A rare cutlery set which is believed to have belonged to Adolf Hitler and is engraved with the Nazi leader’s initials has emerged for sale for a staggering £10,000. David said in a 1982 newspaper article: ‘While Willie was in Germany he got hold of some very interesting stuff. It is being sold by his widow who hopes the set will go to someone who will appreciate them as they have just been tucked away in her home. Julian Smith, specialist at Duke’s, said: ‘Each piece is silver (www.backtoglamour.com/blog/2025/01/23/hibeads-supply-you-fashion-sterling-silver-bracelets/) and maker-marked Krupp Berndorf and engraved ‘A H’. The friends often laughed about using the cutlery, with auctioneers highlighting how ‘chilling’ it is to think that it could have been used by an evil dictator. The set was owned by antique dealer David Corcoran, who acquired the set from a friend Willie Cohen, a real ‘Jack the Lad’ character. Willie later gave David the cutlery, which was since consigned by David’s widow, who lives in the Midlands. He was assigned to the British Armistice Commission but returned with Hitler’s cutlery, possibly found in a trunk looted from the Reich Chancellery. Now the silverware will be going under the hammer, eight decades after it was first picked up by Willie, at Duke’s Auctions, of Dorchester, Dorset. David was locked up for 15 days for swearing at an officer, while Willie was punished for being AWOL after running off with a woman. Willie, described as a ‘Jack the Lad’ character, gifted them to British antique dealer David Corcoran, who kept them on the shelf of his Kent workshop for years. After doing his sentence, Willie, the Paris-born son of German parents who had moved to England pre-war, was recruited as an interpreter and sent to Germany. The Krupp Berndorf silver knife, fork, serving spoon and teaspoon, each embossed with ‘A.H’., were salvaged from the Third Reich at the end of World War Two by British Army interpreter Willie Cohen. The Krupp Berndorf silver knife, fork, serving spoon and teaspoon, each embossed with ‘A.H’. He was a bit of a villain and when he came back to England he sold some of the things he had brought with him.

If you’re as magpie-like about jewellery as I am, you’ll always be on the lookout for new brands and original pieces to add to your collection. If you love keeping things unique and prefer to shop independent, these jewellery brands are worth checking out and keeping in mind for your next purchase. There are so many amazing affordable and mid-range jewellery brands out there today, with a plethora of choice no matter what your style. All Grove & Vae jewellery is designed in London, and created using 14k gold vermeil and rhodium-plated sterling silver. But along with the prominent brands we all know and love, there are a load of under-the-radar gems (no pun intended) out there just waiting to be discovered. Their goal is to make pieces that ‘will be your go-to for years to come’. Her signature T-bar necklaces have been worn by the likes of Taylor Swift. Otiumberg positions itself as a demi-fine jewellery brand. Tilly Sveaas founded her eponymous brand in 2016. Born in Hong Kong to British-Norwegian parents, London-based Tilly has been a jewellery designer for over 25 years, creating her first pieces during an extended trip to Bali, where she still produces to this day. The brand’s founders, sisters Christie and Rosanna Wollenberg, believe you shouldn’t just save beautiful jewellery for best, so the sculptural rings and earrings are as practical as they are elegant. This British brand was launched in the autumn of 2024 by Tofi Caroline Adedoyin, a former investment banking director.

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The brand focuses on creating timeless, versatile pieces tailored to the modern woman’s everyday wardrobe. I was tired of sacrificing style for quality, or my bank account for both’ says Neima Row founder Naomi Genes. Items are produced in developing countries, giving the artisans income to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. Founded by Amelia Hitchcock-Merritt in the middle of lockdown at just eighteen, Bijoux De Mimi became one of the fastest growing jewellery brands in the UK. Think timeless glamour meets modern minimalism, without the unattainable price tag. Crystals & Co. founders (and best friends) Emily Mackeogh and Leah O’Reilly aim to accessorise peoples lives with fun, high quality affordable jewellery. After working in the jewellery industry for 10 years, Amelia Bainbridge saw a gap in the market for jewellery that was both beautiful and affordable – and Auree was born in 2014. All Auree pieces are made with the highest quality solid gold, sterling silver or gold vermeil and natural gemstones. It specialises in bright, colourful jewellery. So she decided to make her own. The brand uses solid metals – not plated or vermeil, and promises no green fingers or brass rash. With Love Darling believes in changing the world one piece of jewellery at a time. It always came with lengthy care instructions and still tarnished after only a few wears or turned my skin green’ she says. The pieces are gorgeous too – from delicate pendants to eye-catching hoops, available in either 18ct gold vermeil or sterling silver. Prior to starting Bijoux De Mimi, Amelia attended Central Saint Martins. Catherine ‘Catch’ Rhys Jones started her label out of a frustration with the jewellery she was buying. Made by small workshops all over the world, each piece holds a story.

It was established in 2009, with the ethos that jewellery should say a lot about who you are, whether big and bold or delicate and gold. The brand is named after Olivia’s mother Deborah Louise who Olivia sadly lost to cancer in 2017. With the loss of her mother, Olivia felt life was too short to not be truly passionate about the everyday and D.Louise was born. Scream Pretty’s signature style is the curated ear – combining piercings and ear cuffs, to create bold stand out styling. Pieces are made in sterling silver with 18ct gold vermeil. Founded by Olivia Jenkins in 2021, D. Louise creates timeless long-lasting yet affordable jewellery. The ranges include a collaboration with Vogue Williams. Dreamt up on a bicycle ride through Rajasthan, India, the British jewellery brand Memara was launched in 2019, with the aim to create beautiful, timeless yet affordable demi-fine pieces. After growing up in Singapore, founder Lynette Ong left her job in finance to pursue a dream of using her creativity for the better. The eclectic collection draws inspiration from founder Abby Kaye’s past experiences and travels through India, as well as her childhood in London and love of nature. Award winning British Jewellery Brand Scream Pretty was founded by Lucy Lee with her sister Jessica Pearce in 2016. This family run business designs jewellery for self expression; affordable, stylish and fun – jewellery to shout about. Olivia’s pursuit began when she identified a gap in the jewellery market – the need for everyday pieces that wouldn’t fade after a few wears – with this every piece comes with a lifetime guarantee against colour fading. Abby is a big believer in the talismanic and restorative power of jewellery, and strives to create designs that are both ethical and fashioned with love.