Guides
Buying guides and honest assessments of fine jewellery. Platinum vs white gold, Hatton Garden, Cartier Love pre-owned, and the diamond market in 2026.
The Best Gold Hoop Earrings at Every Price Point
What gold hoop earrings actually cost by tier - plated, vermeil, and solid gold - and what changes between each price point.
Signet Rings for Women: The Complete Buying Guide
Two distinct markets sell signet rings to women — heritage hand-engraved houses and contemporary demi-fine ones, and which to choose.
Astrid & Miyu vs Daisy London vs Otiumberg: Which Is Worth Your Money?
An honest comparison of three London demi-fine jewellery brands — different philosophies, different buyers, and which one actually fits how you shop.
9ct vs 18ct vs 22ct Gold: Which Should You Actually Buy?
Carat measures the proportion of pure gold in an alloy, not quality. A precise, no-marketing guide to 9ct, 18ct, and 22ct gold — hallmarks, durability, and which suits what you're actually buying.
Signet Ring Shapes: Oval, Cushion, Oxford, and Which Suits Which Hand
Oxford oval, cushion, shield, or round — how to match a signet ring shape to your hand and knuckle width, with real face-size numbers to work from.
Emerald Buying Guide: What to Look For and What to Avoid
Inclusions are not a flaw in an emerald — they are the condition of its existence. A complete guide to buying natural emeralds: colour, oil treatment, origin, and where to buy.
The Best Sapphire Engagement Rings: 15 Worth Considering
From Ceylon clusters to Kashmir originals: a buying guide to the best sapphire engagement rings across every budget, with retailer recommendations and what to check before you buy.
The Emerald Cut: Why It Suits Almost Nobody and Almost Everybody
The emerald cut is the least forgiving diamond shape and the most authoritative. A complete guide to proportions, clarity, colour, and who it actually suits.
The Wearability Index: What the Mohs Scale Actually Tells You About Wearing Fine Jewellery
The Mohs scale measures hardness, not durability. Which gemstones survive daily wear, which need a bezel setting, and which are for occasions only.
How to Buy Jewellery at Auction: A Beginner's Guide to Sotheby's, Christie's, and Beyond
How to buy jewellery at auction for the first time. What to expect at Sotheby's, Christie's, and Bonhams — including buyer's premium, condition reports, and how not to overbid.
Monica Vinader vs Mejuri vs Missoma: Which Is Actually Worth Your Money?
An honest comparison of the three brands that dominate the demi-fine jewellery market. Different buyers, different answers — here is how to choose.
The Collector's Edit: Where to Buy Genuine Antique and Period Jewellery Online
The most trusted platforms for buying genuine antique and estate jewellery online; from 1stDibs to Sotheby's, Christie's, Vestiaire Collective, and beyond.
UK Jewellery Hallmarks Explained: The Complete Guide
UK jewellery hallmarks date to 1300 — the oldest consumer protection in the world. How to read them: what the marks mean and where to find them.
How to Build a Jewellery Collection: A Practical Guide to Starting Well
Most jewellery collections are not collections — they are accumulations. A practical guide to building one deliberately, in the right order.
Platinum vs White Gold: The Honest Answer
Most white gold rings aren't actually white. The thing to know before choosing between platinum and white gold — and what jewellers don't mention.
Hatton Garden: The Complete Buyer's Guide to London's Jewellery Quarter
Hatton Garden is London's jewellery quarter, and more accessible than most people expect. A guide to buying there: what to look for, what to avoid.
The Cartier Love Bracelet: A Buyer's Guide to New, Pre-Owned, and Fake
The Cartier Love bracelet is one of the most traded — and most faked — luxury pieces. What it costs, how to authenticate, new vs pre-owned.
The Van Cleef Alhambra: Is It Worth Buying (and Does It Hold Its Value)?
The Van Cleef Alhambra has one of the most consistent resale records of any modern jewellery piece. What it costs, what it holds, and how to buy one.
How to Wear a Brooch in 2026 Without Looking Like Your Grandmother
The brooch is back, and not ironically. How to wear one in 2026 — where to pin it, what to avoid, and why the piece in your jewellery box is worth wearing.
The Best Signet Rings for Men: A 2026 Buying Guide
The best signet rings for men in 2026, from Rebus and Castro Smith to vintage Hatton Garden finds. Shapes, engraving, makers, and how to wear one.
The Diamond Market in 2026: What's Actually Happening
Natural diamond prices are down 30-40% since 2021, lab-grown down over 75%. What's driving it, who it affects, and what to do if you're buying or selling now.
The Engagement Ring Guide: Every Stone Beyond Diamond
An honest guide to engagement ring stones beyond diamond — sapphire, emerald, ruby, moissanite, morganite, paraiba, salt-and-pepper, and how to choose.
How to Care for Your Jewellery: A Complete Guide
How to clean and care for your jewellery: by metal type, by stone type, storage, the chlorine problem, and when to see a professional jeweller.
How to Sell Your Jewellery: A Guide to Every Route, Honestly
How to sell jewellery: get an independent appraisal first, choose the right route (auction, dealer, or platform), and what to expect for inherited pieces.
Jewellery That Holds Its Value: A Realistic Guide
Which jewellery actually holds or appreciates in value: signed pieces, fine vintage, certain stones. What doesn't: mass-market retail, lab-grown, trend pieces.
Lab-Grown vs Natural Diamonds: Which Is Actually Worth It in 2026?
Lab-grown diamond prices fell roughly 75% in four years. A clear, honest guide to whether lab or natural diamonds are worth it in 2026.
Precious vs Semi-Precious Stones: What the Distinction Means, and Doesn't
Precious vs semi-precious stones, where the distinction came from, why most gemmologists now ignore it, and what actually drives gemstone value today.
Where to Buy Vintage Jewellery: The Best Shops in London and Online
Where to buy vintage jewellery in London and online, from Hatton Garden to 1stDibs, with budget tiers, hallmark tips, and what to walk away from.
How to Wear Pearls in 2026: The New Rules
How to wear pearls in 2026, from baroque strands with denim to men's pearl necklaces. The types, the styling, the mistakes, and the brands worth knowing.