Chisholm Hunter

Our History

Founded in 1857 on Chisholm Street, Chisholm Hunter first opened its doors in Victorian Glasgow. Originally known as the “Store of 10,000 wonders”, the shop stocked an eclectic array of rare treasures, including fine jewellery and precious gems sourced from all over the world. It quickly established a reputation for delighting even the most discerning customers with its wide variety of treasures and, as a result, enjoyed great success in its early years.

However, in the first half of the 20th century, Chisholm Hunter’s fortunes took a turn as, like the rest of the UK, the business found itself enduring the effects of the Great Depression and the First and Second World Wars. After the wars, Chisholm Hunter continued to operate from Glasgow, but business remained a challenge until 1993 when its current owner, gemologist Harry Brown, purchased the company.

With an abiding passion for the most beautiful diamonds, Brown immediately set about reviving the brand’s fortunes by streamlining the business to become a specialist diamond merchant. As a gemologist, he brought more than two decades of experience in the diamond industry with him, so dedicated his time to hand selecting the best diamonds from around the world—accepting only a mere 0.1% of the stones offered to Chisholm Hunter. Procuring only the finest diamonds, Brown built the business on providing the very best for his customers.