Boodles
Boodles is a luxury brand that is coveted worldwide, renowned for its excellence in design and for sourcing the finest diamonds and gemstones. Founded in Liverpool in 1798, Boodles & Dunthorne was a purveyor of fine antique jewellery.
In 1910 to firm merged with the Wainwright Jewellers, retaining its name. The firm was a silversmith, jewellers and watchmakers, but emerged as a bespoke jewellery retailer in the mid 20th Century.
Boodles & Dunthorne bought in its first jewellery designer in 1990, and was renamed ‘Boodles’ in 2004. Today, Boodles is still owned by the Wainwright family, and has stores in Liverpool, London, Manchester, Chester and Dublin.
Boodles Jewellery at Auction
Popular modern collections that are sought-after by collectors include the 'Raindance' collection, where diamond collets are interspersed within polished openwork bands, the 'Blossom' collection featuring diamonds in beautiful foliate arrangements, and the 'Velocity' collection featuring sleek, streamlined and instantly recognisable design, as well as classic pieces such as diamond solitaire rings, diamond band rings, diamond pendants, diamond earrings, diamond bangles etc.
Modern, signed Boodles jewellery sells exceptionally well at auction, particularly diamond and gem-set jewels accompanied by their fitted case. Interesting, unique and valuable examples of jewellery associated and retailed by Boodle & Dunthorne over the course of its 225 year history offer bidders a unique snapshot of this wonderful jeweller's heritage.
Boodles as a Retailer
Acting as a retailer for some of the finest jewellers, silversmiths and watchmakers around, Boodles has seen some truly remarkable items pass through its shop doors.
Largely selling its own bespoke and desirable designs in the present day, Boodles continues to retail Patek Philippe wristwatches both in store and online as part of a special 25 year partnership.
Associated with sought-after jewellers such as Alabaster & Wilson, Wellendorff, Leo De Vroomen, Georg Jensen, and many others during its rich history, Boodles has acted as an assurance and hallmark of quality. Many of these pieces are accompanied with the brand's statement dark green fitted cases, and fare exceptionally well under the hammer.
One such example with a rich history connected to Boodle's Liverpool heritage was a Liver Bird brooch by Alabaster & Wilson, custom made and retailed from the store, selling for £1,800 at auction and subsequently displayed in Boodle's 'Pure Brilliance: The Boodles Story' exhibition from 2022-2023.
Antique pieces from when the firm was retailing antique jewellery are also sought-after for their exceptional designs, these are often signed 'Boodles,' 'B&D' or come with signed, fitted cases.
Maker's Marks
Left: A full, London assayed hallmark with Boodle & Dunthorne's B&D sponsor's mark.
Right: A contemporary Boodles signature.
