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 […]
Morganite magic
As an antiques expert, few gemstones thrill me quite like morganite! Soft, romantic and quietly luminous, this blush-pink beryl has a subtle elegance that makes it perfectly suited to antique jewellery, where refinement and craftsmanship matter far more than showy brilliance. Discovered in the early 20th century, morganite was named in honour of financier and […]
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 […]
How do we prepare our antique and secondhand jewellery for sale?
Here’s the second in a series of short blogs by Amy letting you into a few trade secrets of our shop. We’re extremely proud that part of our guarantee to customers is that every single item purchased from us is checked and in a condition that allows it to be ready to wear and to […]
How do we know the age of a piece of jewellery we are selling?
Here’s the last in the series of Amy’s short blogs letting you into a few trade secrets of our shop. How do we know the age of a piece of jewellery we are selling? This must be the most asked question in the shop! We are jewellery detectives/historians and have to look for the clues […]
Charity donation treasure valued by Heirlooms!
In a scenario worthy of Antiques Roadshow, we were approached by a local charity who had been given a donation of a rather unusual ring and they asked us whether it was of any value. The striking diamond and onyx ‘domino’ dress ring in yellow gold was immediately identified by Heirlooms owner, Amy Brenan, as […]
Amethyst – a timeless gemstone
There is no denying the Amethyst is instantly recognizable by its striking purple colour, whether it is a delicate, pale lilac or a deep, vibrant blackcurrant. It is actually a variety of quartz but did you know that when it is heated, it loses its purple colour and changes into a dark yellow or orange […]
Jewellery eras explained
I love sharing about antique jewellery with you and thought it might be interesting to tell you about what you could expect to see from the jewellery from different eras: Georgian Dating from the 18th to early 19th centuries, jewellery from this period showcases intricate craftsmanship and romantic designs. Typically handcrafted with gold, silver, and […]
Vintage vs Antique
I recently talked about jewellery eras and thought you may find it interesting to know the differences between vintage and antique jewellery. You may have inherited some pieces from parents or grandparents and wonder exactly what they would be classed as. So, here’s a simple guide! Vintage Jewellery: Typically refers to pieces that are at […]
Art Deco Revival
Art Deco jewellery, with its bold geometry, rich materials, and unmistakable glamour, is making a powerful comeback in today’s fashion world. It’s also one of my favourite eras! I love it when I come across genuine Art Deco jewellery when valuing a collection for a client or if I’m able to buy pieces for the […]