Watch Advice – Repair or Replace?

There comes a time in every watch’s life when we have to decide: should we repair it or just go ahead and replace it?  There’s often an argument that you should do whatever is the least expensive, but sometimes our heart speaks to us over our heads; what if the watch is a family heirloom, for example?  Or was a gift from someone? 

What if, you simply just like the watch you have and don’t want to change it?  Read on for some advice from a local independent jeweller as to whether you should repair or replace your watch:

External watch problems

External problems are normally the easiest to diagnose as they are obvious to the untrained eye. These problems include broken straps and cracked faces and can often easily be fixed by a local jewellery shop. 

For example, your local jeweller will stock a large range of straps to suit your taste: from leather to gold and silver, and bracelet style to metal links.  Similarly, sections of the strap, such as individual links or the clasp, can easily be repaired or replaced to make the watch as good as new.  The lugs (the metal attachments connecting the bracelet to the face) can also be rebuilt or replaced, as can worn buttons and stems on the side of the face.  If you’ve cracked the glass of your watch, fear not: your local independent jeweller should easily be able to replace the watch casing for you, and waterproof watches can even be resealed to make them water resistant again; you’ll even get a certificate to prove its water resistance depth.

Internal watch problems

A trained local independent jeweller will often be able to diagnose internal watch problems, too.  Normally, they can strip the watch down by removing the movement, taking off the hands and dial and turning the power off (either by removing the battery in a quartz watch or letting the mainspring down in a mechanical watch).  Then, your local jeweller can examine each part for wear, and can often clean them or replace them with new parts, before reassembling the watch and testing it to make sure it’s working.

Watch batteries

As obvious as it may sound, sometimes all it takes is replacing the battery.  Your local jewellery shop will happily help with this, and will stock a variety of watch battery types, taking the utmost care and attention when replacing it.  Your watch will be as good as new in no time!

The Charm is in the Charm Bracelet

Charm bracelets are extremely popular and fashionable right now and make excellent gifts.  But there’s a lot of choice out there, so it’s important to know you’re making the right decision.  Your local independent jeweller is a great place to start when it comes to charm bracelet advice – and they’ll also have a variety of different styles in stock to help you get it right, too!

Hanging charms

Charm bracelets have moved on a lot from the days when you needed to take each individual charm to your local jewellery shop to be fixed onto the bracelet.  What’s more, once the old fashioned hanging charms had been fixed onto the bracelet by a local jeweller, they stayed there, too. 

Nowadays, charms have little clasps attached which means that they can either be fastened to bracelets which have large links, or to ‘sweetie’ style bracelets, and can be moved about as you add to your collection or simply fancy a change.  Your local jeweller will stock both types, so you can compare the two and see which you prefer.  And if you have any of the old-style charms which need to be fixed to a bracelet, your local independent jeweller will still be able to help with this too – just pop along to your local jewellery shop, and they’ll attach them for you!

Bead charms

Bead charms are exactly as they sound – large metal, precious-stone or glass beads which can be threaded onto silver, gold or leather ‘snake’ style bracelets.  They still feature a variety of designs – from animals to plants, buildings to vehicles and even coloured beads – but each charm has a hole through the middle to allow it to be strung onto a bracelet bead-style. The Kit Heath charm bracelet range is a popular choice, stocked by your local independent jeweller.  Kit’s sterling silver range features elongated beads inspired by the seaside and nature – you might find some looking like the jaunty deckchairs you often get at British seaside resorts, pretty pebbles and shells, or even a Union Jack!

Ready-made charm bracelets

If you want to get your collection off to a good start, or want to give a gift which features more than one charm, your local jewellery shop will offer ready-made collections. 

Most makes of charm bracelet will offer bracelets with two or three complementing charms included; these often have a theme, so if you’re buying a birthday or anniversary gift, for example, you may be able to buy a charm bracelet which is relevant to the occasion.  Similarly, if you want a memento of a special holiday, you should be able to find you a set of charms to reflect the holiday destination; just ask your local independent jeweller, and they’ll be able to help you find what you’re looking for!

Gift Ideas for your Office Colleagues

Anyone who’s ever worked in a team will know the scenario: someone in the office has an occasion coming up, be it a wedding, a new baby, however many years of service to the company, or they may be leaving the firm; everyone’s chipped in to the collection, and now the question arises, “What do we get them?!”. Well, have you ever thought about popping along to your local jewellery shop for inspiration? You’ll be surprised at how many office occasions your local jeweller can cater for!

Long-standing service gifts

Many companies show their appreciation for long standing service by giving the employee a gift.  If you’ve been tasked with the challenge of finding such a present for someone in the office, don’t rule out your local jeweller.  Your local jewellery shop will stock giftware as well as jewellery; how about a collectable porcelain figurine, for example?  There is also the option of both men’s and women’s watches, with many different styles to choose from.

Maternity leave gifts

It’s often the case that an office whip round will create more funds than is needed for a simple baby outfit, and if you’re looking for something a bit more substantial as a new baby gift, why not think about buying a piece of children’s jewellery? Your local jewellery shop will offer items such as baby bracelets.  Alternatively, if you’d like to buy the mum-to-be a gift for herself, photo frames from your local jeweller make a lovely gift, particularly as they can pop a photo of their bundle of joy inside when he or she arrives.

Wedding gifts

If one of the team is getting married, and you want to buy the happy couple something stylish for their home, remember that clocks, figurines and photo frames will be available from your local independent jeweller – you’ll be able to find something to suit every newlywed’s taste!

Leaving gifts

If someone’s leaving your company, a great gift is an item to keep to remember you all by.  Jewellery is a great option as a keepsake gift: if the person in question has a charm bracelet, for example, why not check out the range of charms at your local jewellery shop, possibly even choosing a charm relevant to your industry?  Alternatively, if you’ve all contributed to the collection and have a sizable sum, think about buying a beautiful pearl or diamond necklace for a female colleague, or cufflinks if it’s one of the gents in your office that’s leaving.  These gifts are something that they wouldn’t necessarily buy for themselves, but will remind them fondly of the company each time they wear them – and they’re all available from your local independent jeweller.

Pearls of Wisdom: How to Choose a Set of Pearls to Suit You

Pearls have seen a revival in popularity in recent years, and with the many different types of pearls available meaning that they can be worn with any outfit, it’s easy to see why. But if you’re going to invest in a set of pearls, you need to make sure you’re choosing wisely. And where’s the best place to turn for such advice? Your local independent jeweller of course!

Where do pearls come from? 

Pearls are hard objects which are produced within the shell of a living mollusc.  A pearl is formed from calcium carbonate, just like the mollusc’s shell, which has been deposited in concentric layers. 

The most valuable pearls occur naturally in the wild, but these are extremely rare.  Similarly, perfectly spherical pearls are also particularly valuable.  Therefore, cultured or farmed pearls from pearl oysters usually make up the majority of those which will be sold in your local jewellery shop.  As the names suggest, freshwater and saltwater pearls come from different sources from around the world – your local jeweller will explain the differences in pearls coming from each of the sources.

What shapes of pearl are available?

As already mentioned, the most valuable type of pearl is that which is perfectly spherical.  However, these are very rare.  The term ‘off-round’ is therefore used to describe pearls which appear to be quite round to the eye but have a slightly oval or flattened shape.  These can still be used to create beautiful jewellery, and your local independent jeweller will be able to advise on how to use these pearls, with the usual uses being either a necklace or earrings. 

Your local jeweller may also stock pearls which are oval in shape (or rice pearls, as they’re also known), used to create very delicate looking jewellery, baroque pearls (often the valuable natural pearls which are off-round or irregular shaped, perhaps with a ‘tail’ on one side), or even jewellery made from Keishi Pearls, which are accidents of nature created when the mollusc rejects the nucleus of the pearl and grows a free-form shape, resulting in very unusual and interesting jewellery.

What colours do pearls come in?

One of the great things about pearls is the fact that they come in a variety of colours.  As well as the well known white or ivory coloured pearls, ask your local independent jeweller about the other colours available. Natural freshwater pearls only occur in three colours: pink, white and lavender, but can be dyed to give them a darker shade.  Saltwater pearls come in varying shades from silver, gray, yellow, golden and even a dark grey verging on black, depending on where they come from.

I have an old set of pearls.  Will my local jeweller be able to restring them?

Yes, if you have an old set of pearls, take them along to your local jewellery shop where your local jeweller will be able to advise on restringing them and often be able to do the job for you on site. This is a great way of reviving an heirloom or vintage piece of jewellery. As pearls are so fashionable at the moment, it’s well worth investing in getting such beautiful items looking their best!

A Cuff Above: The Beauty of Bespoke Cufflinks

When it comes to accessories for the young fashionable gent, cufflinks are seeing a resurgence in popularity.  Not only do they bring a certain je ne sais quoi to a smart work or occasion wear outfit, but they can also be an expression of the wearer’s individual personality. 

Similarly, if you’re buying a gift for the man in your life, what better way is there to give them something really personal and which will be kept for a lifetime than to buy them a bespoke set of cufflinks from your local independent jeweller?  Your local jewellery shop will be able to advise further on cufflinks, but here’s why we can’t get enough of them:

Origins of cufflinks

The ruffle-cuffed shirts of the 16^th century are where cufflinks can be traced back to as these were finished with small openings on either side of the wristband which were tied together with ‘cuff strings’.  Then, during the reign of Louis XIV, shirt sleeves started to be fastened with boutons de manchette, or ‘sleeve buttons’ which consisted of coloured glass buttons jointed together by a short chain. 

By 1715, this had given way to paste-glass buttons consisting of two decoratively painted or jewelled studs connected by gold links, thus giving birth to the modern format of the cufflink. Your local jeweller will be able to recreate such a traditional cufflink if required, or, if you’re after a more modern look, why not look below for inspiration?

Unusual cufflink ideas

Your local jewellery shop will stock a variety of cufflinks, of course.  But if you’re after some inspiration, how about trying some of these ideas on for size?  How about having a map of somewhere meaningful shrunk to fit a small cufflink frame?  Or have cufflinks made from tiny watch faces?  Cufflinks can also be made from Scrabble tiles, Lego bricks and even Rubix Cubes, so if you want something to remind you of childhood days gone by, these are a good choice. 

Lucky dice could be given to the man that likes to take a gamble, whereas silver cufflinks imprinted with a baby’s fingerprint make a lovely gift for a new father. A local jeweller will be able to help you to find something which exactly matches the personality involved!

Bespoke cufflinks

Remember that your local independent jeweller will be able to create some bespoke cufflinks just for you or your recipient.  These could be anything that takes your fancy, from links shaped like musical notes through to cufflinks designed to look like egg timers or even spirit levels!  Similarly, if you’ve got some antique cufflinks which have been passed down to you, why not ask your local independent jeweller to give them a spruce up or a fix?  This will give them a new lease of life, allowing you to wear a sentimental piece of jewellery again.  The only limit is your imagination when it comes to cufflinks, just ask your local jeweller!

Jewellery with Meaning: How to Give a Gift with Significance

There’s a reason that jewellery is often given as a special gift: it’s a gift that people treasure as special and sentimental.  But have you ever thought about the meaning behind the piece of jewellery you’re giving?  Or indeed, the reason that you’re giving jewellery to the recipient?  There is actually a lot of symbolism and significance in jewellery, so here’s a guide to picking the perfect gift with meaning from your local independent jeweller:

Jewellery for the jet-set

If you know someone that’s going travelling and you want to buy them something to say ‘bon voyage’, why not give them a classic St. Christopher medallion?  St. Christopher is said to protect travellers, and your local jeweller will stock these pendants in both gold and silver to suit both tastes.  If you would rather take a modern twist on this, colours have very significant meanings in jewellery, and turquoise is also said to protect those on their travels, so why not pop down to your local jewellery shop and ask if they are able to supply you with a turquoise piece of jewellery?

Jewellery for mothers

Did you know that moonstone is said to protect a woman’s health?  And that it symbolises a nurturing nature?  So if you’re looking for a unique gift for a new mother or for your own mum’s birthday, jewellery from your local jeweller featuring moonstone is perfect!  As a slightly different take on this, why not ask your local independent jeweller for jewellery featuring the birthstones of the mother’s children?  The thought and personal meaning behind such a gift will make it a really special choice.

Jewellery for friends

The symbol of clasped hands within jewellery has long been a sign of friendship.  Rings consisting of two hands holding a heart have long been used in Celtic jewellery, and can today be found at your local jewellery shop in gold, white gold and silver.  Indeed, why not express your friendship with a bespoke friendship ring?  A local jeweller will be able to set the heart with your friend’s birthstone to create a really personal touch!

Jewellery for new starts

If you know someone that’s maybe been through a difficult time of late, has been ill, or is looking to make a new start, a piece of jewellery incorporating a butterfly design is a subtle nod to their faith and new beginning.  A butterfly design is not only pretty and intricate when set in jewellery, but it also symbolises resurrection, as a beautiful butterfly emerges from a chrysalis.  Your local independent jeweller will be able to advise on which design will suit the recipient best, and your gift will inspire hope and faith and will become really significant to the recipient. 

Easy care solutions for silver, gold and diamond jewellery

Our jewellery is an investment, as well as having sentimental value.  Therefore, it’s important that we look after our jewellery properly. Remember that your local independent jeweller will always help you to restore a tarnished or broken piece of jewellery to its former glory, but it’s also important that we look after our jewellery at home too.  Here are some easy care solutions for silver, gold and diamond pieces to help you to keep your jewellery looking tip top:

Silver jewellery

Silver jewellery is prone to tarnishing as, as a natural metal, it reacts with the environment it’s in.  To prevent silver from tarnishing, it can be cleaned using a phosphate-free detergent or non-abrasive jewellery cleaning cloth. Similarly, wearing your silver jewellery often actually prevents it from tarnishing, providing that you keep it free from, among other things, household chemicals, perfumes, hair products, cosmetics and chlorinated water. 

If you have mildly tarnished silver jewellery, you can clean it using a silver dip, but you must be careful, as these dips can remove the colour and polish from gemstones; it may be best to have any jewellery which features stones professionally cleaned by your local jeweller.  Similarly, if the tarnish starts to turn from yellowy brown to black, it’s time to take it to your local jewellery shop to be cleaned rather than attempting an amateur clean at home.

Gold jewellery

Gold is the softest of the precious metals, and therefore it should always be stored separately from other types of metal jewellery, and should only be cleaned using warm water and cotton wool. 

White gold jewellery is coated with a thin layer of Rhodium to enhance its ‘whiteness’.  With time, this Rhodium coating will wear thin and expose the gold alloy underneath, and therefore you will need to take your white gold jewellery to your local jeweller to have the rhodium coating reapplied.

Diamond jewellery

One of the most important aspects of looking after diamond jewellery is to be vigilant towards loose settings, particularly for pieces such as engagement rings with just two claws holding your diamond in place. If you notice a loose setting, stop wearing the piece and take it along to your local independent jeweller as soon as possible, storing it in a safe place until that time – they will be able to either tighten the setting or reset the stone completely.  It is also recommended that you have your local jeweller check the setting regularly, preferably once a year. 

Like other jewellery, diamonds become soiled, smudged and dusty over time through the use of lotions, soaps and the natural oils in your skin.  You can clean them using a warm soapy detergent solution and a soft brush, but be sure to use a cleaner which is chlorine-free. Pat your jewellery dry afterwards with a soft, lint free cloth. Your local independent jeweller will also be able to clean your diamond jewellery using an ultrasonic cleaner, and will have your pieces back to their sparkling self in no time!