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| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Jewellery |
| Founded | London (1722 (1722)) |
| Founder | George Wickes |
| Headquarters | London ,United Kingdom |
| Website | www |
Garrard & Co. Limited designs and manufactures luxury jewellery and silver. George Wickes founded Garrard in London in 1735 and the brand is headquartered atAlbemarle Street inMayfair, London. Garrard also has a presence in a number of other locations globally. Garrard was the first official and most notably importantCrown Jeweller of the United Kingdom having supplied jewels forQueen Victoria, and was charged with the upkeep of theBritish Crown Jewels, from 1843 to 2007, and was responsible for the creation of many tiaras and jewels still worn by the British royal family today. As well as jewellery, Garrard is known for having created some of the world's most illustrious sporting trophies, including theAmerica's Cup, the ICCCricket World Cup Trophy[1] and a number of trophies forRoyal Ascot in its role as Official Trophies and Silverware Supplier, which originally dates back to the first Gold Cup in 1842.[2]
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The company that was to become Garrard was founded byGeorge Wickes (1698–1761), who entered his mark inGoldsmiths' Hall in 1722. Wickes set up business inThreadneedle Street in theCity of London in 1722; the company moved to Panton Street offHaymarket in central London in 1735 as a goldsmith and provider of jewellery and other luxury items to aristocratic patrons. Wickes was an accomplished silversmith known for his work in therococo style, and gained the patronage ofFrederick, Prince of Wales. Two apprentices of Wickes, John Parker and Edward Wakelin, purchased the company following Wickes' retirement in 1760, replaced by John Wakelin and William Taylor in 1776. Following the death of Taylor, Robert Garrard became a partner in the company in 1792. Garrard took sole control of the firm in 1802, with his sons Robert Garrard II, James and Sebastian succeeding him in running the company, trading as R., J., & S. Garrard (or Robert Garrard & Brothers) until James' retirement in 1835, when the company became R & S Garrard. The company remained in the hands of the Garrard family until the death of Sebastian Henry Garrard, great-grandson of Robert Garrard senior, in 1946. The name Garrard & Company Ltd was registered in 1909, and the company moved to new premises in Albemarle Street in central London in 1911.
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In 1843,Queen Victoria appointed Garrard as the first ever official Crown Jewellers, leading to the production of numerous pieces of silverware and jewellery for the royal family, as well as the upkeep of the Crown Jewels. The company has dealt with a number of famous jewels, such as theCullinan diamonds (including Cullinan I, "The Great Star of Africa"), and created such pieces as theImperial Crown of India in 1911, thecrown of Queen Mary for hercoronation, and theCrown of Queen Elizabeth in 1937. In 1852, Garrard were given the responsibility of re-cutting the famousKoh-i-Noor diamond into abrilliant.
In 1848, Garrard produced what is now referred to as theAmerica's Cup, the oldest international sportingtrophy.[3][unreliable source?][4] The Cup is an ornatesterling silver bottomlessewer originally awarded in 1851 by theRoyal Yacht Squadron for ayacht race around theIsle of Wight in England, which was won by theschoonerAmerica. The trophy was renamed the 'America's Cup' after the yacht and was donated to theNew York Yacht Club under the terms of theDeed of Gift, which made the cup available for perpetual international competition.
Garrard amalgamated with The Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company in 1952, when they closed their Albemarle workshops and moved premises toRegent Street. In October 1959,Mappin & Webb, a subsidiary ofSears Holdings, bought Garrard.[5]
In July 1990, Sears sold Mappin & Webb and Garrard to fellow jeweller,Asprey plc, retaining an 38.5% interest in the expanded group.[6] In 1998, Asprey plc was renamed Asprey & Garrard and moved from 112 Regent Street to premises onNew Bond Street. The company demerged in 2002, with Garrard returning to the Albemarle Street site it first occupied in 1911. Garrard was acquired by the US private equity firmYucaipa Companies in 2006, ending its partnership with Asprey.[7]
Jade Jagger was the creative director for the company from 2001 until being replaced byStephen Webster in 2006.[8] In 2012, Sara Prentice was appointed creative director of the brand.
In 2007, Garrard & Co's services as crown jeweller were no longer required, with the reason cited being that it was simply 'time for a change'.[9] This ended over 160 years of Garrard's tenure as the inaugural British Royal Jeweller,[10] although Garrard still holds aroyal warrant fromCharles III while he was Prince of Wales.[11]
More recently, Garrard made the sapphire engagement ring given byCharles, Prince of Wales, toDiana, Princess of Wales for their 1981 marriage.
In 2011, the ring returned to the public eye as the engagement ringPrince William, Prince of Wales, formerly Duke of Cambridge gave to his wifeCatherine.[12] The distinctive cluster setting of this ring has become a signature of the House, and is still seen in the designs of the 1735 collection today.
Garrard has created many other jewels that are worn by the British royal family, including the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara which Queen Elizabeth II is seen wearing in the portrait featured on British currency. The Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau Tiara worn byMeghan Markle on the occasion of her marriage toPrince Harry was created during Garrard's time as crown jeweller.[13]
Garrard created thePremier League trophy and theCricket World Cup Trophy. They also produced the originalcubic zirconia prop-necklace of theHeart of the Ocean for the 1997 filmTitanic, as well as a similar necklace made with a sapphire and white diamonds which was worn byCeline Dion at the Oscars and later auctioned.[citation needed]In 2018, the House of Garrard unveiled a 118.88 ct royal blueBurmese sapphire presented in a brooch that features a signature cluster setting. The jewel was named in honour of theSapphire Jubilee of Elizabeth II, a date traditionally marked by the gift of a sapphire, and pays tribute to the House's role in remodelling theImperial State Crown for the occasion.[14]
Garrard is the manufacturer of theStaff of office used by theUsher of the Black Rod of theParliament of Canada.[15]
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