Gold Plated vs Solid Gold Jewellery: What Lasts and What Doesn’t (UK Guide)

I have found here is something about becoming a mother that changes the way you look at jewellery. Before Bonnie, I loved beautiful pieces simply because they were timeless. Now, every piece I wear tells a story. It's no longer just about what looks beautiful; it's about carrying the people you love closest to you. As a relatively new mum myself, I find that so many of the pieces I now design and wear are inspired by Bonnie. They are little reminders of her that I carry with me every single day and I know I'm not alone in that feeling. Whether you're searching for a first Mother's Day gift, a push present, a birthday surprise or simply a thoughtful gift for a new mum, I truly believe the most meaningful jewellery is deeply personal. An Initial That Means Everything For my very first Mother's Day, Jonny surprised me with a solid 9ct gold Initial Charm, hand engraved with a simple 'B'. It's such a small piece, yet it means absolutely everything to me. I haven't taken it off since the day he gave it to me. One day, I know it will belong to Bonnie but until then, I get to carry a little piece of her with me wherever I go. Sometimes the simplest gifts become the most treasured. A Ring That Holds My Greatest Story When we launched our Dream Collection, I designed something that quickly became my favourite piece of jewellery. My Promise Ring is hand engraved with Bonnie's name, her date of birth and a scattering of tiny hearts. I see it countless times every day. It's become part of me. Stacked alongside my other treasured rings, it's a constant reminder of the greatest adventure of my life so far. That is what I love most about personalised jewellery. It doesn't just complement your style it becomes part of your story. Jewellery That Grows With Your Family Over the years, we've become known as a place people return to as their families grow. Many mums begin with one of our hand engraved Scroll Charms or Initial Charms to celebrate the arrival of their first baby. As new little ones arrive, another charm is added. Then another. Slowly, a necklace or bracelet becomes a collection of life's most precious chapters. Each charm represents a child, a memory, a milestone. It's one of my favourite traditions because your jewellery evolves alongside your family. Tiny Hands, Precious Moments One thing customers tell us time and time again always makes me smile. So many mums say that during feeds or cuddles, their babies instinctively reach up to hold their necklace or gently play with the charms. Those tiny little hands wrapped around something that represents them is such a beautiful thought. Long before they understand what the jewellery means, it's already part of those quiet everyday moments together. Begin a Collection They'll Treasure Forever One of my favourite gifting ideas is to start a collection rather than choosing just one piece. Our Initial Charms, Heart Charms and Star Charms can all be engraved with initials or meaningful symbols, allowing a collection to grow over the years. I've gifted these to friends who now wear a different charm for each of their children, creating necklaces that are completely unique to their family. Each charm tells its own little story, yet together they become something incredibly special. A Personalised Bangle Full of Memories Another beautiful way to celebrate motherhood is with one of our Stamped Bangles. Hand stamp the names, birth dates or initials of each child, then continue adding to the story as your family grows. Or perhaps begin with a simple bangle and gradually add engraved charms over the years. The beauty of personalised jewellery is that it never really feels finished. It grows with you. Just like your family. Jewellery That Will One Day Be Theirs Perhaps my favourite thing about sentimental jewellery is knowing that one day it won't be mine anymore. The little 'B' charm I wear every day will eventually belong to Bonnie. My engraved Promise Ring will carry its own memories for her. The scratches, the polished edges, the moments we've shared they'll all become part of its story. Jewellery has a remarkable way of connecting generations. It isn't simply passed down. It's passed on with love. A Gift She'll Wear Every Day Flowers fade. Chocolates disappear. Jewellery becomes part of everyday life. The best gifts for mums aren't always the grandest gestures; they're the thoughtful ones that celebrate the people who matter most. A hand engraved initial. A meaningful date. A tiny heart. A growing collection of charms. Because motherhood is made up of thousands of little moments and sometimes the smallest pieces of jewellery carry the greatest meaning of all. Today. Tomorrow. Forever.

A christening is one of life's most meaningful celebrations. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, godparent or close family friend, finding a gift that feels thoughtful today and treasured for years to come can be surprisingly difficult. While toys are quickly outgrown and clothes soon become too small, a beautifully chosen piece of jewellery has the ability to become part of a family's story. At Renné, we believe the most meaningful gifts are those that can be cherished through every chapter of life. A Children's Christening Bangle Perhaps the most traditional christening gift of all is a sterling silver christening bangle. Our Children's Christening Bangle is handcrafted from solid sterling silver and can be personalised by hand in our workshop with a name, christening date, initials or a meaningful quote. Each bangle also carries its traditional British hallmarks, making it an authentic keepsake to mark such a special occasion. Whilst little wrists inevitably grow, that's part of what makes these bangles so sentimental. They become treasured mementoes, carefully kept long after they've been worn. Sometimes the most precious gifts aren't the ones we wear forever, but the ones that remind us where our story began. A Gift They'll Grow Into If you're looking for something they'll wear well into adulthood, consider one of our Stamped Bangles. Each bangle can be personalised with meaningful words, dates, song lyrics or family mottos, creating a piece that grows with them rather than being outgrown. Some families choose to gift the bangle at the christening and keep it safely tucked away until a milestone birthday, graduation or even their eighteenth birthday. It's a beautiful reminder that some gifts become even more meaningful with time. A Tradition That Lasts a Lifetime One of my own favourite memories came from my godfather. Rather than giving one large gift, he chose a new charm for every significant milestone in my life. Birthdays, achievements and special occasions were all marked with another little addition to my collection. Years later, those charms tell my story. A tiny 9ct gold key, a delicate feather, a horse that reflected something I loved… each one carries its own memory. It's a tradition I've always treasured and one I'd love to see more families begin. Whether you choose sterling silver or solid 9ct gold, a charm collection is something that can continue throughout childhood and beyond, creating a jewellery box full of memories rather than simply possessions. A Gift Mum Can Wear Until They're Ready One of our favourite ideas is gifting something that Mum can wear while baby is still little. Rather than leaving a precious piece tucked away in a box, it becomes part of everyday life. A necklace adorned with their first charm, a bracelet carrying an engraved initial or a meaningful keepsake can be worn and loved for years before eventually being passed down when the child is old enough to truly appreciate its story. It becomes something they've always known. Something they've seen Mum wear throughout their childhood. And one day, something that becomes theirs. A Beautiful Gift for Little Girls For younger girls, our Liberty Wraps make a wonderful first piece of jewellery. They're a thoughtful token for a christening or naming day and from around four or five years old, become something children can genuinely enjoy wearing themselves. They're colourful, comfortable and often become the jewellery they remember wearing first. Christening Gifts for Boys Jewellery isn't only for girls. Our personalised Men's Cufflinks make a wonderfully thoughtful christening gift for a little boy that he'll one day wear with pride. Each cufflink can be hand stamped with up to four characters, making them perfect for engraving initials on one cufflink and a significant date on the other. Imagine gifting them at a christening, only for them to be worn decades later at a graduation, wedding or another milestone occasion. Sometimes the longest journeys begin with the smallest gifts. Choosing a Gift That Tells a Story The most meaningful christening gifts aren't necessarily the most expensive. They're the ones filled with thought. A name. A date. A favourite quote. A charm added year after year. A piece worn by Mum before being passed down. These are the gifts that become part of family traditions and are treasured for generations. At Renné, we believe jewellery should tell a story and perhaps the most beautiful stories are the ones that begin at the very start of life. Today. Tomorrow. Forever.

Finding the perfect ring size is an important part of choosing jewellery you'll love for years to come. Whether you're treating yourself, selecting a meaningful gift or designing a bespoke piece, a well-fitting ring should feel comfortable, secure and effortless to wear. At Renné, we size our rings using the UK alphabetical sizing system (A–Z), which is the standard used by jewellers throughout the UK. The Most Accurate Way to Find Your Ring Size We always recommend visiting your local independent jeweller to have your finger professionally measured. This is the most reliable way to determine your ring size and ensures the best possible fit. Even better, if you're local to us, we'd love to welcome you into our Darlington shop. We'll measure your finger professionally and we can save your ring size to your Renné Wishlist or customer account. This makes future shopping effortless, whether you're treating yourself or someone is choosing a gift for you. Why We Don't Recommend Online Ring Sizers You may have come across printable ring charts, paper measuring strips or apps that promise to tell you your ring size from your phone. Whilst they can seem convenient, we generally don't recommend these methods. Small differences in printer settings, screen sizes or measuring technique can easily result in an incorrect size, often by more than one full letter. A ring that is too tight can be uncomfortable, while one that is too loose may be at risk of slipping off. For something designed to be worn every day, it's worth taking a few extra minutes to have your size measured properly. Things That Can Affect Your Ring Size It's perfectly normal for your fingers to change slightly throughout the day. Your ring size can be influenced by: Temperature (warm weather can cause fingers to swell) Time of day Exercise Pregnancy Certain medical conditions For the most accurate measurement, we recommend having your finger sized when your hands are at a comfortable, normal temperature. Buying a Ring as a Surprise? If you're choosing a gift or planning a proposal, don't worry if you don't know their size. A trusted family member or close friend may be able to help, or you could discreetly borrow a ring they already wear on the correct finger. Bringing this to a jeweller can often provide a good indication of size. If you're unsure, we're always happy to offer advice before you order. Need a Different Size? Many of our rings can be made in a range of sizes, and we're always happy to discuss bespoke sizing where possible. If you have any questions before ordering, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Visit Us In Store If you're nearby, pop into our Darlington shop and we'll professionally measure your finger for you. We'll happily save your ring size to your Renné Wishlist or customer account, making it easy to find the perfect fit whenever you're choosing your next piece. Because jewellery should feel just as perfect to wear as it does to give. Today. Tomorrow. Forever.