The Birmingham Jewellery Quarter is a paradise for bespoke jewellery, sumptuous food, lively bars, and offers you a slice of the city’s vibrant heritage.
This unique destination in the West Midlands is home to 800 jewellers and independent retailers dealing in classic diamond pieces, wedding rings, precious metals, and more.
Find out everything about the Jewellery Quarter Birmingham before visiting.
This Article Contains:
- What Is The Birmingham Jewellery Quarter?
- Must-Visit Jewellery Shops In the Jewellery Quarter
- How To Reach The Jewellery Quarter Birmingham
- 7 Major Attractions Around The Birmingham Jewellery Quarter
- 3 Places To Eat Near The Jewellery Quarter
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What Is The Birmingham Jewellery Quarter?
Located in the north-western area of Birmingham City Centre, the Jewellery Quarter is Europe’s largest concentration of jewellers and businesses in the jewellery trade.
Described as a national treasure by English Heritage, Birminghams Jewellery Quarter produces 40% of the jewellery made in the United Kingdom.
The site has been the centre of jewellery manufacturing since the 1800s and continues to remain a hub for skilled craftsmen. More than 100 specialist retailers in the area combine traditional craft with modern designs and precious metals to create spectacular jewellery pieces at great prices.
From vintage-style diamond engagement rings and wedding bands to beautiful silver necklaces and gemstone bracelets, the Jewellery Quarter has something for everyone.
Let’s discover some interesting facts about the Jewellery Quarter.
8 Interesting Facts About Jewellery Quarter Birmingham
- Birmingham City was the birthplace of the industrial revolution, with several factories, workshops, and crafts established in the Jewellery Quarter. In 1913, over 30,000 people were employed in the jewellery trade alone.
- The Jewellery Quarter is home to the world’s largest Assay Office on Icknield Street. It hallmarks around 12 million items a year. The Birmingham Assay office uses an anchor as its hallmark symbol. This symbol was suggested by Matthew Boulton, owner of the Soho Works and co-founder of the Lunar Society.
- The medals for the Queen’s Birthday Honours are made in the Jewellery Quarter.
- The area has over 200 listed buildings, including the famous St Pauls Church, three museums, various galleries, and workshops of jewellers.
- The Jewellery Quarter was home to about 100 pen factories in the 19th century, making Birmingham the producer of 75% of the world’s pen nibs.
- The Quarter produces sporting trophies for the PFA and FIFA World Player of the Year, Lonsdale boxing champion belts, and Wimbledon singles trophies. (That reminds us! It’s maybe time for you to book tickets to the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham.)
- The silversmiths of Birmingham are famous for producing whistles, including the first-ever police whistle, the first football referee’s whistle, and the whistles used on the S.S. Titanic.
- The two cemeteries, Key Hill and Warstone Lane are the final resting places of some great personalities, including Harry Gem, co-creator of Lawn Tennis.
Even though Birminghams Jewellery Quarter is famous for different things, the jewellery trade remains its focal point.
Let’s find some of the best stores in the area for some jewellery shop hopping.
Must-Visit Jewellery Shops In The Jewellery Quarter
The Jewellery Quarter offers a plethora of British jewellery made from precious metals and gems. Whether you’re shopping for an engagement ring, eternity ring, diamond rings, wedding rings, or a statement piece for your collection, you’ll find everything there.
Most jewellery shops are open from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Saturday. Some are open on Sundays too.
Here are some famous shops around the Quarter for buying a ring or jewellery of your choice:
1. Warstone Lane
Mitchel & Co
Address: Unit 4, The Big Peg, Warstone Lane, B18 6NF
Contact: 0121 233 0511
https://mitchelandco.com/
Diamond Quarter
Address: The Golden Square, Warstone Lane, B18 6JW
Contact: 0121 638 0200
https://www.diamond-quarter.co.uk/
Aspire Diamonds
Address: 35 Warstone Lane, B18 6JQ
Contact: 0121 236 5799
https://www.aspirediamonds.com/
2. Vyse Street
Bickerton Jewellery
Address: 23 Vyse Street, B18 6LE
Contact: 0121 551 0509
https://bickertonjewellery.com/
G L Bicknell & Sons Ltd.
Address: 12 Vyse Street, B18 6LE
Contact: 0121 523 3417
https://www.bicknells.com/
Kate Smith
Address: 49 Vyse Street, B18 6HF
Contact: 0121 240 8717
https://www.katesmithjewellery.co.uk/
3. Spencer Street
Alice Stewart
Address: Unit 6, 94 Spencer Street, B18 6DB
https://www.alicestewartjewellery.com/
Crescent Silver
Address: 83 – 85 Spencer Street, B18 6DE
Contact: 0121 236 9006
https://crescentsilver.co.uk/
Rhiannon Lewis Jewellery
Address: Unit 6, 94 Spencer Street, B18 6DB
https://www.rhiannonlewisjewellery.com/
4. Caroline Street
Anna De Ville
Address: 84 Caroline Street, B3 1UP
Contact: 0121 233 1186
http://annadeville.co.uk/
Bug
Address: 59d Caroline Street, B3 1UF
Contact: 07707 583036
https://www.bugliveshere.com/password
Michele Designer Jewellery
Address: 85 Caroline Street, B3 1UP
Contact: 0121 624 8624
https://artisan-alchemy.co.uk/
5. Frederick Street
Lois Jewellery Ltd
Address: 41-42 Frederick Street, B1 3HN
Contact: 0121 212 1715
https://lois-bullion.com/
6. Vittoria Street
Lux Jewellery
Address: 99 Vittoria Street, B1 3NU
Contact: 0121 236 8219
PK Jewellers
Address: 97 Vittoria Street, B1 3NU
Contact: 0121 685 2299
7. Fleet Street
The Quarter Workshop
Address: 13 – 15 Fleet Street, B3 1JP
Contact: 07947 248896
https://thequarterworkshop.com/
Eager to head to a jewellery shop already?
Let’s find out how to get to this jewellery heaven!
How To Reach The Jewellery Quarter Birmingham
The Jewellery Quarter is a popular stop and is well connected to the rest of the West Midlands by road and rail.
Here are five easy ways to travel to the Jewellery Quarter:
1. Tram
Board the line towards Wolverhampton. The stop is a 10 minutes journey from Birmingham Grand Central and costs £1 one way.
2. Train
Catch a train on the Birmingham-to-Worcester Line. The Jewellery Quarter is a regular stop between Worcester and Stourbridge (to the west) and Solihull Dorridge and Stratford- Upon-Avon (to the east.)
Trains for the Jewellery Quarter depart every 10 minutes from Moor Street and Snow Hill stations. Moor Street is a 5 min walk from Birmingham New Street.
Note: A new entrance to Snow Hill station is being constructed on the opposite side of Great Charles Street Queensway.
3. Car
Birmingham city is accessible via the M5 (from the south), M40 (from London), and M1 (from London via M6 through Coventry) motorways.
There’s a multi-level car park on Vyse Street in the Jewellery Quarter. It’s open from 6:00 am to 8:30 pm.
You can also park at Birmingham Newhall Street car park. It’s within walking distance from Birmingham University and The Jam House.
4. Bus
Several local buses are operated by National Express West Midlands between Birmingham City Centre and the Jewellery Quarter.
The nearest bus stations are Hall St (2 min walk) and Jewellery Quarter Station (6 min walk.)
5. Taxi
Uber rides are easily available for the Jewellery Quarter. If you wish to hire a local taxi, here are some of the service providers you could reach out to:
TOA Taxis
Contact: 0121 427 8888
https://toataxis.co.uk/
Taxi Birmingham Ltd
Contact: 0121 000 2222
https://www.taxibirmingham.com/
A2B Radio Cars
Contact: 0121 744 1111
https://www.a2bradiocars.com/
Diamond rings and precious jewellery are the primary draws of the Jewellery Quarter, but there are other attractions to explore too.
7 Major Attractions Around The Birmingham Jewellery Quarter
Here are some of the places worth visiting while you’re at the Jewellery Quarter:
1. Birmingham Assay Office
Fronting Icknield Street it’s one of the four assay offices in the United Kingdom and has been the centre of jewellery assessment for nearly 250 years. It’s responsible for the hallmarking of precious metal items (diamond, gold, platinum, and silver.)
Besides hallmarking, the assay office also provides diamond, gemstone and pearl certifications, silverware valuations, and educational training.
Opening time:
Monday to Thursday: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Friday: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Address: Birmingham Assay Office, 1 Moreton Street, Birmingham, B1 3AX
Entry Fee: Entry by appointment or invitation only
Website: https://theassayoffice.com/
2. Chamberlain Clock
The Chamberlain Clock is an Edwardian clock tower erected in 1903 to honour Joseph Chamberlain. He was a resident on Frederic Street and helped the jewellers by campaigning strongly against plate duties (taxes).
The clock stands at the junction of Vyse and Frederick Streets and is a local landmark of the Jewellery Quarter.
3. St. Paul’s Church
St Pauls Church was constructed in 1779 and was the church of Birmingham’s early manufacturers and merchants. Since then, it has served as a place of worship, education, welfare, and performance.
Interestingly, Matthew Boulton and James Watt had their own pews at this church.
Opening time: Monday to Friday: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. Open for Public Worship on Sundays: 10.30 am – 11.30 am
Address: St Pauls Square, Birmingham, B3 1QZ
Entry Fee: Free
Website: https://www.stpaulsjq.church/
4. The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter
Built around a carefully preserved jewellery workshop, this museum offers a sneak peek into the Jewellery Quarter’s craftsmanship and the 200-year-old British jewellery trade.
The museum houses two self-guided galleries:
- Story of the Jewellery Quarter: It displays the history of the Jewellery Quarter.
- Earth’s Riches: It showcases jewellery made from natural materials found worldwide.
Opening time: The museum is currently closed except for special events.
Entry fee: N/A
Address: 75-80 Vyse Street, Birmingham, B18 6HA
Website: https://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/jewellery
5. The RBSA
The Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA) is a charity that supports local artists and contemporary craft.
The Society runs its own exhibition venue and gallery in the Jewellery Quarter. It’s a short walk from the city centre.
Opening time: The RBSA Gallery is currently closed for building refurbishment.
Address: RBSA Gallery, 4 Brook Street, St. Paul’s Square, Birmingham, B3 1SA
Entry Fee: Free
Website: https://www.rbsa.org.uk/
6. Warstone Lane and Key Hill Cemeteries
The Warstone Lane Cemetery (also known as Mint Cemetery due to the adjacent Birmingham Mint) is one of the two prominent cemeteries in the Jewellery Quarter. The other one is the Key Hill Cemetery.
A notable feature of the Warstone Lane Cemetery is its catacombs (subterranean passageways.) The cemeteries are now closed for new burials.
Opening time: Open 24 hours
Address:
Warstone Lane: 22 Pemberton St, Birmingham B18 6NR
Key Hill: Key Hill, Birmingham B18 5AH
7. Pen Museum
Located in a former pen factory, the Pen Museum houses all the machinery and objects used by traditional factory workers. The museum tells the story of Birmingham’s pen trade and how modern pens evolved.
You could indulge in activities like writing with a quill and ink, using typewriters, practising calligraphy, and more at the venue.
Opening time: Friday/Saturday: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm, Sunday: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Address: The Pen Museum, The Argent Centre, 60 Frederick Street, Birmingham, B1 3HS
Entry Fee: From £7.00
Website: https://penmuseum.org.uk/
While you visit these spots, take a break and grab a bite at some popular cafes and bars around the city centre.
3 Places To Eat Near The Jewellery Quarter
Here are our top three picks to eat and drink when visiting the Jewellery Quarter:
1. Cucina Rustica
This Italian restaurant serves authentic specialities from the north of Italy to the southern delights. It’s famous for its timeless family recipes and use of traditional Mediterranean style cooking.
Address: 24 Ludgate Hill, Birmingham, B3 1DX
Contact: 0121 233 2277
Website: https://cucinarustica.co.uk/
Opening times: Monday to Sunday: 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Price range: ££ – £££
Cuisine: Italian
Best dish to try: Pasta, tiramisu, salmon with tagliatelle
Nearest bus/train stations: Ludgate Hill (Stop LN1)
Nearby attractions: St Paul Church and RSBA Gallery (2 min drive)
2. The Jam House
The Jam House is an award-winning restaurant that occupies a historic Georgian building in St Pauls square. The place is famous for its seasonal menus, live music, and great hospitality.
Address: 3 – 5, St Pauls Square, Birmingham, B3 1QU
Contact: 0121 200 3030
Website: https://thejamhouse.com/
Opening times:
Thursday: 12:00 pm – 01:00 am, 6:00 pm – 02:00 am
Friday: 6:00 pm – 02:00 am
Saturday: 6:00 pm – 12:00 am
Price range: ££ – £££
Cuisine: International, British, Vegetarian-Friendly
Best dish to try: rib beef, scallops, duck
Nearest bus/train stations: Ludgate Hill (Stop LN1)
Nearby attractions: St Paul Church (less than a minute’s walk)
3. Rose Villa Tavern
The eye-catching redbrick Rose Villa Tavern is next to the iconic Chamberlain Clock. The eatery offers a high-end menu and has one of the best bars in the area with a premium beer range.
Address: 172 Warstone Lane Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham, B18 6JW
Contact: 0121 236 7910
Opening times: Monday to Sunday: 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Price range: ££ – £££
Cuisine: Pub, vegetarian-friendly
Best dish/drink to try: cocktails, faggots, beef brisket, lasagne
Nearest bus/train stations: The Clock
Nearby attractions: Warstone Lane Cemetery (4 min walk)