Advice & Guidance
orgeous jewellery, beautiful art, knowledgable and friendly staff and a Wylde Flower Diamond heart.
Choosing your ring size
Choosing your ring size
Choosing the correct ring size is very important. If your ring does not fit properly it is like wearing the wrong size shoes, uncomfortable and increases the chance of you losing your ring.
At Nicholas Wylde we train all our staff to recommend the best fit for the style of ring. The best fit can depend on so many factors including if you prefer a tight or loose fit. As your finger can alter in size over several weeks, we would recommend to wear it for that long to see if the average comfort is good.
Choosing a gift for a loved one
Choosing a gift for a loved one
Although much of the jewellery we sell to customers is for themselves, we regularly help to choose a surprise gift for a loved one.
If you have decided to buy a gift of jewellery for somebody else, it is best to choose a simple, classic design which is sure to be appreciated by most people. A well made gold chain, a pair of stud earrings or a simple gold bangle would make good presents for a woman who likes her jewellery to be traditional and understated.
If you think you know the recipients taste in jewellery well, then you can be a little more adventurous. We stock a wide range of gem set jewellery, much of which has been designed by Nicholas Wylde and hand made in our workshop on the premises. From simple sapphire and diamond pieces to unusual opal designs, you can choose a gift which is unique.
If you have a special wedding anniversary coming up we can help you to find a gift which is fitting for the occasion. The main wedding anniversaries are as follows:-
15 years – Crystal
25 years – Silver
30 years – Pearl
35 years – Coral
40 years – Ruby
45 years – Sapphire
50 years – Gold
55 years – Emerald
60 years – Diamond
Certain gemstones have traditionally been associated with different months of the year and these ‘birthstones’ are a popular choice with people looking to buy a special present for a loved one. Here at Nicholas Wylde, we can advise you of the durability of these gemstones and have a wide range of jewellery set with various gemstones in stock. We can also hand make a piece of jewellery in our workshop which features a more unusual birthstone. The most popular selection of birthstones is as follows:-
January – Garnet
February – Amethyst
March – Aquamarine
April – Diamond
May – Emerald
June – Pearl
July – Ruby
August – Peridot
September – Sapphire
October – Opal
November – Topaz
December – Turquoise
Men are notoriously difficult to buy gifts for but at Nicholas Wylde we have a wide range of traditional and unusual gents jewellery, including signet rings, tie slides and cufflinks which are sure to be appreciated by any man.
Any item of jewellery you buy from us will be gift-wrapped with our compliments and the recipient is welcome to bring it in for a free clean and polish whenever they are passing the shop.
If, when you present a gift you have chosen at Nicholas Wylde to a loved one, you can see that it is not what would they would have chosen for themselves, you can bring it back to us and we will give you a credit note for its purchase price. You can use this credit note to buy another gift from our stock, or to commission a piece from our workshop or to purchase a gift from one of the many supplier catalogues we have.
On many occasions we have sold a loose diamond or coloured stone and the recipient has returned with their partner to design the ideal piece of jewellery. We are happy to set up an appointment to sit down and discuss ideas to ensure the item is exactly right.
We also offer a range of gift vouchers, available for any amount over £10. The voucher can be gift-wrapped with a Nicholas Wylde brochure and bag and would make the perfect present for that hard-to-buy-for loved one – please contact us for details.
Signs earrings need repair
Earrings – Signs that mean your jewellery may need repairing
Earrings can lose their backs or ‘butterflies’. When a butterfly becomes loose on the stem of an earring it can be tightened by simply squeezing the two halves together with a pair of pliers, something we are happy to do at Nicholas Wylde for no charge. We also stock a wide range of replacement butterflies.
Stud earrings come in a range of different sizes, as do ear lobes. If you are having problems with the way your earrings sit on your ears come and see us for advice.
Clip on and European style ‘clip and post’ fittings can become loose and need to be tightened to prevent the loss of an earring.
We can convert most earrings to ‘clip-ons’ and vice versa. Pop in for advice.
Pearls are always glued into their settings and this glue can be affected by the moisture of showers and swimming pools, causing the pearl to come away from the earring. We will happily glue a pearl back onto its setting for a small charge.
If only one earring needs repairing, please bring the pair into us so that we can match the finish on both.
We guarantee all our repairs for one year.
Signs chains need repair
Chains – Signs that mean your jewellery may need repairing
A chain can become snagged on clothing or be pulled by a toddler and break. A break like this can be repaired for a few pounds and the chain is as strong as a new chain. A careful repair on a chain should be invisible, but it sometimes impossible to make an invisible repair on certain chains such as box chains, snake chains and ‘S’ link chains. A small soldered area may be visible on such chains.
Chains which are worn regularly can become thin in places because each link is constantly rubbing against another. A broken link can be soldered back together for a few pounds but closer inspection often reveals that many of the other links are also worn and need to be built up with solder. In some cases the cost of a new chain would be less than the cost of repairing the old one. If a heavy gold chain has worn thin in many places, the gold can be melted down and used to make a new piece of jewellery.
9ct yellow gold chains are often plated with 18ct gold to make them more yellow in appearance. A chain such as this may need to be replated after being repaired.
Chains are often brought in for repair because the clasps have broken or lost their ‘spring’. A clasp that has lost its spring cannot be repaired because the little spring inside the mechanism will not take the heat of the soldering torch. Clasps can be replaced and attached securely to the chain for just a few pounds. At Nicholas Wylde we stock a wide range of clasps in a variety of metals so you will be able to choose a secure clasp which compliments the style of your necklace.
We guarantee all our repairs for one year.
Signs strung necklaces need repair
Strung Necklaces – Signs that mean your jewellery may need repairing
The string onto which pearls and beads are strung can stretch with wear and gaps can appear between the beads. We recommend that all necklaces are re-strung every three years and annually with heavy wear. When a necklace or its’ clasp breaks, the whole necklace will usually have to be re-strung. Sharp metal beads or badly drilled stone beads are often the culprits when a necklace breaks. At Nicholas Wylde we use a team of professional stringers with many years experience and we guarantee all our stringing for one year. Necklace lengths have specific names:-
Choker – Approximately 15 inches
Standard – Approximately 18 inches
Matinee – Approximately 22 inches
Opera – Approximately 30 inches
Rope – 40 inches or longer
Signs bangles need repair
Bangles – Signs that mean your jewellery may need repairing
To avoid losing a hinged bangle, the clasp should be checked regularly for sign of wear and tear. Every time the bangle is closed stress is applied to the metal of the clasp mechanism and the ‘springiness’ of the metal can be affected by heavy use. Often all that is needed to make a clasp secure again is a quick tweak with a pair of pliers but worn ‘tongues’ can be replaced.
‘Figure of eight’ clasps and safety chains can also be attached to bangles to improve security. Dents can be removed from hollow bangles but this can be a time consuming operation.
We guarantee all our repairs for one year.
