Symbolism in Victorian jewellery
The Victorians had a remarkable fascination with the natural world, and nowhere is this more beautifully reflected than in their jewellery. During the 19th century, insects such as bees, butterflies, dragonflies, beetles and spiders became highly fashionable decorative motifs. Not only were they incredibly delicate, they were also highly symbolic. You might know that […]
Ruby vs Garnet
At first glance, rubies and garnets can look remarkably alike. Their rich red hues have been set in jewellery for centuries, yet these beautiful gemstones each have their own fascinating history and unique appeal. Rubies, the birthstone for July, have long been regarded as one of the world’s most precious gemstones. A variety of the […]
Tokens of friendship
With Best Friends Day taking place on 8th June, it’s fascinating to look back at the meaningful gifts exchanged during the Georgian and Victorian eras to symbolise friendship, affection and loyalty. Long before instant messages and social media, jewellery and small treasured keepsakes were often used to express heartfelt emotions between close friends. During the […]
The rise of Men’s Antique Jewellery
Men’s antique jewellery has seen a quiet resurgence in recent years, as more men are actively seeking pieces with character, history and individuality. Moving beyond the simplicity of modern accessories and mass brands, antique jewellery offers craftsmanship and detail that is rarely replicated today — making it both stylish and highly collectible. Signet rings remain […]
Antique aquamarine elegance
Aquamarine is such a stunning gemstone, identifiable by its clear, sea-blue tones, but which can sometimes be mistaken for a topaz. Its name comes from the Latin aqua marina, meaning “water of the sea”. Historically, aquamarine was believed to protect sailors and bring safe passage across oceans. By the Victorian era, it had become a […]
How to take care of precious Pearls
Pearls are a most beautiful gemstone, formed in a most unique way, and which are still immensely popular in classic jewellery design. Pearls.com explain that: “Natural Pearls form when an irritant – usually a parasite and not the proverbial grain of sand – works its way into an oyster, mussel, or clam. As a defense […]
Jewellery Restoration explained
Our clients have been telling us that they have been using their lockdown time to sort out their jewellery boxes! This is great news but if you find that your box has a few broken pieces that you thought were beyond repair, you may be surprised to know what could be done. Breathing new life […]
Let’s make it personal
Engraving is an age-old art used as a means of expression. The simple scribing or cutting-in of a pattern into a surface to create decoration was used thousands of years ago and there is evidence of its use on organic materials such as ivory tusk and bone as far back as the Stone Age. The […]
Heirlooms Environmental Policy
Here at Heirlooms, we recognise that we have a responsibility to the environment beyond the usual legal and statutory requirements of a business. We remain committed to reducing our impact on the environment and thought you may be interested in the measures we take to ensure we continue to do that. • Our carrier […]
How do we buy our jewellery?
Amy has written a series of short blogs letting you into a few trade secrets of our shop. Here is the first. How do we buy our jewellery? AUCTION Having built my career in the jewellery department of a leading auction house, I have over 10-years experience in the wonderful and exciting world […]