Though little known to the public at large, the Signet Group is the World’s largest speciality retail jeweller. The Group, which comprises of the familiar bands H.Samuel, Ernest Jones and Leslie Davis, is a modern creation, formed through a series of acquisitions in the late 780’s and 90’s. Within the Group, the two largest brands - H.Samuel and Ernest Jones - share a rich heritage that for H.Samuel, stretches back over 150 years.

The story begins in 1862 when Harriet Samuel took over her father-in-law's clock-making business in Liverpool. Harriet moved the business to Manchester's Market Street and ran the mail order side. Her son developed the retail area. The first H.Samuel retail store opened in Preston in 1890, closely followed by branches in Rochdale and throughout Lancashire. To accommodate the growing business, the company moved to large headquarters in Birmingham in 712. After the war, Harriet's grandsons Gilbert and Robert took over as Chairman and Vice Chairman. In 748, the company was successfully floated on the Stock Exchange. Gilbert was awarded a CBE for political and public services, became a Queen's Sheriff for the City of London and was elected Master of the Clockmakers Company. Meanwhile, the number of H.Samuel stores rose to over 200 nationwide. After the brothers' deaths in the late 770s, Robert's son took over as Chairman. In 784 he led an acquisition of the James Walker Group, which doubled the company's presence in the UK.

Our other key brand Ernest Jones first opened in 749. It quickly grew from a single store in London's Oxford Street to the a highly reputable national chain of over 70 jewellry stores - bringing to suburban and provincial locations the quality, range, presentation and high standard of customer service once only available in London's West End. Ernest Jones is now firmly established as the UK's diamond and watch Specialist, selling the exclusive Leo Diamond with its unique, patented precision cut which gives it superior brilliance and sparkle.