James Adie and Alfred Lovekin were trading as silversmiths at Acock Green and 175 Hokey Hill, Birmingham before 1872. Their first mark, A&L, was registered at the Birmingham Assay Office on the 27th May 1879, when the address then given, was Regent Street, Birmingham.

Crisford and Norris was founded in Birmingham by Harold Crisford and William Norris and their first mark C&N was registered at the Birmingham Assay Office on the 28-th January 1896.

Phineas Levi moved from Exeter to Birmingham to work for one of his relatives in 1866. In 1870 he founded the company of Levi & Salaman in partnership with Joseph Wolff Salaman. By 1872 they had to move to larger premises at 18-20, Hockey Street, Birmingham, where they continued to make gilt and silver jewellery.

The company was started by Albert Tiftt and William Whiting in 1840 as a jewelry producer Tifft & Whiting. Their products were later expanded to include small silver holloware and ladies' combs.