S.J.Rood - a brief history
Background
S.J. Rood was established in London’s prestigious and beautiful Burlington Arcade in 1873 by the Allen family who were diamond merchants in addition to their primary role as jewellery manufacturers and retailers to the rich and famous.
From 1900 onwards the firm enjoyed great success with affluent Londoners and was awarded the Royal Warrant by Queen Mary, wife of George V, who reigned from 1910 until 1936 (and was then Queen Mother from 1936 until her death in 1952).
Queen Mary was an excellent customer and commissioned many pieces with S.J.Rood, both for herself and as gifts for others. Many of these pieces now sell for hefty premiums when they (all too rarely) come onto the open market.
The company was eventually purchased by Hancocks & Co. in 1998 and Hancocks took over the Rood premises in Burlington Arcade where they remain trading today.
The “For....” series of rings
S.J.Rood are perhaps most famous as the manufacturers of the historic “For.....” series of rings which were created for Her Majesty Queen Mary and which were presented to her ladies-in-waiting on the occasion of their engagement. At least twelve rings are known to have been presented between 1918 and 1952.
As Queen Mary was of German decent, her staff were a mixture of English and German ladies. As a consequence, many of the “For.....” rings are now located in either London or Bavaria.
The full list of rings in the series is as follows:
The ring "For Mary" - presented by Queen Mary in 1918. Currently on display in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
The ring "For Elizabeth" - presented by Queen Mary in 1921. Present whereabouts unknown.
The ring "For Anna" - presented by Queen Mary in 1925. Still owned by family descendants in Munich, Germany.
The ring "For Constantine" - presented by Queen Mary in 1927. Currently on display in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
The ring "For Victoria" - presented by Queen Mary in 1930. Present whereabouts unknown..
The ring "For Jana" - presented by Queen Mary in 1931. Sold at auction in 2018. Owner unknown.
The ring "For Alexandra" - presented by Queen Mary in 1934. Still owned by family descendants in London.
The ring "For Rosemary" - presented by Queen Mary in 1935. Sold at auction in 2014. New owner is based in US.
The ring "For Hannah" - presented by Queen Mary in 1937. Present whereabouts unknown.
The ring "For Sophia" - presented by Queen Mary in 1938. Still owned by family descendants in Munich, Germany.
The ring "For Maria" - presented by Queen Mary in 1946. Currently on display in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
The ring "For Stephania" - presented by Queen Mary in 1951. Sold at auction in 1993. Owner unknown.
Recent prices achieved for these rings are:
“For Stephania” sold in 1993 for £23,000
“For Rosemary” sold in 2014 for $74,000
“For Jana” sold in 2018 for £31,000
Other Items
Whilst S.J.Rood are most famous for their rings and royal connections, they did also manufacture some notable carriage clocks which remain highly sought-after collectors pieces.
S.J. Rood was established in London’s prestigious and beautiful Burlington Arcade in 1873 by the Allen family who were diamond merchants in addition to their primary role as jewellery manufacturers and retailers to the rich and famous.
From 1900 onwards the firm enjoyed great success with affluent Londoners and was awarded the Royal Warrant by Queen Mary, wife of George V, who reigned from 1910 until 1936 (and was then Queen Mother from 1936 until her death in 1952).
Queen Mary was an excellent customer and commissioned many pieces with S.J.Rood, both for herself and as gifts for others. Many of these pieces now sell for hefty premiums when they (all too rarely) come onto the open market.
The company was eventually purchased by Hancocks & Co. in 1998 and Hancocks took over the Rood premises in Burlington Arcade where they remain trading today.
The “For....” series of rings
S.J.Rood are perhaps most famous as the manufacturers of the historic “For.....” series of rings which were created for Her Majesty Queen Mary and which were presented to her ladies-in-waiting on the occasion of their engagement. At least twelve rings are known to have been presented between 1918 and 1952.
As Queen Mary was of German decent, her staff were a mixture of English and German ladies. As a consequence, many of the “For.....” rings are now located in either London or Bavaria.
The full list of rings in the series is as follows:
The ring "For Mary" - presented by Queen Mary in 1918. Currently on display in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
The ring "For Elizabeth" - presented by Queen Mary in 1921. Present whereabouts unknown.
The ring "For Anna" - presented by Queen Mary in 1925. Still owned by family descendants in Munich, Germany.
The ring "For Constantine" - presented by Queen Mary in 1927. Currently on display in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
The ring "For Victoria" - presented by Queen Mary in 1930. Present whereabouts unknown..
The ring "For Jana" - presented by Queen Mary in 1931. Sold at auction in 2018. Owner unknown.
The ring "For Alexandra" - presented by Queen Mary in 1934. Still owned by family descendants in London.
The ring "For Rosemary" - presented by Queen Mary in 1935. Sold at auction in 2014. New owner is based in US.
The ring "For Hannah" - presented by Queen Mary in 1937. Present whereabouts unknown.
The ring "For Sophia" - presented by Queen Mary in 1938. Still owned by family descendants in Munich, Germany.
The ring "For Maria" - presented by Queen Mary in 1946. Currently on display in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
The ring "For Stephania" - presented by Queen Mary in 1951. Sold at auction in 1993. Owner unknown.
Recent prices achieved for these rings are:
“For Stephania” sold in 1993 for £23,000
“For Rosemary” sold in 2014 for $74,000
“For Jana” sold in 2018 for £31,000
Other Items
Whilst S.J.Rood are most famous for their rings and royal connections, they did also manufacture some notable carriage clocks which remain highly sought-after collectors pieces.