About Us

The Company

TOD Jewels is a third-generation family jeweller based in Hatton Garden, London’s renowned jewellery district. Our heritage dates back to 1934, when Tom O’Donoghue began his apprenticeship with leading master jewellers before founding T. O’Donoghue in 1951. Over the decades, the O’Donoghue family became known for beautifully crafted jewellery, exceptional gemstones, and trusted service to both private collectors and the jewellery trade.

Today, under the direction of John and Luke O’Donoghue, TOD Jewels Ltd continues that legacy of craftsmanship and integrity. We specialise in bespoke engagement rings, custom-made fine jewellery - from simple diamond stud earrings to exquisite necklaces - and precious metal and diamond-set wedding rings. We work with emeralds, sapphires, rubies, and both natural and fancy diamonds, alongside other sought-after gemstones such as aquamarine and tanzanite, with each piece created to order by experienced Hatton Garden craftsmen using the finest materials sourced through our long-standing international partners. We can employ traditional hand-crafted techniques as perfected by Tom O’Donoghue, or use state-of-the-art CAD design and 3D printing to produce new masters that are then hand finished to the highest standard.

Alongside our bespoke work for private clients, we continue to supply loose gemstones and finished pieces to the trade. Our deep knowledge of the gemstone markets enables us to source rare and exceptional stones directly from cutters in Asia and beyond, ensuring authenticity, provenance, and consistent quality.

We are also respected dealers in antique and pre-owned jewellery, helping clients to sell or trade fine pieces and achieving strong results through our established international network extending from New York to Hong Kong. In addition, we buy old gold and pre-owned jewellery for refurbishment or resale, offering competitive valuations based on current market conditions.

Whether you are seeking a bespoke engagement ring, a pair of wedding rings, a unique handmade jewel, or a particular gemstone or signed piece from houses such as Cartier or Van Cleef & Arpels, TOD Jewels offers expert advice, discretion, and nearly a century of family experience in the art of fine jewellery.

Private consultations are available by appointment at our Hatton Garden office during professional weekday hours.

Our Heritage

The O’Donoghue family has been part of Hatton Garden’s jewellery trade for over ninety years. Our story began in 1934, when Tom O’Donoghue started his apprenticeship at the age of fourteen, training under leading master jewellers including Balson’s in London’s jewellery district. Over seven years he developed the craftsmanship that earned him the title of Master Jeweller, winning several awards for technical excellence including the prestigious Jacques Cartier Award.

In 1951, Tom established his own business, T. O’Donoghue, creating fine handmade jewellery for independent retailers across Britain. His warm, personal approach and uncompromising standards of workmanship built a loyal following. By the 1960s and 70s, the firm’s reputation for quality and reliability extended beyond the UK, supplying clients throughout Europe, America and Japan.

Tom was recognised around the world for his expertise and integrity, but his greatest honour was to be found in doing discrete work at the highest levels for the rich and famous, even being called on one occasion to provide his expertise at Buckingham Palace.

John O’Donoghue, Tom’s son, joined the family business in 1974, having trained in Germany, Paris and New York. Combining his father’s traditional craftsmanship with his own international experience, John developed a particular expertise in antique and period jewellery and became widely respected throughout the trade for his knowledge of gemstones and design.

Tom remained active in Hatton Garden for most of his life, working into his late eighties. His influence endures through the many craftsmen he trained and through the values of integrity, skill and service that continue to define TOD Jewels today.

The third generation, Luke O’Donoghue, grew up in the family business, spending school holidays in the workshops and attending trade shows from an early age. After gaining experience in professional finance in the City of London, Luke returned to the family firm in 2005 in a senior management role and is now Managing Director of TOD Jewels Ltd. He leads the business alongside John, who—like Tom before him—has eschewed retirement and continues to bring his decades of experience to the craft of rare gemstones and fine jewellery.

Our mission remains to create jewellery of lasting beauty and quality, combining traditional British craftsmanship with modern design and technology, ensuring that Tom O’Donoghue’s legacy continues through every piece made by TOD Jewels.

Tom meanwhile continued to work full time right up to the grand age of 86 after failing to retire for over 20 years due to his love of dealing and the close friendships had in the trade. He shared his expertise for 72 years before hanging up his loupe and maintained a keen interest in the business until he sadly passed away in 2010.

He is missed by many friends and former colleagues who trained under him, many of whom went on to become successful skilled craftsmen in their own right. His legacy still lives on with those he taught and encouraged to excel throughout the trade.

Today T.O’D continues to make fine quality handmade pieces with work still being carried out by craftsmen often trained by Tom. Our mission is to provide quality jewellery at reasonable prices and always to T.O’D’s standard.  In this way we are committed to ensuring that Tom’s legacy lives on.