Introducing ballinger
Some pieces are bought. Others become keepsakes.
Ballinger is a British demi-fine jewellery brand creating vintage-inspired pieces designed to be gifted, treasured and passed on.
Founded by former Vogue Senior Strategist Emily Nunns (née Wadsworth), Ballinger was born from a belief that jewellery should be more than an accessory. The pieces we cherish most are often the ones tied to a memory, a milestone or a person we love.
Designed in the English countryside and crafted in small batches by expert artisans, every Ballinger piece is created to become part of someone’s story.
A LETTER FROM EMILY, OUR FOUNDER
I’ve always believed the best jewellery tells a story.
The pieces we treasure most aren’t necessarily the most expensive. They’re the ones that remind us of a moment, a milestone, or someone we love.
A bracelet given on a wedding morning. Earrings worn on a special holiday. A ring that becomes part of your everyday uniform.
These are the pieces that stay with us.
I created Ballinger to design jewellery worthy of those moments. Inspired by vintage treasures of the past, our collections combine timeless design with exceptional craftsmanship, creating pieces that feel special from the moment they’re unwrapped.
Whether you’re searching for the perfect gift or a future keepsake for yourself, I’m so pleased you’ve found us.
As a small independent business, every order means the world to us.
Love,
Emily x
OUR JEWELLERY
Designed in Bath and crafted by artisans in a family-run workshop in Istanbul, every Ballinger piece is produced in small quantities using genuine 18ct gold plating and responsibly sourced materials wherever possible.
We’re known for our vintage-inspired aesthetic, sculptural silhouettes and statement pieces designed to feel substantial, timeless and endlessly wearable.
Created to be worn every day, gifted for life’s biggest moments and treasured for years to come.
OUR COMMITMENT
We believe beautiful jewellery should be made thoughtfully.
That’s why our collections are produced in small batches to minimise waste and encourage conscious consumption. We work closely with a father-and-son workshop in Istanbul, creating only limited quantities of each design.
Our packaging is fully recyclable, and every online order includes artwork printed on plantable seed paper.
The one thing we hope you’ll never throw away is our signature velvet jewellery box. Designed to protect your jewellery for years to come, it’s intended to be kept, treasured and passed from one collection to the next.
THE BALLINGER FAMILY NAME
Ballinger is the maiden name of Emily’s grandmother, Annette. Known for her timeless style and love of collecting jewellery on her travels, Annette became the inspiration behind the brand.
For years, Emily searched for jewellery that felt special enough to gift and timeless enough to keep, without the prohibitive price tag often associated with fine jewellery.
After a decade working in the creative industry, including five years at Vogue, she recognised a gap in the market for beautifully crafted jewellery that captured the feeling of a future heirloom.
Ballinger was created to fill that gap.
Today, every collection is inspired by the belief that jewellery should be worn, loved and remembered.
A bit about the woman who inspired the Ballinger brand 🩵 Annette Wadsworth, née Ballinger, was born in November 1939 in Wellington, New Zealand. At just three weeks old, she was rushed out of New Zealand on the last boat leaving the country as World War II broke out.
At the age of seven, Annette’s family moved from their farm in Kenya to England. Fast-forward to Annette’s college days and this is where she met her husband Ben. They are still married today, 60+ years later. “I met Ben at a college dance. Ben and I enjoyed each others company and got on well, but I was still trying to sort out a previous romantic entanglement. This left a ‘question mark’ regarding my continued friendship with Ben. My best friend Judy and my brother Tim schemed to get us together and for this I will be forever grateful.”
“After a period of a few months, Ben and I met again. This time there was no question – we were ‘for keeps’. We were engaged while I was at college and married six weeks after I left. So began what has proved to be a long and happy married life. We have three wonderful children – Sally, Tim and Jonathan – and seven lovely grandchildren.”
