Birmingham has always made things that matter. And now, its Jewellery Quarter — the beating heart of British jewellery manufacturing — has been recognised on the world stage. We’re proud to share and celebrate the news that Birmingham has officially been named a World Craft City by the World Crafts Council, joining a select list of global centres of excellence, including Kyoto and Jaipur.

In April 2025, following a rigorous assessment and judging process, Birmingham was officially named a World Craft City by the World Crafts Council, a UNESCO-affiliated body dedicated to safeguarding and celebrating craftsmanship around the globe.

The designation places Birmingham alongside just a handful of other internationally renowned creative capitals – including Kyoto, Jaipur, Chiang Mai and Sasayama – and makes it one of only eight cities in Europe to hold the title.

For Weston Beamor and the wider jewellery community, this is a moment of pride, reflection, and renewed purpose. It affirms what we’ve always believed: that Birmingham doesn’t just have a history of craft – it has a future built on it.

Where Skill Meets Scale

Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter has always stood apart. Home to over 700 jewellery-related businesses – from family-run ateliers to global suppliers – it combines heritage and innovation in a way few places can.

At Weston Beamor, we’ve been proud to call this place home since 1947. For more than 75 years, our team has combined precision casting, advanced CAD design, diamond mounting, and bespoke manufacturing to support some of the most respected names in the UK and global jewellery trade.

We don’t separate craft from manufacturing – we see one as elevating the other. Our process is built around the principle that excellence in output starts with care in every step, from material to mould, from concept to completion. That ethos is not unique to us. It’s a defining feature of Birmingham’s maker culture.

So while this recognition might come with a new title, it doesn’t mark a departure. It simply brings global attention to something that’s long been world-class.

A Community That Earned Its Place

The World Craft City bid was led by the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust (JQDT) and co-authored with Birmingham City University, with support from Birmingham City Council, The Goldsmiths’ Company, and numerous businesses and individuals across the Quarter.

The judging panel – a delegation from the World Crafts Council – spent three days in Birmingham in April 2025, visiting key institutions including the School of Jewellery, the Birmingham Assay Office, Cooksongold, and the Coffin Works, among others.

They saw a living community where traditional skills haven’t just been preserved – they’ve evolved. Where education and production sit side by side. Where silversmithing workshops and 3D printers are found in the same building. Where heritage processes meet future-facing technology. And where people take genuine pride in what they make.

Reflecting on the visit, Matthew Bott, Chair of the JQDT, said:

“This is a moment of real pride — not just for the Jewellery Quarter, but for Birmingham and the West Midlands. We’ve always known the value of what happens here, and now the world does too.”

At Weston Beamor, we couldn’t agree more. That value is measured in more than just output – it’s found in the people, partnerships and practices that make Birmingham and our beloved Jewellery Quarter not just a manufacturing hub, but a true creative ecosystem.

A Spotlight on the Next Generation

During their visit, the judging panel also spent time at Birmingham’s School of Jewellery – one of the most respected institutions of its kind in the world. Housed in a Grade II-listed building on Vittoria Street, the school has trained generations of designers and goldsmiths, many of whom go on to work in or with firms like ours.

The school’s leadership recognises the global significance of this designation – not just for the Quarter, but for the future of British jewellery more broadly. As David Mba, Vice Chancellor of Birmingham City University, put it:

“Being recognised as a World Craft City puts a global spotlight on the skills, creativity and community we have here in Birmingham. It will strengthen our international reputation, open up new collaborations, and inspire even more promising students to come here to study, work and create.”

That pipeline of talent is vital to the continued success of the industry. As a manufacturer, we rely on more than tools and machines – we rely on people. On jewellers who care about precision. On designers who understand form and function. On CAD technicians who respect the handcraft techniques that came before them.

Weston Beamor has long championed the training and progression of skilled jewellery professionals – and as Birmingham steps once again onto the world stage, that mission takes on even greater significance.

Designation With Direction: What Happens Next?

Recognition is only the beginning. The World Craft City title unlocks new opportunities for investment, collaboration, and cultural exchange, giving Birmingham the chance to lead conversations around the future of craft.

The Birmingham Jewellery Biennial, already in development, will be the UK’s first citywide festival of jewellery. With open studios, exhibitions, fairs, tours and a flagship trade conference, it promises to bring together makers, retailers, collectors and the public in a shared celebration of the jewellery sector – with the Quarter at its heart.

This isn’t just a cultural project. It’s a commercial and strategic opportunity. One that aligns perfectly with Weston Beamor’s belief in the intersection of creativity and commerce, heritage and future-readiness.

“This Place, and These People, Represent the Best of Craft”

As this chapter begins, we asked our own Director, Naomi Newton-Sherlock, to reflect on what the designation means — not just to the industry, but to Weston Beamor as a business shaped by place and people.

“The Jewellery Quarter is a community like no other — rich in skill, steeped in history, and full of ambition. To see Birmingham recognised as a World Craft City is a validation of everything we know to be true: that this place, and the people in it, represent the very best of craft and creativity.

For Weston Beamor, and for many businesses like ours, this designation reaffirms our belief that British manufacturing has an essential role to play on the global stage. It’s about more than preserving tradition — it’s about investing in excellence, embracing innovation, and creating work that stands the test of time.”

That idea — creating work that lasts — is central to our purpose. We are not trend-chasers. We are precision-led makers. We invest in materials, in methods, and in people because we believe that’s how you build something meaningful — and how you honour the craft you’re part of.

The World Crafts Council didn’t simply acknowledge Birmingham’s heritage – they acknowledged its leadership. In their formal remarks, WCC AISBL President Saad Al-Qaddumi said:

“This title celebrates the city's rich heritage, skilled artisans, creative designers, proud makers, and innovative contributions to the jewellery industry. It is a reflection of Birmingham’s continued leadership in heritage craftsmanship and its role in shaping the future of the jewellery trade and creative economy.”

This is the lens we choose to look through: not only where we've come from, but what we're building next.

At Weston Beamor, we’re committed to keeping that momentum alive – by delivering best-in-class casting and manufacturing, by supporting responsible sourcing initiatives like SMO Gold, by mentoring the next generation of talent, and by standing shoulder to shoulder with the creative community that powers this city.

To talk to us about the future of Birmingham jewellery and to find out more about Weston Beamor's role in crafting the most exquisite jewellery in this world craft city, get in touch with us below: