Gem of an idea has grown over 125 years

And his descendants are now preparing to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the firm which has grown to include stores across the region, alongside areas such as Horsham and Brighton.

Thomas Baker took over an existing business in Brierley Hill High Street on October 6, 1888, and purchased the freehold to a building there the following year.

Trading still continues in those premises to the present day and it is where Mr Baker's great-grandson Alan Higgs and his sons Phillip and Andrew carry out the day-to-day running of the firm.

Alan purchased the company from his uncles, Rupert and Paul, and aunt, Rosalie, in 1988 and said it had been an honour to keep the legacy going. Phillip, 30, joined the firm in 2003 and 33-year-old Andrew in 2005 – ensuring the family-run heritage of the firm continues for many years to come.

Alan said he had first trained as a chartered accountant before joining the business in 1972. "All-in-all I have been working here in Brierley Hill for more than 40 years. There have been a lot of changes in the town over the years," he said.

"When I first started working here the Round Oak Steelworks was still operating and Marsh and Baxter was still in the town.

"I would not say it was affluent but it was a successful industrial area and the town was bustling.

"Of course in the time I have been here the Merry Hill Shopping Centre has also been built which changed trading in this area for all time.

"The company has continued to thrive throughout all the changes in the area. Because we trade across the whole region and in other areas we have been able to keep going.

" It is very rare for a business to be run by one family all through its history.

We are very proud of this accomplishment and look forward to the anniversary celebrations later this year." Thomas Baker was originally a watchmaker and jeweller from Caine, in Wiltshire, before moving to the Black Country. His son Reginald joined the firm in 1900 but after his death in 1910, his sisters Phillis and Cecily began working at the store, a highly progressive move at the time as it was uncommon for women to work in shops.

Reginald also wrote a book on the industry called Diamonds And Their Mounts.

In 1915, Phillis married Frank Higgs and in 1912 Frank purchased the business from Thomas Baker, who then retired. Mr Higgs joined the Royal Army Service Corps following the outbreak of the First World War and his wife ran the shop.

In 1937, Hugh and Rupert Higgs, grandsons of Thomas Baker, joined the business.

They volunteered to serve in the Second World War and Paul and Rosalie Higgs joined the business with Paul later joining the Royal Air Force. All three returned home safely and continued at the business.

As part of the celebrations, the firm is giving away £125,000 worth of jewellery in the run-up to the anniversary in October.

To take part, people can get a form from a TH Baker store or visit the firm's website.

Alan said: "Recently I have taken more of a back seat allowing Phillip and Andrew to develop new ideas for the business."