London is often regarded as the jewel in the UK crown. That lofty status, as it transpires, isn’t in name alone. The capital city has a long and glittering association with the jewellery industry. The city’s centrepiece is, of course, the Crown Jewels.
Housed in the Tower of London since the 1660s, and ready for the next monarch to be crowned, the famous St Edward’s Crown contains more than 100 precious objects and over 23,000 gemstones.
To say the crown and its associated regalia are iconic would be an understatement. In fact, it’s fair to say that, in many ways, the royal pieces set the standard for London’s jewellery industry. Although the streets aren’t paved with gold, there’s no doubt that jewellery has a place in almost every part of the city.
Beyond the Tower of London, all jewellery-lovers will know about Hatton Garden. The area in Holborn is often known as the world’s most important diamond trading hub. For consumers, the street is lined with shops selling everything from costume jewellery to rings worth over £100,000. Like the Crown Jewels, Hatton Garden is iconic, but it’s not the only place in London you’ll see some bling.
Other Parts of London That Shine
Head to Leicester Square and there are three casinos filled with jewellery-inspired slots. Games such as Midas Golden Touch 2 are pulled from the internet, which contains a massive industry itself. Indeed, if you scroll through a list of the best slots online, you’ll see more than a few shining examples of jewellery-themed slots.
Let’s use Rhino Casino to demonstrate our point. Within its collection of games are the following jewellery-inspired slots:
Jewel Rush: Developed by Pragmatic Play, this five-reel slot has a cluster pays dynamic, which means groups of precious stones release prizes before making way for new symbols.
Midas Golden Touch 2: The sequel to Midas Golden Touch, this game is a visual feast thanks to an action-packed bonus round where sticky symbols turn gold to release payouts topping 15,000x.
Monopoly Megaways: like other Megaways casino games, including Bonanza and Extra Chilli, Monopoly Megaways has a random payline system. In addition to 117,649 ways to win, the Monopoly pieces we’ve come to know and love, such as the top hat and car, are gold.
These types of games are available inside London’s biggest casinos because they look great. That’s a given based on the fact that jewellery can make almost anything sparkle. However, it’s also a subtle nod to the city’s connection to the jewellery industry. The same is true when you visit some of London’s finest cafes and restaurants.
For example, if you fancy coffee and cake with a twist, try Harrods’ Prada Caffe. Like Japanese porcelain, the famous Prada triangle motif is carved into crystal glasses. Pop over to Soho restaurant Sucre and gaze up in awe at the magnificent chandeliers. Finally, if you’re peckish while shopping for diamonds, stop off at Hatton Garden’s Bleeding Heart Restaurant.
Why Does London Sparkle?
London’s affinity for jewellery is apparent in more ways than one, but the question is why? The answer lies in the city’s history. Go back to Ancient Rome, where the seeds of a now flourishing industry were planted.
Artefacts such as an intaglio gem emblazoned with the image of a Roman warship show that jewellery was being made in London as far back as the third century. Not only was it being made, it was being shipped across the Roman Empire thanks to London’s position on the River Thames.
Fast-forward through the Anglo-Saxon period into the Renaissance era, and we see London jewellers take inspiration from their European counterparts. This inspiration soon evolved into innovative diamond-cutting techniques such as the scissor cut. These techniques further enhanced London’s reputation as a centre for excellence.
A City that Sparkles in Every Era
In fact, it was during the Renaissance period that London had multiple jewellery quarters. Hatton Garden remains the highlight today. However, it was Cheapside where a lot of the best pieces were made in the 17th century. Unfortunately, the shops in Cheapside were wiped out during the Great Fire of London in 1666, leaving Hatton Garden to carry the mantle for London’s jewellery trade.
It’s a mantle carried well throughout the Victorian and Edwardian eras, particularly when it came to Romanticism and neo-Gothicism pieces. In fact, this tradition of innovation, quality and craftsmanship has never left London’s jewellery industry. From world-famous shops such as Bentley & Skinner to boutique brands such as Maya Magal, London’s streets are lined with jewellers.
This culture has bled into the fabric of London. From casinos to restaurants, there are gemstones galore across the city. So, the next time you think of London, don’t assume it’s all about the Crown Jewels and Hatton Garden. The city has a long history of excellence in jewellery, and it’s visible for all to see, but only if you know where to look.
