You’ve likely heard of Alex Monroe, the hugely popular award-winning jewellery designer who creates delicate, intricate pieces inspired by the natural British countryside. Featuring a variety of whimsical animals and objects, Alex Monroe is easily distinguishable in style, combining quirky designs and textures to produce something that is unique yet feminine. Made predominantly from ethically sourced or recycled sterling silver and 22ct gold, all designs for Alex Monroe are designed personally by the man himself and then handcrafted in his London workshop. If you've never heard the name, allow us to introduce you to the enchanting jewellery of Alex Monroe.
Who Is Alex Monroe?
An avid creator with an eye for details, Alex Monroe spent his early life making and building things. An interest in nature, fashion and art lead him to study jewellery at the Sir John Cass Faculty of Art, after which he created his first jewellery collection in 1987. Concerned first and foremost with authenticity, originality, quality and affordability, his designs were, and remain, critically acclaimed and well loved. Alex Monroe’s jewellery is designed to be cherished, delicate and meaningful, invoking an eccentricity of a wild and free spirit with a timeless British vintage feel. Alex Monroe has all the hobbies you’d expect - teacups, growing vegetables, bike rides and country walks with wife and children. He’s also a keen mechanic, working on motorbikes and fixing up boats, it seems anything ‘hands-on’ is his forte. His distinct designs inspired by the countryside has been worn by the likes of Emma Watson and Sienna Miller, and the iconic bumblebee necklace, which celebrated its 10th birthday recently, has sold in the tens-of-thousands.
Inspired by British Wildlife
Having grown up in the countryside of Suffolk, Alex grew up surrounded and engulfed by nature. Allowed and encouraged to roam the wilds freely with curiosity, he developed a love for the natural world which remains his main source of inspiration. Inclined towards the eccentric nature of quintessential British life and culture, Alex Monroe’s jewellery effortlessly combines the natural world with a sentimental imagination and humorous personality. All of his designs seem to incorporate a sense of movement, like the Prowling Fox, bringing them to life and making them extra special. To Alex, nature is living and dynamic, and this is captured and sketched into his workbook, later to become a new jewellery collection. It is this devotedness to nature and the spirit of wild freedom that has caught the public’s attention and earned Monroe fame.
The Design Process
After capturing the initial design of a jewellery piece in his sketchbook, Alex then handworks all of the original components himself, meticulously crafting each piece of silver by hand. It is this process of converting his imagination to real life that captures the personality and authenticity of his designs and makes his jewellery so popular. When Alex has completed the original ‘master copy’ of his design, it is passed to trusted craftspeople, all located in the UK, to be cast. After casting, the Alex Monroe workshop team hand-finish each piece by hand, including soldering, setting precious stones, plating, polishing and cleaning every piece. Once each piece is of the highest quality and standard, it is ready to be sold to its new owner.
The Alex Monroe Collection
fAlex's, now iconic, bumblebee necklace. This heavily textured bee turned 10 years old recently and has long been a firm favourite with the Alex Monroe team, fans and celebrities alike.
One of the all-time most popular pieces, the Dragonfly earrings. The earrings measure 3cm x 2.2cm from top to bottom.
This beautiful ring, gold plated ring features a swallow, a leaf and a diamond central to the flower. Simple, delicate and feminine.
The petite, single Rose necklace. The rose measures 7 mm across. This necklace comes on an adjustable chain, which can be worn at either 16 or 18 inches.
The Flying bee necklace. Featuring a bee carrying a pearl, waiting to land. The necklace is 16-18inch in length.
This textured Heart pendant is adorned with five silver posy flowers. The heart measures approximately 1.3 cm across. This necklace comes on an adjustable chain, which can be worn at either 16 or 18 inches.
Other notable pieces include the gold-plated gingerbread man, the silver sitting bunny, the inline sewing scissors and the gold pineapple.
Alex Monroe At Michael Jones Jewellers
You can buy the Alex Monroe collection at our Banbury showroom or alternatively, you can browse the collection on our website. If you would like to make an enquiry regarding the Alex Monroe collection, visit our Banbury Showroom where our friendly staff are more than happy to assist you.
For any other enquiries you can visit us in Northampton, where we’re based on Gold Street and in the Grosvenor Centre. To get in touch with us, ring any of our showrooms; for Gold Street it’s 01604 632 548, for Grosvenor Centre it’s 01604 636 633 and for Banbury it’s 01295 263 540. Alternatively, fill out our online contact form and a member of the team will happily get in touch.
