Stacking Statements

The Tutamen Collection by 886 from The Royal Mint

The world of luxury and craftsmanship is no stranger to bold innovation, yet few brands can claim the deep historical significance that The Royal Mint brings to the table. With the recent release of the second Tutamen collection from its luxury lifestyle brand, 886, The Royal Mint continues to push the boundaries of design, merging its storied past with a fresh, modern approach to fine jewellery.

Spearheaded by Creative Director Dominic Jones, the Tutamen collection strikes a unique balance between heritage and contemporary fashion, offering pieces that are as rich in history as they are in aesthetic appeal. We sat down with him to learn about the inspiration, design process and what makes the collection truly unique.

What inspired the name and concept behind the Tutamen collection?

The name “Tutamen” comes from the Latin phrase Decus et Tutamen, which translates to “an ornament and a safeguard.” It once appeared on British gold and silver coins in the 17th century. When I was exploring The Royal Mint’s archives, I found myself fascinated by the practice of coin clipping—where people would shave off the edges of coins made from precious metals. The collection is a celebration of these overlooked designs and their rich history.

“For the ‘Tutamen’ collection, I wanted to celebrate a piece of design that most people overlook in their day-to-day lives, but which has a fascinating backstory.

The collection is split into two parts, can you tell us about each concept?

The first concept is inspired by the tactile, organic shapes of coin clippings. We created pieces with cascading curls of metal that reference those clippings, which resulted in some dynamic designs. One standout piece is a dramatic high-jewellery necklace featuring 18-carat gold curls inset with pavé diamonds. It’s a very fluid, almost deconstructed look.

The second part is more geometric and graphic, drawing on the 1990s pound coin. I wanted to highlight the inscription Decus et Tutamen as a design motif, and we used the milled edges from those coins to inform the shapes of pendants, earrings, and necklaces. It’s a modern take on a nostalgic symbol.

How does the collection reflect The Royal Mint’s dedication to craftsmanship?

The craftsmanship at The Royal Mint is second to none. We’re using ancient techniques that are traditionally employed in coin and medal-making, which is why many of the pieces are struck and forged rather than cast. This increases the density and strength of the metal—up to 30% stronger. Each piece, particularly those made in Llantrisant, Wales, is created with an eye for detail that elevates it to heirloom status.

Sustainability seems to be a key theme in this collection. How is The Royal Mint embracing that?

Sustainability is central to the Tutamen collection, and 886 by The Royal Mint is proud to be the first luxury brand to use 100% recovered gold from discarded electronic waste. Through our partnership with the clean technology firm Excir, we extract pure gold from e-waste like laptops and phones. It’s part of our commitment to a circular economy, and it ensures that even fine jewellery can be created responsibly.

This collection supports a circular economy and ensures that even in fine jewellery, we can be responsible stewards of our resources.

Which pieces from the collection stand out to you the most?

There are a few! The high-jewellery necklace I mentioned earlier really stands out with its dramatic gold curls and diamonds. Then there’s the articulated necklace inspired by stacks of coins, which also takes cues from 1990s hip-hop jewellery. It’s a bold, eye-catching piece. The signet rings, too, are timeless—they have that blend of modern style with a nod to history.

What do you hope people will take away from the Tutamen collection?

I hope people see that we’re not just creating jewellery—we’re telling a story. Each piece is steeped in tradition, from the milled edges inspired by coin history to the use of sustainable materials. It’s a celebration of craftsmanship, heritage, and the future of luxury.

We are not just creating jewellery, we are telling a story—one that speaks to tradition, craftsmanship, and the future of sustainable luxury.

Where can we find the collection?

The collection is available at our boutique in London’s Burlington Arcade, as well as online. We wanted to ensure that both jewellery enthusiasts and history lovers alike have the chance to own a piece of British heritage.

886.royalmint.com