Sparkle of genius

Historic jewellery firm Hancocks, now in its new St James's home, specialises in old-cut diamond pieces that gleam and turn heads even in low light

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HANCOCKS has built its legacy over the past 175 years and established an international reputation as a curator of the rarest and finest jewellery. It was in 1849 that Charles Frederick Hancock set up his eponymous jewellery business on the corner of Bond Street and Bruton Street in London. Dealing in the finest jewellery and gemstones, he quickly built a reputation for excellence.

Within a year of trading, he had been granted a Royal Warrant from Queen Victoria and by 1856 he'd been tasked with creating the newly introduced Victoria Cross medal, the highest honour that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces for gallantry in active service. To this day, Hancocks holds the unique distinction of being the only firm to have ever produced the Victoria Cross.

Although times have certainly changed since then, Hancocks remains one of the oldest British family-owned jewellers in London, now belonging to the Burton family, who recently moved the firm into its current location, a five-storey Georgian townhouse on St James's Street. Managing director Guy Burton says of the move: 'It feels both authentic and deeply meaningful that we go back to being.