Boodles

A family-run fine jeweller with its head office in Liverpool and shops in London, Chester, Manchester and Leeds, now in its sixth generation of the same family.

About Boodles

Boodles is a fine jeweller that makes and sells diamond and gemstone jewellery, rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets, plus a High Jewellery collection of one-off pieces. It also sells Patek Philippe watches, and it is the UK retailer for Ashoka diamonds, a famous large cut of stone. The company says it has been a fine jeweller since 1798 and describes its pieces as heirlooms in the making. Its designs have included the Raindance Ring, which the V&A museum chose for its permanent collection in 2009, and in 2024 a collection inspired by paintings in the National Gallery.

The company's own account of its mission is short and clear: "to protect our heritage, uphold our reputation as Britain's most exciting fine jeweller" and to strive for excellence. It calls its leaders custodians of a legacy, says it is "at its heart, a story of people", and says it has no intention of ever leaving the family. It also says it uses only Single Mine Origin gold, which can be traced back to its source, a sign that it takes where its materials come from seriously.

Boodles has a strong northern root. The firm traces its line to Kirk & Co., founded in Hull in 1798. Henry Wainright took over the Liverpool branch in 1889, and in 1910 his sons bought Boodle and Dunthorne. In 1921 the firm settled at Boodles House on Lord Street, Liverpool, which is still its head office. Shops followed in Chester (1965) and Manchester (1982). It opened on Old Bond Street in London in 2007 and now has outlets in London (including Sloane Street, the Royal Exchange, Brompton Road, the Savoy and Harrods), Leeds and elsewhere. The company says it has ten showrooms across London, the UK and Ireland.

On culture, the family has stayed involved for six generations. Nicholas and Michael Wainwright led the firm from the 1990s, and the company was renamed Boodles in 2005. It supports events and causes, including the Boodles Boxing Ball, a charity evening that has raised money for groups such as Starlight Children's Foundation, Boodles Tennis at Stoke Park, and title sponsorship of the Cheltenham Gold Cup. It says it looks for people who share its passion for fine jewellery, and welcomes applicants with strong service skills from the wider luxury sector.

A jeweller like this employs more than shop staff. It needs jewellery designers and gem experts who select diamonds and coloured stones, goldsmiths and setters who build pieces, client advisers who help people choose an engagement ring or an anniversary gift, and marketing, events, e-commerce (online since 2012), finance and logistics teams to support them. Liverpool head office roles sit alongside the London and regional shops, so there are routes into the business outside the capital too.

What they do

• {'desc': 'Diamond rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets, plus one-off High Jewellery and pink diamond collections.', 'title': 'Fine and High Jewellery'}
• {'desc': 'Patek Philippe watches sold in Boodles showrooms.', 'title': 'Watches'}
• {'desc': 'Custom-made pieces and charity and sporting events linked to the brand.', 'title': 'Bespoke and events'}

Key facts

• Company says it has been a fine jeweller since 1798; sixth generation of the same family
• Head office at Boodles House, Lord Street, Liverpool, since 1921
• Showrooms in London, Chester, Manchester, Leeds and elsewhere; the company says ten across London, the UK and Ireland
• Raindance Ring chosen for the V&A permanent collection in 2009

Website: www.boodles.com