1836
- 1850
- 1862
- 1863
- 1878
- 1879
- 1881
- 1890
- 1894
- 1903
- 1913
- 1914-1918
- 1939-1945
- 1953
- 1971
- 1973
- 1982
- 1992
- 1995
- 2000
- 2021
- 2025
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1760
The Colmore family releases land that sparks the development of the Jewellery Quarter as a wealthy Georgian residential area.
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1772
Construction begins on St. Paul’s Church, a central landmark for merchants and manufacturers.
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1773
The Birmingham Assay Office is established to hallmark precious metals, becoming one of the busiest in the world.
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1777
James Watt moves to the Jewellery Quarter, contributing to the Industrial Revolution from his home on Regent Place.
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1820
Back-to-back housing and early purpose-built factories begin appearing as industry spreads.
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1836
Key Hill Cemetery, Birmingham’s first garden cemetery, opens with a landscape inspired by European designs.
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1850
George Elkington introduces electroplating, revolutionizing affordable jewellery production.
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1862
Warstone Lane Cemetery opens with unique triple catacombs later used in WWII as air raid shelters.
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1863
The Argent Centre is built for pen manufacturing, complete with steam-heated Turkish baths.
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1878
Joseph Hudson invents the first football referee whistle in the Jewellery Quarter.
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1879
The Standard Works is built to support jewellery-based trades, later becoming Argent College.
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1881
J.W. Evans Silversmiths is founded, with tools and patterns preserved for over a century.
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1890
The Birmingham School of Jewellery opens and becomes Europe’s largest specialist institution.
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1894
Newman Brothers open their Coffin Works, later supplying funeral items for Sir Winston Churchill and Princess Diana.
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1903
The Chamberlain Clock is erected to honour politician Joseph Chamberlain’s South Africa visit.
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1913
Jewellery trade peaks with 70,000 people employed in the Quarter’s small metalware industries.
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1914
During WWI, factories shift from jewellery to military production, fuelling local industry.
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1939
WWII bombing damages much of the Jewellery Quarter as factories switch to war supplies.
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1953
Birmingham City Council launches a major redevelopment after declaring large areas beyond repair.
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1971
The Hockley Centre (now the JQ Modern) opens, replacing Victorian housing with modern workshops.
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1973
Jewellery manufacturers begin retailing directly to customers as economic conditions shift.
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1982
Author Kathleen Dayus publishes Her People, chronicling life in the Edwardian Jewellery Quarter.
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1992
The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter opens in a preserved workshop on Vyse Street.
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1995
Jewellery Quarter Station opens as part of the new Jewellery Line, reintroducing rail links.
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2000
The Jewellery Quarter is designated a Conservation Area for its global industrial heritage.
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2021
The Chamberlain Clock is fully restored and accompanied by an educational interpretation panel.
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2025
The Jewellery Quarter wins the World Craft Status for the city’s jewellery trade.
The Jewellery Quarter Today
Today The Jewellery Quarter is a vibrant area with a perfect fusion of history and modernity. It is home to over 700 Jewellers and independent businesses and the Jewellery Quarter BID (JQBID) plays an essential role in supporting businesses, enhancing the environment and promoting the area.
Preserving our Heritage with various landmarks and buildings:
- St. Paul’s Church
- The Chamberlain Clock
- The Pen Museum
- The Coffin Works
- Key Hill and Warstone Lane Cemeteries
To find out more download The Jewellery Quarter App for Self-Guided audio tours.
Today
Today, the area has undergone further regeneration and many of the former factory buildings have been taken over by a mix of independent businesses and creative workshops or turned into quirky residential apartments.
“The Jewellery Quarter has a particular combination of structures associated with jewellery and metalworking which does not seem to exist anywhere else in the world. It’s a national treasure”
– English Heritage
