Hatton Garden Jewellers : A brief History
On April 2, 2015, a group of thieves broke into Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Ltd. Stealing millions of pounds worth of jewels, gems, and other valuables. The burglary was one of the largest in British history, and it shocked the nation, effecting hundreds of businesses. However, what most people don't know is that Hatton Garden has a long and storied history as one of London's most famous jewellery districts. In this post, we'll take a closer look at Hatton Garden's past and explore why it has become such a hotspot for jewellers.
Hatton Garden’s Royal Connections
Hatton Garden is a London neighbourhood that takes its name from Sir Christopher Hatton. In 1581, he received property called ‘Ely Place’ which had been originally residence to the Bishop of Ely when in town but became more well known after being given this honour by Queen Elizabeth I and having his garden renamed accordingly - thus creating what we know today as "Hatton Garden". Sir Christopher Hatton would also go on, not only be knighted, but also made Lord Chancellor for services rendered.
From Humble Farmsteads to a Bustling Jewellery District
Before it became a hotspot for jewellery sales, Hatton Garden served primarily as an agricultural landmark. Before the Victorian Era, the area was primarily known for growing hay and producing dairy products. However, despite being primarily agricultural in nature, there were at least one or two large-scale glass making operations that managed to set up shop by 1656. Due to the area's occupation with glass production, Hatton Garden was also briefly known as Little Venice around this time because of all of the water wheels necessary to run their pots and furnaces (the name eventually fell out of use due to irrelevancy).
The first mention of jewellery in Hatton Garden comes during the reign of King George I 1698 - 1727. This is the first time we find records of jewellers and goldsmiths setting up shop in Hatton Garden. Until this point, their crafts were typically scattered throughout London. The Industrial Revolution was at its peak during the 18th century, meaning that more people than ever before had made enough money to afford luxuries like jewel encrusted trinkets. Hatton Garden was quickly able to provide these luxuries, and by 1795, there were at least 100 jewellery-related businesses operating in the area.
By 1812, Hatton Garden found itself at a bit of a crossroads. The area now had thousands of jewellers and goldsmiths working along its roads and side streets, attracting more jewellery businesses from all over England. At this point in time, the decision was made to officially appoint Hatton Garden as London's official centre for precious stone dealing and jewellery sales. In 1817, they even went so far as to construct a town hall that would serve not only as the centre for their local government operations but also as a meeting house for industry professionals looking to exchange knowledge about gem cutting, polishing, and anything else related to the trade. Although it was originally built with this objective in mind, Hatton Garden has since found itself in a role that focuses more on selling jewellery rather than cutting or polishing it.
Hatton Garden in the 21st Century
The success of Hatton Garden's jewellery trade was not uninterrupted. The outbreak of the Second World War once again disrupted business, leaving many businesses looted and destroyed by German air raids. The building that served as Hatton Garden's town hall was completely demolished in one round of bombings. However, after the war ended, London continued to grow into one of the most important trading cities in the world. With their wealth growing, people's purchasing power rose, allowing them to spend more on elegant jewellery like diamond halo necklaces, tennis bracelets, lavish engagement and eternity rings. This meant that Hatton Garden's jewellery-based enterprises were able to flourish because there was no scarcity of customers wanting to purchase such items.
Today, Hatton Garden is home to more than 200 jewellery-related companies, including some of the biggest names in the business like. The area is now known for its bustling nightlife scene as well as its status as London's official jewellery district. Hatton Garden has become so popular that people come from all over England just to look into purchasing their very own piece of fine jewellery! Although the historical significance of Hatton Garden is still being uncovered, it's definitely safe to say that this area has had a large enough impact on London's jewellery scene to warrant its official designation as the centre for all things related to precious stones and metal.
