Showing posts with label Jewellery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jewellery. Show all posts

Wednesday 20 May 2020

A Pendant for the Traveller in You



If you’re day-dreaming about dipping croissants in coffee in Paris, or drinking Aperol Spritz in the Piazza in Capri, I’ve found your new necklace. It’s the perfect accessory for the wanderlust traveller planning their first post-pandemic trip. 


Designed by Alex Monroe, this Hot Air Balloon pendant celebrates the joy of adventure and the anticipation of unbridled movement. It comes in 18 carat gold or silver, and it's the exact antithesis of lockdown. 

Where do you want to go as soon as we can travel again? Personally I can’t wait to go back to the colourful waterways of Venice, or the vineyards of the western Cape; I can almost taste the crisp white wine and salty olives. 

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Monday 18 May 2020

Colourful Engagement Rings You'll Want to Wear Forever


Suzanne Kalan Firework Collection
Coloured stones continue to rock the jewellery market, as couples look for original choices for their engagement ring. A simple diamond solitaire might be a classic, but it doesn't say much about your personality.

Cost-wise, emeralds and rubies now cost nearly as much as diamonds, but if you're happy to consider a semi-precious stone, you can get more bang for your buck, without compromising on look.

We love the trend for rainbow rings, particularly as they've become an expression of hope and certainty for a brighter future during the pandemic. Take a look at these beauties from our favourite boutiques.

Rainbow Stardust Ring by Cat Bird NYC, £620

Rainbow Classic Eternity Band by Suzanne Kalan

Multi Colour Sapphire Ring from The Cut London

Ombré Eternity Band by Cat Bird NYC, £1170

Pastel Fireworks Thin Mix Eternity Band by Suzanne Kalan, £1400

Friday 7 July 2017

Love Lockets for your Wedding Day

Is there anything more whimsically romantic than a locket? First fashionable in Elizabethan times, they were worn by men and women. Now they're making a comeback - as a wedding day gift from the groom to his bride, or as presents for bridesmaids. Some brides are even tie lockets to their bouquets in memory of a lost loved one, to keep them close as they walk down the aisle. Who's picture would you put in your locket? My favourites include a miniature monogrammed locket from CatBird {in gold, pictured below}, and this vintage-style oval from Fraser Hart. P.S. My favourite bouquet bloom of all time has to be lily-of-the-valley, but it's only available in May!



{I want this!} Gold miniature monogrammed locket from CatBird

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Wednesday 15 July 2015

Pretty Wedding Accessories for Your Ears

You might be wondering why I didn't just title this blog post Wedding Earrings! Well that's because these pieces of jewellery aren't earrings exactly. They're beautiful cuffs, which hug the ear, for a pretty, gravity-defying effect. They're the latest trend in alternative jewellery-gone-mainstream, and they're the perfect accessory for a boho bride. This piece by Shirli Classic Jewelry is one of my favourites, inspired by nature, it's whimsically romantic, and prettily elegant. You'll love Shirli's work, she has a wonderful range of handmade jewellery, and she's currently offering 10% off for July.

{I want this!} Silver Leaves Ear Cuff, £65

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Friday 5 December 2014

Beautiful Wedding Jewellery for the Budget Conscious Bride

When I was planning my wedding, I was all about trying to create a luxe look on a budget. But that's easier to do with wedding decorations and stationery.....when it comes to your wedding gown and jewellery, it's much harder. I splashed out and bought a designer gown, but I paired with realistic, but fake diamond jewellery {apart from my engagement ring!}. So I was thrilled to discover these pretty perfect pearl drop earrings by Olivier Laudus. They're made out of cubic zirconia, but only you need to know that! If anyone asks, I'd say they're a vintage find from this little boutique you found in London!



{I want this!} Pearl drop earrings, £39.99 by Olivier Laudus

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Wednesday 4 June 2014

Exciting Alex Monroe Jewellery Sample Sale

My favourite jewellery designer of all time, Alex Monroe, is hosting a sample sale round the corner from my house. It's like they planned it especially for me! My mum gave me his Bumble Bee necklace for my 30th birthday, and I still wear it every day. You'll love his nature-inspired, intricate necklaces, rings and bracelets, and you're bound to pick up presents for your bridesmaids, or even something naughty for your wedding day. Prices will start at £40, and on sale you'll find samples, discontinued jewellery & slight seconds from across their collections. It all starts this Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th June at the hip Shoreditch venue, The Hoxton Hotel. I'll be there bang-on 11am, and the sale is open each day until 6pm. There's an Entry Fee of £1, which will be donated to The Haven Breast Cancer Support Centre. Enjoy!


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Tuesday 28 January 2014

Nine Reasonable Engagement Rings

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, thousands of girls across the country are crossing their fingers that 14th February 2013, will be lucky for them. So to whet your appetite, here are some of the prettiest engagement rings from independent Etsy sellers. The best thing? They're all under £250. 'Accidentally' leave your browser open on this page so your boyfriend gets the hint!

{Ring Credits}
Top row - 1. Gold Pearl Ring by Artemer 2. Engagement Rings by Annelis Jewelry 3. Rainbow Moonstone Ring by Secret Charm
Middle row - 1. Yellow Gold Faceted Heart by Every Bear Jewel 2. Aquamarine Engagement Ring by Dalkullan Jewelry 3. Triangle Diamond Ring by Artemer
Bottom row - 1. Love Ring by Fabulous Wire 2. Golden Bunny Ring by Every Bear Jewel 3. Micro Pave White Diamond Ring by Louisa Gallery

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Thursday 21 November 2013

Super-Glam Sophisticated Bridal Jewellery

Brides who like a bit of glitz {I'm thinking Jenny Packham-style glamour}, are going to L-O-V-E my latest wedding discovery. Just take a look at these amazing headdresses from Willow Moone. Aren't they just the bomb?? They pick up on the big jewellery trend that we're seeing right now {lots of v large necklaces spotted in Anthropologie & J Crew}, and add a massive luxury twist. Every piece is hand-created by boutique owner Debbie Bailie-Collins out of perfect crystals, scattered artfully on to the finest ivory illusion bridal tulle. There's something very vintage, flapperish and 20's about them, and I have a serious obsession with the whole collection.


{I want this} 1. Lujon - Crystal Art Deco 1920's Tulle Headpiece, £330 | 2. Ishtar - Crystal Silk Organza Headpiece, £398.89

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Thursday 31 October 2013

You & Me Ampersand Wedding Necklace

Typography is one of those things that gets me very excited - along with stationery of any sort. I think there's a graphic designer desperate to get out of me....just one without any particular talent! It also means that I'm a magpie for anything ampersand shaped....so when I spotted this you & me necklace on Tom Design, an Etsy boutique, I knew I had to share it with you. Wouldn't it be a gorgeous piece to wear on your wedding day? Available in silver, and bracelets, they starts at £15. You can also buy single letters, if you want a few for bridesmaids presents!


{I want this!} Ampersand & Initial necklace, £15 from Tom Design

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Tuesday 25 June 2013

What's Your Engagement Story?

I wasn't the most subtle bride-in-waiting. I started Before the Big Day before I got engaged, and all of my now-husband's friends thought it was one giant hint. It wasn't, but I did have an unhealthy interest in weddings, long before my time! When my husband eventually proposed, I knew it was coming. We took a skiing holiday in France to celebrate New Year, and I just had that feeling he was going to pop the question. What I didn't expect was for him to do it on the first day! I got back from the slopes earlier than him, and soaked in a blissfully hot bath. Once I was all wrapped up in a fluffy dressing gown, he came in, and told me to look out of the window at something. I peeked out over the balcony and saw 'Will You Marry Me' written in the snow. When I turned back, he was down on one knee! It was an amazing, if slightly surreal moment. I'd waited so long for the proposal, that afterwards it didn't quite seem real, and the snow was falling so fast, that the proposal soon disappeared, making it our secret. We eventually told our friends and family a few days later. What's your engagement story? Did your husband propose with a diamond ring? My husband chose my gorgeous solitaire for me, but if you're still looking, there's a great selection of stunning rings on Samara James. Learn more about diamonds and take a look at their collection by clicking here, and if you're interested, read more about me and my wedding.


{Picture Credit} Jose Villa

More posts like this one:

♥ Want to see engagement ring ideas? ♥ Or how about more engagement shoot ideas? ♥
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Tuesday 30 April 2013

Five Wedding Jewellery Traditions

Weddings are one giant tradition-fest! From the white wedding gown, to the church service, the best man's speech, the first dance and the bouquet toss, your big day will be a constant nod to tradition. You might find some of the customs restricting, but when it comes to bridal jewellery, you're going to L-O-V-E the traditions, mainly because the bride comes out of it pretty well!



1. Pearl Earrings - Traditionally the groom or the father-of-the-bride gives the bride pearls on her wedding day. The jewels symbolise unblemished perfection, purity and innocence, and the ancient Greeks believed pearls would help ensure marital bliss and prevent newlywed brides from crying. Needless to say, I'm particularly keen on this custom!

2. Bridesmaids' Jewellery - I discovered this fabulous tradition when my cousin asked me to be her bridesmaid. Aged nine, I was thrilled to be given an elegant gold necklace. It was the most exciting present I'd ever received, and to this day I still have it as a momento of their wedding day. You don't have to spend a fortune on your bridesmaids' present - a lovely piece of prom jewellery from Jon Richard would be a lovely thank you gift for their help and support on your big day. Plus it'll make them look glam in the wedding pictures.


{Photo Credit} 1. Unknown | 2. Ben Q Photography - view the whole shoot on the Wedding Chicks

3. Cufflinks - Just like your bridesmaids, it's traditional for your ushers to receive a present on your wedding day. On our big day we skipped this custom, and gave our ushers sunglasses instead {we had a destination wedding in France}! But I did give my husband a lovely pair of cufflinks on the morning of our wedding day, and he now wears them every day to work.

4. Your Engagement Ring - a solitaire diamond is traditional, but we all know engagement rings come in every shape and size. Men are meant to spend one month's salary, but according to a recent survey, a third of brides are happy to chip in for their engagement ring!



{Photo Credit} 1. Elizabeth Messina of Kiss the Groom - view entire shoot on Inspired By This

5. Wedding Ring - Of course! We all know about the tradition of giving wedding rings, but did you know it started in ancient Rome? It used to be just the bride who received a ring, but in the 1920s the American jewellery industry started a marketing campaign aimed at encouraging men to wear a wedding ring as well. Those Mad Men were pretty successful, and by the late 1940s, double-ring ceremonies made up for 80% of all weddings. Will your husband wear a wedding ring?

More posts like this one:

♥ Want to see wedding jewellery ideas? ♥ Or how about more bridesmaids ideas? ♥
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Wednesday 6 February 2013

Cheap & Chic Wedding Jewellery

Put away your credit card.....ideally somewhere you can't find it for some time. Is it hidden? Okay, now take a look at this gorgeous wedding jewellery from Blaguette. It's the best bling I've found in some time and {whisper it}, the prices are super-reasonable. Personal favourites have to be the purple Labroradite Triple Drop earrings {below} - they'd both look gorgeous with a gentle up-do - with or without a veil. With 30% off for Valentine's Day {with the code HEART13}, it's time to treat yourself.


More posts like this one:
How to Dress Your Bridesmaids
Wedding Diamonds for Hire

♥ Want to see wedding jewellery? ♥ Or how about more bridesmaid ideas? ♥
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Friday 21 December 2012

Tie the Knot Wedding Rings

Spotted! This gorgeous ring from fabulous Etsy-seller Sparklethots.  Each ring is individually handcrafted and made to measure - perfect for a promise ring, if you're planning to pick out your engagement ring together. Or they'd made fantastic bridesmaid's presents - a lasting momento of the day they watched you tie the knot!



♥ Click for more wedding ring ideas! ♥ And tonnes of elegant weddings! ♥
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Friday 23 November 2012

Gorgeous Glittery Wedding Jewellery

Once you've found your wedding gown, you're going to want to accessorise to the max, and I've fallen for this gorgeous wedding jewellery. Discovered on one of my rambles around Etsy, it's just the right combination knock-out and chic, without being too glitzy. The shop is called Luxe Deluxe and it's a one woman show, run by Adrienne in Edinburgh. Lovely, large ivory/white swarovski pearls are stacked with rhinestones and tiny Swarovski crystals, and swing below sparkling rhinestone set sterling silver studs. It looks like you're wearing the real thing, but the price-tag tells the truth!

♥ Want more wedding jewellery ideas? ♥ Or how about more wedding accessory ideas? ♥
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Friday 8 June 2012

Simple & Elegant Wedding Rings

You've gotta love simple, elegant wedding jewellery, so when I stumbled across the New York online boutique Cat Bird NYC, I got that excited Christmas Eve feeling. The shop is actually in Williamsburg in Brooklyn, which happens to be the coolest neighbourhood in the world right now, but don't despair, because you can shop online. The best thing about them is that they don't just do incredible wedding rings, they unearth new and exciting items from all over the globe, including terrariums, candlesticks, tooth fairy boxes and compasses. Most of all though, I love their reasonably priced, but gorgeous designer wedding rings and engagement rings.


♥ Want more wedding ring ideas? ♥ Or how about wedding jewellery ideas? ♥
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Thursday 5 April 2012

Engagement Ring Tips for Boys

I have a secret to admit. I looked at wedding blogs before I got engaged. I know, less before the big day, and more before the proposal. However, I reckon I'm not alone.... So if you're not quite engaged, then it might be worth leaving this page open on your laptop, for your boyfriend to spy.... Buying an engagement ring is a big deal for a guy - not least because after his home and his car {bicycle?}, it's likely to be the most money he's spent at one item. So here are some fabulous Engagement Ring Tips for the man in your life, all thanks to our amazing wedding blog jewellery expert, Savannah from BL&T Fine Jewellery. Check out her other posts.


{Photo Credit} Sakura Photography via Modern Weddings

{Savannah} My Engagement Ring Tips for Boys

1. Think about your future wife's character? Is she outdoorsy and active? Yes? This means you'll want a practical engagement ring i.e. don't go for a massive rock, and choose a low setting.

2. Does she like larger jewellery statements? Yes? Think about a big rock. If you haven't got the budget for a massive diamond, read my posting on How to Buy Your Engagement Ring on a Budget

3. Listen and log any previous hints {has she mentioned liking a friend's engagement ring?}.

4. If you can do it yourself and not involve your future wife, you'll find it easier to keep the budget where you want it.....plus it's more romantic!

5. Think about engaged or married friends – you don’t want to buy a similar ring.


♥ Want more wedding jewellery ideas? ♥ Or how about real wedding ideas? ♥
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Tuesday 27 March 2012

How to Buy Your Engagement Ring on a Budget

Have you chosen your engagement ring yet? Traditionally a man would present his future bride with an engagement ring as he proposed, but nowadays all that has changed, and most couples choose the ring together. This means it's just as much your responsibility to learn about jewellery as it is his, so get swotting! The good news is that with the right knowledge, you won't have to spend a fortune. Thanks to our fabulous new wedding jewellery expert, Savannah, you can make sure you get as much bang for your buck possible. Scroll on down for her Top 5 Tips on how to buy an engagement ring on a budget. P.S. If you've already bought your engagement ring, then a lot of these tips work for buying a wedding ring too!



{Photo Credit} We Heart Photography via Once Wed via Style Me Pretty

{Savannah1. First things first - unless you really like packaging, and have always wanted your proposal to come with a red {Cartier} or turquoise (Tiffany) box, then you shouldn't be buying from a big brand name. Boutique jewellery houses like mine {BL&T Fine Jewellery}, don't have a massive advertising budget or shops on Regent Street, so we avoid passing on those massive costs to the client. This is just one reason why our jewellery and engagement rings are much more affordable.

2. Do tonnes of window shopping before you take the plunge. This will give you an idea of what style you like, and the retail cost. Take a picture, or tear it out of a magazine, and take it along to a boutique jewellery company and ask them to make it up for you for much less. It's easier than you think - here at BL&T, we can create any design in our fantastic London-based workshop.



{Photo Credit} Stephanie Williams Photography via Once Wed via Style Me Pretty

3.
If it's a diamond you're after, then considering compromising on certain aspects of the 4 C's to work with your budget. The 4 C's are diamond color, diamond cut, diamond clarity, and diamond carat weight. So if it's a humdinger of a rock you're after, then you should look to come down a clarity grade or two. In my opinion, with engagement rings, the colour is more important than the clarity, as no one is going to get close enough to see tiny internal flaws. They'll just see the light bouncing off your hand!

4. Think outside the box, especially if your budget is tight. There are tonnes of alternative gem stones and colours to explore – but you must know your girl first, because you don't want to be buying a red stone if she hates the colour. Sapphires come in a wide range of colours, from pink to yellow to green. Try a red spinel instead of a ruby. These fantastic and original options will turn out less costly than your classic diamonds.

5. Antique rings are a great way to buy your engagement ring on a budget, because you're not paying for the craftsmanship. However, make sure it's in good enough condition to wear every day. Look at the thickness of the hoop, as if it is very worn you will need to have it built up again. Also check the settings to make sure that the stones are set securely.

♥ Want more wedding jewellery ideas? ♥ Or how about vintage wedding ideas? ♥
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Monday 26 March 2012

Welcome Our New Wedding Blog Jewellery Expert

Unless you're marrying a millionaire, your wedding is probably the only occasion when you'll received a truly expensive piece of valuable jewellery. Whether it's a sparkly diamond engagement ring, an elegant pearl necklace, or droplet earrings on your wedding day morning, these are exciting times! But if your most expensive jewellery purchase so far has been a pair of earrings from Anthroplogie {I bought these in pink last weekend for £28!!}, it can be quite scary to choose exactly what you want. And that's why I'm welcoming a jewellery expert to the Before the Big Day wedding blog team. Hello Savannah!


{Photo Credit} Jose Villa

Savannah Britten-Long is a hugely talented gemologist with massive expertise in antique jewellery. She's worked for Sotheby's, Christies, and studied at the prestigious Gemological Institute of America in New York. She really knows her onions {or diamonds}! A couple of years ago she started her own company called BL&T Fine Jewellery, and now she works hard at selling and sourcing jewellery for private clients. She's designed three of my friends' engagement rings, and promises that jewellery doesn't have to be expensive - woohoo!  So if you're on the search for an engagement ring or wedding jewellery, you can contact Savannah, or just enjoy all her wedding jewellery advice for free here on Before the Big Day! Click back on the blog tomorrow for her first posting.


♥ Want more wedding jewellery ideas? ♥ Or how about Vintage wedding ideas? ♥
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Friday 30 December 2011

Super-chic Bridesmaid Jewellery

How cool are these necklaces? The words are perfect presents for bridesmaids at an urban, funky wedding, while the key and initial could be good if your big day is going to be more traditional. Made out of stirling silver wire, every one is handmade and individual, and totally awesome! Check out Piano Bench Designs to find out more.

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Sunday 11 September 2011

Glittery Wedding Earrings with a Laugh

At first sight, these are the chandelier earrings you've been looking for to add a glitter of glamour to your wedding day. And then you realise that not only will they look fabulous hanging from your lobes {love that word}, but they'll also make everyone laugh. A must-buy for your wedding day from Crumpet Clothing.


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