Sherry jewellery are bespoke designer makers of hand made jewellery. Creating uniquely designed and unusual jewellery to order, perfect for anniversary gifts .They are dedicated bespoke goldsmiths, designing and producing all types of fine jewellery.

Tips on choosing anniversary and celebratory jewellery gifts

I've put together a few ideas for giving bespoke jewellery as a special gift; making suggestions that may help you choose an appropriate present  for the occasion. Ruth Sherry BA (Hons) FIPG    See my favourite ring (at the moment)

Through our lives, we all have special dates to celebrate. Marking these times with pieces of bespoke jewellery, is a sure-fire way of remembering those landmark events.

How many times, have you heard someone say, “I was given this for my 21st” or “My husband gave me this when our first child was born.”? Even some of our older customers, may still be wearing an item of jewellery, which was given to them in their youth. They become priceless items to the wearer, because they have great memories and sentiment, which cannot be defined purely in financial terms.

Wedding anniversary gifts

The gift of jewellery has been closely associated with love for thousands of years. So it’s no wonder that so many people choose it for anniversary presents.

For those interested, here are the key Wedding Anniversaries.

 

1st	Paper	13th	Lace
2nd	Cotton	14th	Ivory
3rd	Leather	15th	Crystal
4th	Fruit or linen	20th	China
5th	Wooden	25th	Silver
6th	Sugar	30th	Pearl
7th	Woollen or copper	35th	Coral
8th	Bronze or salt	40th	Ruby
9th	Pottery	45th	Sapphire
10th	Tin	50th	Golden
11th	Steel	55th	Emerald
12th	Silk	60h	Diamond
		75th	Platinum

Ok, so you can’t use all of these media to make jewellery, but its food for thought.

With all gifts of jewellery, the most obvious advice would be, to give something that will be wanted and worn. I know this may sound like a fundamental, but so often, people get it wrong. So take time to think what styles and types of jewellery the recipient enjoys wearing.

If you’ve never seen her in a brooch, perhaps it’s because she doesn’t like them. If you’re choosing a gift as a surprise, try to remember if you’ve ever been given any ‘strong hints’ about something they’ve always wanted: Possibly a diamond eternity ring, or a pair of diamond earrings.

Quite often, couples will come together; to have bespoke jewellery created for each other.

This has been especially so, for Ruby wedding anniversaries, for reasons that I’ve never determined! If it is a gemstone anniversary, some people choose the gemstone first. Sometimes a shape or size of a stone, may lend itself to a particular type of bespoke jewellery. One couple came to us, to choose a ruby from a selection of loose stones. Neither of them had any idea what they wanted as the final piece. He just said to me, “She’ll know it when she sees it!” She chose a beautiful pear shaped ruby.

It wasn’t the most expensive stone from the choice, but it was a fantastic colour and a long, elegant shape, that offered itself perfectly to a pendant design.So having chosen the stone, we went on to design and make her a one-off ruby pendant. What a lovely way to celebrate a wedding anniversary!

How to order from bespoke jewellery designer Ruth Sherry using our e-design service

How much to spend on bespoke design jewellery

Birthday Gifts

Birthdays are great times to give jewellery. The early ones of note, being the 16th, 18th and the 21st.

The clever gift, embodies everything that they will already like, with a future-proof design that will also stand the test of time. Perhaps you will be giving them their first notable piece of jewellery.

A well designed pendant, possibly set with a diamond or two, could be worn over many years, with pleasure and pride. Have it made in 18ct and put it onto a strong, attractive chain and you’ve hopefully given a gift with longevity as well as beauty. A classically simple, 18ct gold signet ring, initially worn on the third finger, right-hand, might work its way down to the ‘pinkie’ over the decades. (Think Prince Charles; you will often notice him turning the ring on his little finger, as he listens to someone speak to him.) There are lots of designs that span the tastes of generations and we can help you come up with the ideal gift.

Exclusively designed and made by Sherry Jewellery, these Limited Edition Union flag cuff links and signet ring can be bought as a set, or individually. With beautiful detail front and back and a real presence in weight and luxury, they’re something truly exceptional. Rather than being pave set predictably with rubies and blue sapphires, they are set entirely with red, white and blue diamonds, giving a spectacular uniformity and unmatched brilliance. Each piece is made to order, in either 18ct yellow gold, palladium or platinum.

If you’re undecided which metal colour to choose, I’d suggest considering if they’d be worn with any other item (a watch, for example.)  Keeping to the same metal colour, gives a more co-ordinated look. To see the platinum version of this collection click here

Signet ring in palladium is £2,579. The cufflinks in palladium are £7,645. The set in palladium £9,800. Due to fluctuating metal prices, please contact us now for current costs.

Signet ring in 18ct gold is £4,310. The cufflinks in 18ct gold are £11,360. The set in 18ct gold £14,990 Due to fluctuating metal prices, please contact us now for current costs.

Platinum price on request. If you'd like any more information about this exclusive Sherry Jewellery collection, please e-mail using the link in the top right hand corner of the page, or phone the number above.

Birthdays with a zero in them

It seems from experience, that the higher the number, the greater the gift. Incremental improvements in the calibre of jewellery given, from 30 to 40, then 40 to 50 have been notable in our 25 years of business.

As with wedding anniversaries, it’s often a case of ‘filling the gaps.’ Providing that piece of jewellery that has always been wanted, but perhaps never afforded before. This is especially so with up-grading or retiring the original engagement ring. This may sound like a horrific suggestion, but this is being done with increasing regularity now.

Let’s face it, at the time when you first got engaged, chances are, that you didn’t have so much to spend on the engagement ring. She may have been wearing her ring for so many years that it no longer truly represents your status/tastes. Or it could be, that it’s just ‘worn out.’ For these reasons, a BIG birthday, is often the perfect opportunity to up-grade. Very many clients simply go for a bigger version of what they already wear; just increasing on diamond size, and/or quality.

Others keep the original stones, but have the engagement ring itself redesigned;perhaps into something a little more contemporary or a style that suits their current tastes. Some customers do both! They use the original stone/s, incorporated into a new design, (often adding extra stones). Then they purchase a new stone from us and we design it into their new engagement ring, giving them the ring they’d always wanted.

Birth of a Baby

What better reason to celebrate? Traditionally, eternity rings are given to celebrate the birth of a couple’s first child. You can specify any number of stones and have them set part-way, or all the way around the finger.

A full eternity ring has stones set right around the band. This is the ultimate type of eternity ring. The advantages being, that even if the ring spins on the finger, all the gems are permanently on show. For greatest impact, all diamonds, in a continuous band, is the pinnacle of ETs.   A half eternity ring might be the better option however, if the gift is to be a surprise. This is because, if the ring size needs to be altered, to fit the wearer, it is simpler to adjust.

Most commonly used cuts of gems, for eternity rings are brilliants, princess cut and baguette cut. But we have made eternity rings with all shapes, including a continuous row of oval cut diamonds, which looked spectacular.

Ideally, the harder wearing gems, lend themselves to ‘full  eternitys’. These include diamonds, sapphires (of every colour imaginable) and rubies. You may be wiser to avoid some of the softer and more brittle stones, such as emeralds and opals.

We have some great starting points on our eternity ring page to use as inspiration.

If you want to buy a gift for the baby, (for you to give in the distant future to mark the date.) A loose diamond, or other precious gem, can be a good idea. This can go on to be used in an item of bespoke jewellery, to suit their tastes, once they are older.

Achievement gifts

Marking an achievement with a precious piece of bespoke jewellery is a great way to celebrate a success. It helps to serve as a reminder of something well done. (Perhaps almost helping to boost confidence for some people.) Traditionally, a ring was given as a symbol of rights and privileges.  A ring isn’t the only suggestion of course. As with other gifts, it really depends on the recipient. Remember, whatever you give, it’s not just a ‘reward’ for success, but a piece of jewellery that will be loved and worn for its design and beauty.

Graduation gifts

Graduations are good reasons to celebrate! By having a bespoke piece of jewellery made, the recipient can be made to feel very special. The design can help to say something about that person:Expressing their style and tastes. The graduation not only marks the achievement just made, but also anticipates the start of a new stage in their lives. They may be beginning their professional career, perhaps earning their own money for the first time. So let’s not forget, this could be a very big moment in their lives.

A good time to give a special gift of bespoke jewellery. For men, Academic Rings have been traditionally given, to mark the culmination of a graduation. Years ago, it was learned Doctors who were bestowed a ring, when they graduated. Then Bachelors started to get them too. Now, (in America especially,) even High School and College rings are quite normal gifts at graduation.

Whatever the occasion for celebration, a piece of bespoke jewellery can be the perfect, long-lasting gift. Something that’s both precious and beautiful. An item that will last, with the potential to be passed down through the generations. Contact us for a quote, or have a look through our galleries, to find perfect gift solutions.

I hope you may have found some of these ideas on choosing a bespoke jewellery gift useful. We’re always willing to offer our help and expertise. Over the years we've made some lovely jewellery as presents, helping people to mark their special events and anniversaries