Garrard
The first official Crown Jeweler for the British royal family, Garrard & Co. Limited has crafted iconic and historically celebrated rings, watches, necklaces and other jewelry for centuries.
Master silversmith George Wickes founded Garrard in 1735 and quickly gained a regal platform with patronage from Frederick, Prince of Wales. The company underwent a range of name changes and shifts in leadership over the years, with Robert Garrard becoming a partner in 1792. He assumed sole control of the firm a decade later and eventually passed the company down to his sons — James, Sebastian and Robert Garrard II — where it would remain in the Garrard family until 1946 with the death of Robert’s great-grandson.
Garrard Co. Ltd registered its current name in 1909 and, despite a temporary merger and relocation with Asprey, the firm still operates out of its original location on Albermarle St. in London. It was acquired by American private equity firm Yucaipa Companies in 2006.
Garrard created silver, tableware and decorative objects for the royal family as well as the Crown Jewels for a range of coronations beginning with King Edward VII’s in 1902. The esteemed luxury house created Queen Victoria's Small Diamond Crown, which featured colorless stones and was suitable to be worn while she mourned the passing of her last husband, Prince Albert. Later, for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, Garrard provided a pair of gold armlets. The company’s 1893 Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara adorns Queen Elizabeth II on British banknotes.
Among Garrard’s best known works is undoubtedly Princess Diana’s engagement ring — a 12-carat blue sapphire surrounded by 14 diamonds, set in 18-karat white gold. Unlike most royal engagement rings, the one Princess Diana chose wasn’t a one-of-a-kind piece commissioned from the Crown Jeweler, but rather a catalog offering for anyone who could swing the $60,000 price tag. As a result, this was a matter of controversy within the royal family. It is now Kate Middleton’s ring.
Garrard is committed to ethical sourcing and sustainable practices. Today, its all-female design team — led by creative director Sara Prentice — continues to merge ageless techniques with modern technology to uphold the firm’s legacy in the creation of precious handcrafted engagement rings, brooches and other adornments.
While Garrard and the royal family parted ways in 2007, the house still produces pieces that captivate new generations of jewelry wearers all over the world, just as it has for hundreds of years.
Find antique Garrard & Co. Ltd jewelry on 1stDibs.
Average Sold Price |
$5,550 |
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Garrard & Co. Ltd. jewelry & watches for sale on 1stDibs.
- Who made Garrard watches?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024The answer to who made Garrard watches is complex. Garrard developed the technology for its own timepieces. However, Shackman and Sons in London and Dennison and Sons in Birmingham, UK, have made the majority of the cases. The actual crafting of the watches has taken place in Switzerland, though the specific artisans responsible for the work are unknown. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Garrard & Co. silver wares and jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 26, 2024The history of Garrard watches began with master silversmith George Wickes, who founded the company in 1735 and quickly gained a regal platform with patronage from Frederick, Prince of Wales. The company underwent a range of name changes and shifts in leadership over the years, with Robert Garrard becoming a partner in 1792. He assumed sole control of the firm a decade later and eventually passed the company down to his sons: James, Sebastian and Robert Garrard II. It would remain in the Garrard family until 1946 with the death of Robert's great-grandson. Garrard Co. Ltd. registered its current name in 1909. Despite a temporary merger and relocation with Asprey, the firm still operates out of its original location on Albermarle Street in London. Garrard created silver, tableware and decorative objects for the royal family, as well as the Crown Jewels for a range of coronations, beginning with King Edward VII in 1902. The company parted ways with the royal family in 2017 but continues to produce watches and jewelry. Find a collection of watches on 1stDibs.
- Is Garrard a good jewelry brand?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 14, 2024Yes, Garrard is a good jewelry brand. In fact, the jewelry maker has a long history of producing pieces of exceptional quality. The first official Crown Jeweler for the British royal family, Garrard & Co. Limited has crafted iconic and historically celebrated rings, watches, necklaces and other jewelry for centuries. Master silversmith George Wickes founded Garrard in 1735 and quickly gained a regal platform with patronage from Frederick, Prince of Wales. While Garrard and the royal family parted ways in 2007, the house still produces pieces that captivate new generations of jewelry lovers all over the world, just as it has for hundreds of years. On 1stDibs, find a range of Garrard & Co. Limited jewelry.
- Is Garrard a good watch brand?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 26, 2024Many watch lovers believe that Garrard is a good watch brand. The first official Crown Jeweler for the British royal family, Garrard & Co. Limited has crafted iconic and historically celebrated watches, as well as rings, necklaces and other jewelry, for centuries. Garrard is now committed to ethical sourcing and sustainable practices. Today, its all-female design team — led by creative director Sara Prentice — continues to merge ageless techniques with modern technology to uphold the firm's legacy. Find a wide variety of watches on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 17, 2024Garrard stopped making watches more than 20 years ago. Master silversmith George Wickes founded Garrard in 1735 and quickly gained a regal platform with patronage from Frederick, Prince of Wales. Although it is no longer in watchmaking, the house still produces jewelry pieces that captivate new generations of wearers all over the world, just as it has for hundreds of years. On 1stDibs, explore an assortment of Garrard watches and jewelry.
- Does Garrard still make watches?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 26, 2024Yes, Garrard still makes watches. Master silversmith George Wickes founded Garrard in 1735 and quickly gained a regal platform with patronage from Frederick, Prince of Wales. Today, the house still produces pieces that captivate new generations of jewelry and watch wearers all over the world, just as it has for hundreds of years. Its all-female design team — led by creative director Sara Prentice — continues to merge ageless techniques with modern technology to uphold the firm's legacy in the creation of precious handcrafted pieces. Find a selection of watches on 1stDibs.