Designed for LOVE
It all started at the Clogau St David's gold mine, situated in Bontddu, near Barmouth in Gwynedd, North Wales. Gold was discovered at the mine in 1854 and the location continued to be part of the ‘gold rush’ until 1911.
In 1989, William Roberts discovered the disused gold mine and planned to turn it into a tourist attraction. But because the mine is deep in the Snowdonia mountains, the Snowdonia National Park Authority stopped him from going ahead with his plan. Instead, he decided to see if any gold could still be found somewhere inside the mine. The risk paid off and the first Clogau jewellery collection, made up of just five pieces, was born in 1992. They were sold in small gift shops near the mine, but the gold mined at that time is still used in Clogau pieces being made today.
As well as being deeply connected to the region’s history, the Clogau business is also a family business - in more ways than one. William and his wife Margaret spent hours designing the first jewellery pieces together and William’s family is still in charge of the company today. And that family connection was also present in the mines - the miners who worked the Clogau St David's site in the 90s were the direct descendants of the original miners who first struck gold there in 1854.
or gifting one to yourself, there is something very special in cherishing a timeless accessory that carries not only beauty, but also meaning.
When it comes to finding a piece of jewellery that will speak the language of love, not many do it as well as Clogau. The Welsh, family-owned jewellery brand has a longstanding history of creating unique hand-finished jewellery of the highest quality and originality, inspired by the natural beauty, myths, legends, traditions and heritage rooted in Wales.
Celebrate yourself and your loved ones with a timeless piece of jewellery
hile romance gets one dedicated day a year, we
believe every day brings an opportunity to show our
loved ones just how much they mean to us.
And while there are many ways to show love, jewellery definitely
speaks for itself. Whether you’re picking out a piece of jewellery
for someone special in your life, receiving one on a special occasion
W
”
Finding gold in most mines around the world is like finding the cream in a sponge cake. Finding Welsh gold on the other hand is like finding the sixpence in the biggest Christmas cake you could imagine. There’s no pattern, no logic, and you never know when you’re just inches away.
“
A miner said when the last bits of mined Welsh gold were being taken away in the late 1990s.
Advertisement feature
Clogau’s special history
The tradition of gold in Wales goes back centuries, with large-scale mining starting in 75AD at Dolaucoth. The ‘gold rush’ arrived in the region in 1862 and for 49 years, the Clogau St David's Gold Mine produced an impressive 2,442 kgs of gold.
There is no gold mining happening today in Wales, which means all Welsh gold pieces are produced from gold that was previously stockpiled, making it one of the rarest in the world. This includes the gold that Clogau founder William Roberts extracted from the mine in the 90s (which cost over £1000 per ounce to extract) and that is contained in the Clogau pieces that are still being made today.
Because of its scarcity, Clogau pieces only contain a small amount of Welsh gold, in order to extend the longevity of supplies and keep the brand affordable. Also because of its scarcity, Welsh gold can be valued up to 30 times more than standard world gold.
Welsh gold is one of the rarest in the world
Welsh gold also has a very special place in the history of the British Royal Family, especially when it comes to love. The precious material has been used to make royal wedding rings since 1923, when Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon married the then Duke of York, who later became King George VI. The Queen’s wedding ring was made from pure Welsh gold from the Clogau St David’s gold mine, made from gold gifted to the British Royal Family at the time of the mine closure in 1911.
The tradition was carried on by their daughters - Queen Elizabeth II when she married Prince Phillip in 1947; and Princess Margaret when she married Anthony Armstrong Jones - and it still lives on today. The Prince and Princess of Wales picked Welsh gold when they tied the knot in 2011 and Prince Harry followed suit when he married the now Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, in 2018. In fact, the Sussexes’ wedding marked the 95th year since the tradition started.
Queen Elizabeth II also received a kilogram ingot of Welsh gold from the Gwynfynydd gold mine in Dolgellau in April 1986, for her 60th birthday. The mine closed 13 years later, in 1999.
A special link to royal history
Services available
You can add an extra special touch by engraving pieces for just £15.
Engraving
You can build your own piece step-by-step, by picking the metal, the ring design and the diamond.
Compose
If you wish to design your dream piece of jewellery, you can rely on Clogau’s in-house experts to help you make your dreams come true.
Bespoke
Editors'
picks
I have fallen down the hole of always wearing a smartwatch, so it's time (pun intended!) to upgrade to a style that can complement and elevate both casual and formal looks. I love this bracelet watch - the woven pattern adds a textural element and the masculine design adds a tough edge to an elegant look.
Paula Moore, Group Fashion Director at woman&home
£550
SHOP now
Dinas silver and rose with navy dial
The Bound Forever Silver Necklace may be forged with sweethearts in mind; however, the three-heart design is stylish and sentimental and the perfect pick for mums and grandmothers, too. Plus, at £99, it is excellent value for the quality and craftsmanship.
Sarah Joan Ross, Editor-in-Chief
at womanandhome.com
£99
SHOP now
Bound Forever Silver Necklace
I rarely take off my trusty necklace that looks similar to this. I love that it works for both day and evening and has a stand-out charm that catches your eye. Pretty, memorable and conspicuous.
Hannah Fernando, Editor-in-Chief at woman&home
£870
SHOP now
Ripples Gold and Diamond Pendant
Shop now at clogau.co.uk
SHOP now
SHOP now