The Colourful World of the October Birthstone...

With their fascinating history and outstanding array of rainbow hues, opals are one of nature’s most colourful treasures- and it isn't hard to see why! 

Throughout history, October's birthstone has been considered both the 'bringer of bad luck' and a coveted gemstone. 

In 75AD, Pliny, a Roman Scholar wrote, “Some opal carry such a play within them that they equal the deepest and richest colours of painters. Others…simulate the flaming fire of burning sulphur and even the bright blaze of burning oil.” He marvelled that this kaleidoscopic gem encompassed the red of ruby, the green of emerald, the yellow of topaz, the blue of sapphire, and the purple of amethyst.

Nomination Italy Sterling Silver and Opal Earrings

Alongside the Romans, the Ancient Greeks also believed that opals would bring good health to the wearer and we were commonly associated with fortune-telling. The word 'Opal' derives from the Greek word 'Opallios' meaning 'To See A Change of Colour.'

Links of London Rose Vermeil and Pink Opal Bangle

By the 18th Century however, opals had acquired the reputation of bad luck and swiftly fell out of favour with collectors. Despite Queen Victoria being a lover of the stone, her granddaughter Queen Alexandra, had 11 beautiful opals removed from a tiara she was given and had them replaced for rubies, feaful they would bring her bad fortune.

Thankfully, Opal's reputation has since changed and is now considered a highly sought-after and coveted gemstone and is a popular choice in jewellery today. Not only is it available in white, but it can be found in a wide variety of colours; white opal, black opal, fire opal, boulder opal and water opal can all be found in beautiful pieces of jewellery in the modern market.

Nomination Italy Rose October Birthstone Charm

Opal is a soft stone and should be worn and stored with care, hard knocks can damage this precious stone and therefore it's important to keep it away from harder gemstones, like sapphire or diamonds and stored in a padded jewellery box or bag. 

The beauty about opal jewellery is that it will always be unique, as no two opals will ever be exactly the same. The October birthstone is a perfect choice for gem collectors and jewellery lovers - no matter which month you were born in!

www.judithhartjewellers.co.uk

The Unmissable New Seiko Collection...

NEW SEIKO 5 SPORTS COLLECTION

Known for it's reliability, robustness and affordability the Seiko 5 collection was originally released in 1963, becoming Seiko's first ever automatic Day/Date watch. 

The Original 1963 Seiko 5 Sports

Now in 2019, Seiko are debuting their sought-after collection once again with a refreshed collection of 27 new Seiko 5 Sports Timepieces. 

Green Canvas Strap Seiko 5 - Ref: SRPD77K1

TAP TO SHOP

The '5' represents the 5 recognisable attributes of these watches; an automatic movement, a day/date window at the 3 o'clock position, a sunken crown at the 4 o'clock position for comfort, water resistance and a durable case and bracelet.

Blue Seiko 5 Sports Watch - Ref: SRPD51K1 

TAP TO SHOP

Though slightly different in their individual appearances, all 27 watches share the distinctive case shape and arrow time markers and hands that make the Seiko 5 Sport so instantly recognisable. These watches are all automatic with a power reserve of up to 41 hours when fully charged and are all water resistant to 100m (330ft).

Black and Steel Seiko 5 Sports Watch - Ref: SRPD73K2

TAP TO SHOP 

All are available to purchase via the individual links above or the website below. 

All qualify for FREE UK Delivery or International Shipping where charges may occur. 

https://www.judithhartjewellers.co.uk/store/seiko/

Discover Derbyshire This Summer...

Now that the evenings are getting brighter and the sun is getting warmer, we can't help but turn our thoughts to our favourite S word... Summer! 

Chatsworth House and Gardens

Derbyshire is such a beautiful place to spend those gorgeous Spring and Summer days, from hiking in the peak district to Teddy Bear's Picnics and everything in between. So we've put together a list of our best things to do in our home city!

Matlock Bath - 

Have you even visited Derbyshire if you haven't experienced Matlock Bath?! Known for being one of the first tourist destinations in the country, Matlock Bath still retains the same charm and character today as it did in the late 17th Century. 

Matlock Bath

A popular destination for families, bikers and fun-seekers, there's plenty of things to see and do! Take a cable car up to the Heights of Abraham where the wooded country park is crowned with the Victoria Prospect Tower and guided tours around Great Masson and Rutland Caverns are available too! With plenty of arcades, shops, fish and chip shops and traditional sweet shops there's so much at Matlock Bath to fill the entire day!

Dovedale and the Stepping Stones - 

Perhaps one of the most famous landmarks in Derbyshire, the picturesque Stepping Stones at Dovedale is a must for your To-Do list this summer! The Stepping Stones were first laid across the River Dove in Dovedale valley in 1890, as the area was becoming more and more popular with Victorian tourists. In 1934, the stones were acquired by the National Trust and in 2006, Dovedale was declared a National Nature Reserve in order to protect its future. 

Dovedale Valley Stepping Stones

So pack up a picnic, put your wellies on and head into Dovedale for your chance to cross the Derbyshire famous Stepping Stones. Dovedale is also a fantastic walk that is perfect for all the family, the path is nice and flat and run parallel to the River Dove.

Shop Your Heart Out

Derby City Centre has a fantastic range of stores - perfect for a day of retail therapy! We have a bustling intu Shopping Centre with hundreds of stores and eateries to choose from, and if shopping isn't your thing, we have a 12 screen Cinema, Hollywood Bowling and Mini Golf! We also have a thriving Cathedral Quarter down the High Street, full of wonderful stores, bars, cafes and restaurants. 

intu Shopping Centre, Derby

Bluebell's Dairy and Farm 

On the edge of Derbyshire sits a wonderful farm, and it is home to a herd of Holstein Friesian cows! Brunswood Farm, also locally known as Bluebell's Dairy is a fantastic place for families and groups of all ages - there really is something for everyone. Visit their farm, enjoy their Tea Rooms, Play Areas and of course, their sample delicious award-winning ice cream, made from the creamy milk from their very own cows! There is so much to enjoy here - perfect for summer fun!

Award-winning artisan ice cream at Bluebells Dairy, Spondon

Elvaston Castle and Gardens

Elvaston Castle is a grade II stately home in Elvaston, Derbyshire set in 0ver 350 acres of parkland and woodlands. Perfect for dog walkers, bike riders and picnicking families, this Country Park is a treasure trove of discovery with surprises around every corner, from unusual rock formations, explorable woodland, 18th Century gothic architecture and lakes and streams teeming with wildlife. 

Elvaston Castle Gardens and Woodland, Elvaston, Derbyshire

Located just 10-15 minutes away from Derby City Centre it's a fantastic location to add to your Derby visit!

There is so much to do here in Derbyshire, these are our Top 5! Have you visited Derby? Let us know in the comment thread what your favourite Derby attraction was!

Judith Hart Jewellers

Derby

A Valentine's Proposal...

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and we think there's a few of you out there planning to pop the question on the most romantic day of the year. So we've decided to do all the hard work for you and come up with a few proposal ideas just in time for the 14th of February.

Plan Plan and Plan AGAIN - 

I'm sure you don't need us to tell you this, but preparation is KEY. Take it right back to basics and think about places that mean a lot to both of you, places you've loved over your time together or even somewhere you've both always wanted to go. If you don't want to seem over spontaneous and give the game away, try tying the proposal into something you already have planned like a holiday or a day trip.

Say It With Chocolate - 

Give your Valentine a big box of Chocolates as their gift, but first replace one of the chocolates inside with the engagement ring! She won't believe her eyes when she opens the box, and when she says yes you'll both be able to enjoy the chocolate! Everybody wins!

Recreating Your First Date - 

Tell your Valentine you're taking them somewhere special and recreate the first (or a very special) date that the two of you have shared. Perhaps the first restaurant you ever visited, a picnic, or a walk, play the same music and maybe wear a similar outfit. Then tell them it was on this date however long ago that you knew that they would be the person you wanted to marry - get down on one knee and pop the question! 

Make it even more special by creating a photo album of all your favourite memories - don't forget to leave some pages blank for the memories still to come!

Ask Them In Front of A Crowd - 

For the SUPER confident amongst you, proposing with an audience might be right up your street. So if you're planning on going to the theatre for Valentine's Day you may be able to call the theatre in advance and ask if you can propose on stage! (You may have be at least 99.9% sure they will say YES!) If you're other half is big fan of the arts then this may be right up your street - and the cast and crew could even get involved too!

A Jigsaw Proposal - 

This one is our favourite! Give your Valentine a very special puzzle, the whole puzzle can either be the words 'Will You Marry Me?' or just 1 piece can have the special message on it, just make sure you keep that piece for last - otherwise they'll guess straight away!

Don't forget - however you plan on proposing to your loved one, it'll be special no matter what! 

Judith Hart Jewellers

DERBY

Valentine's Gift Ideas Your Other Half Will LOVE

February the 14th is the one day of the entire year that is dedicated to love and romance. 

Giving a gift on Valentine's Day is just a small way to show your significant other just how much you care. 

Judith Hart Jewellers has a wide range of gifts available for both Him and Her for you to choose from - you're sure to find the perfect gift to give to the one you love. 

For Her -  

We are the proud stockists of the ever popular and forever growing range of Nomination Charms and Bracelets - and they make a perfect and affordable gift for Valentine's Day! Nomination Italy have charms to represent love, engagement, a new baby, romance, weddings and even charms that can be engraved with romantic messages of your choice! Follow the active link above to see the full range!

Choose from Rose or Yellow Gold and Sterling Silver Charms to build your Nomination bracelet. All available on our website for free delivery.

We pride ourselves on having a large and luxurious collection of jewellery and watches, so whether you're looking for a ring, earrings, something from our diamond collection or a timepiece, you'll definitely find a wonderful present for Valentine's Day. 

Thomas Sabo Love Bridge Bracelets can be personalised with a message of your choice - all available on our website. 

We also stock other popular jewellery brands such as Thomas Sabo, Swarovski, Links of London and many more!

For Him - 

Buying a gift for the man in your life has never been so easy - here at Judith Hart Jewellers we stock multiple brands that are dedicated to supplying and designing stylish, and affordable jewellery and watches for men! 

One of our most popular ranges of men's jewellery is Jos Von Arx, a luxury designer brand for gent's accessories and gifts, full of stylish pens, cufflinks, bracelets, hip flasks and more. 

Shop the full range of Jos Von Arx gift sets and more on our website by clicking the active link above.

Or maybe it's time for him to have a new watch? We offer a fantastic selection of watches, such as Dreyfuss, Seiko, Citizen, Weird Ape, Bering and many more. He will love receiving a new watch and treasure it for years to come. 

Seiko 'Save the Ocean' Prospex - SRPC93K1 // RRP: £449.00

Gift Wrapping - 

We will Gift Wrap all of your purchases for you for FREE, whether you come to us and purchase in store or you order them online from our website. Just select 'Free Gift Wrapping' when checking out and we'll make sure your item arrives beautifully wrapped!

Judith Hart Jewellers

DERBY 

www.judithhartjewellers.co.uk

Getting Married in 2019?

From colours to flowers, dresses with pockets to unusual entertainment - here's our favourite 2019 Wedding Trends you NEED to know if you're tying the knot this year!

Colour Schemes - 

While pastels and soft pinks are always a popular choice; experts say that bold burgundy, yellows, reds and plum will be seen a lot more this year! Bridesmaid dresses, table centre pieces and flowers will be making more of a statement than ever before with their new bright and vibrant colour schemes. Patterns are also said to be favoured amongst grooms and brides-to-be this year, with tartan, stripes and check featuring in suits, ties, bow ties and handkerchiefs!

The 'Meghan' Effect - 

2018 saw two Royal Weddings for the UK - each one beginning a trend of their very own! Meghan Markle's simple, yet stunning wedding dress may mean that we see brides opting for more classic gowns with fewer embellishments and boat necklines. Both Royal Brides also chose long sleeves which may mean we see more brides wearing gowns of this design!

'Thanks, it has pockets!' - 

'Oh my gosh, I LOVE your dress!' 'Thanks, it has pockets!' Pretty sure we can all relate to this conversation! How do you make a gorgeous dress even more gorgeous? Give it pockets! Yep, that's right, fashion catwalks have been bursting with Wedding Gowns, Bridesmaid Dresses and even Wedding JUMPSUITS that come with handy pockets to keep all those Wedding Day essentials safe! 

Peony For Your Thoughts? - 

Peony's are 2019 flower - there's no doubt about it. Due to them being incredibly versatile, peonies can be added into bouquets that suit any style of wedding, from formal affairs to rustic parties. If you have a late spring, early summer wedding and have your heart set on them then you're in luck, as Peony season runs from April/May to late June. If your wedding is later in the year, then stunning alternatives to Peonies include British Garden Roses for summer or Dahlias for later in the year.

Unusual Entertainment - 

After something a little different to a Photo Booth? From tarot readers to caricaturists, we've found so many unique ways to keep your guests entertained throughout the day! Our favourite has to be a Live Event Artist, they will capture your Wedding Day as it unfolds on canvas right before their very eyes! At the end the day you will have an incredible personalised keepsake of your special day!

Ditch the Plastic - 

After Princess Eugenie's Plastic Free Wedding back in October 2018,  the Eco-Friendly Wedding is a trend that we LOVE and thankfully, the wedding industry is taking notice. The most popular one perhaps being the demise of the plastic straw as thousands of venues, bars and restaurants across the country swap plastic straws to paper or reusable steel ones! Of course, it helps that linen napkins and paper straws look so much prettier than their plastic cousins!

We hope you're bursting with fabulous ideas! Do you have some more than we haven't though of? Why not share some ideas below - and don't forget to share with fellow Brides and Grooms-to-be!

Judith Hart Jewellers

Santa Claus: The Interview...

We had a very special guest in store this week, the real Father Christmas (yes, really!) took time out of his busy schedule to come and sprinkle festive cheer over Judith Hart Jewellers.

Once he'd parked up the reindeer in the intu Centre car park and grabbed a Gingerbread Latte and Festive Bake for his lunch we were able to sit down with Mr December himself and ask him the questions that everybody wants the answers to...

'So, what do you prefer to be called? Father Chrismas? Santa? Kris Kringle?'

'Oh I have so many different names I'll answer to most things nowadays! Santa will do just fine for today, and maybe Father Christmas on formal occasions - at least that's what I sign on the bottom of the elves payslips! I won't tell you what Mrs Claus has called me on occasion!'

'Speaking of Mrs Claus - is there anything from here you think she'd like from us for Christmas?' (Santa suddenly looks petrified...)

Well Mrs Claus doesn't know I'm here right now, she's back at the North Pole keeping an eye over everything - I'm on Top Secret Christmas Business you see - so I think on this occasion it's a case of 'What Mrs Claus Doesn't Know Won't Hurt Her...'

'Have you ever thought of moving to somewhere a little warmer?'

'You live in England my dear girl - I could ask you the same question! Ho, ho, ho!'

'Everybody knows that the elves make A LOT of the toys and gifts we receive each Christmas, but what about the presents that the elves can't make? Where do those come from?'

'Well most of them I buy in the Black Friday Sales you see. If you keep your eye's peeled whilst watching the news Black Friday evening, you might even see me on the tele wrestling somebody for a Go-Pro in ASDA!

'Once the hectic Christmas season has finished, do you and Mrs Claus go on holiday?'

'The wife always wants to go somewhere cold like back home but I prefer Mexico-ho-ho! Beard flapping in the warm breeze and what-not! Of course, I refuse to go to an airport until after New Years! Far too busy for my liking, I think if I went into a crowded airport this side of Christmas I'd have to put myself on the naughty list for next year!

'Now the one EVERYBODY wants to know...how do you fit down those chimneys?' 

'Well it was a lot easier in my younger days before all the mince pies and glasses of Sherry, I'll tell you that for free! Once I was too erm... 'jolly' to fit down the chimneys myself I had to tell the elves to phone the company that supplies the Flying Powder for the Reindeer and order some Shrinking Powder for me... Mrs Claus says my extra 'jolliness' makes me look handsome, so I'm perfectly happy!

'Santa, thank you for visiting us today! One last question, what do you think the true spirit of Christmas is?'  

'You mean apart from Sherry? Ho, ho ho! To me Christmas is a time to love, appreciate and cherish one another, it doesn't have to cost you the earth, it just has to mean the world to somebody!

Judith Hart Jewellers

Derby

Thinking Of Proposing Over Christmas?

You won't want to miss our Top 10 Festive Proposal Ideas that'll make 'popping the question' even more magical!

Every year Christmas comes round and brings with it all of our favourite things; the decorations, the festive films, the Christmas songs you just can't help but sing along to and of course the FOOD, but the thing that makes Christmas really special is creating those special moments and making memories with the people we love. 

With all the festive cheer, glittering fairy lights and cozy evenings in front of the fireplace taking place this season we can't think of a more romantic setting to propose to your loved one than over Christmas. 

So we've gotten a little bit creative here at Judith Hart Jewellers and created our Top 10 Festive Proposal Ideas - let us know your favourite in the comments section below!

Jessica,

Judith Hart Jewellers

1. O' Christmas Tree...

Decorating the Christmas Tree together is a wonderfully festive tradition to include your loved ones in. Why not make it even more special by personalising a bauble with the words 'Will You Marry Me?' and hand it to your partner to hang on the tree, watch their face fill with surprise when they read it! You could even put the ring inside a clear bauble or attach to a ribbon!

2. Be A Little Advent-urous...

There's so many different kinds of advent calendar available now; chocolate, cosmetics, cheese, tea, prosecco - even pork scratchings! A homemade advent calendar is a lovely and romantic touch, treat your partner to thoughtful little gifts and messages throughout December and just when they think you couldn't possibly get any better, they'll open the final door on Christmas Eve to a dazzling engagement ring! 

3. A Box...In A Box...In A Box...

WARNING: For Experienced Wrappers ONLY! 

Start off with your ring box and wrap it up in Christmas paper, place it into a slightly bigger box and wrap again, repeat with boxes that slowly get bigger and bigger until you have a giant box with a very special secret hidden inside! Watch as your partner unwraps each box with growing excitement - and when they finally get to the smallest box be ready to ask the big question! 

4. A Cracking Question...

Hide the ring inside a Christmas Cracker with a party hat and your best (worst!) joke. If you win the cracker get down on one knee and ask them to marry you! If they win, let them find the ring and be ready to ask the question once they've realised what's happening! Either way, you'll propose with a bang!

5. 'To Me You Are Perfect...'

If you or your partner haven't seen the Christmas Classic 'Love Actually' then maybe this one isn't for you... but if you have then this Proposal Idea could be the one! (Show of hands those of you that know the scene we mean!) Write your romantic message on large pieces of card 1 sentence at a time and slowly reveal your proposal, preferably in a door way on a snowy winters night! *Sniff...* We're not crying you are!

6. Leave A 'Carat' For Rudolph...

This is a great one if you're a couple that's a sucker for tradition and still leave a carrot, a mince pie and a glass of milk for Santa - you know, just in case he ever did show up! Under the cover of darkness replace them with the diamond ring and sneak back to safety! They won't believe their eyes Christmas morning! 

7. A Sweet Stocking Filler...

Hide the ring right at the bottom of your partner's stocking, either keep it in it's box or tie it to a candy cane with a ribbon. Make sure it's the very last thing they pull out! Don't forget the obligatory Christmas Socks and Chocolate Coins!

8. The Christmas Pudding Proposal...

Despite the fact that very few people actually like Christmas Pudding, it is still one of the most popular ways to propose at Christmas. Just swap the traditional sixpence for the engagement ring and you're good to go - just make sure your other half gets the right piece, otherwise you might find yourself proposing to your future father-in-law... 

9. Enlist The Help Of A Pet...

If the thought of proposing yourself is all a bit too much for you to handle, then it's best to leave it to the dog! He'll look much cuter dressed as Rudolph than you anyway... engrave their dog tag with 'Will You Marry Me?' or pin a romantic message to their collar!

10. A Christmas Market...

Our December days and nights are forever filled with Christmas markets. Take advantage of the festive atmosphere and show your Christmas spirit by proposing under the twinkling decorations and make everyone's day! The best part is, there's usually mulled wine nearby if you need a little courage beforehand! 

However you choose to propose we'd love to hear your Christmas Proposal stories - just comment below! We hope this list of our Top 10 Proposals has given you some inspiration this festive season! 

Merry Christmas!

Jessica

Judith Hart Jewellers

www.judithhartjewellers.co.uk