About
A reputation for integrity and quality is not easily earned – but David Ashton is proud to have built his name on both. Before establishing himself as a fine jewellery designer based at Oxo Tower Wharf, London, David’s career was shaped by disciplines demanding the highest levels of precision.
He began as a scientific and medical instrument maker in Cambridge before moving into aerospace engineering. This background in high-precision manufacturing continues to influence his jewellery today, bringing an engineering-level exactness rarely found in contemporary craftsmanship.
David’s jewellery is never mass-produced. Every piece is designed and made from scratch to tolerances as fine as 0.01mm, without shortcuts or compromise. His work is defined by comfort, durability, and individuality – no two pieces are ever the same. Each design is a bold yet refined statement, created to be worn, lived in, and treasured for life. Many of David’s tools are bespoke and handmade, reflecting his unique fusion of traditional jewellery techniques with innovative engineering thinking. This allows him to create unusual, modern, and sophisticated pieces with a timeless sensibility. His meticulous rub-over setting technique, executed with uncompromising precision, ensures stones are seamlessly integrated, secure, and beautifully finished.
Equally central to David’s practice are ethics, honesty, and collaboration. Every commission is a personal process, whether conducted in person or virtually. Clients are involved throughout, with their ideas, stories, and needs shaping the final piece. The result is jewellery that is deeply personal and entirely without compromise. David’s expertise is underpinned by formal gemmological training with the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A). He has studied for both the Fellow of the Gemmological Association (FGA) and Diamond Member (DGA) qualifications.
His award-winning craftsmanship has earned him repeated recognition at the prestigious Goldsmiths’ Company Fair, where he has won all of their top awards. His work has been featured widely in national and international publications, including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE, Marie Claire, The Independent, as well as institutions such as The Tate, the V&A, and The London Library. Today, David Ashton continues to push the boundaries of handcrafted jewellery.
