Vintage jewellery UK

A Life in Jewels: Favourite Pieces from My Collection

I’ve always loved jewellery. The right jewels can lift your mood, make your outfit look more glamorous, as well as showcasing your personality. Over the years I’ve found that it serves as an interesting conversation starter and in my personal opinion, jewellery is one of the perfect ways to preserve special memories and moments throughout your life. I have quite a large collection of jewels which I've acquired over the years. An extensive mix of vintage pieces, costume jewellery, classic jewels, and contemporary items. I often get asked about my jewellery, so I thought I would put together this post on my favourite pieces from my collection. 

a life in jewels


Tiffany & Co.


You can't have a jewellery post without mentioning the founders of the Little Blue Box! Ever since I watched Breakfast at Tiffany's, I have simply adored Tiffany & Co. as a brand. It's simple, elegant and timeless! Currently, I own three items from Tiffany & Co.: a key necklace, oval hoop earrings, and the classic heart shaped stud earrings.
 
tiffany & co jewellery

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Carrie Elizabeth Engraved Initial Locket


This is one of the newest additions to my collection and I just love it! I have always loved lockets but wanted one that was a little more discrete and subtle. This one has an engraved "L" on one side and a diamond on the other side. It's a very versatile piece in the way that you can dress it up to make it look very elegant and high-end or layer it with other chains to appear on-trend and more casual.
Carrie Elizabeth locket

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Silver Engraved Locket


This is my oldest locket to which I added the ballet slippers. The engraved detail on the outside is really pretty and I like how the silver has matured over the years but still looks tidy and well maintained. This oval locket is the ideal family-sized locket, making it the perfect option for those who want to use their locket for storing photos. You can find a similar locket here.


Silver Engraved Locket
 

Audrey Hepburn Earrings


Pearl earrings are a true classic but what's great about these is how the Audrey Hepburn makes them easier to wear if you're looking for something with more of a youthful feel. Shop Audrey Hepburn earrings here.


audrey hepburn earrings

Pearl Necklace


This faux pearl necklace is a high quality faux version by the vintage brand Pompadour. Having seen real pearl necklaces, I've realised just what a fantastic faux pearl option this really is! Not everybody agrees with the use of real pearls in jewellery due to ethical reasons, but not only that they are very difficult to take care of too. That being said, not all faux pearls look tasteful or elegant - they look cheap. However, a pearl (or pearl effect) necklace is a classic item of jewellery that you can wear time and time again. I'd recommend investing in something that looks authentic and of decent quality and it will be your best friend for life! 


Pompadour Pearl Necklace
 

Rings

A Life in Jewels: Favourite Pieces from My Collection

My favourite type of jewellery has to be rings! They vary in size and there are endless designs to choose from. I've been lucky to inherit some beautiful high quality, antique rings dating back to the 1800's, which I blame for my incredibly high standards when it comes to buying and choosing rings.

large sapphire and diamond ring

This beautiful dark sapphire and diamond ring is the latest piece in my collection, purchased from a beautiful jewellery boutique - Loup Vintage Jewels.

"Loup Vintage Jewels is a female founded and run business that specialises in vintage, antique and pre-loved rings. They’re beautiful, joyous and romantic, and designed to make our customers feel GOOD.
You can wear our rings with pride, treasure them and then pass them on to a future generation and be assured that your piece of pre-loved treasure is more ethical and better for the planet than buying new.
As part of our commitment to the plant, for every ring we sell we plant a tree (through Ecologi) and we also pack our rings in recyclable and FSC certified eco friendly boxes.  
We only pick the pieces that we love and look for solid gold (no plating or ‘vermeil’ here!) and precious and semi- precious stones. We love pieces that are alive with history, glamour or a beautiful story." 

 

I love brands like this! Purchasing vintage jewellery is an excellent way to acquire a new, quality piece of jewellery in a more ethical way.

Many of my rings are antiques which I have inherited or carefully sourced because I prefer the quality you get with vintage rings. However, in recent years I have purchased a couple of modern day silver and rose gold vermeil pieces which are a nice change from my elegantly-matured vintage pieces, but also look fantastic when stacked together.

 

sapphire ring



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CREATING CARTIER: THE FAMILY BEHIND THE BRAND - INTERVIEW WITH FRANCESCA CARTIER BRICKELL

IN CONVERSATION WITH ANTIQUE AND VINTAGE JEWELLERY EXPERT - ALISTAIR ZELLEY OF ZELLEY NORWICH