Pearl Stringing: How to Maintain and Bring Pearl Jewellery Back to Life

Pearl jewellery is a lifetime investment, often passed from one generation to the next, worn on wedding days and important occasions, and loved by both young women and those of a more mature disposition alike.  Yet pearls often languish in a forgotten drawer for one very good reason: their string has seen better days, and has either broken completely or is on the verge of breaking.  This shouldn’t stop you from wearing your treasured jewellery, however: pearl restringing is an easy process carried out at your local jewellery shop, and doesn’t just repair broken jewellery, it also maintains it before it breaks.

Pearl stringing for maintenance

As products of nature, pearls are subject to becoming worn and tired over time.  Pearls should be strung with a small, closely tied knot between each pearl to minimise wear and stop them rubbing against each other, yet still giving your necklace or bracelet maximum flexibility when worn. This method also helps to stop pearl loss if the strand were to break, as it prevents all of the pearls from falling off.  Over time, dirt and grease can work their way between the pearls and weaken the thread they are strung on, which can cause the string to snap; if you do wear your pearls often, having them restrung periodically, say once every year, by your local independent jeweller ensures that your special necklace or bracelet is maintained and less likely to break.

Pearl stringing for breakages

If the worst does happen and the thread which holds your precious pearls does snap, fear not: your local jeweller will be able to restring your pearls using the knotting method.  The necklace can also be guarded against future breakage by asking your local jeweller to use a slightly stronger thread than that which was previously used.  What’s more, your local jewellery shop will also hold stocks of loose pearls, allowing your local jeweller to match existing pearls should a pearl be lost; alternatively, if a necklace needs extending, the loose pearls can be used to do so.  Your local independent jeweller will also be able to fix broken clasps, should this be required.

Pearl stringing: not just for pearls!

Don’t forget that, despite the name, pearl stringing isn’t just for pearls: if you have any precious gemstone or glass bead jewellery, the same principles as pearl stringing can be applied to maintain and repair your beautiful pieces; pearl stringing at your local jewellery shop will allow you to enjoy your jewellery for many years to come!

Looking for Quality, Style and Great Design? Sekonda and Tianguis Jackson are Brands to Watch!

If you’re in the market for a new piece of jewellery or are looking for a new watch, there’s plenty of choice to be had.  But it you’re looking for quality, combined with a streak of style and excellent design, then there’s two brands to keep your eye on: Sekonda and Tianguis Jackson.  Both collections are high in style and workmanship, and both are available at your local independent jeweller.

Tianguis Jackson jewellery: specialists in sterling silver

For high quality, sterling silver jewellery, look no further than Tianguis Jackson jewellery, stocked by your local jewellery shop.  Having been established in 1993, the collection is diverse, but manages to combine contemporary designs looks with high quality workmanship.  It brings the best of Mexican jewellery to the UK, with the team travelling regularly to Mexico and other parts of South America, a continent long associated with its passion for silver jewellery, to bring the best in unique sterling silver jewellery and giftware designs to your local jewellery shop.  If you’re looking for a beautiful piece of jewellery, either for you or as a gift, then you’re bound to find what you’re after within the Tianguis Jackson collection: stackable rings, pendants inspired by nature and simple, contemporary tie pins are just a few pieces you’ll find within the range.

Classic Sekonda: for him and her

A special watch is something to treasure, an investment for the future.  Whether you’re buying a watch for yourself or as a gift, the Sekonda range is a great place to start.  For more classic tastes, the traditional Sekonda collection offers a wide selection of ladies’ and gents’ watches, including pocket-watches, which make for wonderful gifts for special occasions.   There is also an excellent choice of gold and silver watches with a variety of bracelets and straps, including leather straps in a range of colours.  For ladies, both traditional and bracelet-style watches are available, encrusted with sparkling stones and mother of pearl.  And all of this is available from your local independent jeweller!

Contemporary Sekonda: something for everyone!

If you’re after something a little bit different, particularly if you’re looking for a gift for someone with particular tastes, needs or sense of style, then Sekonda offers a great range of collections within its brand; the Crystalla collection of watches, for example, are young and on trend, with sparkling bracelets of round crystals in a range of colours, whereas the Xpose range is an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys sports or outdoor pursuits, being durable and water resistant.  What’s more, your local jeweller will also stock Sekonda’s Seksy collection of beautiful, contemporary bracelet-style watches and the youthful, coloured watches in the Partytime range, which are excellent value for money.  With so many options available, you’ll be spoilt for choice!

Bring Back the Shine to Your White Gold Jewellery with Rhodium Plating

White gold jewellery is extremely popular right now, offering a good compromise between the quality of gold and the fashionable look of silver.  However, after a while, you may find that your white gold is looking a little lacklustre; this is due to the fact that, when it comes to white gold, not all that glitters is actually gold – it’s a plating of rhodium on top of the white gold that gives it its silver-white colour.  And what’s more, any white gold which has lost its sparkle can be easily brought back to life, with a little rhodium plating, a service offered by your local independent jeweller.

How is white gold created?

All gold is naturally yellow in colour, and can then be fashioned into other colours, such as white gold or rose gold, but adding a layer of a different metal on top. Rhodium is a brilliant white coloured metal which is added to gold to create the fashionable silver colour.  The rhodium plating is only part of the white gold’s colour, however, and it’s important when buying white gold that you enquire about the alloy mixed with the white gold to create its colour; palladium is the best alloy for use with white gold, and as all white gold is graded, from 1 being the best to 4 being the worst, your local jeweller will be able to advise whether or not your ring will need rhodium plating often in the future.

The Rhodium Plating process

If your white gold jewellery does need rhodium plating after a while, don’t despair: it is a quick, simple process which is not only relatively inexpensive, but will also be available at your local jewellery shop. How often you need your white gold jewellery, particularly rings, re-rhodium plated is dependent on the quality of the gold and the general wear and tear inflicted on the piece – for example, if you are employed in a manual occupation, it’s likely that you’ll need your white gold ring rhodium plated more frequently than someone in a non-manual position; your localindependent jeweller will be able to advise on how often you will need the metal treated.  Rhodium plating also involves polishing out all of the scratches your jewellery may have incurred, so your piece really will be as good as new again!

Rhodium plating: carried out on the premises of your local jewellery shop

Rhodium plating is a straightforward process which can be carried out quickly by a trained jeweller.  When submitting your jewellery to be re-plated, enquire as to whether the plating will be carried out on site; your local jewellery shop will carry out rhodium plating on site, but you should be aware that some jewellery chains send off jewellery for plating, putting it at risk of being lost in transit.  What’s more, when rhodium plating is carried out by a local independent jeweller, your jewellery will be back in your own hands and shining away in no time, which, if the piece in question is a treasured engagement, wedding or eternity ring not normally removed from your finger, is very reassuring for you as a client.