So, reading clockwise from the left, here are my favourite pieces I'd added to my collection, and why. I've bought a lot of jewellery this year, including some chunky vintage and statement pieces, but it's very clear from this selection that my true favourites are light, delicate pieces that I can throw on everyday and plan to have and love forever.
1&2: Links of London - 18ct Gold Sweetie Chain & Silver Flutter and Wow Earrings
The tiny gold Sweetie chain is the perfect layering piece, worn on it's shortest length up against my collar bone. The Flutter and Wow studs are earrings for the laziest of days - they effortlessly go with everything but are sculptural enough to be just a little edgy.
3: Megan Thorne - 18ct White Gold Signature Band
My wedding ring - slim, textured and just that little bit different to a plain band. I actually love wearing it without my engagement ring, as it looks just so elegant on my ring finger.
4: 24ct Gold Vermeil Pendant.
One of my own pieces, I've made it just how I like my necklaces - collarbone length, motif-based and curvily tactile with a puffy 3d form.
5: Silver Bow Earrings
5: Silver Bow Earrings
My honeymoon souvenir from Florence, another easy to wear addition to the 'classic' side of my jewellery wardrobe.
6: Guess - Gold-plated Watch
I bought this to celebrate my new design job, and have worn it everyday since. Gold, loose and just masculine enough to toughen up my outfits a treat - certainly an investment buy.
7: Shaun Leane - Cherry Blossom Ring
I mentioned this ring only a few days ago, but suffice to stay I hope it is the start of a collection - I plan to own far more Shaun Leane by this time next year...
If I wasn't being quite so strict with myself (or my budget allowed!), I would certainly be indulging more this year. Amongst some very trend led jewels which are lovely but not necessarily wise choices, there are some fantastic pieces by great designers which I think would be real investment purchases. I've selected my top 'picks' based on their use of lovely materials, unique-yet-lasting designs and exciting designers to own a piece by...
Next door, Wave Contemporary Jewellers offered a lust-inducing case of beautiful Shaun Leane pieces, plus Stephen Webster – although sadly (fortunately??) not the Rapture ring that I’m longing to see in the flesh. The buyers for both stores have got it so right – the stock is like a ‘best of’ of IJL and graduate shows, with plenty of different styles and price points.
I’m reluctant to admit it, given that Manchester already have designs on our claim to second city, but the residents of Manchester really do have far better access to incredible new and established designers than we do here in Birmingham.
And the result of this? Well, my lust list now has two definite additions. Shaun Leane’s Blackthorn earrings are currently Adorn’s item of the week, so my attention was immediately drawn to them in Wave’s window. In real life, they’re bigger than I’d anticipated and oh, so gorgeous - they would fit so well with my usual black-lace uniform. Finally, in the Trafford Centre Selfridges I fell, hard, for the tiniest diamond Annoushka necklace – the Hand of Fatima pendant is absolutely miniscule and would be the most incredible layer-with-everything piece.
Shaun Leane's pieces actually start from £125, but if you can stretch your budget you'll be able to indulge in a stunning, icy diamond pair (top). Gorgeous, classic design with a hint of a dark side, all made in the most beautiful of materials - buying a piece of Shaun Leane jewellery is without doubt an investment in all uses of the word. Drops might be riskier than studs, but these pieces are just so wonderful I'd be amazed if you get anything less than a rapturous response...
It's no secret which earrings 
These pretty Beth Gilmour 'Wreath' studs even have a festive name, and in gold or blackened silver they'd make a stylish gift. The wreath foliage is fern-like rather than floral, so I think they'll suit everyone from ditsy-print wearers to those with a harder-edged look - just imagine the gold studs topping off a leather leggings outfit...
L-R: Anger, Lust, Patience, Virtue
It may be easy to find far cheaper alternatives to her pieces (
Keeping one step ahead of the copies, her latest range steers away from the skeletal and embraces tribal and rough crystal, a direction I think I prefer.
Talons, claws and teeth have been classic jewellery motifs and materials since adornment began, but Dominic elevates potentially tired inspiration by using them in sleek and unusual ways. A jaw bone along the flap of a clutch, perhaps, or claws flaring out into a knuckle-duster look, but always with a polished finish and fashionable plating. A bat skull looks almost sophisticated when it's in glossy rose gold...
It's not very saintly of me, but I can never help but be both sceptical and (secretly) slightly annoyed when celebrity 'designers' seem to be able to add my hard-won profession to their CV with little more than their fame as experience. However, I'm more than happy to admit when the results are good - 
