When it comes to choosing jewellery, there are too many places to wander through — big high street brands, mass-produced lines, anonymous online chains.
But every so often a gem of a small business appears that makes picking jewellery feel like finding a secret garden gate.
That’s exactly what Jewellery by Charlotte offers.
Based in the UK and run by a passionate maker whose studio is filled with stories, metals and gemstones, this is far from your average jewellery purchase.
Below are three reasons why it’s worth buying your next piece from Jewellery by Charlotte.
you get genuine bespoke craftsmanship (not “bespoke-ish”)
One of the biggest draws of choosing Jewellery by Charlotte is that “bespoke” isn’t a marketing word — it’s the foundation of everything Charlotte does.
Charlotte’s story begins at a very young age in her grandfather’s workshop. She learned the basics side-by-side with him, polishing rings (she remembers being paid 50p a ring) and slowly taking on more complicated tasks as her interest grew.
That family tradition — a grandfather who was a horologist and a jeweller — is woven through her work: two benches in the old workshop, shared instruction, and a deep respect for material and precision.
Charlotte still works alongside him. She visits his house workshop and often brings challenging jobs to him for advice or help — a living apprenticeship that keeps the craft personal and honest.
Charlotte started the business in 2013. At first she sold pieces at market stalls — items she made herself and a few pieces she bought from trusted suppliers her grandfather had recommended so she wouldn’t have to make everything while she built the business. Over the years that small stall business grew into a proper studio operation. Today she has three workshops: one at her house, one at her grandfather’s, and the workshop above her grandfather’s jewellery shop in Newark where she continues to work and teach.
That background shows in practice. When you ask Charlotte to interpret an idea — whether a custom engagement ring, a remake of an heirloom piece, or a one-off pendant inspired by a favourite place — she sketches, experiments with textures, and brings creativity and soul. She offers repair, remodelling and resizing services, so your jewellery can evolve with you. Rather than picking from fixed moulds, Charlotte will work with your material: melting down existing pieces, reusing stones, or incorporating part of a design into something new.
Contrast that with large chains where “custom” often means selecting a stone, a setting, and a metal from fixed options. With Charlotte, the conversation is open. If you have a gemstone from grandma’s ring or a sketch on a napkin, she will pick it up, translate it and coax it into a living design. It’s the difference between buying a car from a catalogue and having someone build you a unique machine around your needs.
a small business means you’re not one of thousands
Supporting Jewellery by Charlotte is in many ways supporting a person’s dream, and the care you get reflects that. Charlotte is a small business owner — not a global operation. She knows each client, each piece, and often the stories behind them. Her Facebook presence (see Jewellery by Charlotte on Facebook) is not a polished corporate feed but a place where she shows works in progress, shares client photos, answers questions, and lets people peek behind the curtain.
Because of that, you won’t feel like a number or an order ID; you’ll feel like someone whose vision is being honoured. There is space for dialogue, tweaks, and flexibility. If you want a tiny twist on a design, or you worry whether the ring will fit your quirky finger, she’s reachable. You might even get a little behind-the-scenes story about the stones or metals. (Yes, sometimes she forgets to wear gloves on her morning tea run and nearly polishes her fingers by mistake.)
Small business also means responsiveness. Clients often comment on the communication: how questions are answered quickly, how Charlotte keeps them updated, and how orders are packaged with care. On Trustpilot, customers praise her responsiveness, quick shipping, careful packaging, and extra touches like personalised messaging. And when something needs repair or adjustment, with a big chain you might be referred to a third party or jump through hoops — with Charlotte, the relationship endures.
the sparkle comes with trust, reputation, and personality
Jewellery is intimate. You want to trust the maker. With Jewellery by Charlotte, you get more than a pretty object — you get trust and character built in.
First, there is a track record. The business has a strong Trustpilot rating and many clients post heartwarming testimonials about remodelling sentimental pieces, creating bespoke rings for family events, or participating in workshops. That public feedback helps you feel confident when you hand over your vision (and budget).
Second, personality matters. Every piece carries a small portion of Charlotte’s taste: her delight in texture, her love for nature (a recurring inspiration), and her devotion to detail. A piece from her is not “just jewellery,” it is a narrative. When someone compliments your ring, you won’t just say “thank you,” you can tell the story behind it — and that story came from a real person doing real work.
Charlotte still attends markets regularly (she started at market stalls in 2013) and this year she’s proud to be taking part in Chatsworth Christmas Market for the first time — a milestone she’s grown into after 12 years of building the business. While online sales are welcome, her priority is the bespoke and repair work she loves most — working in gold, white gold, platinum and silver to repair, remodel, remount or melt-and-recast existing pieces for clients.
She’s also a teacher: offering a little bit of teaching from her workshops and sharing the craft locally. And despite the serious craft, there’s a sense of humour too — Charlotte often shares light, human moments from the studio (and yes, she admits her grandad has a delightfully ridiculous side and an unlikely love of Britney Spears).
Ultimately, your jewellery purchase does more than adorn your neckline or finger. It supports a craftsperson, fosters trust, and gives you something utterly unique. When you choose Jewellery by Charlotte (or connect via Jewellery by Charlotte on Facebook), you’re opting for connection over bland scale, story over stock, and a maker who cares as much about your piece as you will.
If you’re looking for jewellery that feels like it was meant for you (because it was), and if you enjoy knowing the person behind the sparkle, choosing Jewellery by Charlotte is a choice that brings joy long after the box is opened.
About Charlotte: Charlotte started Jewellery by Charlotte in 2013 after learning the trade from her grandfather. Today she works from three workshops (her home, her grandmother’s house and the workshop above her grandfather’s shop in Newark), focuses mainly on bespoke commissions and repair/remodelling in gold, white gold, platinum and silver, and still sells at markets — including Chatsworth Christmas Market in 2025. She credits much of her craft and spirit to her grandfather, who remains an active part of her process and the family business.