Is Jewellery Waterproof? What It Really Means for Silver and Gold

Beautiful things, thoughtfully chosen. A new collection of independent brands, traditional craftsmanship and little treasures to love. There has always been something rather special about finding the perfect gift. Not necessarily the grandest or most extravagant but something beautifully considered. A piece that feels personal, that tells a story and that you know someone will genuinely treasure. At Renné, we've spent years creating jewellery with exactly that in mind. Pieces to be worn every day, to become part of your story and hopefully, one day be passed on to the next generation. This Christmas, we've been quietly working on something a little different. And we're so excited to finally share it with you. It all began with a handwritten note… Who doesn't love receiving a beautiful handwritten card? We have always felt that a thoughtful piece of jewellery deserves an equally lovely note alongside it. So when we came across the beautiful watercolour greetings cards by Sophie Amelia, we knew they would feel right at home at Renné. There is something so charming about her illustrations. They're nostalgic, full of character and the sort of cards you want to keep long after the occasion has passed. And that got us thinking. What if we could introduce a few more beautiful things into the shop? Pieces that complement our jewellery, that could be gathered together to create the loveliest gifts, or simply bought because you've fallen a little bit in love with them yourself. The idea wasn't to change what Renné is but to build upon what we've always loved. A thoughtful collection We've always been drawn to things that are a little different. Beautiful fabrics, interesting colour combinations, traditional craftsmanship and those small details that give something its personality. The perfectly imperfect, if you like. When we began looking at other brands, we wanted to find people who shared that appreciation. Independent businesses that care about their designs, the materials they use and the hands involved in making them. We weren't interested in filling our shelves for the sake of it. Everything had to feel as though it belonged. The hope is that you can come into Renné looking for a special piece of jewellery and leave with a beautifully considered collection of gifts. Perhaps a necklace, a hand printed scarf, a little pouch to keep your treasures safe and a handwritten card to bring it all together. Each piece chosen with thought, each one with a story of its own. And so, we're delighted to introduce two new names to Renné. Meet Bonheur du Jour A little colour, a little character and a beautiful story of craftsmanship. We have always loved a neckerchief. There is something wonderfully effortless about the way a little printed cotton can transform an outfit. Bonheur du Jour is a French brand created by Catherine Dufossez, whose love of textiles and beautiful clothing runs through five generations of family involvement in fashion. After spending 25 years working in the textile and clothing industry in northern France, Catherine brought her experience and eye for detail into her own collections. Her designs celebrate colour, delicate finishes and the pleasure of wearing beautiful things every day. The brand's scarves bring together French design and traditional Indian textile craftsmanship. Their exclusive prints are made by hand in India using block-printing techniques, where patterns are carefully transferred onto fabric with carved printing blocks. It's this marriage of colour, craftsmanship and individuality that first caught our eye. We've chosen a collection of wonderfully soft cotton neckerchiefs and larger scarves in the most gorgeous prints and colour combinations. Annie is particularly excited about the smaller neckerchiefs. A little pop of colour tucked into winter knitwear, layered with favourite Renné necklaces, is such a lovely way to brighten the colder months. And because the soft cotton styles can be worn by children too, Bonnie might just be getting one of her own. When summer returns, we can already imagine the larger scarves tied as sarongs over swimwear, or draped across the shoulders on warm evenings. They're the sort of accessories that move effortlessly through the seasons, bringing colour, texture and a little personality to whatever you're wearing. Meet Yonder Natural materials, beautiful prints and the charm of things made by hand. Our search for beautiful little pouches has been going on for some time. We've always loved the idea of somewhere lovely to keep your jewellery when travelling, but also those everyday treasures that seem to gather at the bottom of a handbag. Lipsticks, glasses, little keepsakes, all the things you want to have close at hand. And then we found Yonder. A brand with an appreciation for natural materials, thoughtful design and traditional craft, Yonder works with skilled makers in India and Morocco to create pieces for everyday living. Their beautiful organic cotton accessories are hand block-printed in Jaipur, a city with a rich tradition of textile printing. Each design begins with a carved wooden block, carefully pressed onto the fabric by hand. Colour is built up through repeated impressions, and the process leaves subtle variations in the finished print. A tiny overlap, a shift in colour, a slightly irregular line. To us, these aren't flaws. They're the lovely little signs that something has been made by a person rather than a machine. It's a sentiment we understand particularly well in our own workshop. We were immediately drawn to Yonder's beautiful colour combinations, playful patterns and use of organic cotton. The quilted pouches are already firm favourites. Perfect for jewellery, make-up, weekend essentials or simply keeping all those little things organised inside a larger bag. Annie is a particular believer in bags within bags! We've also chosen their wonderfully soft cashmere and merino wool socks, in gorgeous colours that make them just as lovely to give as they are to wear. Practical pieces, certainly but ones that bring a little pleasure to everyday routines. Chosen by us, for you Of course, choosing the collection has been a rather enjoyable process in itself. Annie tends to find the brands, research them within an inch of their lives and then add far too many things to the basket! Helen is rather good at looking at the bigger picture, thinking about the different customers who visit Renné and choosing colours and pieces that will work beautifully together. Somewhere between the two of us, the collection begins to take shape. And while we might occasionally have different favourites, we always come back to the same question: does this feel like Renné? Would we love to give it? Would we love to receive it? Is it something we would happily wear or use ourselves? If the answer is yes, then we're usually on the right track. A little more to discover We're not quite sure where this new chapter will take us and that's part of the excitement. For now, we're simply looking forward to sharing these beautiful finds with you and seeing how you enjoy them. Our handmade jewellery will always be at the heart of Renné. But we love the idea of bringing together a few more special things, chosen with the same care and appreciation for individuality that have guided us from the beginning. We hope that when you visit, you'll feel inspired to discover something different, build a collection of your own or find the perfect gift for someone you love. And perhaps leave with a little something for yourself, too. Come and see us this Christmas We'll be introducing our new collections at our Christmas event on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th November, from 10am–4pm both days. Bring along a loved one, enjoy a coffee and some delicious brownies from our friends at Blend and have a lovely browse of everything new alongside your Renné favourites. We can't wait to welcome you. With love, Helen & Annie x Renné Jewellery, 8 Grange Road, Darlington today . tomorrow . 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.

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.