Jewellery Shopping in London

Most of the iconic, international brands have outlets in Mayfair, Sloane Street, the Royal Exchange and Bond Street. But for something a little different, but equally indulgent, try heading to the Craft Central, where, twice a year, you can view and buy designs by on-site goldsmiths and silversmiths.

Another must-visit venue is Cockpit Arts. These studios accommodate young jewellers from a variety of disciplines, and are open by appointment only. Here is a selection of London's bling-tastic highlights…

Ben Day

Valentine's Day and Ben Day go hand in hand. He may sound more like a country singer than a jeweller, but ignore this master craftsman at your peril. His workshop in fashionable Spitalfields offers rare gems including Tahitian pearls and black diamonds.

Bond Street

So suave and sophisticated are Old and New Bond Street that they could've been named after James Bond himself. If you have the necessary bank balance, the choice of luxury jewellery is extraordinary. Tiffany & Co, Asprey, Bulgari, Mikimoto and Georg Jensen all sell rocks to (live and let) die for.

Cartier

If you have a few hundred thousand pounds to spare, and you love jewellery, perhaps you should head to Cartier on 175 New Bond Street. Opened in 1907, this particular branch of the famed French brand – one of the most sought-after on the planet – accommodates the High Jewellery collection. When you've got a Cartier bracelet on your wrist, you know you've made it.

De Beers

You can usually gauge how good something is by how much effort somebody would dedicate to stealing it. So when publicity broke about the famous foiled De Beers heist of 2000 - when a gang broke into a vault within the Millennium Dome to steal, among other gems, the 203ct De Beers Millennium Star - you knew that it had to be something special. De Beers's motto is "A Diamond is Forever", and with quality like this it certainly should be.

Grays Antique Market

Dress like the aristocracy of a bygone age by snapping up some indulgent antique jewellery. Running parallel to South Molton Street, Grays Antique Market claims to display "perhaps the largest collection of antique jewellery for sale in the world". Textiles, silver, glass and porcelain are also on sale.

Hatton Garden

The centre of London's jewellery industry since mediaeval times, Hatton Garden is where many of the capital's bling producers go to find their precious stones. There are over 50 jewellery shops in this EC1 area, selling everything from antique stones to futuristic pieces.

Stephen Webster

Commissioned to design Madonna's wedding ring and a recipient of countless awards, Stephen Webster makes pieces that radiate cool class.

Theo Fennell

It Girls get their rocks on at Theo Fennell! But it's not only the elegant, theatrical jewellery that is hard to resist. It's also the quirky accessories, like bottle tops and silver lids for ice cream cartons.

Wint & Kidd

Named after the villains in James Bond flick Diamonds Are Forever, Wint & Kidd deals only in diamonds. The gorgeous store, opened as recently as 2002, offers a bespoke service, where you can choose a diamond from collections that include stones in rare colours. Or, if you'd prefer, there is also a ready-to-wear collection.