Landmark birthday jewellery (when you don’t quite have the landmark budget...)

[Salacia]

Thinking ahead massively (but what else is there to do on a locked down Saturday evening...) - I’m going to have a major birthday later this year and am hoping to celebrate with a weekend in London.

I’d love to buy myself some jewellery and would like to waste my weekend window shopping and day dreaming! I wouldn’t have a massive budget (max 300 if I did some saving) and have a pretty eclectic taste - most of my jewellery is inherited from grandparents so it’s a bit of a mix. I do love pearls though...

I’ve been looking at Tiffany but I’m sure I’ve read on here that you can get better value in Hatton Garden etc - only problem is I don’t know where to start! Everywhere I’ve looked at online seems to be £££££.

I’ve got a big birthday too. Good question op, I will be watching for tips too

Good question op! I am thinking of doing the same for mine later in the year. Similar budget.

For my 30th, I re-designed my mum's engagement ring from my dad (deceased). I used some money people gave me plus my own to pay for this. I had a really lovely time working with the jeweller to design the ring and it's now something I wear every day. It has such sentimental value. Could you consider doing something similar with a piece of jewellery that has meaning but isn't quite the style you would wear in its current form?

Love the idea above!

You will def be able to get a Pearl ring or earrings for the budget? And if in Hatton garden do haggle they are very used to that

Loads of vintage/second hand there too

www.johnlewis.com/a-b-davis-9ct-gold-freshwater-pearl-rub-over-diamond-drop-earrings/black/p3553178 These look pretty and a bit different to white pearls.

Look at Etsy. Loads of gorgeous independent designers on there for all budgets.

Lots will also design bespoke if you get in touch, use Etsy like their portfolio iyswim. I would guess that lots of Hatton Garden designers will be on there, I found lots of Jewellery Quarter designers (I lived close to Birmingham at the time) when j was looking in the past, so I had confidence about who to approach.

Thanks everyone, I’m really hoping to go to an actual physical shop to get something, I miss that so much! I do love those earrings @LadyWithLapdog though! I’m just longing to be able to walk round London, pop into some shops, mull over my choices in a pub...

I thought of Tiffany because I went to New York with my parents when I was 16 and got a charm from there for my charm bracelet, I just remember how nicely we were treated (my dad too as he got my mum a pendant) even though we probably only spent a couple of hundred dollars between us which must have been small change for them!

@Salacia I was looking for my daughter’s 16th and my budget is also limited, as I want it to be an everyday item for her, not kept for best. But I also don’t want to worry too much if she loses it. There’s very little available at that price range either at Tiffany itself or at Selfridges or elsewhere. I wonder if it’s because it’s been taken over by Louis Vuitton a few weeks ago or some other reason. I found a second hand site but I’m not sure whether to trust it, even if it’s just a few hundred £. I’ve emailed a local (now obviously closed) jeweller and he doesn’t have any second hand, he said very rare to get it.

I’ve browsed but never used Etsy so thank you for the recommendation.

Totally get not wanting to buy from a second hand site! There are some nice basic Tiffany pendants for around 150-200 but I suppose you can probably get more silver for the money elsewhere!

Dinny Hall their shop in Westbourne Grove/Notting Hill is really nice. They also have a counter in Liberty.

I have this which my mum bought me for a special birthday and have worn it every day since I’ve had it. I don’t love all the Tiffany jewellery but I just adore this
www.tiffany.co.uk/jewelry/bracelets/tiffany-1837-cuff-GRP02408/

@ZaraW - thanks, lots of lovely stuff on the! Also didn’t think about department stores as a starting point...

www.iowpearl.co.uk/
How about a weekend away but not London and visit this place? I'm not a pearl fan but they have amazing stuff here.

Liberty's jewellery halll is the best browsing in London, including for second-hand. And Peter Jones and John Lewis have second-hand jewellery counters in-store. Not much use going to markets like Portobello any more imho because they no longer seem to stock it. Maybe check internet for jewellers selling second-hand, there are a number around Hatton Garden. You get more for your money and I much prefer the lustre of older gold...

I agree that a browse around Liberty's jewellery hall is a wonderful way to spend a few hours. So much to see & to covet!

@mytrueaccount my problem with second hand jewellers is that I don’t know what I’m doing. This is a one-off for me. Everything is online but who do I trust if I have no experience?

OP sorry for minor high jacking. In the end I bought DD a Gucci ring. She found it online, live-chatted the company today, got a phone call back today (Sunday!) and then an email to confirm details and they’ll now send it. I blame Harry Styles for her sudden interest in Gucci and the £230 I’ve just paid 😀 Good luck with your searches.

@LadyWithLapdog - glad you found something! I’ve had a virtual browse round Liberty today and have a list of brands I’m interested in, if anything I now have too much choice...thank for everyone’s help!

Sounds lovely OP, would love to see your shortlist! I love Liberty.

I love a shop called Little Gems, in Penzance, Cornwall. Always used to go there for second hand jewellery that is really good and also well priced. They have some things listed on their website, or one can cal / email and talk about what one’s looking for and they will send pictures of what they have. They can post though I don’t know what it costs (has to be tracked and signed for delivery and also insured). I got some gorgeous earrings there for my 40th, and will be getting something there for a relatives’ 30th 😊

@TeaAndBiscuitsAndWine

I love a shop called Little Gems, in Penzance, Cornwall. Always used to go there for second hand jewellery that is really good and also well priced. They have some things listed on their website, or one can cal / email and talk about what one’s looking for and they will send pictures of what they have. They can post though I don’t know what it costs (has to be tracked and signed for delivery and also insured). I got some gorgeous earrings there for my 40th, and will be getting something there for a relatives’ 30th 😊

I just looked for gems and it's jess

www.littlejemsjewellery.org/product-page/18ct-diamond-band

Anyone want to buy this for me, I love it!!

Jems!!

What a nice thread.

I've also got a big birthday. Don't have much jewellery but quite fancy sorting out my engagement ring & some other bits. Probably never wear them but nice to have.

I had a thread a few weeks ago about buying a ring in London, when we're allowed to travel. I've decided on either Liberty or Monica Vinader, I think. I did wonder about Tiffany, but can't find anything I really love in the budget I've allocated.

@VinterKvinna

Jems!!

Oops - I misremembered how to spell the name! Glad you found it ok despite me being a pillock 😂

@TeaAndBiscuitsAndWine i totally blame you for me finding that gorgeous ring now though!