A Legacy of Craftsmanship
From a small family workshop in Shipley to a name synonymous with quality craftsmanship and love, Phillip Stoner The Jeweller continues to make meaningful pieces, by hand, in the heart of Leeds. There are moments in life charged with electricity and the journey to your wedding day is full of them. Speaking to the team at Phillip Stoner, in their beautiful Victoria Quarter store, this is the theme they return to again and again.
They feel honoured to be part of that journey. It’s incredibly personal. And the moment when someone finds “the one” – the ring they’ll wear for the rest of their life – is pure magic. “We made it.”
The Story Behind the Name
For owner and managing director Jonathan Stoner, those words carry an even deeper meaning. They reflect his own life in jewellery, from his father’s first shop in a small market town, to two stunning stores in Leeds city centre.
At the centre of it all is something that makes Phillip Stoner truly special. The on-site workshop, tucked beneath their Victoria Quarter boutique, is where pieces are lovingly restored, heirlooms reimagined and bespoke creations brought to life.
Jonathan has been immersed in this world since childhood. “I was fortunate enough to get an apprenticeship with my father,” he says. “I did five years at the bench, learning how to repair and craft jewellery. I think that’s why, even 35 years later, it’s so important to me that we still have our own workshop. It’s a big part of who we are.”
Made for you, with love in Leeds
It’s not just bespoke. Their stores hold some of the largest selections of wedding and engagement rings in the city. “We have our own collections that are unique to us,” Jonathan says. “But we also work with designers from all over the world to complement our own designs.”
But, bespoke creations sit at the heart of the Phillip Stoner experience, whether that means sourcing a loose diamond and setting, or creating something completely unique. Clients often arrive with ideas rooted in emotion – a favourite place, a detail from a loved one’s ring, or a family stone passed down through generations.
“The bespoke route is a big part of our business,” Jonathan explains. “We might sketch out a design in pencil right there with the client, then work with our CAD designer to bring it to life. Once the client has approved the design, we make the ring in-house.”
Some bring jewellery from their family, hoping to give it a new lease of life. Others want something completely new. Whatever the brief, the team feels privileged to be part of the journey.
We asked Jonathan what makes a truly great engagement or wedding ring. He smiles and says: “Seeing a person’s face light up when they put that ring on and knowing they’ve found the one. That’s what makes a great engagement ring.”
So yes, Phillip Stoner made it. From a small store in Shipley to something truly special. And they’re still making it – every day, with love, in Leeds.
Visit Phillip Stoner stores in The Victoria Quarter and Trinity Leeds, or
discover more at phillipstoner.com
