Another Happy Customer!

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Here at Shadwicks’ we pride ourselves on creating beautiful one-off pieces with an individual’s taste and style in mind.

We love receiving photos and feedback from our very happy customers and their partners!

happy client outdoors wearing custom engagement ring

3.05ct Engagement Ring, with a salt and pepper diamond.

celebrating woman wearing custom engagement ring with wine of glass

1.05 DSI 1 6 claw platinum custom-made engagement ring.

 

If you’re looking to ‘pop the question’ our team is available to work closely with you (and your partner ) to create a bespoke piece that is unique to you and your relationship.

All our designs are creative, captivating, and catered to you. Choose from a varied range of stones and metals including Pink diamonds, 2- tone, Gold, Silver, and White gold.

 

Contact Us today to make your proposal as unique and memorable as your signifigant other.

 

 

Transform your old gold jewellery into something new

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Do you have a piece of old, gold jewellery that you never wear because it’s outdated, uncomfortable, or even damaged? Or maybe, you have a family heirloom that has sentimental value but is something you’d never wear?

Why not recreate and redesign it into something new – or even trade it in and put the proceeds towards a new piece you’ve been wanting to have made? Having your old, broken or unused jewellery melted down into a brand new piece allows you to turn all the value and the sentimentality of your previous jewellery into a brand new piece that you can be comfortable wearing on a more regular basis. In addition, having your gold reused saves you a considerable amount on the total cost of what you would on a custom design as you are only paying for labor. This means you get that expensive custom made design that you’ve been looking for handmade for considerably less.   

At Shadwick’s Fine Jewellery we can help you do just that! With our amazing craftsmanship, we can repurpose your old, unwanted jewellery into a beautiful new custom-made piece designed specifically for you. 

Jewellery transformations
When it comes to repurposing old gold jewellery, the possibilities are endless! Whether you’re looking to keep your favourite aspects of the piece, or have it melted down and forged into a new piece entirely, Shadwick’s Fine Jewellery can transform your old and damaged gold into something you’d love to wear. 

Here are some ideas to spark your imagination!

Wedding ring
Celebrate an anniversary by redesigning your original wedding band to a more stylish design that better suits your taste and lifestyle, or even incorporate other meaningful pieces of jewellery into the one. 

Upgrade jewellery to suit your lifestyle
Perhaps you’re now a busy parent and long dangling gold pieces aren’t quite baby-proof? Or maybe that those big, flashy earrings you bought in your 20’s no longer suit your taste? Transform your old gold into the perfect piece that fits your personal lifestyle. 

Treasured family heirloom
Transform family heirloom pieces that have been passed down from generations into a piece that better suits your style while keeping it’s unique aspects and sentimental value. Give it new life and meaning and create something new, like an engagement ring or wedding bands for the next generation. 

Combine multiple pieces
If you’re looking for something bigger and better, then why not combine multiple gold pieces together to make one larger statement piece? Combine two rings into one wider, stacked ring or reset loose gemstones or other materials into your new creation.

Gift
What is a more thoughtful gift other than a custom-made piece? Repurpose your existing gold and have it created into a beautiful and bespoke piece of jewellery for a friend or loved one.

At Shadwick’s Fine Jewellery we offer an extensive range of support in recreating and/or redesigning that one-off piece. We specialise in all kinds of custom jewelry designs across a variation of materials. So whether you’re looking to repurpose old diamonds into a new ring, convert a necklace, bracelet, chain or earrings into a new piece, Shadwick’s Fine Jewellery can transform your old jewellery into a piece that you can wear and love!

Get in touch with our friendly and experienced jewellers for a free, no obligation quote and discover the possibilities for your old jewellery.

How To Clean And Care For Your Fine Jewellery And Diamond Rings

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A diamond ring is often a most precious prized possession, and for rings and jewellery that is worn every day, it’s important to keep them in tip-top shape to help maintain their quality and preserve their beauty.

As careful as you think you may be, your fine jewellery or diamond ring is most likely exposed to oil and dirt that can damage its surface. To keep your precious jewellery looking as bright as the day you got them, it is recommended to have them cleaned by a jeweller regularly to help increase their longevity and maintain their shine. 

In between these professional cleanings, it is also important to know how to take care of your precious jewellery yourself – in the right way. 

Firstly, let’s start by debunking common myths on cleaning methods for your jewellery.

 

Myth 1. Toothpaste
We’ve all heard it before… ‘toothpaste can clean your jewellery!’ Unfortunately, this is a very common myth. Not only can toothpaste be quite challenging to remove from those hard-to-reach places, especially once it dries up and hardens, what people often forget is that toothpaste is also a mild abrasive. Did you know that toothpaste and gold have an almost identical hardness rating, meaning toothpaste can scratch your jewellery? Yep, it’s true. Metals and gemstones used in jewellery sit along a Mohs Hardness Scale that represents their ability to withstand scratches, with many gemstones equal to or only just a bit higher than toothpaste. So unless you are cleaning a loose diamond, it is best to avoid using toothpaste and stick with a jewellery cleaner made to clean your specific jewels or have it professionally done.

 

Myth 2. Boiling water
This is another one that seems like it could do no harm. However, when it comes to jewellery with semi-precious or soft stones, utmost care needs to be taken. Boiling water can cause damage to your gemstones with extreme heat even affecting the metal. We’ve all heard that heat can expand metal – and the same applies to your precious jewellery. The high temperature from boiling water can distort the metal causing loose gemstones to fall from their settings.

Although ultrasonic jewellery cleaners use hot water, this is very different from the process of a DIY clean you’d do at home. The cleaning solution’s temperature in an ultrasonic jewellery cleaner is regulated and is programmed to never reach the boiling point of 100 degrees Celsius. So again, better leave it to the experts.

 

 Myth 3. Household cleaning products
Although there is ‘cleaning’ in their name, many of these household products can result in severe and irreparable damages to fine jewellery. Common cleaning products, chlorine and bleach, are both very corrosive and have the ability to start breaking down the metal alloys in your jewellery, causing pitting in gold and a complete change in colour in silver. In saying so, the occasional swim in a chlorinated pool won’t have a severe effect, however, if you are an avid swimmer you may want to consider storing your jewellery somewhere safe. Abrasives should also be avoided at all costs, as they have the potential to leave tiny scratches on the surface of softer metals like gold. Therefore, you should never clean jewellery with baking soda or other powdered cleaners.

 

How to Clean a Diamond Ring & Fine Jewellery
The easiest and most effective technique in cleaning a piece of fine jewellery at home involves only a few basic household items (that aren’t chlorine or bleach of course!)

  • A mild dish detergent (preferably one with natural ingredients) or a natural body wash (without a moisturizing agent)
  • A little warm water
  • A new child’s toothbrush with very soft bristles
  • A soft, clean microfiber cloth

 

Method
Fill a bowl with warm water and add a few drops of gentle dish soap into the bowl, swishing it around a bit. 

Soak your ring or piece of jewellery in the water for about 20 to 40 minutes. This will penetrate the dirt, allowing it to loosen. 

Then gently brush the stone with the toothbrush, carefully pushing the bristles into the hard-to-reach crevices.

Once cleaned, rinse under warm running water and pat the ring dry with the microfiber cloth or lay it down on a paper towel and allow it to dry.

Other tips to protect your jewellery
Caring for your diamond jewellery every day is just as important as cleaning it regularly and correctly, particularly in the long run. There are many day-to-day activities that could dull your jewellery’s brilliance or even damage it. To keep your fine jewellery looking its best for years to come, be sure to follow these handy jewellery care tips:

  • Avoid showering with your diamond ring and fine jewellery. Harsh shampoos, conditioners and other body washes may contain harmful chemicals that could have a damaging effect on the metal over time. 
  • Always wear protective gloves or remove your jewellery when using strong household chemicals. As we learnt earlier, bleach or chlorine is no good for our precious jewellery.
  • Put your jewellery on after you style your hair and put on makeup. Skin lotions, powders and other products can leave a residue on diamond jewellery that has a dulling effect on its shine.
  • Remove your jewellery when doing hard work, such as gardening, repairs or moving furniture. A hard knock on a diamond ring could damage the setting, scratch the metal or even chip the diamond.
  • Get your diamond ring or fine jewellery checked and cleaned by a professional jeweller regularly. The jeweller will look at the prongs and mountings to make sure they are secure, making sure your jewellery is in top condition.

 As you can see, there is a lot in properly caring for your treasured pieces in order to keep them in their best condition. Just like we take our delicate clothing to the drycleaners, we should do the same for our fine jewellery to a professional jeweller.  

At Shadwick’s Fine Jewellery we offer a lifetime cleaning service on your diamond jewellery. Bring your pieces into our workshop every 3 months for a professional clean where at the same time we will check all settings for your peace of mind.

How much should I spend on an Engagement Ring?

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The first questions that comes to mind when you are shopping around for an engagement ring are most likely price related.

How much should I spend on an engagement ring?” and “How much do engagement rings cost?”  are often the most common questions. These questions are probably the most difficult to answer and can often leave you torn between choosing the perfect ring and whether you can put a price on love.

We are made to believe that the price that we spend on an engagement ring should reflect the amount of love that we have for our significant other. It is difficult to know where to draw the line between love, extravagance, and insult because its different for each couple. Here are a few pieces of advice we’ve learnt over the years to determine how much you should spend on your ring.

The 3 Month Rule Hoax:

This is a very old school saying and if you have been shopping around for an engagement ring you’ve probably heard it before. The ‘3 Month Rule’ is a stereotypical engagement saying that says an engagement ring should cost you 3 months of your salary, and if you spend any less than that you are not giving your partner what they deserve.

The reality is that there is no rule which dictates how much you should spend on an engagement ring.

What it really comes down to is the sentimental value attached to the ring, in reality we believe that your price point should be fixed based on three things:

  • Whether your significant other will like it.
  • If you can afford it.
  • The quality of the ring.
Stay Realistic

The first step in selecting an engagement ring is to set yourself a flexible budget. Flexibility is key. Be open minded and visit various stores. Discover what you think might suit both your budget and the person who will be wearing the ring. It’s important to know what your partner might like in terms of design. Try some hint questions to understand how much your partner thinks is an appropriate amount to spend on an engagement ring. Ask them questions about what their ideal design would be. Collecting small pieces of information over time will help make sure you don’t give away the surprise. Plan enough time between the proposal and saving money for your ring of choice. A marriage is for a lifetime so take your time and don’t rush. Save your money, ask questions, shop around and seek out professional advice.

Consult a jeweller

Visiting a jeweller will give you a better idea of how much an engagement ring should cost based on the quality of the work and quality of the gem. Consulting a professional will help you determine what your budget should be, based on what you are looking for. We can help determine the clarity, cut, colour and carat that will work best for you and your budget. Our speciality in custom jewellery means we’ll always have the perfect ring for your partner.

If you have any questions regarding engagement rings feel free to contact us or visit our store anytime for free expert advice!

Lastly, engagement rings are a lifelong investment so don’t forget to get them insured and enquire about care packages to keep your ring shining forever!