The Ruth Tomlinson story

14th July 2021

This year sees Ruth Tomlinson celebrating 20 years of creating and sharing our unique jewellery with the world. This is a milestone we're all very proud of! Here's the story of where it all began and how it came to be what it is today...

Ruth grew up in northern Lancashire on England's North West coast, a stone's throw from the beach, and in close proximity to the natural wilds of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. From a young age she was nurtured to cultivate a sense of observing her surroundings with a childlike wonder, absorbing the unexpected details and small oddities, and discovering the tiny intricacies - a habit that she practises to this day.

The brand was first established in 2001 following Ruth’s undergraduate degree show in 3-D Design at Manchester Metropolitan University. Her studies then brought her to London to attend the Royal College of Art where she developed her creative ideas and the business further. Two years of extensive experimentation at the RCA resulted in the beginnings of what the brand is today... 

On graduating, Ruth secured a studio space at London's creative business development hub Cockpit Arts, where she spent the next 12 years, the business growing organically along the way. In 2018, then a team of 7, the business relocated to the townhouse atelier in Hatton Garden that we call home today. A unique space that marries onsite workshop, office and showroom space; the atelier offers the ultimate experience for customers visiting to discover their perfect jewel. 

Now a team of 10, we all play our part in creating and sharing beautifully designed, skillfully crafted, alternative fine jewellery with a sense of ethereality and a touch of the unexpected - each as unique as the individual who wears it. We respect all of the precious materials that we work with, recognising what makes them unique and celebrating their natural beauty.As we continue to grow, our aim has shifted beyond purely the creation of beautiful and unique jewellery, and the individual customer experience that accompanies it, and looks at ways to create and develop an ever more sustainable business. Our vision is to always keep this in sight and under continuous re-evaluation to ensure that we are aware of our impact on the environment, our local community and the support of other small businesses.