My Story
I have always loved jewellery, but it wasn't until I got engaged that I was introduced to real diamonds for the first time. I absolutely loved walking down Bond Street trying on every ring in sight, and going to Hatton Garden to examine loose stones to design something ourselves, but in the end we bought an antique engagement ring from a jewellery dealer - which was a far more cost effective way to get sparkles on my finger!
After wearing the real deal, all my costume jewellery just didn't compare, but sadly my bank balance did not agree and so I started looking at auctions as a more affordable way to buy jewellery. I am always amazed at how much people are willing to spend on costume jewellery, when you can get the real thing at similar prices if you are just willing to search. However, I realise that although I love trawling through auctions and antiques shops, lots of people don't have the time (or inclination) so when a friend suggested I should do it for a living, it was a real light bulb moment.
I think there is a gaping hole in the market for affordable real jewellery. You can buy wonderful new pieces but they are expensive, and you can have pieces made up if you buy loose stones - but the workmanship that goes into that is also expensive. However, if you look at vintage / second hand / pre loved /antique jewellery (whatever way you want to dress it up!) then there are some absolute bargains to be had - and it's better for the planet!
Semi precious stones are a treasure trove of possibilities at a fraction of the price - think citrines instead of yellow diamonds, garnets instead of rubies, topaz instead of aquamarine - the list goes on ...
Similarly, size does matter! Diamonds get more expensive the larger they are, so a 2 carat diamond will cost more than double two 1 carat stones. So if you have your heart set on a statement ring, then a bombe (lots of smaller stones set together) will be much cheaper than a solitaire.