David Ashton
LONDON
Unmatched Precision & Artistic Achievement with Skills and Experience
Exclusively David Ashton
For more than thirty years, I have crafted bespoke jewellery for clients who want something truly personal—pieces that reflect their story and cannot be found anywhere else. Working closely with each client, I transform ideas into unique, meaningful jewellery designed to be treasured for a lifetime.
You can discover my work at my London studio in the iconic OXO Tower on the South Bank or browse a selection of creations online.
Before establishing my jewellery workshop, I trained as a scientific and medical instrument maker in Cambridge and later worked in aerospace engineering. At Marshalls of Cambridge, I helped manufacture part of Concorde’s nose cone, gaining the precision, discipline, and meticulous attention to detail that continue to define my work as a jeweller today.
Crafted with Integrity. Designed for Life.
In 2008, I moved my studio and workshop to the OXO Tower, opening a new chapter after twenty successful years at Gabriel’s Wharf and earlier years selling my jewellery at Camden Market. What began as a passion for making has grown into a career dedicated to designing and crafting exceptional handcrafted jewellery for clients across the UK and around the world.
Leading publications including Vogue, ELLE, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, and The Independent have featured my signature ring stacks and contemporary jewellery designs.
While I value this recognition, my focus remains unchanged. I still make every piece by hand, one at a time, bringing the same commitment to quality, originality, and craftsmanship that has guided my work from the very beginning.
I never produce jewellery in batches or use mass-production methods. I start every commission from scratch and craft each piece to exacting tolerances. No shortcuts. No compromise. Just exceptional materials, meticulous workmanship, and a design created exclusively for you.
Many of the tools I use are handmade or specially adapted for my workshop, helping me create contemporary jewellery that blends innovation with traditional craftsmanship. My signature rub-over setting technique secures gemstones beautifully, creating an elegant finish that integrates seamlessly into each design.
Whether you are commissioning a bespoke engagement ring, remodelling a treasured heirloom, or creating a completely original piece, I believe the process should be as personal as the finished jewellery itself. Every project starts with a conversation, and your ideas, style, and story shape the final design.
I have built my reputation on honesty, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. These values remain at the heart of everything I do.
Ethically sourced & responsibly crafted
Creating beautiful jewellery carries a responsibility to source materials ethically and sustainably.
I use only natural diamonds and gemstones that are carefully selected through rigorous ethical sourcing and certification processes. Every piece is guaranteed to be conflict-free and responsibly produced.
All precious metals used in my work are sourced from 100% recycled bullion supplied under the LBMA Responsible Sourcing Assurance programme.
Authenticity matters to me. Every photograph on this website shows real jewellery that I have personally made. Nothing is AI-generated, digitally fabricated, or misleadingly enhanced.
For those interested photos are taken in a white box, with a canon 550D, sitting ona piece of white perspex.
Gemmological Expertise
My understanding of diamonds and gemstones is supported by formal training with the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A), where I studied towards both the Fellowship of the Gemmological Association (FGA) and the Diamond Diploma (DGA).
This expertise enables me to advise clients with confidence on gemstone quality, sourcing, selection, and setting, ensuring every stone is chosen for both its beauty and integrity.
Award-Winning British Craftsmanship
Throughout my career I have been honoured to exhibit at the prestigious Goldsmiths’ Company Fair, where my work has received its highest awards. These accolades recognise not only design excellence but also the technical skill and craftsmanship behind every piece.
Handmade Jewellery Made to Last
In a world increasingly dominated by automation and mass production, true hand-crafted jewellery has become rare.
Every David Ashton piece is bench-made by hand in my London workshop. This traditional approach takes more time and demands a higher level of skill, but it produces jewellery with a quality, comfort, durability, and character that cannot be replicated by machine-made methods.
My aim is simple: to create exceptional bespoke jewellery that will be worn, loved, and passed down through generations.
Truly bespoke.
Beyond the Workshop
When I’m not at the bench, you’ll often find me pursuing another lifelong passion: classic motorcars and motorcycles.
For many years I have restored, maintained, and driven an eclectic collection of vehicles dating from the 1930s through to the present day. Whether it’s rebuilding an engine, fabricating a hard-to-find component, or preserving the character of a beautifully engineered machine, I find the same satisfaction in mechanical craftsmanship as I do in creating fine jewellery.
These interests are more than hobbies; they have profoundly influenced my work. The elegant lines of an Art Deco motorcar, the purposeful engineering of a vintage motorcycle, and the enduring quality of objects built to last all inspire the way I approach jewellery design.
Whether on the open road or at the jeweller’s bench, my passion remains the same: creating, restoring, and celebrating exceptional craftsmanship.
Of course, a lifelong enthusiasm for classic cars and motorcycles occasionally leads to interesting conversations with clients. Over the years I’ve discovered that collectors often appreciate fine craftsmanship in all its forms, whether it’s found in a beautifully engineered machine or a hand-crafted piece of jewellery.
And while bespoke commissions are usually settled in the traditional way, I’m always happy to discuss the possibility of a part-exchange.
If you happen to have an interesting classic car or motorcycle looking for a new home, I might just consider swapping it for a ring. After all, true craftsmanship is something worth trading for.
I have always been drawn to things that are made properly—objects that combine beauty, functionality, and longevity. That philosophy runs through every piece I create. Just as a cherished classic car can be enjoyed and passed down through generations, I believe fine jewellery should become part of a family’s story, carrying memories and meaning for years to come.
Arrange a Private viewing or consultation
Or just drop in to see in at the OXO Tower in London.
