A LEGACY OF ELEGANCE: THE STORY OF HAMILTON & CO.
Established in 1808 and known as "the Tiffany of India," Hamilton & Co. became one of the most prominent jewellers and silversmiths in the British Empire. Founded by Robert Hamilton under a distinguished license from the East India Company, Hamilton & Co. opened its first store at the prestigious 5 Tank Square, the city’s administrative and financial heart.
BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT
The House quickly earned distinction as an official supplier to Queen Victoria, extending its esteemed patronage to successive British monarchs throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
FROM TANK SQUARE TO REGENT STREET
In 1811, Henry and James Glazbrook joined the business, expanding Hamilton & Co. with branches in India and the United Kingdom. The London store in the prestigious Regent street becomes a mainstay among the British elite.
A LEGACY OF HISTORIC DIAMONDS
Throughout its history, Hamilton & Co. has been entrusted with the sale of some of the most extraordinary diamonds and gemstones, renowned for their rarity and royal provenance. In 1852, the company auctioned the Darya-i-Noor, or “Sea of Light,” one of the largest cut diamonds in the world, weighing an estimated 182 carats. Its pale pink hue is among the rarest found in diamonds.
Hamilton & Co. also later auctioned the Nizam Diamond, known as the “Little Koh-i-Noor,” to the Nizam of Hyderabad. This internally flawless diamond, arguably the most famous of the nineteenth century, weighed an extraordinary 340 carats.
A ruby and diamond bracelet and watch set made by Hamilton for Tiffany & Co. Image courtesy © Christie’s
A WORKSHOP OF WONDERS
The company flourished, employing some of the finest artisans in its state-of-the-art workshops in London and Jaipur. These workshops were distinguished by their singular breadth of techniques in cutting, polishing, and carving colored gemstones and precious hard stones, setting a new standard for craftsmanship.
In the late nineteenth to the early twentieth century, Hamilton & Co. becomes an official manufacturer of fine jewellery, watches and precious objects for Tiffany & Co.
RISE TO SUCCESS
The brand's creations soon became statements of wealth and refinement, earning favour with the British and European aristocracy, high-ranking government officials and Indian Maharajahs. The firm also gains renown for its exceptional silverware, becoming the official silversmith to the British government.
During this period, it was often said that no European royalty would visit India without making a stop at Hamilton & Co., drawn by its exquisite creations.
A Victorian garnet snake necklace by Hamilton & Co.
FUSION OF CULTURES
The House’s multifaceted artisanal expression is brought to life through a distinctive blend of precious materials and traditional techniques deeply rooted in India’s rich jewellery-making heritage.
This pioneering fusion of Eastern and Western traditions anticipated, by nearly a century, the widespread admiration for Eastern design that later captivated French jewellery maisons during the Art Deco era.
THE ARTISTRY OF MASTER CRAFTSMANSHIP
Hamilton & Co. today honors its extraordinary heritage by creating exceptional jewels that blend British elegance with India’s renowned craftsmanship and gem mastery.
In keeping with its tradition, our creations are still meticulously handcrafted in the foremost specialist workshops in Jaipur. Rooted in a city celebrated for centuries as a global centre of gemstone expertise and fine jewellery making, the House continues to hold its position as a leading specialist in coloured gemstone jewellery.
