David Ashton

LONDON

Unmatched Precision & Artistic Achievement with Skills and Experience

Exclusively David Ashton

For more than thirty years, I have been creating bespoke jewellery for clients who want something truly personal and unlike anything else available on the high street. Every piece I make is designed in close collaboration with the individual who will wear it, resulting in jewellery that is unique, meaningful, and crafted to last a lifetime.

You can view my work at my London studio in the iconic OXO Tower on the South Bank or explore a selection of my creations online.

My journey into jewellery began long before I opened my first workshop. Originally trained as a scientific and medical instrument maker in Cambridge, I later worked in aerospace engineering, where I was involved in manufacturing part of the nose cone for Concorde at Marshalls of Cambridge. The precision, discipline, and attention to detail demanded by those industries continue to influence every piece of jewellery I create today.

Crafted with Integrity. Designed for Life.

In 2008, I moved my studio and workshop to the OXO Tower, beginning a new chapter after twenty successful years at Gabriel’s Wharf and earlier years selling my designs at Camden Market. What started as a passion for making has evolved into a career dedicated to creating exceptional handcrafted jewellery for clients across the UK and around the world.

Over the years, my signature ring stacks and contemporary jewellery designs have been featured in Vogue, ELLE, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, The Independent, and other leading publications. My work is also represented in the collections of the Tate and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Despite this recognition, my focus has never changed. Every piece is still made by hand, one at a time, with the same commitment to quality, originality, and craftsmanship that has defined my work from the beginning.

I do not produce jewellery in batches or rely on mass-production methods. Every commission starts from scratch and is crafted to exacting tolerances. No shortcuts. No compromise. Just exceptional materials, meticulous workmanship, and a design created exclusively for you.

Many of the tools I use are handmade or specially adapted for my workshop, allowing me to create contemporary jewellery that combines innovation with traditional craftsmanship. My signature rub-over setting technique ensures gemstones are secure, elegant, and seamlessly integrated into the design.

Whether you are commissioning a bespoke engagement ring, remodelling a treasured heirloom, or creating a completely original piece, I believe the process should be as personal as the finished jewellery itself. Every project begins with a conversation, and your ideas, style, and story help shape the final design.

My reputation has been built on honesty, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. These values remain at the heart of everything I do.

Ethically sourced & responsibly crafted

Creating beautiful jewellery carries a responsibility to source materials ethically and sustainably.

I use only natural diamonds and gemstones that are carefully selected through rigorous ethical sourcing and certification processes. Every piece is guaranteed to be conflict-free and responsibly produced.

All precious metals used in my work are sourced from 100% recycled bullion supplied under the LBMA Responsible Sourcing Assurance programme.

Authenticity matters to me. Every photograph on this website shows real jewellery that I have personally made. Nothing is AI-generated, digitally fabricated, or misleadingly enhanced.

.For those interested photos are taken in a white box, with a canon 550D, sitting ona piece of white perspex.

Gemmological Expertise

My understanding of diamonds and gemstones is supported by formal training with the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A), where I studied towards both the Fellowship of the Gemmological Association (FGA) and the Diamond Diploma (DGA).

This expertise enables me to advise clients with confidence on gemstone quality, sourcing, selection, and setting, ensuring every stone is chosen for both its beauty and integrity.

Award-Winning British Craftsmanship

Throughout my career I have been honoured to exhibit at the prestigious Goldsmiths’ Company Fair, where my work has received its highest awards. These accolades recognise not only design excellence but also the technical skill and craftsmanship behind every piece.

Handmade Jewellery Made to Last

In a world increasingly dominated by automation and mass production, true hand-crafted jewellery has become rare.

Every David Ashton piece is bench-made by hand in my London workshop. This traditional approach takes more time and demands a higher level of skill, but it produces jewellery with a quality, comfort, durability, and character that cannot be replicated by machine-made methods.

My aim is simple: to create exceptional bespoke jewellery that will be worn, loved, and passed down through generations.

Truly bespoke.

Beyond the Workshop

When I’m not at the bench, you’ll often find me pursuing another lifelong passion: classic motorcars and motorcycles.

For many years I have restored, maintained, and driven an eclectic collection of vehicles dating from the 1930s through to the present day. Whether it’s rebuilding an engine, fabricating a hard-to-find component, or preserving the character of a beautifully engineered machine, I find the same satisfaction in mechanical craftsmanship as I do in creating fine jewellery.

These interests are more than hobbies; they have profoundly influenced my work. The elegant lines of an Art Deco motorcar, the purposeful engineering of a vintage motorcycle, and the enduring quality of objects built to last all inspire the way I approach jewellery design.

Whether on the open road or at the jeweller’s bench, my passion remains the same: creating, restoring, and celebrating exceptional craftsmanship. 

Of course, a lifelong enthusiasm for classic cars and motorcycles occasionally leads to interesting conversations with clients. Over the years I’ve discovered that collectors often appreciate fine craftsmanship in all its forms, whether it’s found in a beautifully engineered machine or a hand-crafted piece of jewellery.

And while bespoke commissions are usually settled in the traditional way, I’m always happy to discuss the possibility of a part-exchange. If you happen to have an interesting classic car or motorcycle looking for a new home, I might just consider swapping it for a ring. After all, true craftsmanship is something worth trading for.

I have always been drawn to things that are made properly—objects that combine beauty, functionality, and longevity. That philosophy runs through every piece I create. Just as a cherished classic car can be enjoyed and passed down through generations, I believe fine jewellery should become part of a family’s story, carrying memories and meaning for years to come.


Arrange a Private viewing or consultation

Or just drop in to see in at the OXO Tower in London.

GDPR

European Union GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations)

The EU GDPR is designed to help all of us have more control over our personal data, and how is it used.

Who does the information GDPR apply to?

Data subjects, being all visitors and users of any website who are members of the European Union, and therefore who submit personal data. donaldryker.com is the data processor and data controller of this site. You can find out more about this law here.

Privacy Policy

This privacy policy sets out how I, David Ashton use and protect any information that you give when you use this website.

I am committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should I ask you to provide certain information from which you can be identified when using this website, you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement.

If I change this policy I will update this page. You should check from time to time to ensure that you are happy with any changes. This policy is effective from 22 August 2012.

What I collect

I may collect the following information:

  • your name
  • contact information including email address
  • demographic information such as postcode, preferences and interests
  • other information relevant to customer surveys and/or offers
What I do with the information I gather

I require this information to provide you with a better service and in particular for the following reasons:

  • Internal record keeping.
  • I may use the information to improve our products and services.
  • I may periodically send promotional emails about new products, special offers or other information which I think you may find interesting using the email address which you have provided.
  • From time to time, I may also use your information to contact you for market research purposes. I may contact you by email, phone, fax or mail. I may use the information to customise the website according to your interests.
Security

I am committed to ensuring that your information is secure. In order to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure, I have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information I collect online.

How I use cookies

A cookie is a small file which asks permission to be placed on your computer’s hard drive. Once you agree, the file is added and the cookie helps analyse web traffic or lets you know when you visit a particular site. Cookies allow web applications to respond to you as an individual. The web application can tailor its operations to your needs, likes and dislikes by gathering and remembering information about your preferences.

I use traffic log cookies to identify which pages are being used. This helps me analyse data about web page traffic and improve the website. I only use this information for statistical analysis purposes and then the data is removed from the system.

Overall, cookies help provide you with a better website by monitoring which pages you find useful and which you do not. A cookie in no way gives us access to your computer or any information about you, other than the data you choose to share with us.

You can choose to accept or decline cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies if you prefer. This may prevent you from taking full advantage of the website.

Links to other websites

My website may contain links to other websites of interest. However, once you have used these links to leave our site, you should note that I do not have any control over that other website. Therefore, I cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide whilst visiting such sites and such sites are not governed by this privacy statement. You should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question.

Controlling your personal information

You may choose to restrict the collection or use of your personal information in the following ways. If you have previously agreed to us using your personal information for direct marketing purposes, you may change your mind at any time by writing or emailing me.

I will not sell, distribute or lease your personal information to third parties unless I have your permission or are required by law to do so. I may use your personal information to send you promotional information about third parties which I think you may find interesting if you tell us that you wish this to happen.

You may request details of personal information which I hold about you under the Data Protection Act 1998. 

If you believe that any information I are holding on you is incorrect or incomplete, please email us as soon as possible.  I will promptly correct any information found to be incorrect.

Google Analytics

User and Event Data Retention

User-level and event-level data associated with Google Analytics cookies is retained for 14 months and then automatically deleted.

IP Anonymization

I have implemented IP Anonymization, simply put, the last three digits of your IP address are set to zeros in memory shortly after being sent to the Analytics Collection Network. The full IP address is never retained, or written to disk.