Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter

One of the things I most enjoy about housesitting is that I end up in delightful places (Appledore, Lapworth, Lens, Quillan) I’d never heard of and would never have visited if it hadn’t been for Trusted Housesitters. Similarly, I would normally have avoided a big, industrial city like Birmingham if I hadn’t needed to be here for a dental appointment, and that would have been a shame as the city has some hidden gems.

Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter was the centre of Great Britain’s jewellery trade for over 200 years. At one point, over 80% of the country’s jewellery was fashioned in this one small neighbourhood, along with buttons, pens, and coffin fittings. In 1913, there were 70,000 people employed in precious metals businesses.

It was a self-contained community of goldsmiths and silversmiths where everyone knew everyone else and relied on each other’s specialist skills. There were no outsiders so 14-year-old girls could safely take valuable jewellery to the post office.

The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter offers a one-hour guided tour of the original factory of Smith & Pepper jewellery manufacturers.

When the owners closed their business in 1981, they left the factory intact with all the equipment, paperwork, and materials in place. Even the jam jar and Marmite they used for their tea and toast breaks are still in place. The guide demonstrates how the equipment worked, how they collected and recycled the gold dust, where the sales director met with clients, and where the apprentices worked under the close eye of the owner.

There are also two floors of exhibits, which offer an interesting insight into life in the area. A little girl wore the frock on Armistice Day. Pub-goers filled her skirt with coins in honour of the celebration.

W.E. Wiley Pen Factory, 1863