Founded in 1946 in Birmingham, England, Bohemian Jewellers Ltd produced costume jewellery using sterling silver, marcasite and multi-coloured enamel. Over the course of its six decades of existence, the company underwent several reorganisations, changes and finally closed in 2008.

BJL jewellery designs range from botanically correct garden flowers and zodiac signs to birds, animals and mythological creatures. The back of the jewellery includes the abbreviated company name BJL, sometimes with an additional B.

When talking about Birmingham-based Bohemian Jewellers Ltd, we cannot help but talk about the city itself. Noteworthy, it was the jewellery industry that gave Birmingham its second name – the Silver City. Moreover, the Jewellers’ Quarter in Birmingham has become one of the most visited sites not only in the UK but also in Europe, along with the Roman Pantheon and the National Gallery in London.

According to history, the whims of one man gave impetus to the development of an entire industry. This man was King Charles II, who became very fond of buttons and buckles after his stay in France. He was inspired by the buttons on the clothes of noblemen, which looked like small brooches, and the shoe buckles with natural stones. Thus, by the king’s decision, the fashion for such jewelry appeared in England.

However, silver and marcasite replaced the chic of precious stones in the early 20th century. Made from small faceted pieces of pyrite, often set in silver, marcasite became popular during the Victorian era. After the death of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria went into mourning, and demanded that her entire court wear black and avoid lavish jewellery. So, marcasite became popular among the nobility as an alternative to precious metals and diamonds.

Signed BJL vintage costume jewelry