Heirlooms Jewellery

19/06/2026

I spotted this glorious piece of object d'art during a valuation of silver belonging to a family estate.

This was the magnification handle end of a page turner. How fascinating that the servants gave such amazing gifts to the family they served! This would have been a very expensive gift at the time and shows great admiration for Miss Ward on such a special occasion as her 21st birthday.

What an incredible insight into the past!

18/06/2026

Boulder turquoise is formed from natural turquoise which contains veins or patches, making every single gemstone completely unique.

Turquoise actually has deep romantic symbolism and was endorsed by Queen Victoria herself who wore a turquoise serpent ring and also gave brooches set with the gemstone to her bridesmaids. It was also worn by brides during this time as the 'something blue'!

This Victorian yellow gold double belcher chain has a swag of 3 beautiful boulder turquoise and you can see how distinctive they are.

£850.00

17/06/2026

One of the many beautiful thing about pearls is the range of hues there are!

From classic white and delicate blush pink to warm cream, golden tones, silvery grey and dramatic black, every pearl is unique. These stunning colours are created by nature, making each pearl a little work of art.

It also means that you can probably find a perfect pearl to match your skin tone.

This gorgeous white pearl with a delicate pinkish hue is set in white gold with a diamond bale.

£595.00

16/06/2026

I've talked recently about how brooches are very on trend and can be worn in a variety of ways.

This exquisite Victorian rose cut diamond holly leaf brooch is set in silver with a gold closed back setting, with gold brooch fitment. Very typical of Victorian decorative jewellery.

How would you wear it?

15/06/2026

Here's another fab remodelling we've just finished - simple but so effective!

Our client wanted to modernise her existing ring so we resized the band, reset the three stunning diamonds in modern rubber collet settings so the precious gemstones are lower and smooth, making it really comfortable to wear every day.

Doesn't it look amazing?

12/06/2026

11/06/2026

I LOVE the striking design of these Brazilian aquamarine and diamond drop earrings! They're unlike any other earrings we have in the shop at the moment.

Aquamarine that comes from Brazil is renowned for its size, its clarity and vivid colours - just like these.

Definitely a piece of jewellery that would get noticed!

£1,625.00

10/06/2026

Pearl is the birthstone for June! Pearls are said to represent wisdom and enduring love which is probably why they also signify a 30th wedding anniversary.

Akoya pearls are primarily farmed in China, Japan and Vietnam and are very special. They're renowned for their perfect round shape and shine - as you can see in this ravishing Akoya Pearl five row bracelet with silver clasp.

£425.00

09/06/2026

Art Noveau was a decorative art and architectural movement from 1890 - 1910 which was characterised in jewellery by undulating lines with floral motifs including vines and buds, and fauna including insects and birds.

This stunning opal and demantoid garnet yellow gold brooch/pendant has an open swirl rosette design, set with graduated cabochon opals and round-cut demantoid garnets is an exquisite example of the designs of the day.

Set in unmarked yellow metal, with a brooch hook fitment and detachable opal set scroll bale so it could be worn on a fine chain as a pendant.

How would you wear it?

£2,750.

08/06/2026

It's Best Friends Day today! So, I thought it would be 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.

Charms were very often given as tokens of friendship, particularly during the Victorian era. Popular friendship-themed charms included: keys (symbolising trust), padlocks, anchors (steadfastness and loyalty, and lucky symbols such as horseshoes,

Some charms also held secret compartments for tiny photographs, messages or locks of hair, making them deeply personal keepsakes.

Read more in my article for the Purbeck Gazette out today: https://heirloomsofwareham.co.uk/tokens-of-friendship/