Birmingham Awarded World Craft City Status for Thriving Jewellery Trade

June 3, 2025

The rich jewellery history of Birmingham has today been recognised by the World Crafts Council, after being awarded the prestigious World Craft City status by the UNESCO-affiliated organisation.

This designation is a landmark moment for Birmingham, placing the city’s historic Jewellery Quarter firmly on the global stage as it joins only eight other cities in Europe who have been awarded this title.

World Crafts Council President, Saad Al-Qaddumi, said the title celebrated the city’s “rich heritage, skilled artisans, creative designers, proud makers, and innovative contributions to the jewellery industry.”

As reported by JQBID, this bid was submitted in October 2024, led by the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust and co-applicants Birmingham City University, and supported by Birmingham City Council and the Goldsmiths Company. A rigorous application and judging process took place, with an international panel of judges visiting Birmingham in April 2025 – visiting Cooksongold, BCU and the Birmingham Assay Office (BAO), among other places.

BAJ’s Birmingham Campus is nestled inside the BAO in the Jewellery Quarter. Our Birmingham Campus Lead and Apprenticeships Coordinator, Miranda Sharpe, celebrated the designation, saying:

“Being named a World Craft City shines a well-deserved light on Birmingham’s rich heritage, vibrant creativity, and thriving jewellery community. At BAJ’s Birmingham campus, we’re proud to be part of that legacy—nurturing new talent, embracing innovation, and connecting with industry. This prestigious recognition not only enhances our city’s international profile, but also supports BAJ’s mission to equip the next generation of makers with the skills, confidence, and global outlook they need to succeed.”

We’re incredibly proud of our community in Birmingham for achieving this award, and are, as always, committed to nurturing talent in this wonderful historic city. Click here to learn about the Level 3 Jewellery Diploma course, and here for the apprenticeship programme we run at our campus in the Jewellery Quarter.