We use UK ring sizing measuring rings from A (the smallest) to Z. Half sizes are also available to help you find the perfect fit. We stock a wide range of sizes, but if we don't have your size in stock we can order it especially for you please contact us for more information.
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A ring with a deep band width like a wedding band will need to be slightly larger than your normal size, so keep this in mind when choosing your ring.
Depending on their design many rings can be resized. Rings with a specific number of gemstones such as eternity rings cannot be resized but they can be exchanged for another size as per our returns policy.
Whatever the occasion, there is nothing more precious than a gift of jewellery to express to that special someone how you feel. With many precious metals to choose from, the following precious metal buyer's guide will explore the different properties of each metal, helping you to make the best choice. You will also discover useful guidance on how to care for different precious metals with confidence, so that your jewellery stays looking as beautiful as when you first bought it.
Platinum is a versatile and hard-wearing precious metal with a naturally white colour. Its dense quality makes it the perfect accompaniment to any gemstone, including diamonds. Because of its strength, platinum is a particularly popular choice for a variety of jewellery including engagement rings, wedding rings, necklaces, earrings and rings. Because of its 95% purity, platinum does not oxidise in the air at any temperature which means its colour remains consistent and does not tarnish. As with all precious metals, platinum jewellery will carry a hallmark declaring its quality and authenticity.
Gold has been an important precious metal and has been used throughout history as jewellery for religious ceremonies such as weddings, to declare status or purely for decoration. It is a popular and versatile choice as it can easily be crafted into different shapes. Most gold is mixed with other alloy metals such as silver, copper, nickel and zinc to strengthen its durability.
Gold is measured in carat. Pure gold is measured as 24ct. 18ct gold is 75% gold and is the most popular choice for ladies engagement rings. 14ct gold is 58.5% gold and 9ct gold is 37.5% gold which enables it to be the most affordable gold choice. 9ct and 18ct are the most popular gold choices. As with all precious metals, gold jewellery will carry a hallmark declaring its quality and authenticity. Please see the hallmark guide below.
Gold is always a naturally beautiful yellow colour. However because of the different carats available there are colour variations. 9ct, 14ct and 18ct are still yellow but the hue is changed due to the different mixture of the other alloys being added. Yellow gold is the most traditional metal used for engagement rings, wedding rings, necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings.
White gold is the perfect metal to complement sparkling gemstones, especially diamonds. White gold is normally created by mixing yellow gold with varying ratios of copper, zinc, nickel or palladium to change its colour. White gold is naturally dull, it is then enhanced with a rhodium plating. Rhodium is part of the platinum family and this plating is what gives white gold its highly polished finish.
With time, rhodium plating can wear away or scratch especially if it is in contact with other hard items, this varies with the type of jewellery. Earrings for example, are unlikely to come into contact with anything which will wear the plating, but engagement or wedding rings signs of wear. If you find your rhodium plating has worn away you can contact us and we can arrange for it to be re-plated.
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Sterling silver is a fresh and contemporary precious metal found in mines around Australia, Canada, Mexico, Bolivia and Peru. Mixed with other metals to increase its strength, it is perfect for making bigger statement jewellery and has been used throughout history for necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings and brooches. Sterling silver is the most affordable precious metal that we stock. As with all precious metals,sterling silver jewellery will carry a hallmark declaring its quality and authenticity.
Diamond quality is often measured and referred to as the four C&#;s. These are Clarity, Colour, Cut and Carat
Diamonds are formed deep within the earth under extreme pressure and heat and often contain unique marks either internal (referred to as inclusions) or external (referred to as blemishes). The diamond clarity scale refers to the presence of these markings. Diamonds without any markings are very rare and this affects their value. The GIA Clarity Scale contains 11 grades, with most diamonds falling into the VS (very slightly included) or SI (slightly included) categories. In determining a clarity grade, the GIA system considers the size, nature, position, color or relief, and quantity of clarity characteristics visible under 10× magnification.
Diamond colour is all about what you can&#;t see. Diamonds are valued by how closely they approach colourless &#; the less colour, the higher their value. The below chart from the GIA gives a guide to the diamond colour scale.
Cut quality is the factor that provides sparkle and brilliance to a diamond. The allure and beauty of a particular diamond depends more on cut quality than anything else.
The GIA Diamond Cut Grading System for standard round brilliants in the D-to-Z color range is based on the assessment of seven components. The first three &#; brightness (the total light reflected from a diamond), fire (the dispersion of light into the colors of the spectrum), and scintillation (the pattern of light and dark areas and the flashes of light, or sparkle, when a diamond is moved) &#; are appearance-based aspects. The remaining four &#; weight ratio, durability, polish, and symmetry &#; are related to a diamond's design and craftsmanship. People often use the words cut and shape interchangeably. They think of cut as the shape or outline of the diamond, rather than the arrangement of facets needed to create an attractive face-up appearance.
Round is the shape used in most diamond jewelry. All other outlines are known as fancy shapes. Examples of traditional fancy shapes include the marquise, pear and oval. Hearts, triangles and a variety of others are also gaining popularity in diamond jewelry.
Diamonds and other gemstones are weighed in metric carats. One carat is equal to 0.2 grams. 1 Carat is divided in to 100 points, for example a 50 point diamond weighs 0.5 carats. Most diamonds used in fine jewellery weigh 1 carat or less.
Does platinum scratch?
Like all precious metals, platinum and white gold do scratch.
If a platinum or gold piece has a high-polish finish, scratches are actually easier to spot, because of the high contrast between the polish and the scratch.
Platinum is a softer and more flexible metal than white gold. Over time, because it is easier to scratch, platinum develops a natural patina (grayish-white dull color) that many people prefer to the polished finish.
Platinum is a much denser metal. Its chemical composition has a more compact concentration of material per unit than gold. This means your platinum jewelry is heavier and will wear longer than white gold. Ninety percent platinum weighs sixty percent more than 14-karat gold.
These two properties - being denser and softer than gold, mean that when platinum is scratched, no metal is lost. The metal is merely adjusted to allow room for the scratch. This means that platinum does not lose the minuscule amount of metal that disappears when other precious metals are scratched. This explains why design work and engravings last much longer on platinum jewelry.
White gold is a harder metal than Platinum. This means that its surface is more resistant to scratches than platinum.
Also, white gold is less malleable. White gold needs more pressure to bend than what is required by platinum. This means that white gold prongs holding diamonds are more resistant to bending than platinum. Most diamond jewelry now has white gold mountings and prongs.
It is important to realize that when comparing these two metals, we are talking about relative marginal differences in toughness and hardness. Both metals are strong enough to withstand normal wear and tear for your jewelry. While platinum lasts longer, it is also softer (scratches more). Platinum it is more malleable therefore is easier to hammer or press into shape without breaking or cracking.
I've heard that platinum is harder to work with than gold.
Platinum and white gold like other metals can be worked on or altered by a qualified jeweler.
Platinum is different to work on than gold, but not more difficult for a qualified and skilled craftsman. ( Some jewelry shops do not have craftsmen skilled to work with platinum ) Platinum has a much higher melting point than other precious metals and it can be easily contaminated if mishandled. Therefore, platinum requires special procedures, chemicals and equipment which make the process of creating platinum jewelry more costly.
Most jewelry craftsmen are well equipped to work with gold and all its alloys. Most jewelry shops are qualified to cast gold jewelry locally. Casting platinum jewelry requires specialized shops outside the scope of your local jewelry retailer or custom jewelry shop.
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