So you have decided to propose! Congratulations! The first big decision is usually the ring. It is traditional to surprise your partner with a ring you have chosen and the most common way of getting this ring is through shopping either online or in a jewellery shop. These can be terrifying places for people with little knowledge about jewellery. After … Read More
How to choose your wedding ring (for men)
Nine times out ten, when meeting a man who is in the planning stage of his wedding ring, there is a sense of trepidation about him. This is completely understandable as the vast majority of men have not worn a ring before, making it feel like alien territory. ‘Hard sale’ experiences on the high street can leave you feeling confused, … Read More
How to choose your wedding ring (for women)
In my experience, designing wedding rings for women is often a simpler job than it is for men. This is because the design is usually somewhat dictated by the engagement ring. The other difference is that the majority of women have worn jewellery before and therefore have an idea of their taste and style. However, regardless of this, it can … Read More
Diamond Education: The 4 C’s
When choosing a diamond, the first things you will need to decide upon are the cut (shape) and your budget. If you’re opting for a white diamond, there are four things a good jeweller will discuss with you when giving you your stone options, collectively known as the Four C’s. But before we go into these four characteristics, you’ll need … Read More
White Metals: Part One – Silver
So you’re thinking about purchasing a special piece of jewellery. You’ve started to take note of the jewellery the recipient already wears and through that research you’ve come to the conclusion that they like silver coloured metals best. You’ve gazed at several jewellers’ dazzling window displays, and you’re now totally baffled by the range of sparkly white metal pieces that … Read More
White Metals: Part Three – Platinum and Palladium
Platinum: the most expensive of the precious metals. But what is it about this precious metal that makes it stand out from the crowd? And how does it differ to Palladium, one of its sibling metals? I hope to answer all these questions and more in this article all about Platinum and Palladium, the final piece of my third part … Read More
White Metals: Part Two – White Gold
White gold is a very common choice for jewellery – especially engagement and wedding rings. White gold was originally developed to give a cheaper alternative to Platinum which became very fashionable in the 1920s, and so white gold has often seemed its poor relation. Although its natural colour is warmer than the cold white of Platinum, white gold is normally … Read More
Diamond Shapes
When it comes to choosing a diamond for a piece of jewellery, the first decision you’ll need to make is its shape. The shape of a diamond means more than simply the outline shape of the stone. Each cut has a totally different number, shape and positioning of facets. These variations can have a real impact on sparkle and how … Read More
Why white gold should not be Rhodium plated
White gold is one of my favourite precious metals and is still a popular choice for bespoke jewellery. However, I worry it is often chosen as a budget white metal option as opposed to Platinum rather than being selected for its own merit. This is because white gold is traditionally Rhodium plated; what you see in jeweller’s windows is actually … Read More