Not sure if that ring you found is truly vintage? You’re not alone. With so many reproductions and vintage-style pieces on the market, it can be hard to tell what’s genuinely old and what just looks the part. In this guide, I’ll walk you through some simple ways to identify real vintage jewellery, whether you’re buying online or sorting through your own collection. Vintage jewellery carries charm, history and individuality,...

For lovers of vintage and secondhand jewellery, hallmarks are more than just tiny symbols. They are stamps of history, authenticity and craftsmanship. When it comes to Irish jewellery, few marks are as distinctive or meaningful as those from the Dublin Assay Office. From the regal harp to the iconic Hibernia stamp, Dublin hallmarks carry centuries of significance in a space barely larger than a pinhead. If you have ever spotted...

Every hallmark tells a story, but one of the most useful for dating jewellery is the date letter. From Georgian gold lockets to Victorian silver brooches and even present-day pieces, date letters reveal the year an item was tested and hallmarked. They’re most associated with the UK and Ireland, but you’ll also see year and maker information expressed in other ways around the world (often with different shapes and systems)....

When you are dating vintage or secondhand jewellery, it is easy to focus on the letters and numbers stamped into the metal. But one of the most important and often overlooked features is the shape around each symbol. These outline shapes, known as shields or cartouches, play a critical role in reading and understanding hallmarks. They help confirm which year the mark refers to, which assay office issued it, and...

Preloved jewellery often carries a unique charm that newer pieces cannot always match, but looking after it requires a gentler, more thoughtful approach. Whether you have picked up an antique gold ring, a vintage silver chain or a secondhand gemstone pendant, proper care helps protect both its beauty and its story. In this guide, I will show you how to care for vintage and secondhand jewellery using simple, natural methods...

Jewellery has always been more than decoration. For centuries, it has been worn as a quiet language, telling stories of love, hope, loyalty, remembrance, and protection. Many designs carry symbolism that connects us to history and meaning, sometimes in ways we might not expect. Knowing the origins behind these motifs can help you choose a piece that resonates personally whether you're adding to a collection or finding a single, meaningful...