5 Sparkling Christmas Proposal Ideas

Thinking of proposing this Christmas?

Christmas is a wonderful time of year filled with love and excitement, what better time to propose to your partner? To help inspire you to make the moment extra special we have 5 creative ideas for, how to ask your special someone the question.

BROWSE ALL ENGAGEMENT RINGS

  • 1. A Christmas Eve proposal – Why wait until Christmas day? Pop the question in a Christmas Eve cheers! A glass of wine or a bottle of fizz, choose your partner’s favourite. Raise a toast & pop the question.
  • 2. A winter wonderland – A romantic Christmas walk through the snow & lights is the perfect scenic background for your wonderful proposal. Take an evening walk through your local area’s glittering lights & festive decorations. It’ll be a truly magical moment under the glimmering lights!

Browse our picks here:

  • 3. Hanging in the stocking- A Christmas morning to remember! Put your wrapped-up engagement ring at the bottom of their stocking so they open it last ready for you to pop the question
  • 4. In a Christmas cracker– Usually filled with tiny trinkets make your own Christmas cracker and create a surprise proposal! Like any other year pull a Christmas cracker with your partner and watch them unwrap their unexpected proposal.

(We recommend you keep your ring in the box or wrap it up to keep it safe within the cracker.)

  • 5. Simply under the Christmas Tree- Wrap your engagement ring up in the box and let it blend in with the other gifts, as your partner opens the ring box prepare to get down on one knee!  

Engagement Ring Guide

https://www.peterjackson.co.uk/pjworld/post/the-complete-guide-to-buying-an-engagement-ring-from-the-experts-at-peter-jackson-the-jeweller

Children’s Jewellery Keepsake Gifts

‘Little Star’ the Brand

A company created by a couple that dreamed about having their own jewellery brand back in 2016
& started ‘Little Star’ based on their 20 years’ experience in the industry. With so much love and passion for children’s jewellery there is no wonder that the brand has been a great success.

Our Top Picks For Christmas Gifts

Baby Bangles

Jewellery gifts for children are a great way to mark a special occasion and be kept & passed down as they get older to siblings or their own children. The Little Star silver bangles have an adjustable expandable design so it can be worn as they grow. This Little Star Jessica Rose Gold Star Baby Bangle is a wonderfully festive design with stunning rose gold detailing that catches the light.

 My first earrings

 These Little Star Suri Diamond Heart Stud Earrings are a wonderful gift for little ones who have recently had their ears pierced and would like their first pair of earrings. Created from Sterling Silver and detailed with a small diamond in the Centre these are a truly special gift.

Matching Mum & daughter pendants

The Little Star Lola Open Heart Pendant is a stunning simple heart design crafted from sterling silver. Designed with Mum and daughter in mind to match, a beautiful way to show your love & mother, daughter connection.

Personalised

For the boys, we have a selection of high-quality sterling silver jewellery. The Little Star Boys Curb ID bracelet is a great choice, you can personalize it by adding your own special message, name, or date up to 6 characters. A beautiful present ideal for ages 1-5 years old depending upon wrist size. A marvelous gift that will be kept and cherished for more than just this Christmas.

On Trend

The Oli Boys Tag Necklace is a super trendy ‘dog tag’ style necklace made from sterling silver for quality & durability. The design has space to be personalised with engraving up to 8 characters, a gift kept close to his heart.

 Our last pick is the Andre Boys Blue Leather Bracelet, a comfortable lightweight design with a deep blue design perfect for a little boy’s everyday style to match Dad. Take a look at our Unique jewellery for dads too!

We hope you enjoyed reading our gift guide and have plenty of ideas for this Christmas. Jewellery holds so many memories so begin your children’s jewellery collection with something from Little Star.

Browse ‘Little Star’ Full Range

Christmas Gift Ideas 2024- His and Hers

We have done the research so you don’t have to, collecting all our favourite gift recommendations this year to treat your special someone. So look no further and let us inspire you!

  • Gucci have released some fabulous new collection pieces this year and have added this stunning GUCCI Icon GG 18ct Gold Necklace and earring suite. If you want to go all out this year this is an iconic set that can be cherished for a lifetime. Handcrafted in Italy this is a true statement of luxury.

For your tech loving, loved one, we have a superb range of smart watches..

  • TAG Heuer’s Connected watch collection is a stylish combination of luxury, fashion & functionality. They have even released some special edition pieces such as the ‘TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 X Oracle Red Bull Racing Edition 45mm Black Rubber Leather Watch’.
  • Storm have also brought out a fabulous new smartwatch at a remarkable price of £79.00!

The S-HERO is STORM‘s fourth full smartwatch. Features include phone calling/notifications, fitness tracking, health monitoring, and remote camera control. Each watch comes with a charging cable and is compatible with both Android and IOS.

These smart watches are a great gift option for those who love technology and sport so if this describes your other half, add this to your basket.

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend!

  • A diamond solitaire pendant is a classic piece that can be cherished for generations, something so simple & beautiful will be forever in style.

Or give the gift of time and treat your special someone to a Swiss timepiece with diamond detailing.

For an eternity

Spoil your wife and show your everlasting love with a diamond eternity ring! We have some stunning full & half eternity bands available; our top pick is this stunning.

It’s worth keeping in mind that all our made to order rings take approximately 4-6 weeks, so its worth ordering early to avoid disappointment.

  • Thomas Sabo always pull out the stops when It comes to their festive charms, we particularly love the gingerbread and gingerbread house charm! perfect little gifts to treasure & collect.
  • Nomination gift to be collected for all occasions, for anyone in the family. The composable design allows for complete customization. With adorable Christmas charms available this is the perfect gift year after year.
  • For a fashionable, affordable watch gift, the Olivia Burton Classic Grove 23mm Forest Green & Gold Bracelet Quartz Watch is a great gift displayed in a feminine box that your loved one would be delighted to unwrap.
  • Finally for the princess in your life the Clogau Celebration Crown Gemstone ring, available set with Amethyst, London Blue Topaz, Garnet, and White Topaz. Choose their favourite colour or birthstone for a beautiful sentimental gift.

Luxury designer gifts for the fashion-conscious love in your life, from BOSS gifts sets to Swiss precision we have all the top gifts to browse. Our top picks are;

Affordable Swiss for your avid watch collector…

For more gift recommendations see our Christmas page here:

https://www.peterjackson.co.uk/christmas

Happy seasonal shopping!

Autumn Jewellery Trends 2024

As the coats & gloves come out of the closet, and we enter a new season of fashion be prepared with the top three hottest Jewellery trends of this Autumn/Winter! We have all the details and products to shop the look.

Mixed Metals

Why wear one metal when you can wear all three, this trend is perfect for those who love to mix and match their style. Seen fresh off the catwalks and in and amongst street style, the most popular way to wear this trend is layering. Layering necklaces, bracelets, and rings. The Hot Diamonds x Tasha collection is the ideal way to achieve this look, personalize name necklaces in silver- and gold-plated layering slogans & initial’s that have great meaning.

For watch lovers we have some excellent picks, firstly the iconic Longines Hydro Conquest two tone rose gold timepiece. A stunning watch that makes a statement all by itself. To compliment, the ladies TAG Heuer Carrera 36mm Steel & Rose Gold Diamond Set Calibre 7 Bracelet Watch is beautifully feminine timepiece embellished with diamonds around the inner bezel.  Finally, coming up to Christmas this stunning 9ct white and yellow gold bangle would make a stunning timeless gift for a loved one to enjoy.

Nature Inspired

Inspire by what’s around us, Thomas Sabo have debuted an organic line of Jewellery crafted from recycled silver in smooth unique silhouettes symbolizing natural shapes. The silver polished organic drop pendant, and earrings would make the ultimate luxury statement paired with the on-trend animal print clothing trend.

Meanwhile, Gucci have gone back to their roots when debuting their new 18ct yellow gold line, inspired by equestrian equipment. The horse bit motif has been around for Gucci since the 1950s, incorporated into their leather goods. With elements of the design taken from the equestrian world it is certainly recognizable in design and shows off their heritage. Animal print has been seen everywhere on the catwalk filtering into mainstream fashion.

Gucci have commonly taken inspiration from nature and animals, this Gucci G- Timeless 32mm Steel Yellow Gold-Plated Bee Quartz Bracelet Watch is a great example of this fitting into this year’s trend nicely. Available in yellow and pink tone dial on a versatile stainless-steel bracelet.

Green Jewel Tones

Green has been appearing on watch dials across different brands for a while now and has become a major trend. Kris Jenner amongst other celebrity guests was seen recently on the Met Gala red carpet 2024 wearing all white with Emerald statement Jewellery. White silk gloves and statement emerald dress rings accompanied by 10ct emerald earrings that made heads turn.

This trend doesn’t stop there, popular deep green hues saw M & S’s Green Twill coat go viral online urging shoppers to grab the trendy green coat. To match the earthy green tones of this winter outerwear, we have Hot Diamonds X Gem Green Chalcedony Rectangle Gold Plated Hoop Earrings.

For watch enthusiasts we have an abundance of choices, for ladies, Olivia Burton have released a Olivia Burton Classic Grove 23mm Forest Green, Gold Bracelet Quartz Watch, a classic looking rectangular watch with a luxury feel & green dial ideal for those wanting to incorporate the trend in a subtle way.

Storm, a unique and often quirky watch brand have released a time piece with a radiant green jewel face, crafted with a dazzling elevated cut glass design, a statement watch with a sparkly twist for this season. For the gents, we have many options but these two are our top picks! The Citizen Tusuyosa 40 Green Gold-Plated Automatic Bracelet Watch, an affordable automatic movement combined with this seasons colours.

Secondly, TAG Heuer have released a brand new Aquaracer Professional 200 40mm Solargraph Steel Bracelet Watch in a stunning forest green shade. Powered by light this timepiece is equipped with TAG Heuer’s ‘Calibre TH50-00’ solargraph technology allowing the timepiece to recharge effortlessly with both natural and artificial light.  This would be an excellent choice for a sporty fashionable gent who would like to add to their collection.

Whatever your style we hope you enjoyed our top picks for this Autumn / Winter. Shop all styles in stores & online.

A Guide to Cultured Pearls

Pretty in Pearls

Shimmering natural beads, Pearls are known for their timeless elegance. Historically worn by high profile people such as Audrey Hepburn and Queen Elizabeth II , pearls have remained a classic in many peoples collections, however, more recently they have made their way back into the limelight. Seen on red carpets worn by the likes of Margot Robbie, *AKA Barbie, Anne Hathaway and Angelina Jolie. At Peter Jackson we have launched a brand-new collection of ‘Cultured pearls’ in all different shapes, colours and sizes to fit a range of styles.

What are cultured pearls & how are they different to natural pearls?

Pearls are formed when a foreign body i.e. debris or dust invades a mollusk. To protect itself the shellfish coats the foreign body with layers and layers of ‘nacre’. Nacre are tiny particles of calcium carbonate. When this process happens as part of nature’s cycle in the wild the pearl produced is a ‘natural pearl’.

Not all mollusks produce pearls and not all pearls produced are of good quality and even then, only very rarely some natural pearls are found. This is why natural pearls are rare and expensive. And historically, pearls were reserved for Royalty.

In the 19th century we discovered the process of ‘culturing pearls’, this opened the market up for pearls to be more accessible to everyone.

Cultured pearls are formed with human intervention. In nature we don’t choose what pearl is formed around in the mollusc but with cultured pearls we insert either a piece of mantle or a mother of pearl bead. The mollusc then reacts, protecting itself by layering the nacre onto the bead or piece of mantle. The more layers of nacre on a pearl, the more lustre and beauty it will have.

The two different types of cultured pearl

One is a cultured pearl formed in freshwater and one is cultured in sea or salt water.

The process of ‘farming’ the pearls in different waters can vary.

Fresh Water Pearls

Fresh water pearls are formed in rivers and lakes

Fresh water pearls can only be cultured in mussels but can often produce up to 40 pearls at a time in one shell, wow!

Saltwater Pearls

Saltwater pearls are formed in salt water

Saltwater pearls are cultured in a variety of different oysters but generally only produce one pearl at a time per oyster. As you can see there are some significant differences in the processes, which has an impact on cost.

Map showing Pearl farms china, japan and Vietnam

Where are they cultured?

Freshwater pearls are cultured in several different places in the world, but the majority come from China. This is due to Chinas many lakes and ponds inland.

Saltwater pearls are cultured in various locations in the world such as Japan, China, Australia, Vietnam and many other countries. The different types are separated into three different names-

The Akoya cultured pearls are farmed in Japan. Mikimoto famously originally commercialized Akoya pearls. These pearls are also farmed in China and Vietnam.

South Sea cultured pearl – farms can be found for the most part in Australia (in whites and silvers), and Indonesia and the Philippines (in golden colours). The different colours can be recognised from the lipids outer shell.

Tahitian cultured pearl – farms can mostly be found in the islands of French Polynesia and the Cook Islands. With a distinct dark shimmering lustre these pearls can easily be recognised and distinguished from others.

Styling pearls

Now as we have a better understanding of their origin, this is how you can style them. As mentioned earlier many stars have been seen wearing Pearls throughout the years. In recent red carpet snaps we have seen Margot Robbie wearing some simple classic pearl studs and statement pearl layered necklace. This style is a modern look with a vintage touch. Similarly, Helena Bonham Carter loves pearl accessories, also choosing a statement necklace and simple pearl stud earrings!

If you’d like to lean into the barbie pink look, we have chosen these beautiful pale pink pearl stud earrings, remaining simple yet effective. We also have smaller deeper pink pearl stud and pendant sets for a pop of colour in your everyday Jewellery these are perfect!

Kate Middleton is often pictured wearing elaborate jewels from the Royal collection. However, pictured here she is wearing a simpler paired back look. Angelina Jolie also an iconic figure seen wearing the most luxurious designer accessories available, is spotted wearing a simple pearl of large round pearl earrings. It just shows that the pearl is such an iconic classic that will remain popular throughout the various fashion trends.

We have a wide range of classic white round cultured pearl earrings for you to choose from ranging from 6mm-10mm in size.

The Princess of Whales, pearl necklace pictured during a tour of Poland in 2017, is an unusual style that caught many people’s attention at the time, the designer unknown. We have our own similar take on this necklace with a contemporary trilogy sliding pearl necklace with white gold chain.

This is not only a fashion statement but also symbolic, a trilogy often represents past, present and future. Therefore, would make a beautiful sentimental gift for a loved one.

Spotted again, Angelina Jolie’s love of pearls continues when spotted wearing dark shimmering pearls with a red lip. We love this look especially with the simple stud pearl earrings. We have some very similar in our range set in 9ct yellow gold to achieve the ultimate red-carpet look. Anne Hatheway is spotted wearing some large almost black shimmering pearl studs with diamond detail on a red carpet. Many celebrities are transforming into a simple look with a pair of pearls, and we love it!

To get the look we have stunning dove grey pearls and black shimmering pearls available in earrings and pendant styles. This would be the perfect gift for someone born in June as this is the official birthstone of the month. Pearls are also the traditional gift to celebrate a 30th wedding anniversary.  A gift that remains timeless is a gift that is loved & worn for a lifetime!

We hope you have a better understanding of different types of pearl and are inspired by the looks that can be created with such a simple beautiful gem created by nature.

Browse our full range of pearls on our website here and in stores.

Jewellery and Watch Valuation

What is Jewellery Valuation & why is It important?

A valuation is an in-depth assessment of a piece of jewellery or watch to gain an up-to-date value of the piece, whether this be for insurance, probate or family division. The assessment looks at when the item was first made, details of the materials that make up the item and current condition to create the current value. It also looks at the quality of the materials being used, i.e. if it’s a diamond, the grade or if it’s a gemstone, looking at the quality of the stone and how rare it is. There are lots of different elements that go into the process which is why it takes time and should be undertaken by a qualified specialist.

Why are valuations important?

Valuations should be a high priority in the upkeep of your precious items. If in the unfortunate event they are damaged, lost or even stolen, owning an up-to-date valuation will guarantee you regain the best up to date value should you be required to replace an item.

Insurance companies require in-depth details about your Jewellery and watches to insure them correctly, having an accredited valuation to hand will make this task much easier.

As a business we conduct valuation days a couple times a year where our lovely, trusted registered valuer Georgina Deer visits our store and accesses all our customers Jewellery. We are so lucky to have this as a company, other jewellers outsource their valuations and require sending them far away. This way we can keep your precious jewels safe. When you leave your items in our care they are carefully & safely stored, only accessed when our valuer visits for in store valuation days and monthly visits to H.O.

What is the process? (Jewellery)

  1.  Visual Inspection

A visual inspection of the piece of Jewellery takes place as the first step, using an eye glass to have a good look at the item. During this the valuer is looking at the condition for any existing damage, how it’s been made, and any hallmarks, makers marks etc. This helps gather information and history about the item.

  • Weighing

The item is simply put on the specialist scales to be weighed. This is then documented in the valuation document.

  • Refractometer

For some pieces of Jewellery, a device called the Refractometer Is used, this measures the angle at which light passes through a gemstone. In scientific terminology this is called ‘refractive index’. In simplified terms this is just how much a gemstone bends light.

The valuer will use refraction fluid, a small amount is placed onto the gemstone, then it will be placed on the refractometer’s prism, a light will be shown and the angle at which the light emerges allows the refractometer to do its thing and measure the refractive index (the light bending). This gives the valuer a great first idea in identifying what kind of gem it is. For example, the stone in the picture is a Morganite, part of the Beryl family. The refractive index of a beryl stone is 1.57, and by looking at the stone visually it has the colouring of a Morganite too, this is how we determine what the stone is.

4: Measurements

The item is measured and written down for key information,

The size particularly if it is a diamond or gemstone can be significant in telling the value because as we know as you go up in carat weight this usually means that it goes up in value, depending on other factors.

Measurements of the length, width and depth are taken.

5: Calculating the carat weight

Using the measurements taken the valuer is then able to calculate the carat weight of a gemstone.

6: Photos

Photographs are taken at a couple of different angles to show the item in its true form as it was valued. This is later used as part of the document. Something so simple helps to identify a like for like replacement. Surprisingly, most people don’t have clear images of their jewellery, do you?

What is the process? (Watches)

Valuing a watch has slightly different elements to the process than with jewellery.

Any existing paperwork such as the warranty, receipt, box & papers are also important when it comes to accessing the item. All are considered when accessing.

1: The item much like jewellery is given a physical assessment for the condition and key information, such as the reference / model number and serial number, the movement type and general working order of the watch.

2: Research

Research into the watch online is done, to be able to find out if it’s a currently available watch or if you can buy something similar. It can also tell you how limited or in demand the time piece is. This helps to indicate whether it will be valued of the basis of replacement retail value. Valuers look at auction houses, second-hand and official stockists when gathering information.

3: Photos are taken

Photos are taken as part of the assessment for the same reasoning as Jewellery valuation. To be used in the documentation as part of the final valuation documentation to show what the watch looked like at the date of Valuation, to give a visual that goes with the information.

I hope this has given you a better insight into what happens to your precious jewels once you have left them in our care. If you are interested in booking in for a valuation or would like more information such as about our registered valuer Georgian Deer or our current prices and dates, then check our Valuations info page here:

https://www.peterjackson.co.uk/valuations

The life of a Canadian Arctic Diamond

At Peter Jackson the Jeweller, we are proud to stock an exclusive collection of Canadian Arctic diamonds in our shops and online. Peter our Managing Director, has developed a wonderful relationship with our colleagues in Yellowknife, Canada allowing us the privilege to offer these remarkable diamonds to our customers. As you read further into the history & journey of the diamonds you will begin to understand the allure of these incredible gemstones.

The beginning

Canadian diamonds were first found in Canada’s remote Northwest Territories in  1991. Expert test results show that diamonds found here were formed between 2.5 and 3.3 billion years ago. Meaning that they are older than the time when dinosaur’s walked the earth!


Nearby, Yellowknife is a vibrant young city with  a population of just under 20,000 one of the smallest inhabited areas in the country. It is also home to the spectacular Northern lights around 240 days per year, one of the many wonders of the natural world.

Enjoying almost 24 hours of daylight during the short summer and as little as 4 hours and temperatures of around minus 30 degrees in the winter. Yellowknife is a beautiful and truly unique community sitting near the top of the world.

These particular diamonds mined in Northern Canada close to the Arctic Circle are contained in a rock called kimberlite, which interestingly hasn’t been around as long as diamonds.

Why then are they formed containing diamonds?

This is because between 600-47 million years ago, Northern Kimberlite volcanoes erupted with molten explosions thus forcing kimberlite through the earths layers. This resulted in diamonds being carried closer to the earths surface. It is also why diamonds are only found in certain places on earth.

Where are the mines?

There are two main mines located near YellowKnife . They are approximatley 30km apart from each other and located 200km North East of Yellowknife. Centuries previous to discovering these mines, the diamonds remained hidden due to extreme weather unsuitable for humans. People first discovered the treasures of gold nearby  in the Klondike gold rush of 1897–99 and by the 1930s gold hunters had set off to more Northern territory.

Half a century later, Geologists began looking for diamonds. People had been discovering diamonds in rivers and other open waters for years as far as South Montana USA. De Beers, a South African company that is now the world’s largest producer and distributor of diamonds, wanted to be the first to discover the diamonds. They sent out search teams far and wide in the 1980s. The teams did discover garnets, chromites and ilmenites, minerals peaking their interest that diamonds could be near by. Garnets are often a clue that diamonds can be found near by.

After little success De Beers chose to move onto opening exloration in Yellowknife a near by city, at this time the city was struggling financially so residents were encouraging of the new search for diamonds. 8 years later kimberlite was found and a further 18 months later Charles E. Fipke a Canadian geologist and prospector returned with the backing of huge mining company BHP agreeing a share of 51%. Finally success! The company announced it had found a world-class diamond deposit at the bottom of Lac de Gras. This then became the beginning of Ekati mine.

North West Territories

Ekati

Ekati started mining at, in 1998 and produces roughly 4.5 million gem quality carats annually. At that impressive figure its no surprise that Ekati’s mine makes up 6% of the worlds production of diamonds. There are 12,500 carats per day taken from this mine for the production of jewellery.


Diavik

Diavik is a slightly younger mine, that started its production in 2003. However this mine produces roughly 8 million gem quality carats annually! Almost double what Ekati produces.

The Canadian mark

Once the diamonds are mined, they are asessed to establish which are ‘Gem Quality’ and any that do not meet the criteria, then go on to be sold to other industries such as the automotive & tool sector.

The Canadian government take a more intense look at the diamonds, a voluntary code of conduct for authenticating Canadian diamonds was created to make sure the diamonds being marked as Canadian were unquestionably mined in Canada. It sets standards for the handling, storage, and packaging and marketing of diamonds, starting from the very second they are sold by the mining company. This gives retailers and customers confidence that every Canadian diamond Is authentic. So vast is the country that Halifax on the East Coast is closer to Lancashire than it is to Vancouver.

Canada is the second largest country in the world! Measuring 4,600km from north to south, the country spans more than half the Northern Hemisphere. Recorded at a whopping 5,500km from east to west, it stretches across six time zones! A vast, rugged land, Despite Canadas size it is only home to 0.5% of the world’s population.

The Huge landscape is varied, with majestic mountains, rolling plains, forested valleys, and beautiful blue rivers & lakes. The ‘Canadian Shield’, a hilly region of lakes and swamps, stretches across northern Canada and has some of the oldest rocks on Earth.

A truly extraordinary country!

Handpicked by Peter Jackson

Peter has a loyal longstanding relationship with Canada and YellowKnife though family connections & The Canadian Arctic Diamond suppliers used for our beautiful jewellery. Making personal visits to Canada has enabled Peter to build a close-knit relationship, allowing the suppliers to get to know his standards and preferences when it comes to selecting diamonds. So much so that diamonds can be selected & purchased by Peter and sent overseas when a personal visit is not possible.

Once they have arrived at our head office they are meticulosly reviewed. There are very few occasions when Peter doesn’t approve of diamonds sent over, as they are carefully handpicked by collegues who, over the years have learnt which diamonds will and will not be accepted. All the diamonds are certified by The Canadian Government, attesting to their true provenence.

The buying process

Q and A with Peter, our Managing Director

1: Why did you choose to stock Canadian Artic Diamonds?

I have always had a passion for diamonds and for searching to find the best for our customers. Curiosity initially led me to Yellowknife, a place so remote that few Canadians have ever visited, and yet on my first visit I fell in love with the place. The start of my adventure with and love for Canadian diamonds was not far behind.

2: Do you often visit Canada to buy, or do you purchase remotely?

I visit as often as I can because the personal contact, something which seems increasingly distant these days, is of such importance to me. Video calls can be useful but there is no substitute for a handshake, a hug or time spent together enjoying good food and company.

3: What do you look for when purchasing diamonds?

I.e. colour clarity, shape trends best sellers

In a word – beauty. The colour and clarity of a diamond are important and the main factors in determining the value of a diamond, however it is the cut that unlocks the hidden fire and brilliance of a diamond. You can have the finest quality diamond in the world, but if its badly cut, it will look like a piece of glass. I can sometimes reject as many as 80% of the diamonds I look at because I don’t like the cut.

4: How long have you worked with Canadian diamonds?

I first visited Yellowknife in 2003 and spent time at two of the cutting and polishing facilities, getting to know the key players in the Canadian diamond business and learning the best ways to work with them.

It was the summer and one of my friends took me to her cabin on the Great Slave Lake. It had been originally built by a gold prospector who went to fight in the First World War and never came back. It was the only building on the lake as development there is not allowed. We sat on a rock with a bottle of wine, the only two people in the world we watched the sun set behind the mountain and come straight back up again, it was truly magical. The next time I visited was the winter – a story for another time!

Our Favourites

From Engagement rings to diamond jewellery the Canadian Arctic range has so much to offer. We love the heart shaped solitaire it is a beautiful playful twist on the traditional diamond solitaire. This would make the perfect unique engagement ring. Traditional and classic we have a range of round brilliant Canadian diamonds, this one has a 6-claw stable setting that showcases the colour G, clarity SI1, 0.50ct diamond.

If it’s time to tie the knot you can match your Canadian Arctic diamond engagement ring with one of their timeless pendant and earring sets starting at 0.18ct in size. Not just for your wedding day these could make a special gift for an anniversary or milestone birthday. After all diamonds really are a girl’s best friend!

Distribution

We have two stores in Lancashire, Preston, and Blackburn where you can view the collection.

In store we have a beautiful window display for the Canadian Arctic diamonds displayed proudly with the Canadian maple leaf logo to differentiate from other diamonds.

Our in-store jewellery consultants are fully trained to answer all your other questions on the beautiful Arctic Diamond jewellery to make sure you select the piece for you. From engagement rings to diamond pendants there is a Canadian Arctic diamond for everyone.

Shop online or book an appointment with one of our stores to start your diamond buying experience.

Jewellery Care and Cleaning Guide

Using Connoisseurs Cleaning Products

We know your jewellery is often precious & sentimental, therefore we realise it’s so important you know how to care & clean them in the proper way without causing any damage.

Diamonds

You can keep your diamonds sparkling with the ‘Diamond Dazzle Stick’, a compact pen – like cleaner that is perfect for on the go.

The special gel contains micro cleansers & polishing ingredients that bring the desired sparkling, lustre you are looking for in your diamonds. The stick also contains a special polymer that helps to fill tiny scratches in settings. Leaving you with blinding results!

Easy to use

Remove the blue lid and then wet the cleaning brush with clean water, twist the silver base until you see the blue cleaner appear on the brush. Brush your gemstones with the soft bristles and settings and then rinse with clean water and dry. Rinse the brush and you can use this stick many more times.

Silver

If you’re an avid silver lover you know that the shiny precious metal is subject to tarnishing over time and reacts to everyday items like perfume, lotions and even light!

To bring back and maintain the shine we recommend two products depending on the level of tarnishing.

If you are simply maintaining the jewellery and it has only tarnished a little, the ‘Jewellery Wipes’ are an easy quick fix!

The Connoisseurs Jewellery Wipes are a quick beauty treatment to bring back the desired lustre of your pieces in a quick and easy way. Contains 25 wipes, each wipe can be used multiple times before throwing away.

These wipes safely clean and polish gold, silver, gemstones and costume jewellery.

The dry disposable cloths contain a unique blend of precious metal cleaning agents whilst also applying an anti-tarnish barrier to help protect your jewellery.

Lightly rub jewellery with a wipe to remove dirt and tarnish. You can notice the dirt and tarnish that has easily been removed thanks to the special cleaning agents. Polish with a soft cloth for a perfect finish.

For Silver that has maybe been exposed to products that may have caused discolouring or that hasn’t been maintained over time, the Connoisseurs Silver Jewellery Cleaner is the ideal product for you. This is ONLY for Sterling Silver items. Due to its formula you can’t use this on any other material, therefore, we don’t recommend using it on stone set silver, plain jewellery only.

The special formula contains micro cleansers and polishing ingredients that bring the desired sparkle & sheen which silver should have.

Place one piece of silver jewellery into the dip tray for up to 10 seconds, once emerged rinse the product under clean water and clean with a lint free cloth.

Gold

Yellow Gold & Rose Gold

Gold can be maintained by using the jewellery wipes. Remove tarnishing and revive the shine to bring back the desired lustre of your pieces in a quick and easy way. The wipes also contain an anti-tarnish shield to help your jewellery retain its lustre to prevent future tarnishing. For deeper cleaning the Connoisseurs ‘fine jewellery cleaner’ is a great option, it is a precious bath made for Gold, Platinum, Diamonds & Precious Stones. Regularly cleaning jewellery with Connoisseurs Precious Jewellery Cleaner will greatly improve the brilliance of your gold, platinum, diamonds & precious stone jewellery. Polymers in its formula help reduce the appearance of tiny scratches built up in settings over time.

White Gold

White Gold differs from the others due to the fact that the bright appearance of the metal is due to the Rhodium plating used. ‘White’ Gold has a pale-yellow tone and jewellers use rhodium a member of the platinum family to plate the metal giving it the pure colour you know and love.

Now if you are someone who wears white gold you may notice over time that parts of your jewellery start to appear a dull pale yellow, usually on the back of the band of a ring or on the edges of a chain. This is caused by regular wear and tear and does need maintenance. The level of maintenance depends on lifestyle, body’s natural oils, soap and harsh chemicals are factors that can cause increased fading.

 If you require a re plating service or a ‘dip’ please contact one of our stores and our Goldsmith will expertly take care of it for you.

Watches

If you are wanting to keep your new timepiece fresh or revive an old favourite these are our recommendations for keeping it in tip top condition.


The Watch Cloth

The watch cloth is the ideal companion for your timepiece, perfect for cleaning on the go or at home!

How it works

The Watch Cloth is made from 100% natural cotton fibres, you can clean the timepiece by using the inner Ultrasoft cloth because it contains a unique formula of precious metal cleaning agents whilst also applying an anti-tarnish barrier to help protect your watch.

The darker outer Ultrasoft cloth is used to gently polish & buff to provide an unsurpassed high lustre giving your timepiece that new out of the box appearance.

How to use

As simple as 1, 2 …

 1: Gently rub gold, platinum, silver, steel or ceramic watches with the inner white cloth. You can notice the dirt and tarnish that has easily been removed thanks to the special cleaning agents.

2: Then you use the darker outer cloth to buff and polish your loved watches to a high-lustre finish.

Watch Care Kit

The newest addition from Connoisseurs Is the ‘Watch Care Kit’, this contains a foam cleaner, toothbrush and cloth, all the items to clean traditional and smart watches.

The Deep Cleansing Foam melts away dirt and oils from watch cases and bracelet links in just 30 seconds. You will then be able to use the Specialised Nylon Cleansing Brush to work cleaner into small crevices and remove stubborn dirt and grime. Always take care when using water-based products especially if your watch is not waterproof. The 2-Piece Cloth System works to remove tarnish, polish, and dry your timepiece to a spotless finish while preventing future tarnish build-up.  Deep Cleans: Gold, Platinum, Stainless Steel, Silver, Titanium, Ceramic, Crystal, Rubber/Silicone Bracelets.

If your watch needs a deeper clean, we recommend a service, we can advise you the best service for your watch by assessing the piece in store & booking the appropriate service.

What happens in a service?

Depending on the brand and movement, the way your timepiece is serviced can differ however the general rules are:

A watch service involves disassembling the watch then cleaning the parts with the correct tools, oiling if it is a automatic watch, and polishing the watch materials. Damaged components will be either fixed or replaced during the service to ensure the watch is in proper working order. Finally, the watchmaker will reassemble the watch and adjust it in several positions to make sure it runs well before returning your timepiece. Certain brands will also go on to monitor the watch for a period of time before returning the watch to you, this is to make sure that the watch is absolutely perfect & up to their highest standards.

We hope that with this advice you can choose the correct care products. If you would like a demo of any of these products please visit either our Blackburn or Preston store.

Shop all products here

The Enchantment of Natural Diamonds: What you need to know

The Oldest Treasure’s In The World

Formed through intense heat and pressure in the earth’s mantle between 720 million and 3.5 billion years ago. Natural diamonds are older than dinosaurs & even some of the stars in the sky!

Why are Diamonds Linked to Love?

The diamond’s extreme strength and unique physical properties immediately linked them to power and protection, making them historically worn mainly by royalty who believed they offered invincibility. The word ‘diamond’ comes from the Greeks, who named the stone ‘adamas,’ meaning invincible or unalterable. The only other idea traditionally believed to be unbreakable was love, which is the beginning of our association with diamonds as gifts of love. Even the Romans believed Cupid’s arrows were tipped in diamonds as they were integral to falling in love.

In 1477, renowned European royal, Archduke Maximilian of Austria, proposed to his love, Mary of Burgundy, with what is thought to be the first diamond engagement ring proposal.

The evolution of diamond cutting & polishing

Due to the fact that diamonds are the hardest natural materials on earth, it took hundreds of years for it to be possible for us to cut, shape and polish the diamonds like we do today. It wasn’t until the 14th century that the first cutting techniques began. It then took until the 20th century to allow us to be able to cut and shape diamonds with the precision we are familiar with today.

The process is so detailed and requires someone with great skill to be able to produce an excellent cut diamond. One wrong move; a mis-judgment of a fraction of a millimetre could shatter the diamond and render it valueless.

The Natural Diamond Council

Originally founded in 2015 by seven major natural diamond producers as the Diamond Producers Association and re-branded in 2020. The Natural Diamond Council (NDC) is the only not-for-profit entity specifically funded and established to promote the values of natural diamonds globally.

The protection of the natural diamond industry

The diamond council is an organisation established to support the natural diamond industry. It provides support, advice and technology with their ‘ASSURE’ program to test diamonds that differentiate between natural and synthetic or ‘lab grown’ diamonds.

The popularity of lab grown diamonds has seen a huge increase in the last few years, however there are a lot of questions surrounding their value and viability in the industry.

Overall, there is a lot of history and research that has developed the diamond industry into what it is now. We hope that you have a better understanding of how precious and incredible the natural diamonds you wear are. As a business Peter Jackson The Jeweller is a natural only diamond stockist. You can browse our stunning range of hand selected diamonds on our website or in stores.

Browse Our Sparkling Range Of Diamond Jewellery Here:

https://www.peterjackson.co.uk/wedding/diamond-jewellery

Browse Our Sparkling Range Of Diamond Engagement Rings Here:

https://www.peterjackson.co.uk/engagement-rings

Browse Our Sparkling Range Of Diamond Eternity Bands Here:

https://www.peterjackson.co.uk/wedding/eternity-rings

NOMINATION ITALY BLOG

Introduction:

We are delighted to announce we are now a proud partner of NOMINATION ITALY. This beautifully crafted Jewellery can now be found on our website and in our Preston store.

History of the brand:

NOMINATION was founded in the 1980s Florence, Italy by Paolo Gensini, his extensive experience as a goldsmith & metalworker, linked with brilliant ideas led him to a concept which would revolutionize his life and the Jewellery industry worldwide. Paolo managed to create Jewellery suitable for everyone by encapsulating  a person’s own unique style whilst capturing endless memories and emotions.

Composable’ by NOMINATION are customisable bracelets that are the perfect accessory for men, women, and children. The link bracelets are available in various sizes and can be adapted to fit even the tiniest wrists! There are a wide range of adorable animal links, as well as symbols of love. There are links for every special occasion. For example, you could build a personalised bracelet for a loved one with their name, or initials written in letters as a lovely gift to celebrate an important moment in their life.

Getting Started:

To start your bracelet all you need is to purchase a link bracelet & one charm starting from approximately £38.

This must be one of the most accessible and versatile jewellery brands we have ever come across.

How to begin:

1: Choose Your Bracelet:

Stainless Steel

Stainless Steel is the most affordable bracelet available; this is a versatile base to begin your collection. A great idea when starting out with NOMINATION, a neutral tone to add colour & allow the link motifs stand out.

Rose Gold Plated

The rose gold look has a beautiful feminine style with warm rose hues.

Gold Plated

If you are a lover of Gold Jewellery, we have the perfect starter bracelet for you with this stunning yellow gold plated composable bracelet.

Gun Metal Black

Gun metal black is a fashionable masculine style perfect for those who would like something more alternative than the classic look.

Browse bracelets here: https://www.peterjackson.co.uk/jewellery/by-brand/nomination/bracelets

2. Choose Your Charms / Links

There are hundreds of charms to choose from, maybe you would like to relate your first charm to love, an initial or special memory, our helpful guide below will help you to choose the perfect charm for you. Take your time browsing online before selecting your first charm or visit our Preston store where one of our experienced sales team will be on hand to offer advice.

Browse Charms here: https://www.peterjackson.co.uk/brands/nomination/all-products

3. How to add links:

It is so easy to add and remove links to build the perfect bracelet!

Follow this handy video on how to add links quickly & easily! – https://youtu.be/H6MOJhPF_24

Letters & Initial’s

The combinations are limitless! NOMINATION has some delightful links including these beautiful initial designs. Spell out your name, initials, partner’s name or even your pet’s name in these fun & unique styles. The letter ‘A’ is a stainless steel, sterling silver setting with cubic zirconia detailing. This paired back design has just the right amount of sparkle to show off your initial.

If you would like to ensure your lettering stands out this beautiful 18ct yellow gold-plated design with cubic zirconia detailing is for you,  available A-Z!

Maybe you’re understated and want to add the more paired back lettering, the combinations are infinite.

Browse ‘Initial’ links here: https://www.peterjackson.co.uk/brands/nomination/letters-initials

Family

Links for the whole family,

Why not treat your sibling to a heart sister link to show your sisterly love? Even better why don’t you get matching charms to show your bond?

Everyone in the family can get involved, you can even match with the beautifully bold ‘I love family’ link.

For Father’s or Mother’s Day you have many to choose from to show how much you care. Starting a link bracelet as a gift is a great idea that will secure you many gifting options in the future.

Browse ‘Family’ links here: https://www.peterjackson.co.uk/brands/nomination/family#

Love

Valentines’ day, anniversary or just to say, I love you!

There is the perfect link to show how much you love your special someone. Handcrafted using hard-wearing stainless-steel components, each link is amazingly detailed by hand.

 You can show your special someone how much you care with this beautiful ornate golden heart charm, so that every time they catch a glimpse of the shimmering heart, they will think of you.

100 red roses or one that will last forever?

Choose this gorgeous red rose link, detailed beautifully with a sparkling cubic zirconia in the middle, this would make the most romantic Valentine’s gift to treasure.

You could even match with his and hers heart links!

Browse ‘Love’ links here: https://www.peterjackson.co.uk/brands/nomination/love

Animals

For man’s/women’s best friend we have the most adorable charms to commemorate your fluffy BFF. This adorable dog link has a hanging dog charm featuring cubic zirconia stones to add extra sparkle to your look.

  For the cat ladies of the world there is a beautiful rose gold-plated cat figure link perfect to symbolize your feline friend. We also have a range of wild animals for everyone, including a pink flamingo hanging charm style link with pink enamel hand painted onto the charm, this would make a perfect unique gift for an animal lover.

Browse ‘Animal’ links here: https://www.peterjackson.co.uk/brands/nomination/animals

Time Pieces

Tell the time in the most unique way with a composable NOMINATION watch. These unique timepieces have the same customizable qualities as the composable bracelets, meaning you can create a completely bespoke design.

These watches are perfect for everyone! Like the bracelets, they are also expandable, so easily removable with no clasp fastening, for the user and can be made to a bespoke size to fit any wrist

The turquoise dial watch is particularly eye catching with an almost art deco shape and style, this could be the accessory you were missing from your collection.

If you’re more of a classic watch wearer this striking black dial is for you! The classic round dial has a timeless appearance with the ideal blank canvas to customize.

Browse Composable Watches here: https://www.peterjackson.co.uk/watches/by-brand/nomination

Overall Peter Jackson the Jeweller is delighted to be able to bring you this fabulous and exciting offer from NOMINATION and and we can’t wait to see what unique designs our customers create. If you have any questions or would like to see what new collections we will be stocking feel free to contact us directly.

Shop the full collection online here: https://www.peterjackson.co.uk/jewellery/by-brand/nomination