The History of Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter
The story of the Jewellery Quarter covers nearly three hundred years of industrial innovation and craft tradition, booms and slumps. It portrays the progressive character of the Birmingham entrepreneur in establishing the City as the 'Workshop of the World'. The extensive colonisation of the area by jewellers really took off in the middle of the 19th Century. Gold was discovered in California and Australia and the domestic demand for jewellery and trinkets rose dramatically. A ready supply of craft skills was available in Hockley and were often diverted from the buckle and toy trades.
Birmingham's unique Jewellery Quarter is very much alive today - a vibrant area of skilled craftspeople working with precious materials, where some of the finished products are displayed in over 100 jewellery and gift shops.
Tourist attractions include the Chamberlain Clock which was restored to its former glory a few years ago and The Jewellery Museum in Vyse Street which is well worth a visit.
If you want to know about The Jewellery Quarter's unique history, then buy The Jewellery Quarter History and Guide 2nd Edition by Marie E Haddleton. This book has over 150 photographs, many of which are unique and has 148 pages packed with the history of The Jewellery Quarter.