Royal Brierley is a glassmaking tradition dating back to the 17th century when the Huguenots arrived in England after fleeing religious persecution in Europe. On arrival they were attracted to Brierley Hill because of the abundance of wood, coal and fireclay. The Huguenot glassmakers married into local families and Royal Brierley was founded in 1776 as a family company, originally known as Stevens and Williams, and has grown under the guidance of three families ? the De Henzels, the Honebornes and the Silvers. In the 1930s, the company took on the name Royal Brierley Crystal following its appointment as Royal British Glassmakers.

Every piece of crystal begins with the finest of bases: silver sand, potash and cullet, heated to 1350?C for 24 hours. The melted crystal is cooled to a malleable state when the craftsmen use generations of know-how to shape each piece by hand. The formed item is placed in a temperature controlled lehr, a furnace for tempering glass, allowing it to cool slowly, which prevents stress. Finally they polish and smooth each item until perfect.

Until 2024 the company held two Royal Warrants, supplier to HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH The Prince of Wales. Its first Royal Warrant was bestowed by King George V in 1919, renewed by each monarch since. Royal Brierley has been honoured with the Royal Warrant to HM King Charles III after holding the Prince of Wales Warrant since 1985.