Hancocks Jewellers, the oldest jeweller in Manchester, is celebrating a landmark moment with the sale of its 50,000th engagement ring – a testament to more than 160 years of fine craftsmanship in platinum and 18ct gold, and countless proposals that began with a Hancocks creation.
To honour the city that has supported it since 1860, the iconic King Street jeweller is inviting past customers to return to the store for a complimentary ring clean starting today. As part of the celebration, Hancocks is also assembling a collection of cherished customer photographs featuring Hancocks rings, offering a nostalgic glimpse of love stories spanning the decades, which will be displayed both in store and online.
Roy Lunt, owner of Hancocks Jewellers, said: “To think that 50,000 couples have begun their journey with a Hancocks ring is humbling. Our role is not only to craft beautiful jewellery, it is to be part of moments that matter. This milestone belongs to our clients as much as it does to us, and we are delighted to celebrate it with them.”
Among the many couples who have begun their story with a Hancocks ring are Phil and Lynn, a Manchester love story that spans nearly five decades.
Phil and Lynn first met and fell in love in the mid-1970s. Yet life took them in different directions and each married other people. Then in 2012 they reconnected. What followed was a happy chapter filled with theatre trips, weekend getaways, dinners out and fabulous holidays.
In 2017 Lynn’s mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, so the couple put future plans on hold and focused on creating memories with her for the next eight years. Sadly, she passed away three months ago.
“She wanted Phil and I to be together, and she would be absolutely thrilled that we are finally getting married, almost fifty years after we first met,” said Lynn.
Phil & Lynn 2025 Celebrating Their Love With Lynn’s Mum Who Sadly Passed Away
Throughout those years Phil and Lynn often found themselves on King Street on a Saturday, pausing at Hancocks’ window to admire the rings. In the summer of 2015, they stepped inside to try on an engagement ring and a wedding ring that caught Lynn’s eye. “While the ring we chose in the end changed, my choice of jeweller never wavered,” Lynn added.
When Phil proposed, the couple chose a diamond ring, a choice that felt right for them. “I absolutely love our ring, and I cannot wait for Phil to place it on my finger next month,” said Lynn. “The help during our visit to Hancocks was greatly appreciated. The team were kind, patient and made everything feel special.”
Phil has kept two photographs from the time they dated all those years ago. The couple are now gathering images for the Hancocks showcase, including a treasured group picture from the 1970s and a recent photograph together.
Customers can celebrate with Hancocks by visiting the jewellers at 29 King Street, Manchester, for a complimentary ring cleaning, available from today.
The company is also inviting customers to share a favourite engagement or celebration photograph featuring a Hancocks ring, either on social media via direct message, by emailing a high-resolution image and short caption to [email protected], or by visiting the store in person.
