Top 7 Favourite Jewellery Pieces
I think in my past life I must have been a magpie. Let me explain… One thing I’m notorious for, when I hit the high street, is standing outside Jeweller’s shops gawking through the window at the array of sparkling wares. I can’t help it. I see the glimmer of gold or the twinkle of a perfectly cut diamond and I’m fixated. The vast selection of jewellery available today can be quite overwhelming, there are so many different precious metals, stones, cuts, shapes and variations that it can often be difficult to identify which you like the most. Here I’ve done exactly that, picking out my top 7 favourite pieces of jewellery.
7 – Signet Rings Although they’re not always the prettiest of things to look at, I really have a deep appreciation for signet rings and their history. Signet rings date back thousands of years and were worn by people of power. The Signet was used as a seal for all manner of important documents. The seal taking the form of a ring meant that they wearer could keep it with them at all times thus avoiding counterfeiting and loss. I’m not sure that they had a firm understanding of the importance of insurance 1500 years ago!
6 – The Locket Traditionally containing a photograph or a lock of hair, the locket often holds more sentimental value to its owner than it does monetary. Filigree lockets contained small cushions on which perfume was added during the Victorian Age (a time at which personal hygiene was not of paramount importance) to mask one’s body odour. Incidentally it was during this era that lockets were most popular and have since become quite a collector’s item.
5 – Pearl Necklace Historically, pearls have been a sign of class and sophistication and the same rings true today. A wholly natural pearl is both a rate and expensive thing. The Queen of England is often pictured wearing a three strand pearl necklace, paired with button pearl earrings given to her by her Grandmother, Queen Mary.
4 – Filigree Rings It doesn’t take much to understand and appreciate the beauty and intricacies of an Edwardian Filigree Ring. The Edwardian period saw a rise in the use of diamonds, rubies and emeralds in jewellery designs. Just a quick glimpse at a filigree ring and you can imagine the painstaking process that the jeweller would have had to go through to create the complex, entwined leafy pattern of the metal. A deep red princess cut ruby, set in white gold is a feast for the eyes
3 – Emerald and Diamond Pendant One piece that I saw recently that had me peering was a 2.3 carat oval emerald pendant set in 18 karat white gold, encircled by 13 diamonds that appeared to dance in the sunlight. The depth of the brilliant green emerald was outstanding and I couldn’t help but move my head from side to side to see the diamonds glisten. As much as I would have loved to have taken it home with me, the £3,500 price tag brought about my better judgement.
2 – Charm Bracelets There’s something about charm bracelets that I find inherently… Well, charming. I love the concept of them. A charm bracelet that can be made of anything from silver, white gold or gold to something as simple as leather and then laden with charms, beads and trinkets. What often start out as a small token bracelet can soon build into a valuable and cherished collection.
1 – Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring My all-time favourite piece has to be a classic solitaire cut diamond set in white gold or platinum. Not only is it traditional, classy and elegant, it’s also just a generally stunning piece. In my opinion no other stone catches the light quite as exquisitely as a solitaire cut diamond, and when it’s mounted in white gold it’s simply breath taking. No matter what pieces you have, it’s important to ensure they’re well cared for and adequately insured in case the worst happens.
All of the above items can be insured by Assetsure. We specialise is Jewellery Insurance and have a policy that will cover single items as well as collections. If you require a jewellery insurance quote, please contact our office or complete our online form here.
