The Best Christening Gifts: Timeless Ideas They'll Treasure Forever

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.

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.

In recent years, something unusual has been happening with sterling silver prices and it’s not just in the markets: it’s affecting everyday jewellery too. Sterling silver, the metal at the heart of so many of our treasured pieces, has seen a significant rise in its global price, driven by factors far beyond fashion. Below we explain what’s going on, why it’s out of our control as makers and what positive implications this has for customers who already own or are considering a piece of our timeless sterling silver jewellery. How much has the price of silver increased? Globally traded metals markets set the price of silver and in 2025 this price moved sharply higher. According to the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), the sterling silver prices climbed from roughly $29.41 per troy ounce on 1 January 2025 to as high as $74.84 per ounce by the end of the year an increase of approximately 144.82% over the course of the year. And that trend hasn’t stopped. In early 2026, sterling silver prices continue to trade above $100 per ounce, a level not seen before in many years. In simple terms: the ingredient in your sterling silver jewellery has become significantly more expensive. What is causing the rise in sterling silver prices? There isn’t a single reason, there’s a confluence of global forces: 1. Industrial Demand Is SoaringSterling Silver isn’t just a precious metal for jewellery. It is also a crucial industrial metal used in: Solar panels and renewable energy technologies Electric vehicles and advanced electronics Artificial intelligence data centres and semiconductors These industrial uses have grown strongly and silver is now deeply embedded in future-facing sectors. Because demand from industry competes with jewellery demand, it pushes the sterling silver price upward. 2. Supply Constraints and Structural DeficitsSilver supply has not kept pace. Production increases are modest year-on-year and recycling, while helpful, can’t make up the shortfall. This structural deficit means that demand has outstripped supply, fuelling upward price pressure.  3. Investment Flows and Market DynamicsSilver is also seen by some investors as a store of value, especially in uncertain economic times. There’s been notable interest in silver across global markets, which also adds to its price momentum. Because sterling silver is more thinly traded than gold, its price can be more volatile, sometimes moving faster than gold itself.  Why This Matters for Jewellery Makers As a small jeweller, we buy silver on the global market just like anyone else. When the underlying metal becomes more expensive, the cost of the raw materials we use, sterling silver sheet, wire, chains, findings - also rises. This isn’t about branding or profitability. It’s simply the way precious metals are priced internationally. There’s no mechanism for a jeweller to “lock in” old prices indefinitely, especially during periods of rapid market change. What This Means for You 1. Pieces you already own have risen in intrinsic metal value.As sterling silver’s market price increases, the metal contained in existing pieces becomes more valuable too. That doesn’t mean resale is encouraged but it does mean your sterling silver jewellery has sturdy material backing. 2. We continue to focus on quality.Some brands might respond to higher metal costs by making thinner, lighter, or less durable pieces. We choose not to compromise on materials or workmanship. If prices change, it is in order to maintain standards you can trust. 3. Well made jewellery is longer-lasting and more meaningful.Sterling Silver, when cared for well, can be polished, repaired and restored for decades. In a world of fast fashion, this reliability matters. In Summary Sterling silver prices are currently elevated due to a combination of: Industrial demand growth Supply constraints Investment and market dynamics These forces are global and beyond the control of individual makers like us. What we can control is how we design, construct and support jewellery that is beautiful, durable, and worth owning for years, not just months. Why has sterling silver become so expensive?Sterling silver is priced on global markets. In recent years, demand from industry and investors has increased while supply has struggled to keep pace, pushing prices higher. Will silver jewellery prices go back down?Silver prices can fluctuate, but current levels reflect long-term industrial demand, not a short-term trend. Does this mean silver jewellery is a good investment?Silver jewellery should be bought to wear and enjoy. However, rising silver prices do increase the intrinsic metal value of well-made pieces. If you ever have questions about how your piece is made or about caring for it so it lasts a lifetime, we’re always here to help. Thank you for your support and loyalty, as always.