Handcrafted jewellery - that you Don’t Have to Make Yourself!

There has been a huge trend of late towards handcrafted jewellery. If you’re creative and crafty, then this is no problem; however, if you’re not so good at crafts and are fresh out of handmade jewellery ideas, then what to do?

 

There is a solution: when it comes to handmade jewellery, Ilford residents are finding that a trip to their local jewellers is the way forward; local jewellery shops offer services for creating one of a kind, bespoke jewellery pieces, so you can achieve the exact look you’re after.

 

Handmade jewellery ideas

 

Half of the fun of the creative process is coming up with the ideas and design behind your piece. However, if you’re not sure what you’re after, or your handmade jewellery ideas are not quite fully formed, then you might be looking for a helping hand.

Pop along to your local jewellery shop; by talking through your handmade jewellery ideas with a jeweller, or even just telling them the sort of look and feel you’re after, you can work together to achieve the perfect piece of handcrafted jewellery.

Why use a local jeweller for handcrafted jewellery?

There are plenty of reasons for using a local jeweller for handmade jewellery; Ilford-based local jewellers like EK Jewellers will have that added level of service which you may not find at a high-street chain.  All pieces will be handcrafted on site, including restoration or remodelling of existing pieces, so you know that your masterpiece is in safe hands.

What’s more, a local jeweller will have the time available to not only work on creating the perfect design and bringing it to life, but also finding out what makes you tick so that the end piece of handcrafted jewellery is exactly as you imagined it to be.

Don’t forget that new pieces of handcrafted jewellery can be created from old!

Handcrafted jewellery doesn’t have to be created from scratch; if you’ve got an heirloom piece languishing in a drawer, or perhaps a favourite piece which is no longer à la mode, why not ask your local jeweller to bring it back to life?

New pieces of handcrafted jewellery can be remodelled from old, so if you’ve got a family brooch which you won’t wear in its current format, perhaps have it made into a pendant, or take the stones from various rings and make one special ring. When it comes to handmade jewellery, Ilford based EK jewellers can work wonders!

New Year, New Sparkle with Rhodium Plating

Once the lights have come down, and the glitter and baubles have been packed away for another year, there’s no better pick me up than revitalising your wardrobe. When it comes to jewellery, using a rhodium plating service on white gold jewellery is an excellent way of bringing your precious pieces back to their best. 
 

If you are looking to restore white gold jewellery for the New Year, it’s important to take it to someone you trust: your local independent jeweller is just the person for the job! 
 

How does Rhodium plating white gold jewellery work? 
 

It’s easy to restore white gold jewellery ready for the New Year. White gold is actually something of a misnomer, as gold is a yellow metal; white gold is an alloy, or mixture, of gold and a white metal such as nickel, silver or palladium. To create the popular brilliant white colour, a thin layer of rhodium electroplating is applied.
 

However, rhodium plating doesn’t last forever, and you will need to invest in a rhodium plating service, whereby the rhodium electroplating is reapplied, to keep your pieces looking tip-top every now and again. 

 

 

How often should you restore white gold jewellery? 
 

How long the rhodium plating lasts on a piece of white gold jewellery depends on its wear and tear. A white gold wedding or engagement ring, for example, is likely to need restoring quicker than a necklace or brooch, as it will be worn constantly and is in constant contact with the skin. 
 

If you’ve had your piece of white gold jewellery for a while and haven’t ever had it re-plated, why not think about starting the New Year afresh, and investing in a rhodium plating service? You’ll be surprised what a difference it can make to your special pieces!

 

 

Why you Need to go for Rhodium plating on the Premises 
 

For local rhodium plating, Ilford residents are turning to their local jewellery shop for assistance. The advantages of using a local jeweller is the fact that the rhodium plating service is carried out on site: there’s no risk of loss of your precious items as there could be when you use a high street chain. 

 

 

You’ll know that by using a local jeweller your items are protected and won’t be going anywhere, meaning that you won’t be separated from your special pieces of jewellery for too long. With rhodium plating, Ilford based EK jewellers will bring your jewellery back to its best for the New Year!

Traditional Sterling Silver Jewellery – Made with Love

 

There are many traditions that surround the world of love, and a number of them feature items of silver. It’s not too early to start thinking about Valentine’s Day, or your 2014 wedding, so why not incorporate some of these traditions into your occasions of love with sterling silver jewellery?
 

 

For handmade silver jewellery, Ilford based local jewellers will be able to point you in the right direction for producing a true token of love; pop into your local jewellery shop and see what you can create for a loved one today!
 

 

Sterling silver jewellery and traditions of love
 

 

There’s a reason that small gifts given to those we hold dear are called love tokens: they are exactly that, a small token to express our love. Throughout history, these tokens have included the likes of intricately detailed silver thimbles and silver coins.
 

As time has progressed, sterling silver jewellery has taken its place, including pieces like necklaces and brooches – which make the perfect gifts for Valentine’s Day – through to engagement rings. Of course, the majority of contemporary engagement rings today are made from either white gold or platinum, but still with that brilliant silver shine – perfect for a 2014 proposal!
 

 

Handmade silver jewellery: perfect for Valentine’s Day
 

 

If you’d like to go back to the origins of love tokens, why not think about having a piece of sterling silver jewellery handmade? Celtic love rings originated with the Romans, but continue to be popular, so why not have a ring handcrafted in this design? 
 

For something more contemporary, ask your local jeweller about handcrafted silver jewellery with a modern twist. Diamond set silver jewellery – whether a brooch, pendant, earrings or a ring – continues to be popular, and nothing says permanence and longevity like a diamond.
 

Handcrafted silver jewellery for weddings
 

If you’re getting married this year, you’ll likely be looking for the perfect piece of jewellery to set off your big day outfit. Why not think about having a piece of handcrafted silver jewellery made? That way, you’ll get something which will perfectly complement your look, and is totally unique to you.
 

Of course, the traditional piece of silver for a wedding day is a silver sixpence to complete the ‘something old, something new’ rhyme; you could incorporate this traditional token of both love and prosperity into your wedding jewellery with a piece of handmade silver jewellery. How about a silver sixpence charm on a delicate bracelet, for example?
 

 

When it comes to silver jewellery, Ilford based EK Jewellers will help you create the perfect token of love!

On Trend Holiday Glamour: Christmas Sparkle For 2013

With Christmas fast approaching, thoughts are turning to our holiday party outfits and the gifts we need to buy for loved ones.  It’s always nice to be ahead of the trend, whether in the gift giving stakes or for our own sakes, and a great place to start when it comes to contemporary Christmas jewellery is at your local jewellery shop.  Here’s a list of what’s hot as it gets cold this Christmas:

 

For the Party Girl

 

It won’t just be paper chains which are adorning Christmas looks in 2013: chain jewellery will be big business this year.  The look is reminiscent of an 80s’ handbag shoulder strap, with a leather strip running through the centre of the gold or silver chain. 

For Christmas, why not replace the leather look with a sliver of shimmering silver mesh through the centre?  This little touch takes this look from daytime to evening wear, making it the perfect finishing touch for any Christmas party outfit.  If you can’t find such a piece on the high street, why not ask your local independent jeweller to custom make a chain to your exact requirements?

 

For the Free Spirit

Christmas is all about love, joy and peace, and where better, therefore, to turn to for Christmas jewellery inspiration for our more whimsical friends than nature?  Leaf and feather motifs will feature heavily this Christmas, often in a delicate fashion, such as dainty filigree leaf worn as a pendant, or in a bolder statement piece: how about investing in a silver or gold grand feather cuff or collar piece to set off a plain Christmas outfit? 

 

Silver feathers fashioned into a large choker or collar shaped necklace, encrusted with precious stones, will be everywhere come Christmas – so why not get ahead of the trend, and take a visit to your local jewellery shop for free-spirit, feather-inspired jewellery?

For the Timeless

 

Watches will always be a timeless Christmas present, and this remains true of the 2013 festive season. This year’s watches have become slightly more eccentric than in previous years; watches that feature a string or two of attached charms are all the rage, as are those which incorporate fabrics such as vintage leather or denim straps, rose gold designs, and multi wrap around straps.  

Men’s watches are no exception to this: unusual straps will be seen on male watches this Christmas too, including brightly coloured bands, and gold elements will also feature heavily on men’s watches.  Your local jeweller will carry a large range of timepieces, both traditional and contemporary, so you won’t have to look far for this most timeless of Christmas gifts.

 

For the Little Ones

 

If you have a little Christmas angel to buy for, you should look no further than Kit Heath’s children’s collection, available at your local jewellery shop. You’ll find everything from bang on trend colourful friendship bracelets as part of the Best Friends range, through to girly pink accessories in the Cute as a Button range, and even gorgeous charms in the Pick N Mix range – which will allow the recipient to add to their collection over various Christmases and birthdays to come. 

 

And if you’re looking to buy for yourself, check out Kit’s adult ranges for wonderful Christmas style – all available, of course, from your local independent jeweller.

Baby Love: A Royal Jewellery Gift

You may have heard of the recent trend for ‘push presents’; it’s a new term, used to describe the gift given to new mothers on the birth of their little one for, well, pushing!  Of course, possibly the most famous baby of our time is the Royal baby, Prince George of Cambridge.   
 

We’re sure that Kate and William probably wouldn’t use a term as crass as ‘push present’, but there are rumours that Prince William will be bestowing his lovely wife with a little jewellery gift to congratulate her on the birth of their new son.  
 

If you’re looking to copy the duchess’ impeccable style, or whether you’d like to buy the mother of your child a little gift of jewellery to celebrate the birth of your little one, your local independent jeweller has the lowdown on this new trend.  
 

Pretty in Pink: Kate’s Royal Baby Gift 
 

So what exactly do you buy the mother of the future heir to the throne? Well, it’s been rumoured that Prince William is buying the Duchess of Cambridge a brooch with the inclusion of a pink diamond.  
 

Prince Charles gave Princess Diana a gold medallion with William’s name on it after the birth of Prince William, but it seems that the Duke of Cambridge is opting for something altogether more feminine.   
 

It has been reported that he is looking for a piece which will be equally at home being worn upon a high street Zara dress as it will on a regal ball gown, and it seems that pink diamonds are popular throughout the Royal Family, as the Queen has one of the finest uncut pink diamonds in the world, given to her by the Canadian geologist John Williamson on the occasion of her marriage to Prince Philip.   
 

She had the diamond set into a brooch, and it is often worn and one of her favourite pieces of jewellery. Don’t forget that if you, too, would like to have a brooch or other piece of jewellery tailor-made for you, your local jewellery shop will be able to help.
 

If You’d Like a Custom-Made Piece ... 
 

Visit your local independent jeweller. One of the great aspects of a visit to your local jewellery shop is the fact that you can commission pieces to be custom made for you.  Natural pink diamonds are rare and very expensive, but they can be sourced and turned into beautiful pieces of jewellery, whether a brooch or earrings, necklaces, rings or bracelets, if you so wish. 
 

However, the beauty of custom making a piece, whether for yourself or someone else, is the fact that it can be made to your desires and tastes, so if you don’t fancy a pink diamond, but perhaps would like a different gemstone or a simple gold or silver piece created for you, you can have whatever your heart desires. Similarly, if you have an heirloom piece of jewellery which you’d like to give to a loved one but perhaps isn’t their style, a local jeweller will be able to remodel the piece to your specifications. 
 

Or if You’d Like To Buy a ‘Push Present’ For The Mother Of Your Child … 
 

You’ll find plenty of choice at your local jewellery shop. Whether you’re looking to custom make a piece or buy something ready-made, your local jeweller will be able to help.  Don’t be afraid to ask for advice, either; your local independent jeweller will be happy to offer their opinion on what will suit your wife or partner. Make your loved one feel like a princess: push presents to suit every taste are available at your local jewellery shop.
 

Adorn Yourself: A Christmas Bauble Jewellery Trend

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the only relevant place for a bauble is on the Christmas tree.  It’s certainly true that we’re in the festive season, but baubles are being seen in places other than just on a Norwegian Spruce this Christmas; spherical, sparkling orbs are adorning on-trend jewellery everywhere.  So why not add a bit of festive sparkle to your wardrobe this year, and adorn your ears, neckline and wrists with baubles from your local independent jeweller?

 

From humble origins...

Traditional Christmas baubles have been in production since 1847, when they were first produced in Lauscha, Germany, by Hans Greiner.  The original baubles were strings of glass bead garlands, similar to popcorn strands which were originally used to decorate Christmas trees. 

 

Similarly, spherical jewellery has been around since ancient times, from simple round glass beads, through to more intricate pin heads and brooches, often dating back for centuries.  Today’s trend for spherical jewellery can be seen to take its inspiration from the humble origins of times past; whether it’s traditional or modern that you’re looking for, you’ll be able to find a suitable piece of bauble inspired jewellery at your local jewellery shop.

... to modern day spherical jewellery trends ...

 

Orbs have always featured heavily in the Kit Heath collection, having often been inspired by nature.  The Mermaid’s Purse locket, for example, is the perfect Christmas jewellery bauble; what’s more, the jewel colours that they feature are the ideal colours for Christmas outfits – deep greens, festive reds and regal blues. 

 

If simple but stunning sterling silver is more your style, then the Urchin range, embedded with a little bit of twinkle courtesy of cubic zirconia, will be to your taste; long drop earrings with a bauble shaped pendent on the end, as well as a matching necklace and bracelets, are all part of this look.  Remember that the complete Kit Heath collection will be available from your local jeweller, so make sure you treat yourself to a bauble. 

... and added sparkle to boot!

Spherical jewellery is often found with additional sparkle attached – just the ticket for Christmas adornment!  Look out for the trend towards globes encrusted with stones – either completely clear stones, or an assortment of colours. 

 

Rings in particular have recently been spotted with spheres attached, both perched on top of the setting or dangling from the band, and make for great statement pieces, particularly against the little black dress this Christmas. 

 

Alternatively, crystallised round-bead bracelets and drop earrings are still bang on trend, and add that little bit of Christmas sparkle to any outfit.  Adorn yourself this festive season with the help of your local independent jeweller: baubles aren’t just for the Christmas tree.

Old Rings, New Tricks

Rings are one of the most personal pieces of jewellery that anyone can own.  But how many times do old rings languish in drawers, unworn and unloved?  Precisely because they are such personal items, it’s very difficult to buy a ring for someone else or to inherit a ring from someone and find it to be exactly your taste.  Not to mention, of course, that people often find that their rings either become too big or too small over time!   

But this jewellery story doesn’t have to have a sad ending: a local independent jeweller can bring a ring back to life by creating a whole new piece tailored to your taste. Old rings really can perform new tricks! 

Special memories 

Rings are one of the most popular items of jewellery to be passed down from generation to generation, most likely due to the fact that they hold such sentimental value.  But often what suits one generation doesn’t suit the next, as fashions and styles move on.  It can be difficult to let go of a dearly departed loved one’s special pieces, but equally, jewellery shouldn’t be left unworn.   

By taking the piece to a local jeweller, it can be remodelled into something the new owner will cherish without losing the memories.  Similarly, when dividing up an estate, if there are an unequal number of rings to be divided up between beneficiaries, or if the rings’ stones are of differing values, these rings can be remodelled into new rings of equal value for the recipients.

New beginnings

You never want to think that your potential fiancé or husband doesn’t know you well enough to pick the perfect ring to propose with, but let’s face it, sometimes it just doesn’t happen. Many men have the best of intentions, and will look to satisfy criteria such as clarity or colour, but might not realise that you might find a less perfect stone in a different cut or style more beautiful.  

If you’re unlucky fiancé-to-be doesn’t pick the perfect ring for you, fear not: your local independent jeweller can recreate something more to your taste.  Why not work together with your fiancé to pick a style you both like?  Your local jeweller will be able to add stones and change the look of the overall ring until you find something that suits.

Pooling resources 

A new trend in wedding jewellery design is for friends and relatives to chip in with the cost of the wedding rings.  This doesn’t mean contributing financially – or at least not in the conventional monetary sense – but rather by asking friends and family to pool any unwanted gold jewellery, be it unworn jewellery, broken pieces or even solitary earring halves, to be melted down to form the new wedding rings; a bridal shower is a great time to collate the pieces together, and this trend also means that your family’s special memories are incorporated as you start you on the right track to married life.

If this is something that interests you, why not check with your local jewellery shop if they can melt the gold down and make new wedding rings for you? So you see, old rings don’t have to have an unhappy ending: your local independent jeweller can help your rings to live happily ever after.

Helpful Jewellery Storage Tips from your Local Essex Jewellers

Once you’ve treated yourself to those special jewellery pieces, it’s important that you look after them correctly, and storage is an integral part of the upkeep of jewellery.  Your local independent jeweller will stock various jewellery storage solutions as part of their giftware range, so there’s no excuse for poor storage.  Here are some tips on how to keep your pieces looking their best: 

Jewellery storage tip 1: sturdy but soft 

The best type of jewellery storage is that which is a sturdy jewellery box with a soft interior, to protect your pieces from external damage, whilst preventing scratches and snags through the soft lining. 

This type of traditional jewellery box will be available in a range of formats in your local jewellery shop, and also makes for an ideal gift, as there’s usually a style to suit all tastes.  You may also want to think about investing in a jewellery box with different drawers to store necklaces, rings, charms and brooches, and bracelets separately, with an additional compartment for earrings. 

Jewellery storage tip 2: perfect pouches 

If you don’t have the room for a large jewellery box, ask your local jeweller whether they have any soft pouches or jewellery rolls as part of their storage range.  Pouches are also a great choice when travelling with a limited amount of space in your luggage.  You can also purchase multi-storage cases or pouches to keep different chains, necklaces and bracelets separately.

Jewellery storage tip 3: specialist storage 

There are also a variety of specialist storage solutions available for different types of jewellery, which your local independent jeweller can advise you on.  Certain types of jewellery and precious stones and metals can often benefit from specialist storage.  

For example, to retain the original shine of sterling silver jewellery, you can purchase plastic zip-lock bags, which have an anti-tarnish strip incorporated, to not only store jewellery protectively, but also delay tarnishing.  

Pearls are soft precious stones, which can scratch if stored with other pieces; a dust free bag is therefore the best way of storing pearls to prevent damage to them.  Other precious gemstones can be susceptible to scratching and cracking too, so it’s a good idea to keep pieces which include gemstones in separate pouches.   

If you’re at all unsure how your special pieces of jewellery should be stored, or whether they require specialist storage, the best place for advice is your local jewellery shop, where friendly help and tips will be on hand, together with a comprehensive storage range as part of the shop’s giftware collection.

Burglars Targeting Gold jewellery – are your Special Pieces Safely Insured?

In recent months there has been a rise in targeted burglaries specifically aimed at the theft of gold jewellery.  With gold values being at a record high, gold jewellery has never been more attractive to thieves; there are even reports of burglars using metal detectors to target family heirlooms.  With this worry looming over every jewellery owner, it’s time to ensure that your precious pieces are properly insured.  Ask your local independent jeweller to carry out a full valuation of your items and make sure your insurance covers them correctly. 

Who is being targeted and what for? 

Jewellery thieves are targeting anyone whom they believe to have collections of superior gold jewellery. Unfortunately, Asian families are particularly vulnerable at the moment, as, according to the Metropolitan Police, they are disproportionately being targeted for their high quality gold. Asian households account for 24 per cent of all burglaries whereby jewellery was taken, and for 16 per cent of all repeat burglaries.  

It is not unusual for Asian families to have large quantities of Indian gold which may have been handed down through the generations, and thieves are aware of its quality and value.  Police are warning families to be particularly vigilant during Asian festivities and family celebrations, when some communities bring large collections of family jewellery together to celebrate. It’s important therefore to make sure that your jewellery is properly protected, and a valuation at a local jewellery shop is often the first step towards keeping your pieces safe. 

How can you keep your jewellery safe? 

Police are advising jewellery owners that one of the easiest measures to keep your jewellery safe – or at least reunite it with you, should the worst happen – is to use a specialist property marking solution on your pieces.   

A number of companies produce unique identifying markers which are then registered to the piece’s owner. The solution is invisible to the naked eye, only being visible under UV light, so it does not affect a piece’s appearance or value.  

It’s also important to have your pieces adequately insured; household insurance doesn’t always cover the full value of pieces, and you may need to either expressly declare certain high-value items on your household insurance, or take out specific jewellery insurance.  Either way, you are likely to need a valuation, which can be carried out by a local jeweller.  

What do you need to do to satisfy your insurance criteria? 

When insuring your pieces, you’ll often find that you need to satisfy certain criteria.  This may include having your jewellery valued, which can be undertaken by your local independent jeweller.  This will ensure that you are insuring your piece for the correct value, should the worst happen; of course, it’s awful losing a treasured piece of jewellery due to the sentimentality attached to it, but it would be worse to have the double blow of not being insured to the full value.   

Your pieces should also be documented photographically so that pieces can be recreated if necessary; Asian jewellery in particular is often highly individual and has usually been passed down from generation to generation, so it’s important that the piece can be recreated if necessary.  It’s also important to check any special terms of your insurance policy – for example, do you need to keep your pieces in a safe or bank when they’re not being worn?  With jewellery thieves being so specific in targeting gold pieces, it’s important that your special items are adequately insured, and your local independent jeweller can help you protect your property.

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Source: Metropolitan Police: http://content.met.police.uk/News/MPS-launch-operation-to-target-gold-crime-across-the-capital/1400019851427/1257246741786 , last viewed 06/10/2013.

Simple Jewellery Care Tips from Your Local Independent Jeweller

Jewellery should most definitely be worn to be seen. But obviously some precious pieces are more delicate than others, and all jewellery may be susceptible to wear and tear over time.  To protect your jewellery from everyday weathering that may occur, there are some simple tips that are easy to carry out.  Here, your local independent jeweller gives you their best jewellery care advice:

The importance of good storage

When you’re not wearing your jewellery, you should make sure that it is correctly stored.  Make sure that you have jewellery storage solutions which include individual soft lined boxes, padded compartments and separate pouches so that you can prevent scratching, entanglement and possible chipping of stones.  Plastic zip lock bags can be purchased with an anti-tarnish strip, which not only ensure that chains do not become tangled with other chains, but also help to slow down the tarnishing process.  As part of their giftware range, your local jewellery shop will stock a variety of storage options, and it’s worth investing in a jewellery box which includes a variety of storage solutions to enable you to store your different pieces correctly.

                        

Avoid contact with household chemicals and cosmetics

It may sound like a simple piece of advice, but many people don’t realise the impact that household cleaners and the likes of perfume and hairspray have on their jewellery.  Such substances can permanently damage and discolour precious metals, and if your jewellery includes porous gemstones, the stones can absorb these chemicals, potentially causing both corrosion and discolouration of the stones.  When applying cosmetics, you should always ensure that they are completely dry before putting your jewellery on.  Should your pieces come into contact with substances they shouldn’t, remember that your local independent jeweller will offer a cleaning service and will professionally clean your jewellery in a manner which will not harm it further.

Have your jewellery checked regularly

It’s important to have your jewellery checked over by a local jeweller on a regular basis.  This could mean having the settings checked for loose stones, ensuring that clasps are still strong and do not pose a risk of loss, and getting pearls or gemstone necklaces restrung if necessary.  Jewellery can be professionally polished, and in the case of white gold pieces, you may need to have the rhodium plating replaced to bring back its original shine and silver-white appearance.  All of the above services will be offered by your local independent jeweller, so there really is no excuse for poor jewellery care.

Jewellery Trends for Autumn: Hot Off the Catwalk and Available at Your Local Jewellery Shop

As the long summer days start to draw to a close, there is a plethora of new jewellery trends on the horizon to keep the winter blues at bay.  Autumn / Winter 2013 – 2014 is all about making a splash, with statement jewellery being seen on the catwalks in abundance. Gone are the dainty days of spring and the boho-chic of summer, bold is the new beautiful this autumn, and your local independent jeweller has everything you need to bring that boldness to life!

The grunge bracelet

Designed to be worn with a trendy leather jacket and biker boots, the charm bracelet has gone grunge. OK, so maybe not a charm bracelet in the traditional sense, but grunge bracelets are all about dangling chains with motifs such as tiny skulls and intricate crosses on the end.  The charms should be multiple and clustered, and nothing too pretty or dainty; they should be gritty and tough.  That’s not to say, however, that the bracelet itself can’t have a touch of the girly about it; the base bracelet could be a string of pearls, for example, with utilitarian chains in between each pearl.  It’s quite a specific look, and therefore it might be an idea to ask your local jeweller to custom make a bracelet for you; that way, you can include any charms your grungy heart may desire!

The chain necklace

The theme of chains was everywhere on this year’s catwalk.  From huge, chunky chains that wouldn’t look out of place on an industrial padlock through to chain-link handbag shoulder straps wound round wrists, reminiscent of the 1980s.  When it comes to Autumn / Winter 2013 – 2014, bigger is always best, and chains should be practical rather than pretty.  Watch this space for chain jewellery, coming soon to your local jewellery shop.

The statement necklace

So we’ve all heard of the statement necklace before, but this season’s statement necklace is different: it’s actually about making a written statement, with a huge word strung around your neck.  From the more traditional ‘cool’, ‘love’ and ‘hope’ through to the slightly more statement-making ‘help’, anything goes.  If you’ve got a message you’d like to shout to the world, ask your local independent jeweller to custom make a piece for you.

The chandelier earring

Chandelier earrings are back with a vengeance this autumn.  Huge sparkly rocks will be dangling from our ears by Christmas time, and will be combined with another trend for autumn, the byzantine cross: we’ll all be wearing these regal crosses encrusted with gemstones as earrings shortly.  There are plenty of talking points this season, and they’re all available from your local independent jeweller.

Thanks to Durova at Wikimedia Commons for the photo.

Is Your Jewellery Safely Insured?

Our jewellery is one of the most sentimental items we own. Often given to us on special occasions, it is normally steeped in memories and love. 

So why do so many of us take risks with our jewellery protection?  In truth, many of us don’t realise that we wouldn’t be protected for loss or theft should the worst happen.  Don’t let your precious jewellery slip away: follow these simple insurance tips from your local independent jeweller.

Do you have adequate insurance?

The first and most obvious step towards protecting your jewellery is to ensure that you have adequate insurance in place.  Many people assume that their precious pieces are covered by their household contents policy, but this is often incorrect; depending on the value of the piece, you may need to get a specific jewellery insurance policy, or specify individual items as part of your contents policy.  If you’re not sure of the value of your jewellery, schedule a valuation with your local independent jeweller.

Have you satisfied your insurer’s requirements?

Given the rising cost of precious metals, an up-to-date valuation is crucial.  Not only is it important that you know the value of your jewellery so that you can put adequate cover in place for the current replacement cost, many insurers’ terms insist that you have a valuation at least once every three years.  As part of a valuation carried out at a local jewellery shop, your local jeweller will take photographs, which are often required by your insurer to put the cover in place in the first instance, and which may also be needed in order to recreate a piece should you need them to.  It’s important to speak to your insurers to see if they impose any special requirements when it comes to jewellery and watches.  For example, do you need to keep valuable pieces in a specific safe place when you’re not wearing them?  Should you have the claws and settings of pieces checked by a local independent jeweller on a regular basis?  Your insurer will tell you what is expected of you.

What should you do if the worst does happen?

If you are unfortunate enough to lose one of your precious pieces or suffer a theft, report it to the police as soon as possible.  If you are abroad, report it to the resort you are staying in and the local police, and obtain a crime reference number.  If you use a broker to arrange your insurance, they should be your first port of call; they will help you to present your claim and smooth the process between you and your insurer.  Finally, you’ll need your photos of the piece and the valuation from your local jeweller to be able to settle the claim.  Your replacement piece may not have exactly the same sentimental value as your original piece, but at least an up-to-date valuation will mean that you won’t have lost out financially.

Spiritual Sparkle: The Qualities of Precious Stones

A lot of credence is put into natural remedies nowadays, and jewellery is no exception.  Many precious stones are said to have healing powers and may therefore aid certain ailments.  If you find the healing properties of precious stones comforting, then wearing healing jewellery is an easy way to carry a precious stone with you all the time.  If you’d like to pick a piece of jewellery which could help you to feel at your best and lend you a little bit of spiritual sparkle, ask your local independent jeweller about custom designing a piece of jewellery with a particular type of healing stone set within it.  Here are the stones you should be looking out for, and how to wear them:

Stones and their qualities

Precious stones are often said to have different qualities.  For example, amber, carnelian and amethyst are said to be good all-round stones for helping the body self-heal, the likes of blue lace agate and rose quartz are calming stones, and lapis lazuli is a stress-buster.  Other stones have more specific values, such as helping you to study and aiding memory – these include sodalite and citrine – or reportedly may offer a quality such as protection, as the likes of turquoise does.  Whatever quality you’re looking for, you can use a precious stone within your jewellery to aid with your quest, and your local jewellery shop may either stock standard pieces which will be ready for you to purchase there and then, or will offer a custom made service.

How to wear healing stone jewellery

Although certain stones are said to aid certain body parts, you can actually wear precious stones of any size, and they do not need to be worn near to the body part in question, regardless of what it is being used for; it is said that the body’s energies will direct the stone’s qualities to the relevant area as needed.  This means that you can ask your local independent jeweller to make almost any type of jewellery you desire – from pendants to bracelets, rings to earrings.

Can more than one stone be worn at any given time?

As a general rule, healing stones shouldn’t be worn together, as one stone’s qualities often cancel out the other’s virtues.  Normally, healing stones should only be worn in multiples if it is the same stone worn in different types of jewellery.  Having said that, some stones are said to work well together; clear stones such as quartz or diamond reportedly amplify the healing effects of the other stone, and stones can also be worn in conjunction with each other if their qualities harmonise or have similar properties.  The best piece of advice for anyone looking to wear healing stones is to do your research, look at the different stones’ qualities, and then ask your local jeweller to construct a custom piece for you; this way you can choose stones to suit your spiritual sparkle needs.