Last Updated: December 01, 2023

10 Interesting Facts about Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter that You Didn’t Know

10 Interesting Facts about Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter that You Didn’t Know

Birmingham Jewellery Quarter has a rich history surrounding it; one that we're very proud to be a part of.

At Diamond Heaven, we are proud to be based in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter and be part of its rich heritage and culture. The first goldsmiths of Birmingham, Roger Pemberton, set up his workshop in the 1500s; little would he know he would be the first in a line of many talented craftsmen and jewellers to set up shop in Birmingham.

With over two hundred years and a legacy of craftsmanship, ingenuity and industrial power, we are happy to be part of it and in this blog, we look at 10 interesting facts about the Jewellery Quarter that you didn't know.

  1. The whistles for the Titanic were made in the Jewellery Quarter as well as first referee whistle and the first police constable's whistle were made in the Jewellery Quarter

  2. The Original FA Cup was made in the Jewellery Quarter

  3. The Newman Brother's Factory provided the coffin for the funerals of Neville Chamberlain, Winston Churchill and Diana, Princess of Wales

  4. The Lonsdale Boxing Champion Belts were made the Jewellery Quarter and is still made here to this day by Fattorini  

  5. St Paul's Square is the last remaining Georgian Square in Birmingham and the area has over 200 protected buildings, a majority of them being jeweller's workshops

  6. The Jewellery Quarter once had a 24 hour Scalextrics race. Hosted by a local theatre group and their workshop, Stan's Cafe had the Le Mans style race with live commentary throughout.

  7. American author, Washington Irving, wrote Rip Van Winkle in the Jewellery Quarter while staying with friends. He wrote the story over night and shared it with everyone over breakfast.

  8. The PFA & FIFA World Player of the year Awards are made here

  9. The Jewellery Quarter is home to Europe's largest school of Jewellery and is one of the world's leading educational authority on jewellery making

  10. Today, 40% of the jewellery made in the UK is made in the Jewellery Quarter. Despite the decline of industry in Birmingham, the Quarter is still renowned for its jewellery and its craftsmen

Next time you're in the Jewellery Quarter and thinking of doing some jewellery shopping, don't hesitate to drop in!