Everyday Fine Jewellery

JEWELLERY · UNITED KINGDOM

Everyday Fine Jewellery

What survives daily wear, buying from an independent maker, and building a collection

Fine jewellery worn every day takes far more abuse than pieces kept for occasions, and the choices that make something last are made at purchase.

What daily wear does

Constant small knocks, hand cream, washing up, door handles and keys. Rings take the worst of it; earrings take almost none, which is why earrings can be more delicate.

Choose according to what the piece will actually be doing rather than how it looks in a photograph.

Metals

14 carat gold is harder and more scratch resistant than 18 carat, which is softer and richer in colour. Platinum wears by displacing metal rather than losing it. Sterling silver is soft and marks quickly.

White gold is usually rhodium plated and needs replating every few years to stay bright.

Settings and stones

Bezel settings enclose the stone and suit active hands. Claw settings show more and are where stones are lost, so have them checked every couple of years.

Diamond, sapphire and ruby tolerate daily wear. Opal, pearl and turquoise are soft and better suited to earrings or occasional pieces.

Buying from an independent maker

Ask about hallmarking, which in the UK is required above certain weights and independently verifies the metal. Ask whether pieces are made to order, since lead times can run to several weeks.

Ask what aftercare is offered, since many independents clean, polish and check settings for free.

Building a collection

A few pieces worn constantly serve better than a drawer of things kept for occasions. Buying one good piece a year is how most people end up with jewellery they actually wear.

Earrings specifically

Sleepers and small studs take almost no abuse and can be finer than anything else you own. Check the backs, since butterfly backs loosen and are the most common way earrings are lost.

Screw backs and locking backs are worth the small extra for anything valuable.

Buying online

Scale is unreliable on a screen, so check the stated dimensions in millimetres rather than judging from an enlarged photograph.

Insurance and records

Photograph every piece, keep receipts and any certification somewhere separate from the jewellery, and tell your insurer about anything above the policy cap.

Have valuable items revalued every few years, since metal and stone prices move considerably.

Repairs

Have worn claws rebuilt and thin bands reshanked before they fail rather than afterwards, which is considerably cheaper than replacing a lost stone.

Care

Warm soapy water and a soft brush. Take rings off for the gym and for cleaning, and store pieces separately so harder stones do not scratch softer ones.

Contents insurance caps jewellery low, so list anything significant separately.

WHERE TO BUY

Ready to shop Dinny Hall? Use the link below to visit the official store.

→ Shop Dinny Hall — official site

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