100 Years Of Excellence
Founded in 1919 by Claude and Laurie Jones, Michael’s parents, the business was originally established as a pawn brokers.
Michaels father Claude had served as a sergeant in the Royal Medical Corps whilst his mother Laurie worked with the Voluntary Aid Detachment.
Upon returning to Northampton at the end of World War One, they committed all of their savings to their joint venture. Laurie would later reminisce that in the early days they had even sold their own wedding presents to make ends meet. When Michael left school he started working in the family business, using his parents' links within the trade to gain experience. During this time Michael learned the importance of expert staff, superior workmanship and supplying customers with the best products available.
When Michael eventually took over the family business in the sixties he sought to turn it into a fine jewellers. He set about creating a shop which would be a spectacle in the town. The original Michael Jones Jeweller, located on the Mounts, was designed with excitement in mind. Its striking external architecture was matched inside by a waterfall that fell into a pool complete with tropical plants and ornamental fish. To add a final flourish to the customer experience Michael began our tradition of hand wrapping and wax sealing purchases with our very own Michael Jones Jeweller seal, a practice we still continue today.
The Michael Jones Ethos
Michael always believed that just as the business relied on its staff, the staff should be able to rely on the company. He believed 'profit was a means to an end and there were more important things in business, such as the quality of life of the people who worked in it'. It was Michaels Jones’ selfless vision to hand his business to those who worked within it. Thus, in 1970, he sacrificed his ownership of the business and turned it into a co-operative.
Even now, when you enter one of our showrooms you will be served by a co-owner of the business, each of whom understands the role good service plays in nurturing loyal patronage, trust and reputation. Michael also felt that if the company was prosperous then it should look outside to help others through charitable work, a belief we still uphold today. Every year we donate thousands of pounds to local charities and causes in the Northampton and Banbury areas. Some of our work includes building a relaxation garden at Northampton general hospital, funding university bursaries and donating raffle prizes to hundreds of events to raise money for important local causes.
Unbeatable Service
High quality, comprehensive, service was at the core of the Michael Jones vision and remains a key tenet of the business today.
We believe that truly great service continues long after your original purchase, and offering a comprehensive aftersales service has always been the keystone of our business. Customers may already be familiar with our sales staff and showrooms, but behind the scenes you would find skilled craftspeople and horologists helping to provide a complete aftersales experience. At a glance it is a scene that hasn’t changed in hundreds of years, but look more closely and you will see a combination of age old techniques and the latest technology to offer comprehensive jewellery repairs and bespoke commissions. You would witness goldsmiths working alternately with hand tools, cutting edge laser welders and creating elaborate models at the CAD station.
Our horologists could be found lubricating and regulating finely poised balances in a dust free environment or refinishing a case to exacting standards on a precision lapping machine. Our first class watch workshop can service brands including Rolex, Omega, Breitling, Tag Heuer and Cartier in house. Our onsite registered valuers can be found appraising both contemporary and antique pieces, using their gemmological equipment and expertise to identify a stones identity and provenance. Our sales team do not work to commission, as we prefer to nurture real relationships where honesty and expertise are paramount. We are proud that over the years many customers become lifelong friends. All of this allows us to provide for your every need under one roof.
Over the decades, Michael Jones Jeweller has nurtured relationships and links within the trade. This combined with our expertise and knowledge means we are able to bring you the finest product available, from the finest diamond stock to the best in Swiss watches, at great value. We select pieces for their craftsmanship and superior qualities, so that you have peace of mind in every purchase. With jewellery brands such as Fope and Hans D Kreiger, and timepieces from Rolex, Breitling, Bremont, Baume & Mercier, Omega, Tag Heuer and Longines there is something for everyone.
Our History Defines Us
Our hundred year story makes Michael Jones Jeweller what it is today.
A century of trading brings invaluable knowledge, experience and networks, and collectively members of Michael Jones Jeweller have 500 years’ experience in the Jewellery trade. The Business has survived great periods of change and uncertainty over the years: World War Two, humanity's first steps on the moon, the rise of the internet and global pandemic. We will no doubt live through other great challenges.
We stand on the shoulders of those who have built the company before us and stand by the values and beliefs that are the hallmark of Michael Jones Jeweller. We continue to believe that with good service and quality luxury items we will continue to grow.
1919
Michael Jones’ parents Laurie and Claude together opened Claude. S. Jones Pawnbrokers at 45 Upper Mounts, Northampton.
1931
Michael Jones was born. He attended Barry Road Junior School followed by Northampton Town and County Grammar School for Boys before embarking on his career in the jewellery industry.
1951
Michael Jones joined his parents business with ideas of moving away from pawnbroking and concentrating more into becoming a standalone retail jeweller.
1960
Michael's father, Claude Jones, died.
1963
55 Upper Mounts opened under the name 'Michael Jones Jeweller'. The shop featured a waterfall and pond feature in the store and won awards for its design.
The Michael Jones Jeweller's wax seal was introduced.
1966
Michael Jones Jeweller was opened on Bridge Street. This was the first town centre showroom and featured workshops at the end of the shop visible to the public.
1970
Michael Jones handed over his jewellery business to his staff as a co-operative.
1970
A compulsory purchase order was issued for The Mounts premises to make way for the Chronicle and Echo building. The two sites on The Mounts were sold and the Gold Street showroom, next to existing Bridge Street shop, was leased.
1975
The Grosvenor Centre opened and Michael Jones Jeweller moved into their current corner plot.
1976
Michael Jones co-founded the Daily Bread Co-operative – a Christian workers' co-operative specialising in packing and selling wholefoods.
1978
Michael Jones chaired the National Association of Goldsmiths from 1978 to 1980.
1979
A new showroom was opened at 75 High Street in Banbury under the name Christopher Howard Jeweller. Christopher Howard was the store manager at the time.
1980
Michael set up a committee to open Workbridge, a volunteering and work experience facility to offer a vocational pathway to people with mental illness, learning disabilities or brain injuries. Michael became the founding chairman and held the title for 18 years.
1981
It was decided that the lower floor of the Bridge Street showroom would be sublet, just retaining the basement for the service department and top floors for the workshops.
1992
The freehold to the Gold Street shop was purchased.
1996
Michael Jones retired.
2006
The Banbury showroom had a major refit creating the bright open showroom that we recognise now.
2011
Our very own 'Supergran' Ann Timson who famously foiled the robbery at our Gold Street Showroom was honoured at the Pride of Britain Awards at London's Park Lane Hotel.
2013
Michael Jones Jeweller were awared the Fope Retailer of the Year Award.
2013
Our Gold Street showroom had a major new refit throughout all three floors.
2016
Our Grosvenor Centre showroom had a modern new look.
2017
On March 5th 2017, Michael Jones passed away at the age of 85.
2019
Michael Jones Jeweller turned 100 years old.
2020
Michael Jones Jeweller celebrates 50 years of being a co-operative.
2020
We opened a dedicated Rolex showroom as part of a major expansion and refit for the Banbury showroom.
2021
We are extremely proud that our head watchmaker, Lynette, and our workshops have attained the Rolex Authorised Service plaque and gained Official Rolex Service Centre status. We are now authorised to issue the Rolex 2-year international service guarantee and can honour the Rolex worldwide guarantee in our workshops onsite.