Andrew Grima at his studio in Sonning, 1969
 
Andrew Grima was the most influential jewellery designer of the post-war period. He changed the way people perceived jewellery not just in Britain but around the globe and consequently is widely regarded as the father of modern jewellery. Entirely self-taught, he joined his father-in-law’s jewellery manufacturing business, H.J. Company, in 1946 and immediately set about innovating with new techniques and changing the emphasis from figurative to organic and abstract designs.
 
 Princess Margaret wears her lichen brooch by Andrew Grima in a family portrait, 1967
 

By the mid 1960s Grima had become the doyen of British jewellery design - the Royal and society jeweller of the day. He is the only jeweller to have been awarded the Duke of Edinburgh's Prize for Elegant Design and his contribution to British exports was recognised with The Queen’s Award to Industry in its inaugural year. He won the De Beers Diamonds International Award (the Oscars of jewellery design) a record 11 times and, in 1969, was commissioned by Omega to create one of the most outrageous and daring watch collections ever made.

Today Andrew Grima is recognised as one of the great modernist jewellery designers of the 20th century.  His work can be seen in the collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths.

 

Francesca Grima designing in their London studio, 2022 Photograph by Louis A. W. Sheridan for Mr. & Mrs. Smith

 

Since Andrew’s death in 2007, his wife Jojo and daughter Francesca continue the tradition of creating highly original handmade jewellery. A limited collection of 20 to 30 pieces is created each year as only a handful of goldsmiths, most of whom have been employed by Grima for over 40 years, possess the skills required to make these unique pieces. Jojo and Francesca also accept requests for bespoke designs and offer a large selection of vintage pieces. The Grima collections can be viewed by appointment in London.