Holts was founded in 1948 by Robert Holt. Originally trading as a Diamond Polisher, he developed the business significantly during the 1970's after moving into the field of stone cutting (lapidary). This once flourishing British craft had all but withered, but Mr Holt's determination to revive a lost art quickly progressed. Now celebrating over 60 golden years of trading, lapidary work is just one facet of this thriving gemstone business. Stocking one of the largest collections of precious and semi-precious gems in the UK, a professional service in Bespoke Jewellery allowing you to experience the process of Rock to Ring, pearl and bead re-stringing, stone testing and jewellery valuations.      

R. Holt & Co Ltd went through a refurbishment in 2007 and opened its doors to its new name Holts Lapidary. The new shop projects the essence of Holts' business - taking rough hewn stone and turning that into equisitely beautiful jewellery.

Passing customers are greeted by a window display that resembles the fissure in a rock which contain the precious gems. Designed as an abstraction it starkly frames a display of pads that seem to float in the fissure bathed in bright warm light, beautifully presenting a wide selection of gems and jewellery.

The ambience of the interior maintains the trade character of the traditional working environment now translated into a contempory design. Directors and staff have their desks in a concentric arrangement grouped around the sales area which takes the shape of a small arena. The circular theme is complemented by fully glazed counters which display a rainbow spectrum of coloured gems in all shapes and sizes. The arrangement makes for easy browsing and creates a sense of intimacy and clients will be invited to open evenings to view contempory collections or to attend educational talks.

Jason Holt, managing director of the business, says "This is the start of an exciting new chapter for Holts. We are the only UK jeweller that have a team of gem cutters who work alongside design and goldsmithing teams. Our new frontage showcasing that difference, and the new shop will enable us to expand our business by selling direct to the many people that come to Hatton Garden to buy something genuinely unique"