What to buy someone going through something
Choosing jewellery for somebody having a difficult year. What gets worn, what gets put away, what never to engrave, and why a piece she already owns is often the best answer.
Ring sizing and repairs: what can be altered, and what cannot
What sizing a ring actually involves, why the join sometimes shows, which rings cannot be altered at all, and when a ring is better remade than mended.
Necklace lengths: where each length sits, and what suits your neckline
The chain length never includes the pendant. Where 16in, 18in, 20in and 22in sit on an adult, which length suits which neckline, and what to do with a chain that is the wrong length.
Milestone birthday jewellery: what actually gets worn afterwards
An 18th, a 21st, a 30th or a 40th. How to choose a piece she will actually wear, size it without asking her, and have it made in time.
Charm bracelets: what holds the charms on, and how many fit
A charm bracelet is 6.5in of chain and a set of decisions. What a jump ring is, why the clasp goes first, how many charms actually fit, and what to do with the bracelet in the drawer.
Inherited jewellery: what damages an old piece, and when to have it checked
Antique, vintage and estate do not mean the same thing. What each one means, how to store and wear an inherited piece, how often to have it checked, and what to do with the pieces you will never wear again.