Since 1832
The Blacklock history since 1832 shows a continuity of the family principles and values from day one.
Early Victorian
Robert March Blacklock, a shipwright on the Tyne, founded Blacklocks’ Jewellers on Bedford Street, Sunderland in 1832. Blacklocks’ became one of the first ‘Diamond Merchants’ in the North of England.
Late Victorian
Robert Hodgson Blacklock took over from his father, establishing a pawnbroking business on the same premises. Family legend has it that Robert was the first man in the world to mount a Geneva watch on a wristband.
Edwardian
Ralph Hope Blacklock left the business at a young age due to ill health, retiring to Switzerland. His time in charge was concurrent with the emergence of the Art Nouveau movement which encouraged the use of alternative materials in jewellery such as enamel. Throughout these times Blacklocks’ maintained its focus on selling ‘fine diamond jewellery’.
Wartime / Post war
Kenneth Ellis Blacklock took over the business at the age of sixteen due to his father’s ill health. With the outbreak of war precious metals were rationed and fine jewellery was hard to come by. In order to maintain a high standard of quality, Ellis began selling antique pieces. His father Ralph returned from Geneva to run the business while Ellis was a Convoy Commander on the frontline in Germany. Ellis was later mentioned in dispatches for actions of bravery. The immediate post-war period witnessed a return to fashion for yellow gold jewellery, with sapphires and rubies playing a more important role in Blacklock pieces. By the time of his retirement Ellis had built up the business to be one of the North’s premier jewellers.
Modern times
Ralph Blacklock, son of Ellis, grew the business further. By 1995 there were three Blacklocks’ shops, in Sunderland, Durham and Newcastle. Ralph, a well respected gemmologist, started to diversify the range by introducing more intricate pieces set with semi-precious stones, adding colour to the more traditional Blacklock jewellery. In 2000 Ralph Blacklock sold the retail business and concentrated on jewellery design.
Contemporary
Chris Blacklock, the sixth generation of Blacklock jeweller, is proud to present the family business online in the twenty-first century, offering classical and contemporary jewellery of quality.
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