Breaking Free from Traditional Norms
Gone are the days when jewellery was only gifted, as a symbol of love or a status. Today, more and more of us are breaking free from traditional expectations and embracing the power of self-purchase. We’re investing in pieces that reflect our unique style, success, and personal journeys.
The Data Speaks for Itself
The 2016 De Beers Diamond Insight Report shows a significant increase in women purchasing diamond jewellery for themselves. This trend indicates a growing desire for women to take control of their own purchases.
Lyst, the world’s largest fashion search platform, has found that women make a whopping 78% of women’s jewellery purchases.
The New Meaning of Jewellery
For far too many years, women were used to basically getting what they were given. These days we are buying jewellery for ourselves as a form of self-expression and personal reward. Just as we would curate artwork for our home so it now is with these precious adornments. They are sculptural style statements that reflect our individuality.
Marking personal milestones
Getting the job of your dreams, running a marathon, losing a loved one, these milestone moments may be shared with others, but for you they may mean something far more profound than anyone around you could possibly imagine. Increasingly, we are buying jewellery for ourselves to commemorate hard work, achievements, or important moments in our lives.
Mary Arkinstall asked me to make her this beautiful eternity style ring for her personal milestone
“ Wendy created a beautiful ring to mark an important achievement in my life. She is not only a superb craftswoman, she is thoughtful, has an ethical approach to her work and produced a perfect, unique piece of jewellery that I will treasure"
Embracing Self-Expression Through Jewellery
Freedom is what it boils down to. Freedom of choice and expression is often missed when jewellery is given as a gift. As is the exhilaration that comes with buying something expensive that is truly yours. Something chosen specifically to show our sense of style and express our individualised taste. As more of us enter high-paying professional roles and remain single longer, we have the financial freedom to invest in beautiful jewellery. These pieces become a symbol of independence, achievement, and personal empowerment. A way to celebrate our successes and reward ourselves for hard work. Whether it's a one of a kind ring or a dazzling pair of earrings, each one holds a special significance, a story waiting to be told.
The first piece of expensive jewellery that I bought for myself still stands out clearly in my memory. I was on holiday in Crete and discovered the most unique handmade earrings that looked like intertwined fluid fern fronds. Obviously hand carved with skill and by someone with an eye for great design. I just couldn’t get them out of my head and stopped every time I passed the shop. Of course I had to have them and thirty years later I have now passed them on to my grown up daughter. I still get the same thrill when seeing them on her.
A Reflection of Personal Style
Whether we prefer bold, statement pieces or delicate, understated jewellery, self-purchase allows us to choose pieces that truly resonate with our personal style. We feel it’s a reflection of who we are, a tiny window into where we’ve been, what we think and what we like. The uniqueness of these pieces invite comment and they become conversation starters connecting us to others who recognise the beauty of their design.
Reimagining Heirlooms - a bond between generations
Another way women are expressing their own style is the remodelling of inherited jewellery. By updating classic pieces into something more contemporary, we preserve the sentimental value of family heirlooms. A unique way to connect with the past while looking towards the future.
That’s what Katie did with jewellery that she collected over the years but just didn’t wear any more. She had me remodel the diamonds and gold into this stunning new ring which she will be able to wear every day and be reminded of where each stone came from.
So I love the fact that women are waiting for no man to buy them jewellery and I encourage others to follow the shrewd wisdom of Ariana Grande - ‘I see it, I like it, I want it, I got it’.
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