The business was founded in 1860 by Josiah Hancock, initially offering a clock-winding service during the city’s cotton boom. It later moved from its first Piccadilly location to King Street, where it has remained for more than a century.

Owner Roy Lunt said: “Jewellery styles may evolve, but our commitment to quality, service and beauty never changes. Celebrating 165 years of heritage in Manchester is a moment of immense pride for the entire team.”

Hancocks has sold hand-selected diamonds, coloured gemstones and bespoke jewellery to generations of customers in Greater Manchester and beyond.

Its collection reflects changing design eras, from 1950s gem-set pieces to 1970s abstraction and today’s focus on high-quality stones such as emeralds, rubies and sapphires.

The company is recognised as a specialist in diamonds and precious stones, serving clients across the UK and overseas.

Recognised globally as one of the “most important” Native American jewellers working today,  Sonwai will be creating a limited number of pieces for Hancocks London, with the  first, a vibrant 18ct yellow gold cuff bangle, launching as the jeweller’s Jewel of the Month for June. 

Entirely handmade in her Arizona studio, the cuff is inlaid with a mosaic of turquoise, lapis lazuli, sugilite, spiny oyster shell, and rosarita. The interior is etched “For Hancocks”, underscoring the exclusivity of this significant partnership. 

Sonwai began her career in the 1960s, working alongside her uncle, Charles Loloma, a “legendary” figure in Native American jewellery and widely regarded as the most collectible Native American jeweller of the 20th Century. 

Today, she continues his legacy, combining traditional Hopi aesthetics with “bold”, “contemporary” design  and her lapidary work.

Sonwai’s work can be found in major museum collections and is sought after worldwide. She is known for creating only for private collectors and carefully selected galleries.

Further pieces from Sonwai’s studio will be released exclusively through Hancocks London over  the next year. 

Amy Burton, creative director of Hancocks London, said: “We are incredibly honoured to be working with Sonwai. Her jewellery is more than beautiful—it is powerful, sculptural, and deeply rooted in cultural identity. Each piece tells a story and is created with such precision, thought and artistry. 

“To have her crafting jewels for Hancocks London is an exciting and important moment, not only for us but for our clients as well as collectors and connoisseurs alike.” 

The new offering allows customers to create a unique and personal ring, tailored to their vision, whether online or in-store with expert guidance from the Hancocks team.

Customers can also explore a vast array of styles, cuts, and precious metals, along with ethically sourced diamonds that are GIA-certified and custom engraving, to craft a “one-of-a-kind” engagement ring.

Additionally, the service is available for engagement rings, anniversary gifts, or any bespoke piece of jewellery.

Founded in 1860, Hancocks Jewellers is Manchester’s oldest independent jeweller and a renowned purveyor of fine diamonds and handcrafted jewellery.

Roy Lunt, owner of Hancocks Jewellers, said: “At Hancocks, we have always believed that jewellery should be as unique as the individual wearing it.

“With our ‘Design Your Own Engagement Ring’ service, we are giving our customers the opportunity to create something truly personal—an heirloom that will be cherished for generations. Whether it’s an engagement ring, a statement piece, or a meaningful gift, we are here to bring every vision to life.”

The new collection was introduced after the brand received requests and feedback from many same sex couples. 

The ‘His and His’ and ‘Her and Hers’ collections are crafted with meticulous attention to detail and using the finest materials.

The ‘His and His’ collection showcases a range of masculine designs, from “bold and contemporary” to “classic and elegant”. 

Similarly, the ‘Her and Hers’ wedding ring collection offers a diverse selection of “feminine styles”. 

Hancock Jewellers said: “Designed to celebrate the unique bond between two people, the ‘His and His’ and ‘Her and Hers’ collections feature stunning rings that complement each other perfectly while maintaining distinct styles.

“Each ring is a statement of “individuality, while also complementing the partner’s ring in the pair.” 

The necklace derives its name from John Spencer-Churchill, 7th Duke of Marlborough, who in 1875 created it for his wife Frances. 

Described as an “intricate gold collar”, it is made of eight oval lockets surrounded by a floral wreath and white bows. The necklace carries the initials of seven of their 11 children while the eighth locket displays a ducal coronet set with tiny gems.

The Spencer-Churchill family enjoyed close links with the British Royal family and Frances was a childhood friend of Queen Victoria which explains why the necklace links some of the 19th and 20th centuries’ most notable figures, including Queen Victoria herself, the Duke of Wellington and Winston Churchill and even the US Vanderbilt family. 

It will be the first time that the Spencer-Churchill necklace will be available to buy on the open market given it has been in the family since its creation. And Mayfair’s oldest family jewellers, Hancocks London, which itself is 174-years-old, is handling the sale of this family jewel. 

Speaking on the sale, Guy Burton, managing director at Hancocks London, said: “The Spencer-Churchills were at the very heart of British society and politics for two centuries and this piece, and the names it carries, reflect their status and influence in a way almost no other family dynasty could match.

“We feel very privileged to bring this piece to the open market and expect an enormous amount of interest given its provenance.”

At the moment, Hancocks London is looking into the history archives to find out why the couple’s fifth daughter, Lady Georgiana Elizabeth Spencer-Churchill, was for some reason either not included or her locket was removed.

Burton concluded: “America. As the Spencer-Churchill family are related to the Spencer family of Althorp, the necklace also links the late Diana Princess of Wales and our future King, Prince William, both families being descended from John Churchill, the 1st Duke of Marlborough.

“It is a wonderful collectors’ piece and you can imagine it being on show in a museum given its historical significance. This really is a once-in-a-lifetime piece to acquire.”

The frog brooch is made of silver with gold feet and is covered in old cut diamonds.

The central panel down its back is set with green demantoid garnets, the eyes are highlighted with rubies and it has both a single pin brooch fitting on the reverse.

Guy Burton, director, said: “Frogs have been used as a decorative symbol throughout history and across many cultures, symbolising a variety of meanings from good luck to new life and fertility, wealth and abundance or power and knowledge.

“During the 19th century, and in particular the mid-late Victorian era, a love of and fascination with the natural world was widespread. In a period now renowned for its sentimentalism, it is unsurprising that symbolism and meaning was attached to flora and fauna great and small.”

Hancocks stated that the brooch would cost around £65,000.

The necklace is formed of a “finely made gold chain, each circular link patterned with diagonal lines and joined to multiple others to form a twisted chain”.

The pendant is set with an oval faceted amethyst estimated to weigh around 30cts and a bezel set in gold within a decorative floral scroll frame.

Guy Burton, director of Hancocks, said: “This is a quintessentially Georgian jewel with its beautifully handmade chain and the decorative floral work in shades of pink, green, white and yellow gold.

“The amethyst would have likely been intended to be engraved with a motto or phrase and therefore be used as a seal as well as worn as a jewel. It is a wonderful piece and is in fantastic condition, especially as it is around 200 years old.”

The collection consists of six rings, designed by the jeweller and handcrafted in Britain, with each ring featuring a diamond with a side of colour.

It also features a variety of shapes and sizes of old-cut diamonds, all set with coloured gemstone shoulders with specially cut aquamarines, sapphires or emeralds.

Guy Burton, director, Hancocks London, said: “This collection evolved from discussions we had about different ways to complement and enhance our beautiful old cut diamond solitaire rings.

“Cutting stones to fit exactly into a design like this is known as calibre cut. Each one of these coloured gems has been designed and cut by hand so that they precisely fit into the shoulders of the band of each ring. The attention to detail this affords is reflected in the beauty of these jewels.”

He added: “Our beautiful antique diamonds don’t necessarily need any embellishment but sometimes it’s good to add a splash of colour, subtle or otherwise. We hope these rings will appeal to people who like their classics with a little contemporary twist.”

The collection comprises a series of rings ranging from £3,950 to bespoke commissions and officially launches this month, both in its shop, located in Mayfair’s Burlington Arcade, and also online.

Guy Burton, director of Hancocks London, said: “With this collection we wanted to keep the focus on the beautiful antique and vintage diamonds we use rather than embellishing these stones with too many other gems or elaborate settings.

“The beauty of a bezel style setting is its elegance and simplicity. This type of setting, which is also known as a rub over setting, suits all sizes and shapes of diamonds.”

He added: “For example, we have used it on rounded shapes such as old mine cuts and old European cuts as well as straight and pointed shapes such as emerald-cuts and pear shapes. The gold carefully encircles the widest part of the stone and can be used to really accentuate and call attention to the shape of that stone.”

The initiative allows for Hancocks’ tiaras to be hired at a 1% charge of the retail value plus VAT for 24 hour periods.

The deal includes a minimum charge of £100 plus VAT each day, with a full refundable deposit to the retail value of the item in cleared funds a requisite for hiring a tiara.

Hancocks’ tiara rental service has been introduced in reaction to a spike in demand for the group’s tiaras both to hire and for sale.

Guy Burton, director at the retail jeweller, said: “There has definitely been a steady increase in interest in ‘grown up’ tiaras recently and we’ve particularly noticed it over the last few months.

“We have bought and sold some beautiful traditional antique tiaras over the last year (despite the pandemic) with a fabulous Edwardian diamond and ruby tiara selling just last week within days of going on the website.”

He claimed that the tiara boom can be attributed to both the “popularity of period dramas” such as Downton Abbey and Bridgerton, and the drive for increased sustainability.

Burton added: “In the wake of the pandemic there seems to be a real focus on the ‘buy better’ ethos and people are willing to invest money in a substantial piece of jewellery that they can wear forever and then pass down.  

“With that in mind, part of the appeal of these traditional tiaras is their versatility as the majority of them will convert into a necklace and some can even be adapted to wear as brooches or smaller hair ornaments. This gives the piece flexibility and more occasions it can be worn making it better ‘value for money’.”