Buying jewellery for someone else is tricky. The piece has to suit their taste, their skin and their style, and it has to feel personal rather than generic. Lincoln-based jeweller John Greed makes the choice easier in one way, because it stocks several of the best-known European jewellery brands under one roof. It also makes it harder, because THOMAS SABO, Coeur De Lion and Nomination look and feel completely different.
This guide compares the three side by side, explains who each brand suits best and shows how John Greed’s engraving service can turn any of them into a one-off gift.
Visit the Official John Greed Site
In this guide
The Three Brands at a Glance
Before looking at individual collections, it helps to see the basics together. The table below sums up where each brand comes from, what it is made of and the kind of person it tends to suit.
| Brand | Made in | Main material | Signature look | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THOMAS SABO | Lauf an der Pegnitz, Bavaria, Germany | 925 sterling silver, some pieces with 18ct gold or rose gold plating | Symbolic motifs: stars, moons, skulls, charms | Someone who likes jewellery with a story or an edge |
| Coeur De Lion | Stuttgart, Germany | 316L stainless steel with natural stones, freshwater pearls and crystals | GeoCUBE geometric cube designs in bold colours | Colour lovers and people with sensitive skin |
| Nomination | Italy | Stainless steel links, many with 18k gold, enamel or stone details | Composable link bracelets built charm by charm | A gift that can grow over the years |
All three are available online at John Greed, which describes itself as an official THOMAS SABO UK stockist and an authorised Coeur De Lion retailer. You can compare the brands on the John Greed website before you decide.
THOMAS SABO: Silver With a Story
THOMAS SABO is a German brand, and its jewellery is handcrafted in 925 sterling silver at the company’s headquarters in Lauf an der Pegnitz, Bavaria. Many designs are finished with 18ct yellow or rose gold plating, and according to John Greed every stone is hand-set under a magnifying glass. The style ranges from elegant and glamorous to quirky and edgy, which is why the brand works for such a wide range of people.
The newest collection is Midnight Sky, launched on 27 August 2026 for autumn and winter. It is built around moon and star motifs with lace-inspired cut-outs, made mainly from recycled 925 sterling silver with blue nanocrystals and white zirconia, and some designs come with 18k gold plating. A standout piece is the mismatched earring pair, with a star on one side and a crescent moon on the other. See the latest THOMAS SABO collections at John Greed.
If the person you are buying for prefers warmer tones, the Fluid Elegance collection mixes maritime, wave-inspired shapes with mother of pearl and 18ct gold plating.
THOMAS SABO for Men
THOMAS SABO is also one of the easier brands to buy for men. Its men’s collections run from refined classics to bolder pieces such as the Rebel at Heart skull designs, including bracelets and rings with a rebellious edge.
Shop THOMAS SABO at John Greed
Coeur De Lion: Colour and Geometry
Coeur De Lion was founded in 1987 by Carola Eckrodt, and every piece is handcrafted in the brand’s Stuttgart workshop. Its signature collection is GeoCUBE, a geometric cube design inspired by the Bauhaus movement and first introduced in 1999. The cubes come in combinations of natural stones, pearls and crystals, so the same necklace shape can look soft and pastel or bold and multicoloured.
Coeur De Lion uses skin-friendly 316L stainless steel, which makes it a good choice for most people with sensitive skin, and John Greed notes that every piece is backed by a two-year warranty. Matching necklaces, bracelets and earrings are designed to be worn together, so it is easy to build a set over several birthdays or Christmases.
A thoughtful option is the Coeur De Lion birthstone range, which pairs each month with a natural gemstone, from red agate for January to rose quartz for October. John Greed also lets you shop the brand by colour, which is handy if you know their favourite shade but not their style. Browse Coeur De Lion by colour.
Nomination: A Bracelet That Grows
Nomination’s Composable bracelets are made of small interchangeable stainless steel links. You remove a plain link and click a charm link into its place, so the bracelet never needs resizing and each new charm adds another chapter. It is a gift that can continue for years, with a new link for every birthday, anniversary or holiday.
At the time of writing, John Greed is offering 20 pounds off when you choose any two Classic Nomination charms together with a Classic stainless steel starter bracelet. Check the terms on the site, as offers can change. See the current Nomination offer.
Make It Personal With Engraving
Whichever brand you choose, engraving is where John Greed stands out. The company says it has engraved over 250,000 charms. For THOMAS SABO, it offers laser engraving that can reproduce a loved one’s handwriting or drawing, a hand or footprint, or even a pet’s paw print, all from a photograph.
- A child’s drawing on a pendant for a parent or grandparent.
- A pet’s paw or nose print for an animal lover.
- A handwritten note or signature as a keepsake.
- Initials or a date on a plain charm or link.
Engraved items are made to order and may need an extra 24 hours of processing, so order a little earlier if the gift is for a fixed date. Explore personalised jewellery at John Greed.
Which Brand Should You Choose?
- Choose THOMAS SABO if they love sterling silver, symbolic motifs or a slightly edgy look, or if you are buying for a man.
- Choose Coeur De Lion if they love colour, wear jewellery every day or have sensitive skin.
- Choose Nomination if you want a gift you can keep adding to over the years.
Delivery and Ordering Tips
John Greed offers free delivery on orders over 50 pounds. Most parcels are sent through Amazon Shipping, while some postcodes, including parts of Scotland, the islands and Northern Ireland, are delivered by Royal Mail instead. If you are shopping for THOMAS SABO, John Greed says that signing up to its emails gets you a 15% off THOMAS SABO promo code. Check the delivery details here.
Conclusion
THOMAS SABO, Coeur De Lion and Nomination all make excellent gifts, but they suit very different personalities. Silver and symbolism point to THOMAS SABO, colour and comfort point to Coeur De Lion, and a gift that grows points to Nomination. Add engraving and the piece becomes truly one of a kind. When you are ready, find the perfect jewellery gift at John Greed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is John Greed an official THOMAS SABO stockist?
Yes. John Greed describes itself as an official THOMAS SABO UK stockist and an authorised Coeur De Lion retailer.
Is Coeur De Lion jewellery suitable for sensitive skin?
It is made from skin-friendly 316L stainless steel, which suits most people with sensitive skin.
What is THOMAS SABO jewellery made from?
Mainly 925 sterling silver, with some designs plated in 18ct yellow or rose gold.
Can John Greed engrave a pet’s paw print?
Yes. For THOMAS SABO it can engrave paw prints, handwriting, drawings and hand or footprints from a photograph.
