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Fine Jewellery for a Truly Special Occasion

Traditionally, an engagement ring, like a wedding ring is an item of fine jewellery that is going to be worn on a daily basis by the majority of their owners. For this reason it is vital that the ring is liked by the wearer, it is not an occasional piece of jewellery that can be hidden away when not in use, it is something she will have to look at everyday so needs to be the perfect choice.

Selecting the perfect engagement ring is not an easy task, there are so many different styles and settings available, and also you have to take personal taste into consideration, it needs to be something the woman will enjoy looking at forever, I think for a man this is extremely difficult, while they may share their lives together, they may not share the same taste. For a woman an engagement ring is something she wants to show off to everyone, it is a symbol of their love and ongoing commitment to each other, and no woman wants to show off something she absolutely hates the sight of!

For me the actual “event” of ring shopping together, was a very special and romantic experience and I think many women feel the same way, you have your partners undivided attention, and you can try on as many rings as you like in various shops until you find “THE” one, the one you will be happy to look at on your hand every day. I feel if I had been told to go and choose it myself, then it would not have had the same impact, I would have felt he was disinterested and couldn’t be bothered, it would have lost all the romance of the occasion. On the other hand if he had chosen it as a surprise, for a romantic proposal, I can almost guarantee it would not have been something I liked, and I would have again felt a little deflated as I would have been expected to wear it regardless, in order to not hurt his feelings at his heartfelt gesture.

One way round a surprise proposal, may be for the man to select an inexpensive ring for the event, but to tell his then fiancée that they can go ring shopping together for the real one. That way they both get what they want, he the magic of the surprise proposal and she get the ring of her choice. Or maybe to ask the advice of his girlfriend’s best friend or mother, somebody who knows her true likes and dislikes, so he does not show up with a white elephant. If the proposal is something that has already been discussed together, but not actually happened, then perhaps they could go window shopping together, the woman could point out a variety of styles and price ranges and the gentleman could return at a later date to make the actual selection, safe in the knowledge that it is an engagement ring she truly likes and that is is a fabulous prelude to the wedding day.

Ultimately, I do not feel either party should select an engagement ring without consulting their partner, it is definitely too risky for a man to choose a ring alone for the woman in his life. While he may be a romantic at heart, he does not want to saddle his bride to be, with a piece of fine jewellery that she dislikes but has to wear every day for the rest of her life. If on the other hand the woman is sent to select a ring alone, while it will be a ring she loves, there is no special occasion, and he is sending a message that she is not worth the effort of a romantic gesture.

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Put That Special Touch on Your Clothing with Stylish Jewellery

Jewellery is one of those things that we barely think about; we plan our clothes for a day at the office, at home or for special occasions, but jewellery is the very last thing we think of.

There is so much available these days, from the very expensive gem-studded gold and silver items for sale in the jeweller’s shop, to the cheapest pair of earrings from the local supermarket, and there is something to suit every occasion and, more importantly, every purse.

The little black dress can be worn with simple diamond studded earrings and a matching necklace, but will look equally stunning worn with something very elaborate in gold and precious stones, or something a little more understated in silver.

For more casual outfits and office wear, those same simple diamond studs can add an air of sophistication without being too flashy, but there is a huge range of really colourful eye-catching jewellery available which can be worn with most outfits. Everywhere you see jewellery on sale you will find very different styles, from heavy ethnic items which look great with bohemian clothes but can also be worn with a simple white t-shirt and jeans, to delicate necklaces and bracelets with coloured stones, which look every bit as good as their precious counterparts. I think jewellery should always be worn, even if you are planning a lazy day at home – it always adds that little extra fizz to an outfit and shows that you take care of the smallest detail.

Jewellery can transform almost any outfit and these days there is a huge variety to choose from. One of the best things about the jewellery available in the shops today is that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to purchase something that will not only enhance an outfit, but will also make you feel good wearing it.

For special occasions such as weddings, dinner parties or evenings at the theatre, you can choose to wear expensive items if you can afford them, but you can also buy cheaper pieces which look just as good.  Many people own expensive or antique jewellery but are afraid to wear it in case they lose it, and it is possible to have copies made which look as good as the real thing. The materials used for cheaper jewellery nowadays are of excellent quality.

A lot of women own some jewellery of high value and love an occasion to show it off. It’s sad when something precious spends most of its time hidden away in a jewellery box or a safety deposit box. I think it should be worn whenever the opportunity presents itself and not just for that very special occasion.

These days jewellery is sold in a lot of different retail stores. I have seen earrings retailing in a supermarket at £1.50 for five pairs of differently-coloured mock diamond studs and I would challenge anyone to be absolutely sure they could tell the difference between them or those available from a bespoke jeweller. Of course, for something special, or as a gift to a loved one, there’s no better place to buy than a jeweller’s shop, but, when funds are limited, try your local boutique or even the supermarket. You are sure to find something within your price range.  The good thing about buying cheaper low-value jewellery is that, even if you are on a very limited income, you can still own some pieces which will make even your simplest outfit look great. The real bonus is that you won’t have to insure them or panic when you lose any of them

Jewellery is an essential part of a women’s wardrobe; a favourite piece it can become her ‘signature’ in the same way that perfume can and there is nothing more rewarding, when getting dressed up in your best outfit, than adding that final touch knowing that you have done justice to the clothes and to yourself.  Jewellery, however much or little it costs, really does add sparkle to an outfit.

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Expensive Jewellery Is Not For Me!

Ah, the joys of planning a wedding! So many things to think about: the venue, the guests, the date, the cake and, of course, the bride. In fact, she gets a whole list of worries all to herself. Who is going to be her bridesmaid? What dress will she wear? How will she style her hair? But, I’ll be honest; I’ve never considered the choice of jewellery as another bridal worry.

I’ll admit I’m not the most traditional person out there. In fact, the idea of a white wedding makes me come over all sweaty and a little bit nauseous. So the question of how much I would spend on bridal jewellery is a simple one – not a lot. Don’t get me wrong, I love jewellery but I would much prefer to wear something that perhaps belongs to my mother or grandmother than go out and spend an extortionate amount on a new piece for the day. Sentimental value far outweighs actual value, as far as I’m concerned.

It just seems like yet another excuse to spend money and, bearing in mind today’s climate of easy debt and high interest payments, spending a lot of money on something that is not entirely necessary just seems a bit stupid. I would rather spend a little on the dress, shoes, hair etc for the big day and have a lot more to put towards a wonderful honeymoon. For me, it’s all about priorities and, unfortunately, bridal jewellery is not one of them!

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Bridal Jewellery and How Much You Should Spend

Buying jewellery for what might be the most important day of your life won’t always be easy, especially when trying to decide how much to spend, but there are a few points you should always consider.

Never spend what you know you cannot afford. While wedding is your big day, you don’t want to be worrying about how you’re going to pay off debts while you’re on your honeymoon!

Shop around. You might find a piece you like and have your heart set on it, but often the same piece or one very similar can be found for much cheaper. Leave plenty of time to shop so you have time to compare prices. The internet can be really helpful in searching for great deals.

Try to find jewellery you would love to wear again, especially if you’re stretching your budget when buying certain pieces. It’s not worth spending a large portion of your budget on a piece that you will likely only wear for a few hours. Think about the future and shop for jewellery you can wear again and again!