Raw Pearls set to acquire historic pearl specialist Samuel Jones Pearls
Raw Pearls has confirmed that it will take over the operations of long‑established pearl house Samuel Jones Pearls, with the transfer due to take effect on Monday 20 April. The move brings together one of the UK's leading freshwater pearl specialists with a brand widely regarded as a pioneer of cultured pearls in Britain.
Samuel Jones Pearls, founded in 1916, is recognised as the first UK importer of cultured pearls and has played a formative role in shaping the country's pearl trade. Across more than a century, the business built deep ties with the Japanese pearl industry and became known for its consistent quality, technical knowledge and strong, long-term relationships with retailers and manufacturers.
The acquisition follows the retirement of owners Richard and Claire Maymon, who have overseen Samuel Jones Pearls in recent decades. From now on, the brand and its operations will be managed by Raw Pearls, led by director Miranda Raw. The companies emphasise that the change marks a transition, not a closure, with continuity for customers placed at the centre of the plan.
Despite coming under a single corporate umbrella, both Raw Pearls and Samuel Jones Pearls will retain their own brand identities, histories and core product focus. Raw Pearls will continue to specialise in freshwater pearls - an area where it has built a strong reputation among UK jewellers - while Samuel Jones Pearls will remain dedicated to its traditional strength: high‑quality Japanese saltwater pearls.
For customers, one of the most significant practical changes will be the introduction of a single, unified point of contact. Retailers, designers and manufacturers will be able to access both freshwater and Japanese saltwater pearl collections through the same team, simplifying purchasing and communication while still allowing them to specify which brand and origin they prefer.
Commenting on the announcement, Miranda Raw said it was "a privilege to take on such a respected and historic name within the pearl trade". She highlighted the "extraordinary legacy" built by Samuel Jones Pearls through its expertise in Japanese pearls and its longstanding client relationships. Raw stressed that the aim is not to dilute that legacy, but to preserve and extend it while combining it with Raw Pearls' own strengths in sourcing, design support and customer service.
According to Raw, the transition has been planned in detail to avoid disruption. The Samuel Jones Pearls brand will continue to supply its established, best‑selling product ranges and familiar services, reassuring existing clients who rely on the consistency of its grades, matching standards and delivery timescales. The intention is that, from a customer's perspective, service levels will remain stable or improve, rather than change abruptly.
Outgoing owner Richard Maymon welcomed the agreement, describing Miranda Raw as the ideal person to guide Samuel Jones Pearls into its next phase. He cited her experience in the trade, strong reputation among jewellers and evident enthusiasm for the product as key reasons for confidence that the brand's standards, service ethos and technical rigour will be maintained.
The deal also highlights the evolving structure of the UK pearl market. As independent, often family-owned specialists face succession questions, consolidation with younger but established businesses is becoming more common. In this case, the combination of Samuel Jones Pearls' deep heritage and Raw Pearls' more contemporary, growth‑oriented approach may create a broader, more resilient platform able to support retailers across price points and styles.
From a product perspective, the partnership brings clear synergies. Freshwater pearls, typically more accessible in price and available in a wide range of shapes and natural hues, complement the more traditional appeal of Japanese saltwater pearls, valued for their lustre, roundness and classic white and cream tones. Having both categories under one umbrella allows jewellers to curate collections that move smoothly from everyday wear through to high-end bridal and occasion pieces.
For UK retailers, the change could mean a more streamlined pearl buying process. Buyers who previously divided their orders between multiple suppliers for freshwater and Japanese saltwater ranges may now find it easier to coordinate assortments, compare qualities and develop coherent seasonal stories. A single contact team also opens the door to more joined-up support on merchandising, staff training and marketing.
The acquisition may also support more robust supply continuity. The Japanese saltwater pearl sector has faced periodic challenges, from environmental factors affecting oyster health to fluctuations in global demand. Being part of a larger operation could give Samuel Jones Pearls greater flexibility in stock management, forward planning and investment in long-term relationships with Japanese producers.
Raw Pearls, for its part, gains access to a brand with more than a century of recognition and trust in the trade. Samuel Jones Pearls' long-standing links with Japanese farms and exporters add depth to Raw Pearls' sourcing network. Over time, this could enable a richer, more diverse product offering, from fine strands and matched pairs to loose pearls for bespoke, high‑end work.
Training and knowledge transfer are likely to be another indirect benefit. Samuel Jones Pearls' expertise in Japanese saltwater grading, matching and market expectations can complement Raw Pearls' own specialist knowledge in freshwater sourcing and design‑led ranges. Shared insights of this kind often translate into more informed guidance for retailers on which products will perform best in different locations and customer segments.
The announcement also speaks to the wider importance of heritage in the jewellery sector. Historic names like Samuel Jones Pearls carry with them not only archives and records, but also intangible capital: trust, memory and a sense of continuity for trade clients. Preserving such brands within a new operational framework allows the industry to modernise without losing its roots.
Looking ahead, both brands are expected to continue pursuing product development independently, while benefiting from shared infrastructure behind the scenes. For example, innovation in clasp design, strand presentation, or packaging from one side of the business could be adopted by the other, so long as it aligns with each brand's positioning and customer expectations.
For independent jewellers and high street chains alike, the core message of the takeover is stability coupled with broader choice. Long-time customers of Samuel Jones Pearls will still be able to order trusted Japanese saltwater lines from a familiar name, while gaining easier access to Raw Pearls' extensive freshwater offering. At the same time, Raw Pearls' existing clients gain a direct route into one of the UK's most historically significant saltwater pearl specialists.
In an environment where consumers are increasingly interested in origin, quality and responsible sourcing, having two complementary pearl brands under one roof could also help retailers tell richer stories at the point of sale. The century‑long narrative of Samuel Jones Pearls, together with Raw Pearls' established presence in today's market, provides ample material for communicating authenticity, craftsmanship and longevity to end customers.
Ultimately, the takeover marks both an ending and a new chapter: the close of Richard and Claire Maymon's stewardship of Samuel Jones Pearls, and the beginning of a period in which the brand's heritage is carried forward by Raw Pearls. If the transition proceeds as planned, the UK jewellery trade stands to gain a more integrated, yet still distinctly specialised, source of both freshwater and Japanese saltwater pearls.
