The Jewel Factory was based on Tachbrook Road, Royal Leamington Spa, where all kinds of jewellery and other items made of precious metal were manufactured.
Moving to Leamington
The firm was established in Birmingham in 1850 and moved to a new purpose built factory in Leamington in 1919/20. The move from Birmingham was to take advantage of special concessions offered by the former Leamington Borough Council after the First World War to firms willing to come to the town, and so bring jobs to the area. So when I started working there in August 1974 it had been in the town for over 50 years. It seemed like everybody you spoke to locally had either worked there or knew somebody who had worked there. Plus most people owned something that had been made there. Working there was like being part of a family. There was a more or less equal split of male and female employees whose ages ranged for us 16 year olds just out of school to people in their 80s who had been there since the 1920s.
Scrap gold
One of the things that seemed really strange to me was hearing gold referred to as scrap. To me scrap was bits of old and useless metal, which of course was exactly what these were, except they were bits of gold and silver! Every bit of scrap was collected, no matter how small. The sandpaper we used to prepare items for polishing was collected and then burned, along with the dust from the floor, to recover any precious metal that might be present. Plus when we finished our shift we had to wash our hands in long sinks. All the waste water from these sinks went into what was called “the sump”. This was a filter bed that captured any particles of precious metal that may have come off our hands and gone down the sink. Unfortunately, when I started there, the firm’s best days were behind it. It was no longer a family firm, being part of the jewellery division of Caledonian Holdings Ltd.
A shrinking workforce
As the 1970s progressed things slowly went downhill. Ours was the last group of apprentices to be taken on. All employees of pensionable age were made to retire, plus when people left they were not replaced. So the workforce slowly shrank from around 350, until by January 1982 the workforce was less than 100, and there was still not enough work for us all. So it was no real surprise when on 14th January, 53 of us were made redundant. The factory struggled on but by November it had closed down, a very sad end to an old and respected business.
The second part of Richard’s memories can be found by following this link.
Should you wish to read about hallmarks and what they mean, Richard explains, starting at this page.
Comments
I forgot to mention about the acid bath. Each morning one of us would light the gas and put some water in the tank. It was then left to simmer away all day, with the temperature being controlled by turning the gas up or down. This was fine unless we forgot to top the water up during the day. If that happened a haze would be given off, which despite the efforts of the old extractor fan rose into the air of the main shop. It then sank to earth making the heads itch of those of us who sat closest to it.
Hi,
I really enjoyed reading your article on the old factory.
I have found a little ring 18crt with 3 little diamonds.
I’m not to sure this was made in the factory you worked at.
I would like some help, to find out were it was made..
It has a hallmark and H.G&S, this is all that is marked on the ring.
If you could help in any way, shine some light, I would be very grateful.
Many thanks
Emily
Hi Emily. I’m pleased you enjoyed my piece in the old Jewel Factory. Yes it sounds like the ring you found was made there as HG&S was the hallmark used by the factory. Kind regards Richard.
I worked in the Office for a while in 1970. I went there after leaving school at 16. I had to put things on to cards ready to go out to various retailers. I left because I wanted a proper clerical job. I went back in the late 70s on a temporary basis as I was working for an Agency & seemed to do the same thing. I left when the contact expired after I think about 2 months.
Just looked up this firm’s history as I have a silver napkin ring assayed in 1859 stamped HG&S – very interesting.
My Mum, Beryl Boyer(Rose) worked there when she was 16 (1949) for 18 months. She helped the jeweller Bill make engagement rings. She got engaged to my Dad, Horace Boyer in 1955 and her platinum engagement ring was made at the factory and cost £18. They also bought their weddings rings from the factory too. She left the factory to work at AP, which is where she met my Dad.
I added this comment yesterday, but as I don’t see it here I will try again. Hopefully I am not repeating myself. Henry Griffith was my great great Grandfather. My Grandfather’s ( Alfred Henry Reginald Bancroft) Mother was Henry’s daughter Emily. My Grandfather immigrated to Canada in 1914. I enjoyed reading about the factory. I have two of Henry’s thimbles and a wishing well charm.
Henry Griffith the founder of the business was my great great grandfather. His son the youngest from his first marriage, George Whitehouse Griffith b,1861 emigrated to Australia in 1885 where he became a farmer and later had grocery stores at Manildra and Walla Walla NSW.
he was a member of the Baptist church. He went to England to work for the Red Cross and He died in 1918 in Birmingham at the home of his sister and is buried in Key Hill cemetery with his parents a brother and his stepmother.
There is a stained glass window in a church in Canberra commemorating George.
Just found your picture !
Just remembering my mom beryl tebbutt, just wondering if anyone can remember her.
Sadly missed
Kevin tebbutt
Roma Freeman, would you know which church in Canberra George Whitehouse Griffith is commemorated in? I am researching him.
Hi Christine.
George Whitehouse GRIFFITH was my great grandfather (my father was also G.W. GRIFFITH – that being Greville Whitehouse).
In case you have not yet located the Church, it is in Kingston. If you are in the ACT, it is well worth seeing. There is a lot of his History in the GRIFFITH BUILDINGS in Manildra. I have some history of George Whitehouse, but it would be great to see what you come up with in your research.
Lindsay GRIFFITH – Yass
Hi, I was left my grannies wedding ring, it was made by H G & s. I’ve worked out a couple of the hallmarks I think. I know it’s 22 carat gold, and I think it’s Welsh gold, it has a picture or a crown???? If anyone could confirm where it was made that would be great. There is also 2 more hallmarks which I cannot make out!!!
It also has the word FIDELITY in platinum inscribed on the inside.
Any help appreciated as to what they think the other hallmarks could be?
Hello, Like others I found reading your article on the factory very interesting. Likewise, it has been very interesting reading the comments and to find out more about the factory and the Griffith family. I am Henry Griffith’s great great grand-daughter and George Whitehouse Griffith’s great grand-daughter I live in Bathurst, Australia. Thank you, Jane Mitchell
Dear Hannah. The full hall mark should read as follows. First the makers mark, in this case HG&S, then a crown, then 22 to indicate it is 22 carat gold, around 1970 this was changed to .912 to show it was 912 parts per thousand pure gold. Next comes a symbol which shows where it was hallmarked, for Birmingham it will be an anchor, for Sheffield a rose and so on. Finally there will be a letter to show the year it was hallmarked.
As to the ring being Welsh gold I would say this is unlikely as Welsh gold is not very common and the jewel factory used to produce thousands of wedding rings per year.
I hope this helps.
Interesting page. I have inherited my grand mothers three stone ring it has the following symbols HG&S 9CT 511 and a separate G it is gold in colour. The HG&S I understand the 9CT I think means 9 carat but the 511 deluded me. Could anyone help please?
Have just read the very interesing articles on Henry Griffiths & Sons. I have a ring with the following marks on it, 3YXY 1— and either 1744 or 1747, what do they mean please?
As my posting re the former Jewel Factory seems to have generated questions as to what the marks on jewellery mean, I thought it would be helpful if I said something about English hallmarks etc. You can find it here.
My father, sister and brother all worked there.
This is very interesting. I have been to the church in Kingston ACT. My sister is a silversmith and we have been purchasing HG&S items but they are becoming scarcer probably because there are a number of us doing it. In what year did the firm go out of the Griffith family? I understood it was in the 1950s.
I would like to buy items of Henry Griffiths and Sons jewellery.
Can anyone help please ?
Syann
please contact me at vanniftrik@hotmail.com
Look what you started Richard Neale! I am enjoying this site. I didn’t know my Gt.g/father his 2nd daughter was my Grandmother. I am her eldest grandchild
Does anyone know if Henry Griffith produced silver enamel butterfly brooches marked HG in a triangle?
Is there any chance as to why on some jewellery that the hallmark is only the jewellers initials. My uncle found a tiny children’s ring on Margatewestgate beach and the only hallmark it has is H.G&S. It seems to be engraved on the front too which I think says ‘mayria’ or ‘mayru’ sorry its hard to see. Any idea what date it would of originated from? Thank you in advance
I am investigating a signet ring that my late father had which belonged to his father before him. My father wore the ring for nearly 50 years. In 1981 a jeweller commented: “Gentleman’s Hallmarked 18 ct Gold Signet Ring. Square table with engraved border and one Diamond Gipsy Set to centre; wide engraved Shoulders and flat band Shank. Birmingham Hallmark 1927. Maker’s Mark H.G.& S.” The ring is now very worn. Does it sound like a Henry Griffiths ring? If so, do you know anything about it, and where I might find a catalogue with details of the ring? Many thanks.
Dear Edward
Yes, with the makers mark HG&S this would certainly be a Henry Griffiths ring. Unfortunately, very little has survived in the way of catalogues etc. I suspect the majority were destroyed either when what had been the sports pavilion, latterly used as a store, was demolished in the late 1970s or when the factory was closed in the 1980s.
The Warwickshire County Record Office do have a small collection of catalogue material relating to Jewel Factory products.
I have an old silver thimble which was made by Henry Griffith & Sons in I believe 1926. There is a number 8 also stamped on the item next to the silver mark.
Does anyone know what this means?
a very interesting article & was wondering if henry griffith & sons made or retailed other items ,as i have a very well made green marble box with a brass hinge which is maker marked H.G & S and is the same as the hallmarked used on henry griffiths jewellery . many thanks
I have a catalogue from 1912 if anyone is interested
I think the way this page has gone, there are a number who certainly would be! Are you able to upload the images to a separate page on the site at all? Or failing that, contact admin@ourwarwickshire.org.uk and we’ll talk 🙂
I have been left a beautiful ring from my grandmother it has on it o H.G & S 18ct plat. Is there any way of finding out how old this is?
Emma, the assay marks on it should indicate its age. There’s a guide to them here, but if you can’t tell from that, any jeweller should be able to help you.
I have a HG&S 9ct Gold charm bracelet. There is a letter W on the hallmark, it is so tiny that even with a magnifying glass I can’t see the exact shape of the w to determine the date! Does anyone know if the makers used a w in just one year of their making? If so what year was it?
Hi, I have a gold ring that has H.G&S within an oblong shaped indent. There is also an ‘x’ on the opposite side. As far as I can see there are no other marks to identify location/age etc. Any ideas?
Thanks
Kim
Recently bought two stone diamond ring with hallmark HG&S 18 ct plat also letter M apart from other hallmark. Would like to learn when this was made if you could help with this
Hello everyone. I was just wanting some help. I have a beautiful solitaire diamond ring. It is showing HG&S 18ct plat on the stamp. I was just wanting a valuation and a rough estimate of year it was made. Can anyone help please.
Thanks in advance!
I note with interest all of the comments regarding HG&S.
My first good car was bought from the firm in 1955, a Ford Zephyr Six, black in colour with red leather bench seats, registration RUE848. The vehicle had been bought new by HG&S from C H Soans of Dormer Place in 1953.
Several people from Moreton Morrell worked at the firm, amongst them the two Welch sisters, the younger was Phyliss, the elder ?, they would be 80+ now. Stratford Blue used to stop at the factory at 0730 and again at 1800 on the return via Ashorne to MM and Kineton. Often you had a job to see the length of the bus due to cigarette smoke especially the morning journey.
Hi all.
As there have been a lot of questions about Hallmarks, I’ve added a page which can be accessed here about them. Hope it helps.
Hi, I really enjoyed reading your article about the Jewellery factory. My father Ivor Jakeman worked there and I have several items of jewellery which I now treasure. Lots of fond memories of time spent there as a child. Thank you.
Hi Christine, I’m pleased you enjoyed my Jewel factory piece. It was actually your father who interviewed me, so I will always be grateful to Ivor for giving me the job.
hi all I have a 18ct albert chain h.g & s date 1877 with t bar 86 grms
Hi, just recently traced an 18ct gold celtic design ring to these makers. assayed at Chester, HG&SLtd, year Q, so I think that is 1899. It was in my mothers possession and as a child I always admired it due to the design. This was around 60 years ago!
I have worn it permanently since my mum passed on and it is still lovely
Hi, I have definitely worked out 3 of the symbols hallmarked on my Grannies wedding ring. The first is a crown, followed by 22, next one I’m stuck on, then a fancy looking h.
Would anyone have any ideas what the one is I’m unsure about. I’m happy to email someone a picture to try and work this out for me.
Thank you
Hannah, the crown means that it is gold, the 22 means that it is 22 carat, the next one shows the assay office where it was assayed, it might well be an anchor (meaning Birmingham), the “h” is the date letter but unfortunately you need to know the assay office to identify the meaning of the letter, if it is Birmingham, it would mean one of 1856, 1882, 1907 etc. You say it is ornate, the 1882 letter was lower case, with serifs in an oval cartouche, could that be it?
Hi,
I was given a signet ring by my late grandfather and after looking on the inside of the band i have seen the H.G & S logo on it, it also has what appears to be a triangle with what seems to be a square, any help would be much appreciated,
Regards
Fraser
I have a beautiful crucifix, two layered, with a tiny ruby in the centre, my mother left it to me as it was my ‘something borrowed’ on my wedding day. All I can really make out is the HG&S the rest is worn beyond my visual capabilities! Is there any way I can learn more about it?
Babs (16/05/2016)
Hello Richard,
initially you’ve told H. G. & S. have been founded in 1850. In my collection I also have 2 pairs of engine turned silver cufflinks clearly marked with a gothic majuscule date letter K for 1848/49 in an octagon. For the lower parts of all octagons are not curly brace shaped and both pairs have (victorian) duty marks I think that any confusion with other date letters is eliminated. So it seems to me, that foundation was earlier than 1850. Are you able to give me more details about date of foundation?
Furthermore I only find engine turned silver cufflinks. Do you know if H. G. & S. have produced hand engraved ones?
Many thanks in anticipation and kind regards
Burkhard
Hi, I’m in Australia, I am looking at purchasing an Antique bracelet , it has the markings HG & S AS 375 9k on the bracelet, and 375 & ASJ on the padlock, I am curious to know what the AS and ASJ mean and if they are solid gold. I would appreciate some advice as the seller is claiming the bracelet is in fact solid. Thanks Bec 🙂
I was an apprentice @ HG&S first as an engine turner but for the most part as a trainee Tool Maker still in and around the trade anyone out there recognise my name Dave the drop-forge crew Graham love here for old cohorts
I have a small silver horse shoe with Birmingham assay marks and a capital H which I believe would date it to 1856. There is also a reg no 761012 (England) stamped on it. At one side of the show there is a hole so am I assume it was off charm bracelet?
i have a little old wooden box with lid
Stamped on the lid is HENRY GRIFFITH &SONS LIMITED WARSTOCK LANE
BIRMINGHAM
TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS
JEWELLERS BIRMINGHAM
I am wondering how old it is?
Amazed to find so much interest over several years for this post. I started about an hour ago trying to read the marks on an old silver thimble marked Penmaenmawr. look where it lead me| Date is 1930 and there are also the words “The Spa”. Perhaps this was a hotel there, or was it referring to Leamington Spa? Pity we can’t upload photos.
My Grandfather joined the firm many years ago, followed by my father and later by me. My sister also worked there. Recently I have bought a few items from ebay as keepsakes. A previous post inquiring about a marble box is interesting I have a small onyx box from HG&S, with beautiful lining and gold or rolled gold hinge and catch. The fitments are HG&S. but the onyx box was bought in.
There was a book written about the firm’s history but was concerned mainly with earlier days. Of course, I have a copy! Many names in previous posts are familiar. Keep the comments coming!
My Grandfather was Fred Hunt, Henry Griffith & Sons has been in my thoughts for most of my life, I can remember going to Christmas parties at the factory when I was a child. I also have a selection of photographs, both inside and outside of the factory from when Spitfire Wings and Lancaster Ailerons were being fabricated.
I have a ring says HG&S 18ct Plat then a H can u tell me date please
I have bought some Henry Griffith and Sons 9ct oval gold cufflinks with a curly U for the date mark. There is an assay mark which looks like a wine glass on its side (without the base) and a mark above and below the stem of it. Please can you help me find out more?
I have my late mother’s wedding ring inside it says HG & S, then a Crown 22 Anchor & a Z. This is followed by Fidelity which looks like it may be silver or platinum and it’s stamped in. There I know it’s probably Henry Griffith & Son 22 ct gold Birmingham assay office, but the year? Anyone got any ideas? Both parents have died so can’t ask anyone.
Thanks
Hi there,
I came across this article when I was researching my great grand mother’s wedding ring. I inherited from my nan. It’s a beautiful three stone 22 ct gold ring, it has what I’m assuming is a sapphire as a centre stone and one small diamond each side. I’d love to find out more about the date it was made. It has a C mark with the anchor and crown, the HG & S makes with the fidelity mark. I have looked up all the C Marks made in Birmingham and from what I can make out it was either made in 1902 or 1927.
Hi Richard – loving the articles about the jewel factory as my Grandfather worked there up until his retirement.
I inherited my wedding ring from my grandmother, which was made there by him.
My Dad Frank Holtham worked at the factory as an engraver. It was here that he met my mum Marjorie Haycock and they married in 1950. My parents have both passed away but I still have several items that Dad engraved which I treasure. He was awarded a silver cup for long service from 1923 to 1951 and I have attempted to attach a photo of the ceremony.
Very interesting account of the factory which I was prompted to read after finding my bracelet given as a Christening gift in 1939. It was manufactured by H G &S and now hope to give it to my gt.grand daughter at her Christening.
Just recovered when metal detecting at East Knoyle in Wiltshire, a brass or copper complete cuff-link, corroded, but clearly stamped HG&S with the model name “SUNRAY”. Can anyone remember this name, and about what date it would have been made. It could be old enough to have been manufactured at the Birmingham factory.
Hi,
My Gran has given me a ring which was her mother’s and she had it altered once over 30-40 years ago and the band is engraved with H. G & S 18 CI PLAT. Im not sure what is means so if anyone can help as I am taking it to a jewellers to have a stone put back in as it’s missing one and have it resized to my fit.
Thank you.
Hi I found a ring that has h.g&s on it with a crown and numbers 18 what does this indicate and what’s its value?
Today 20th Jan 2020 whilst metal detecting on Weston Super Mare beach, near the old Tropicana, I found a 9ct hg&s 742 small ring with an etched star on its face. At first I thought it was just a budget modern gold but after cleaning by hand I discovered how shiny the star was – I knew it was gold. I have done the research and it is genuine HG&S. I am so pleased I have found a part of this family business history.
Good Morning All!
I have a ring which was passed down to me but it was originally given to my Man as a repayment of a debt! It has a tiny square gold band with silver coloured raised side flank d shape then corner mounts with a rectangle light blue stone. It’s has the H G & D with an ‘O’ and small mark before the hall mark. It has a few other marks after but I can’t make them out. On the other side it has very fine engraving of 2 words. I need to buy a magnifying glass to read clearly. It’s such a beautiful ring and it’s quite an honour to own something from such a lovely family company. X
I have found a locket that has HG Ltd and some obscure writing underneath. Cud this be the same company?
I have this HG&S Silver & Jade Article. I would like to know what it is? Mark on silver reads HG&S then underneath Anchor Lion g. I can’t really describe it, it is a Jade Circle split where the circle gets larger the split has silver casing. There is a large pin attached to a silver fitting hanging down and also a silver fitting along one side of the circle. Can you help ?
I found this very interesting to read. My son has a gold signet ring with a Carnelian stone. It has HG stamped inside but not HG & S
Would this ring have been made in this factory? He was told it’s 1960s but there is only HG 9 375 stamped inside, so we are interested to find out
I was given some jewellery by a family member for my children.
When we were going through it all we came across this gold ring.
It has “MJD” inscribed on the front of the ring and on the inside “From mummy and daddy” and dated 3/8/1931
We are wondering of there would be any records as the ring made its way to Cornwall into a charity box.
It was fascinating reading all these stories, I worked at H G & S from 1970 until 1976 as a gem setter, the company sent me to the mid Warwickshire college on day release to learn all other aspects of making jewellery (city in guilds) I left, worked in Hatton Garden for a year, then set up my own workshop in Warwick, after 17 years in the jewellery trade I retrained as a pilot and after 30 years flying around various parts of the world I am now retired, they did overlap and I was known as the flying jeweller haha.
Hi, my grandfather, Bill Wright, worked at Henry Griffiths. Not too sure on the dates, but I’d imagine it would of been 1950’s or 60’s. I think after he left he set his own jewellers up with 2 of his friends. Bill was short for Wilbraham, but always went by Bill and was married to Queenie.
I acquired a ring from my father in law who is from Indonesia and Hong Kong. It has the Hallmark H.G & S plus crown, 18, anchor ⚓, and Z. So, it seem like it was hallmarked in 1899. It’s amazing!!!!
Hi Richard I remember you I worked in the row in front of you under Doug Talbot.
So sad to learn the business has closed.I have my fathers 18ct Signet Ring made by the firm in 1925. It was very interesting to read the history of the firm.
Dick Martin
My Grandfather, Harold Buckley, worked at the factory during the war and my father Paul Buckley, only about 9 years old at the time, remembers a day when his father Harold brought him to the factory – Paul thought he was going to see many workers making jewels, but was amazed to see the workforce secretly making Spitfires for the war effort. Does anyone else have any knowledge and memories of this happening?
I’m a 3rd generation retail jeweller in Dundee. We keep old packaging boxes to store items in & I recently showed my 80 year old father a postal box from the factory. He immediately recognised the company initials & told me about it. The postmark on the box is from 1978. It was nice to read the history of the company. Coincidentally my daughter now lives in Leamington Spa.
My dad was Ivor Jakeman he was the production manager and often would take me to the factory. As a kid I thought it was brilliant and loved the posh entrance
I have recently bought a pair of oval silver engine-turned cufflinks by Henry Giffiths, hallmarked in Chester in 1953, which makes them a bit special, I believe, as the Assay Office there closed in 1962. They are lovely. I was most interested to learn all about the firm, its history and sad demise. Thank you for this.
Hello all, my father Keith Chapman worked at HG from 1956 through to 1970 as a Diamond mounter/bracelet maker.I often went with him on Saturdays when there was overtime and attended the Childrens Christmas partys the firm used to hold throughout the 1960,s I myself have had a lifelong career as a jeweller and worked with my father at T A Durrants Bidford on Avon .His time came to an end in 1984 and i left Durrants in 1983 to work for myself in the jewellery trade which i still do.
I just bought a lovely gold padlock heart pendant with H G & S stamped on the back. I bought it in Torquay. I googled the stamp and found this page. I had no idea that it was so old as it looks in such condition. Its lovely to know it came from such a place.
Add a comment about this page