Welcome in 2020 with Deakin & Francis


Being founded in 1786, we have over 230 years of experience in both making high-quality jewellery and welcoming in new decades and even centuries! Start building your Deakin & Francis collections this year. Or organise your collections which we have made easier with our cufflink collectors box.


So as we say goodbye to 2019 and enter a new year, let’s ignore the usual resolutions that we all promise to make each January, from bids to exercise more to cutting down on unhealthy food, and instead focus on the commitments that we will keep. With this in mind, here are our top resolutions for 2020!
Shop locally
Choosing to shop locally rather than at a larger chain store has countless benefits. By shopping locally and with independent brands, your purchase is supporting individual members of your community and is a direct investment in the unique craft and skill set that they are providing.
When it comes to investing in bespoke jewellery, working with local jewellers allows you access to each stage of the creative process in a much more direct and open way than if you were to purchase from elsewhere. Reading technical information about jewellery when you’re not an expert can be confusing, but talking directly with your local jeweller means that you can have personal conversations with someone who knows their stuff and can offer recommendations based on your unique requirements.
Alternatively, if you’re not going bespoke, buying something that was crafted locally means that you can see the cost of your purchase invested back into your community. You will also have a more direct relationship with the person who created your item, should you ever need to go back for any upgrades or future pieces!
Leora Teardrop Shaped White Topaz Drop Earring
Part of our ‘Leora’ collection, these earrings have been crafted to represent compassion and light, making them a truly special gift for yourself or a loved one! Handcrafted by our expert jewellers here in our Birmingham-based factory, these earrings feature a semi-precious white topaz gemstone in a gold plated teardrop setting.


Shop consciously
In the past 12 months we’ve seen a big shift towards shopping more consciously, which means rather than buying things impulsively to follow a new trend, that you are instead taking the time to think about your purchase and understand the pieces that you are investing in.
Shopping more consciously also involves putting more time and research into each purchase and actively finding out where the item came from, who made it, and how it was made. When purchasing jewellery, you want to know that the piece you are investing in has been made with high quality materials and crafted with expert care and attention to detail, and unfortunately this level of transparency isn’t always available when purchasing from larger companies.
If you want to know more about our jewellery, from investing in a bespoke piece, information regarding the items on our website, or want to know how our pieces are made, then we are here to answer any of your questions so you can know exactly what goes into making a Deakin & Francis piece!
Oval Cufflinks with Onyx Inlay
Originally designed by Francis Deakin back in the 1920’s, these cufflinks are just as stylish today as they were when they were first designed! Featuring a hand-cut, rich black onyx inlays, these classic oval cufflinks are the perfect accessory for any formal event and make a great gift for someone looking to invest in classic pieces for their jewellery collection.


Quality over quantity
Following from the previous two resolutions, in 2020, start viewing your jewellery collection as a curation of personal pieces which you can pass down to future generations and only add things to this collection if they reach your standards. By shopping locally and shifting towards more conscious purchases, you will find that investing in quality pieces is a natural part of this process!
As mass-produced, inexpensive pieces of jewellery are often made from cheap materials using time efficient manufacturing techniques, it is likely that they will only get worn for a few years before either breaking or degrading in quality. So focus on streamlining your jewellery collection to only include a small number of high-quality pieces which you adore and are guaranteed to last a lifetime (and will still look great in 50 years time!).
When buying a new piece of jewellery, think about the reasons why you are purchasing this item and what it symbolises for you and your loved ones. If you are going bespoke, think about what you want your piece to be made out of and what the design will look like. Going bespoke offers you the chance to invest in something which is truly unique and one-of-a-kind. Although higher quality jewellery will come with a bigger price tag, it also comes with a guarantee of quality that will ensure the item can be worn for many years to come.
Handmade signet rings are a timeless piece that every jewellery collection needs! At Deakin & Francis, we offer seal engraving which is done by hand by our in-house craftsmen to ensure that a traditional deep seal is achieved. Whether you want a traditional coat of arms, a family motto or meaningful initials, your signet ring will be one-of-a-kind and something which you can pass down in your family for many generations to come.


So those are our resolutions for the year to come. If you are thinking of investing in a Deakin & Francis piece and want to know more about our history, how we create our pieces or want to invest in a bespoke piece, contact us today!