Is Mappin and Webb a "good" jeweller?

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My dad wants to buy my mum something special for Christmas and is looking at a necklace from Mappin and Webb. I've read really mixed reviews of them and can't quite work out if their jewellery is good quality - any experiences and opinions would be appreciated.

How nice, OP.

It seems from the reviews that when issues arise they are more about customer service than quality. Though my family have not used them, and perhaps MumsNetters who have will say otherwise.

If you don’t mind saying where in the country your dad is, perhaps MumsNet could help him find other jewellers for comparison? My sense is that M&W do have some good items, mostly of a classical style so similar to what is available at other good jewellers.

M&W is part of the Watches of Switzerland group, well established. I have bought a watch from them in a good transaction, but I can't speak for the jewellery.

Yes it's good, are you overpaying? Yes. Where are you based any local jewellery quarters?

No - not now, they are basically a brand owned by a big organisation - so you will get fairly mass produced products...

Are they bad - no, not really, just not amazing value for money, so if there is something you like crack on... however be aware that a lot of their focus will be on making things look more expensive than they really are...

They used to be a superb brand, making items for royalty etc. so if you search for them in auctions and buy old stuff then you will probably do well...

I would see Mappin and Webb as an established name of decent quality.

I used to work for them, yes the jewellery is good quality, they only use 18ct gold and diamonds, the mappin brand jewellery produced in the uk, branded jewellery is imported, from Italy and France but still very good quality. Not many people know this but Goldsmiths are part of the same group and a more budget version, however if it's diamonds then Mappins are a better clarity.

My only experience was a ring that I ordered and returned, it was very sharp and not comfortable at all, so I would not order again

They are a very old, established Sheffield company history. Sheffield silverware, and metalware/work is some of the best in the world (DH's ancestors were Sheffield cutlers, they have records in the Cutler's Hall). They are a "posh" brand - my well to do grandparents had m&W cutlery in navy blue boxes.

GM also had some m&W jewellery in the same type of box. As above, they are now part of Watches of Switzerland, which in themselves are a good brand.

This is all really useful, thank you, everyone. The consensus seems to be that their jewellery is decent quality but we could get better value for money elsewhere. Sadly we aren't in a city with a jewellery quarter and for various reasons it will have to be an online order.

I’ve got lovely earrings from their Empress collection, had them years, no issues.