Class 14: Jewellery & Watches
Class 14 is jewellery and watches, along with the precious metals and stones they’re made from. Rings, necklaces, earrings, charms, cufflinks, watches and clocks all sit here, and so do a few surprises, such as key rings and jewellery boxes. It’s the 23rd most used of the 45, with 19,317 UK registrations between September 2021 and September 2026, which is about 40% fewer registrations than the average class. The challenge is knowing where jewellery stops and the rest of a fashion range begins.
What class 14 covers
This is the official Nice heading, in full:
Precious metals and their alloys; jewellery, precious and semi-precious stones; horological and chronometric instruments.
“Horological and chronometric instruments” simply means watches and clocks. The rest is jewellery of every kind, fine or costume, and the raw materials: gold, silver, precious stones and pearls. A handful of related goods sit here too, including jewellery boxes, watch straps, coins, medals and key rings.
When you definitely need class 14
- You make or sell jewellery, whether fine, costume or handmade
- You sell watches, clocks, watch straps or watch boxes
- You sell charms, beads for making jewellery, or jewellery-making components
- You deal in precious metals, precious stones or pearls
- You sell cufflinks, tie clips or lapel pins
When you might need class 14 without realising
Class 14 reaches further than most people expect, especially into gifts and merchandise.
- Gift and merchandise brands. Key rings are class 14, with key rings on 1,929 registrations, including leather ones. A branded key ring is one of the most common merchandise items, and it isn’t covered by class 25 or class 16.
- Badge and pin makers. Lapel pins [jewellery] are class 14, on 691 registrations, and pins [jewellery] on 2,726. That includes the enamel pins sold by many small creative brands.
- Collectables and memorabilia. Medals are class 14, on 1,228 registrations, and so are commemorative and collectible coins.
- Craft suppliers. Beads for making jewellery are class 14, on 2,914 registrations. Beads for other crafts or for trimming clothes are class 26.
If your product is worn as decoration, tells the time or carries a charm, it’s worth checking class 14 before you file.
Not sure whether your accessory is jewellery or something else? The free class tools below show you where businesses like yours actually file, or you can give us a call.
What businesses actually claim in class 14
These are the terms that turn up most often in recent UK class 14 registrations:
| Term | Marks using it | Share of class 14 | How common |
|---|---|---|---|
| jewellery | 12,403 | 64.2% | Essential |
| necklaces [jewellery] | 7,147 | 37.0% | Most use this |
| bracelets [jewellery] | 6,542 | 33.9% | Most use this |
| rings [jewellery] | 5,915 | 30.6% | Most use this |
| jewellery charms | 5,134 | 26.6% | Most use this |
| brooches [jewellery] | 5,039 | 26.1% | Most use this |
| earrings | 5,013 | 26.0% | Most use this |
| jewellery boxes | 4,847 | 25.1% | Most use this |
| pendants [jewellery] | 4,743 | 24.6% | Most use this |
| pearls [jewellery] | 4,319 | 22.4% | Most use this |
Jewellery dominates. Jewellery is on 12,403 registrations, well ahead of anything else. Necklaces, bracelets, rings, charms, brooches and earrings follow, each claimed by a large share of the class. Watches is further down, on 4,288.
That tells you something useful. Most class 14 applicants list the individual pieces as well as the broad word. Claiming earrings or charms [jewellery] alongside jewellery costs nothing extra within the class and shows exactly what your brand sells.
What class 14 does not cover
Bags, wallets and clothing sit in classes 18 and 25. A jewellery brand that expands into accessories needs more classes. Handbags appear on 7,414 class 18 registrations and wallets on 6,131. Belts, scarves and hats are class 25.
Hair accessories and novelty badges are class 26. Hair clips and hair ornaments are class 26, even when they’re sold alongside earrings, where hair clips appears on 1,445 registrations. Badges not made of precious metal are class 26 too, with badges for wear, not of precious metal on 543.
Smart wearables are class 9. A smartwatch is an electronic device, so it’s class 9, with smartwatches on 3,634 registrations there. Smart rings are class 9 as well, on 1,495. A traditional watch stays in class 14.
Selling, repairing and designing jewellery are services. A jeweller’s shop is a class 35 retail service, where retail services relating to jewellery appears on 2,441 registrations. Jewellery and watch repair is class 37, engraving is class 40, jewellery design is class 42 and jewellery valuation is class 36.
Where these terms actually live
| Term | Belongs to | Marks using it |
|---|---|---|
| smartwatches | Class 9 | 3,634 |
| smart rings | Class 9 | 1,495 |
| handbags | Class 18 | 7,414 |
| wallets | Class 18 | 6,131 |
| hair clips | Class 26 | 1,445 |
| badges for wear, not of precious metal | Class 26 | 543 |
| retail services relating to jewellery | Class 35 | 2,441 |
Each of these is a separate registration. A mark in class 14 does not cover any of them.
The mistake I see most often
The mistake is treating every decorative accessory as jewellery. Class 14 covers the jewellery and the watches, but much of a modern accessories range sits somewhere else.
Take a small accessories brand selling earrings, necklaces, hair clips, phone charms and tote bags. The earrings and necklaces are class 14. The hair clips are class 26, and so are decorative charms for mobile phones. The tote bags are class 18. File only class 14 and half the range, often the best sellers, isn’t covered.
The practical fix is to lay out the whole product range and check each item, not just the pieces that look like jewellery. A UK application can’t have classes added later, so it’s worth getting the list right at the start.
Is class 14 the right class for you?
If you make or sell jewellery, watches, clocks, charms, precious metals or stones, cufflinks, lapel pins or key rings under your own brand, class 14 is very likely yours. If you also sell bags, clothing, hair accessories or smart wearables, or you run a shop, repair service or design studio, look at classes 18, 25, 26, 9, 35, 37 and 42 as well.
Our free class tools build a specification from wording already accepted on real UK filings, so you can see what businesses like yours claim before you commit.
Common questions about class 14
Are key rings class 14?
Yes. Key rings and key chains are class 14, including leather key rings, with key chains on 1,302 registrations and charms for key rings on 1,015. It’s one of the most common surprises for merchandise brands.
Which class are enamel pins and badges?
It depends on the wording. Lapel pins and pins described as jewellery are class 14. Badges for wear not made of precious metal, including many novelty button badges, are class 26. Badges made of precious metal go back to class 14.
Is a jewellery repair or engraving business class 14?
No. Class 14 covers the goods. Repairing and cleaning jewellery or watches is class 37, engraving is class 40, and designing jewellery for customers is class 42. A jeweller that makes, sells and repairs under one name usually needs several classes.
Are coins and bullion class 14?
Yes, as goods. Commemorative coins, collectible coins, gold bullion and silver bullion are all class 14, with coins on 934 registrations. Valuing jewellery for customers is a financial service in class 36.
About these figures. Last researched 23 September 2026, from UK trademarks registered between September 2021 and September 2026 whose entry in this class is still active. That is current drafting practice rather than the historical register. Terms shown are those most frequently used in that period.
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