F. Hinds

The chain is an independent retailer which was founded in 1856 by George Henry Hinds, although his father Joseph was also a clockmaker in Stamford, Lincolnshire[1] and his great uncle was also a Stamford clockmaker in the early years of the 1800s.

Shortly after the First World War, brothers Frank and William divided the business in two. William Hinds diversified into theatres and also into films as he was one of the two founders of Hammer Film Productions, the studio famous for horror films. Frank continued with the jewellery business and eventually, in 1990, F. Hinds took over the one remaining shop owned by the other half of the family in Worthing, Sussex.[2]

Unlike most companies established 150 years ago, the sixth and seventh generations of the Hinds family still own and manage the business. Diamond buyer Andrew Hinds is personally responsible for selecting the diamonds sold by the company.[3] He is a fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain.

Brands operated by F. Hinds include My Diamonds diamond jewellery,[4] the Night and Day black and white diamond collection and the Kilimanjaro Tanzanite collection.

The chain was one of the first click and mortar jewellers, having launched its first e-commerce site in 1997. Its online store www.fhinds.co.uk has operated since.

F. Hinds stores stock a wider than average range of jewellery, watches, clocks, collectables and gift ranges .[5] They are usually to be found within shopping centres, or on High Streets. The stores can be found in many towns and out of town malls.[6]

They provide a comprehensive design and repair service and also specialise in recycling unwanted gold jewellery into new pieces, offering over 100% of the value of the gold exchanged.[7]

In 2008, F Hinds joined the Responsible Jewellery Council, the international not-for-profit organisation established to reinforce consumer confidence in the jewellery industry by advancing responsible business practices throughout the supply chain, and in August 2011 they were one of the first members to become fully accredited following an independent audit.[8]

In 2014 Andrew Hinds was elected Chairman of the UK jewellery trade body the National Association of Goldsmiths.[9]

In 2019, Hinds Ltd purchased the UK's leading outlet centre specialist, Chapelle. Chapelle had traded successfully for several decades but had struggled under Hilco which lead to its eventual administration; however, Hinds saved 12 of the stores. The outlet centre stores continue to operate under the Chapelle brand name.