galiogal

[galiogal]

Watching out for Santa

Looking for a present that stands the test of time and fashion, look no further than @galiostalbans.

From @bremontwatch the MOD range including the Argonaut, Broadsword and Arrow are a recent addition to the range starting at around £2,500

The Hercules Limited Edition is also just about to arrive. Available in steel, rose gold and platinum, it really is a unique gift.

From Bell&Ross we are excited to feature the BRO3 Diver in Bronze, limited to 300 world wide and the BRO5 range launched in November this year.

Our range of Ladies watches has expanded too with some lovely feminine models fromFrederique Constant.

The Junghans watches never fail to impress as well. Timeless Bauhaus design from Max Bill partners precision German engineering and Swiss expertise in timekeeping.

So pick the right moment and pop down to the shop and let us help you find the perfect thing!

[galiogal]

Limited Edition Launch with Bremont Watches

Is Thursday the new Friday? They are at Galio! What a night. Last night we welcomed Bremont Watches for a fabulous launch event. Our lovely, loyal customers got up close and personal with the Limited Edition H-4 Hercules. 

This year Bremont celebrate the infamous 'Spruce Goose' an iconic flying boat of the 1940's.The largest aircraft in the world at the time, as legendary as it's inventor Howard Hughes.

In true Galio style we had watches, canapés and of course, gin! We just had to have a little bit of Gin & Jazz nostalgia on the shop floor. Laid out we had fresh local blooms from St Albans town, setting the scene for a stunning display.

Here it is, in all it’s glory. Available in Steel, Rose Gold or Platinum, a total of 450 will be made world wide. To secure yours please contact the team. The watch has super smooth lines that represent the sleek body of the plane and features a rotor on the back made from the original birch wood used to construct the plane.

The perfect gift for a special someone. Take with you a little bit of history! 

At Galio, we pride ourselves on bringing you the latest innovation, so stay tuned for more information on up and coming store events. Don’t forget to pop in if you’re in town, you’ll find us on 4 George Street, St Albans or simply follow us on Instagram @galiostalbans 

[galiogal]

GIN & JAZZ

We had so much fun at the George Street Gin & Jazz evening! Great atmosphere, fabulous music and some amazing gins to sample :)

Special thanks to Sarah Fenton at St Albans Bid for all your hard work.

[galiogal]

Summer Jewellery Essentials!

Layer It Up With Meira T ...

Wear The Beach with Atelier Errikos...

Make a Statement At Dinner with Uno De 50...

The Essentials for Summer and Beyond...

Pop in store, go online or check out our social media for more inspiration!

[galiogal]

September Birthstone - Sapphire

The September birthstone is a gem that’s been cherished for thousands of years. Although the term sapphire usually refers to the blue variety of corundum, this birthstone comes in a rainbow of other colours.

The September birthstone has traditionally symbolised sincerity, truth, faithfulness and nobility.

Famous sapphires include the Rockefeller Sapphire, a 62.02 carat (ct) rectangular step cut stone that was unearthed in Myanmar (Burma).  Perhaps the best-known sapphire in recent years is the 12 ct blue gem surrounded by diamonds in the sapphire engagement ring first worn by Princess Diana and then given by her son to Kate Middleton, now Duchess of Cambridge.

In addition to being the September birthstone, sapphire is also the gem commemorating the 5th and 45th wedding anniversaries.

Kashmir, Myanmar and Sri Lanka are three historically important sources for the September birthstone.

The September birthstone is relatively hard, scoring a 9 on the Mohs scale. Sapphires are often treated to improve their colour or clarity.

Warm, soapy water is always a safe choice for cleaning the September birthstone.

We have a lovely range of sapphire jewellery at Galio Jewellers. Come in to see our range or book a consultation with our designer to create a bespoke piece!

[galiogal]

August Birthstone - Peridot

Peridot is yellowish green to greenish yellow.

It was valued in many ancient and medieval cultures. It appeared in priests’ jewellery as early as the second century BCE and later in the chalices and churches of medieval Europe. The peridot birthstone has also been used for centuries as a protective talisman, shielding the owner from evil spirits and “terrors of the night”. Peridot is also the gem given to celebrate a 15th wedding anniversary.

Although most of the peridot seen in jewellery today comes from sources such as China, Myanmar, Pakistan, Tanzania, Vietnam and the United States, some journied to Earth on meteorites while others are found in exotic locales like Peridot Beach, Hawaii, where the sands shimmer a luminous green.

With a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, peridot is softer than many gems and cannot take hard wear. Never use a steam or ultrasonic cleaner, as your peridot birthstone is vulnerable to thermal shock. It is safest to use a soft-bristle brush with fairy liquid in warm water.

[galiogal]

Holiday Sparkle!

Summer is here (we hope!), and that means sun, sea and rest! 

You've planned and bought all your holiday outfits, had you hair and nails done, got a spray tan (after all you can’t go away pale!), but what about your jewellery? To keep it looking it’s best before and after the summer read on!

Over time, gold and diamond jewellery simply gets dirty. This is due to everyday wear, household chores, living life to the fullest, putting hand cream on etc etc. Silver jewellery, if not worn, will tarnish and go a grey/black colour and silver-gold plated jewellery will eventually turn silver again due to general wear. 

If you decide to clean your diamond jewellery at home, you can use fairy liquid and warm water. Simply dip your diamond jewellery into the water for a short period of time and that should take care of the build up that forms. 

If your jewellery needs a little more TLC, scrubbing gently with a soft brush will loosen most dirt and greatly increase the brilliance of the diamond, but be careful not to scratch the metal of your setting! Then place your jewellery on kitchen roll and pat gently until dry.

For silver and silver-gold plated jewellery, it is best to use a silver cloth and rub gently over the tarnished areas. This will bring your jewellery back to life very quickly! If your gold plated jewellery is looking tired, bring it in and we can either re-plate it or turn it back to silver.

We advise you not to wear your precious jewellery to the beach or in the sea but if you do, check all settings and fittings to ensure you don’t loose or damage your pieces. 

Silver is a fab match for your beachwear, but don't go into the water with them. Seawater will inevitably damage your silver or silver-gold plated jewellery.

When in doubt, call your favourite jeweller, Galio of course!, and come in to have your jewellery professionally cleaned. This is especially good after a week or two filled with sun(cream), sea, sand and sangria’s!

We look forward to seeing you soon!

[galiogal]

Introducing the Bremont MBIII 10th Anniversary Timepiece.

10 years on from the launch of the Bremont MB range, the luxury British watch company introduces the anniversary MBIII/WH GMT chronometer. 

The new white dialled MBIII, limited to only 310 pieces, has been designed and built to mark the 10th Anniversary since the release of Bremont’s first MB watch back in 2009. 

Watch the video here

Available to purchase at Galio Jewellers. Call ahead on 01727 860 39, visit our website or come in and have a look!

[galiogal]

Valuation Services @galiojewellers

Valuations really should be updated every 5 years to ensure you are fully protected. 

@galiojewellers we are delighted to update any valuations of items bought from us free of charge.

For items you may have inherited or purchased elsewhere (perish the thought!) we offer 2 services, please call one of our friendly consultants and they will explain the differences and pass on the various costs to you.

Should you then need insurance, we are delighted to recommend TH March as jewellery specialists.

Please contact them quoting reference AG074T for a super competitive quote  

[galiogal]

The Galio Edit: Trends post the Red Carpet Mayhem

There have been so many award ceremonies, so many photos .....But what of the trends....

Our Galio Gal says the main trends this season were:

Colour 

Statement earrings

Big and Bold - but keep it simple- either the necklace and bracelet or earring and bracelet- not everything!.... but always the bracelet or bangle....

Rings were bejewelled or bold or both! 

Necklaces were long or scarf shaped and the most important shape was the tear-drop

Be glamourous and proud girls, and above all enjoy being you and making your statement!

[galiogal]

The Brit Pack At Galio

With Wimbledon coming up, we thought it no better time than the present to celebrate the ‘Brit Pack’ at Galio!

We have some fantastic designers including Shaun Leane whose pieces are seen on the likes of Meghan Markle and Cara Delavigne. Shaun Leane has redefined the standard of British jewellery design. Fusing innovation with exquisite craftsmanship, the House is known for a timeless elegance that epitomises modern romance

Cara Tonkin designs beautiful, elegant and bold jewellery for stylish and strong-minded women. Cara is a lover of the Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements.

Reeves & Reeves are, at the heart, husband and wife team Heath and Caroline (with a small team of like-minded individuals). The setting, Dorset, surrounded by beautiful gardens, beaches, horses, wildlife and countryside is a strong influence on our style, but their backgrounds in the fashion world and a love of travel also shine through.

Charlotte Lowe’s collections of handmade jewellery celebrate today’s special moments with the memories that will always matter. Inspired by the joys brought to us through the simple moments in life.

Kate Chell’s passion for jewellery was inspired whilst walking on the breath-taking beach at Holkham on the North Norfolk coast. Kate’s jewellery collections come straight from the heart; by melting and hammering the silver, the simple organic designs take on a unique, natural feel.

Melissa McArthur established her business originally from a small Clerkenwell workshop in 1998. Over the years she has developed an extensive range of designs, producing new pieces and styles each season, her lust for fresh water pearls has inspired her very successful modern pearl collections. Her love of colour, has inspired her extensive gem collections which feature a broad and exceptionally gorgeous colour palette ranging from bold colour contrasts to subtle and nuanced, transparent to opaque, traditional hand cut stones sourced from all over the world.

Lucy Quartermaine is one of the UK’s top award-winning contemporary jewellery designers. Her dynamic range of inspirational designs offers a quirky and modern twist to traditional and skilled silver-smithing. Her jewellery is unique but recognises the forms and shapes of our own everyday lives.

Visit us in store or go online to browse the Brit Pack at Galio!

[galiogal]

Game, Set, Match! How The Tennis Bracelet Came To Be Named.

As Wimbledon, the most exclusive British sporting event of the summer, quickly approaches, what else to do but talk about the tennis bracelet! The tennis bracelet was initially known only as a ‘diamond line’ bracelet.

Popular in the 1920s, this elegant bracelet was worn by fashionable women at the time, who would stack them in multiples on their wrists. In its simplest form, the tennis bracelet consists of a line of diamonds of the same size, cut, colour, and clarity set side by side. However, if you would like something a little more unusual, there are variations of the classic tennis bracelet style.

Its history is one immortalised by world-ranked tennis star Chris Evert who was noted for wearing a diamond line bracelet during tournaments.

However, the exact moment that the tennis bracelet was coined has been much debated. Some say it was because she was noted for her on-court style pairing diamonds with sports attire. Others attribute the name to when Evert’s diamond bracelet – made by jewellery designer George Bedewi – broke during the 1987 U.S. Open. The game was halted in order to find the bracelet, and in a subsequent interview Evert allegedly named the missing piece her ‘tennis bracelet’.

Whether it’s simply worn on its own or with other diamond jewellery to make a statement, with its versatility the diamond tennis bracelet is the perfect accessory!

[galiogal]

Glamour of Cannes Film Festival 2019.

The 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival did not disappoint when it came to jewellery. Chopard has long been the main sponsors of the event so it’s no surprise that a lot of the spotlight belonged to them. At Cannes, the bigger the better; think statement necklaces and earrings and jaw-droppping rings.

We definitely couldn’t pick just one standout piece, but we will always remember Monica Bellucci wearing the María Félix’s crocodile necklace by Cartier. The piece was created in homage to a 1976 design that Bellucci wore to Cannes in 2006.

Selena Gomez wore a necklace set with almost 100-carats of diamonds from Bulgari’s new High Jewelry Cinemagia collection. We fell in love with Anja Rubik Boucheron necklace. So unique and a showstopper! Dakota Fannings Chopard necklace was so so elegant, we could fall in love with it time and time again.

We were green with envy looking through the countless diamond and emerald necklaces by Chopard. Sonam Kapoor wore a mind-blowing diamond and emerald necklace by Chopard. Petra Nemcovas diamond and emerald necklace was truly elegant and timeless. Dita Von Teese also kept it green wearing a stunning emerald and diamond necklace and green dress. Our favourite had to be Marina Ruy Barbosa in Chopard as well and countless emeralds and diamonds adorning her neck.

Priyanka Chopra wore numerous stunning pieces by Chopard and we particularly loved the statement earrings she wore.  As has been the case across all the glamorous festivals this year so far, statement earrings are everywhere.

Neelam Gill wore diamond Chopard fan earrings and Praya Lundberg wore a similar style by Messika.

Izabel Goulart looked so fabulous in purple diamond ombre earrings by Chopard which reminded us of some stunning statement earrings we have available at Galio. 

Julianne Moore and Eva Longoria had the same idea in unusual but beautiful spherical drop diamond earrings.

What also caught our eye was the array of colours at Cannes reminding us of our stunning range of REI gold jewellery, perfect to brighten up any outfit, day or night!

[galiogal]

Statement Sparkle at the 2019 Oscars.

This year's Oscars were a night for stunning statement necklaces and earrings, bold cuffs and archive jewels.

No one could stop talking about Lady Gaga when she stepped on to the red carpet in the legendary 128.54 carat yellow Tiffany diamond worth nearly $30 million and once worn by Audrey Hepburn. We still can’t get over how truly stunning she and the jewellery looked. It doesn’t get much better than Lady Gaga, but her jewels weren’t the only sparkle that caught our eye!

Although we see Bulgari’s serpentine necklace on the red carpet more and more, we will never tire of it! Charlize Theron teamed the Bulgari Serpenti with a statement diamond choker and looked so elegant.  We couldn’t fault Laura Dern who opted for classical elegance in Harry Winston's River Cascade necklace with almost 54 carats of diamonds! Helen Mirren also dazzled in 235 carats of Harry Winston diamonds.  

Jennifer Hudson and Glenn Close took to the archives wearing vintage Harry Winston and 90’s Cartier. We loved how some of the stars let statement diamond earrings shine, keeping the rest of their look simple and chic.

Whether for a black tie dinner or your wedding day, Galio have a beautiful selection of statement earrings! Or, if you’re looking to keep it a little more subtle we can help you with that too!

[galiogal]

Outrageous, dazzling and truly CAMP: jewellery highlights from the Met Gala 2019

‘Camp: Notes on Fashion’ was the theme for the 2019 Met Gala in New York. The stars did not disappoint with an array of truly outrageous outfits and dazzling jewels.

The jewellery trends on the Met carpet were statement earrings, cuffs and bold necklaces. There was lots of vintage too with some stunning Bulgari and Cartier pieces. Lorraine Schwartz made several appearances with Rita Ora wearing over 280 carats of diamonds. We were blown away by the diamond and yellow gold butterfly necklace from the 2019 Tiffany Blue Book collection worn by Lady Gaga. And we were all for Elle Fanning bedecked in Tiffany & Co multi-coloured cocktail rings!

Jennifer Lopez certainly stood out wearing Versace and the Harry Winston Purple Dragon Necklace set with a 65.32 carat purple sapphire and the 1972 platinum chandelier earrings with 29.59 carats of diamonds and another 120 or so carats of diamond bracelets.

Naomi Campbell certainly nailed the ‘Camp’ theme wearing all-pink Valentino and accessorising with an impressive array of vintage 1950’s Bulgari diamond and ruby cuffs and bracelets.  The standout piece was a diamond heritage bracelet (circa 1959) that has previously been worn by Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Garner and Julia Roberts.

Demi Moore surprised us all with a rock crystal perfume bottle by Harry Winston. The hand-carved rock crystal vial is suspended on a necklace with 469 marquise, pear-shaped and round brilliant diamonds which is all set in platinum.

Lilly Collins stood out in a Cartier Magnitude High Jewellery necklace with emeralds, rock crystal, onyx, black lacquer, and diamonds, set in platinum and a pair of Magnitude High Jewellery earrings with emeralds, rock crystal, onyx, and diamonds, set in platinum.

Get the Met Gala look at Galio

If you want to dazzle on the red carpet (or on any occasion!) we have some fabulous pieces that don’t come with bodyguards and won’t break the bank!

If you’re looking for statement necklaces, both collars and long drops look no further than Uno de 50. Statement at truly affordable prices. Kate Chell is also one to consider with stunning textured finishes and a few diamonds as well!

Looking to add some sparkle? We love Sif Jakobs. Her pieces are so wearable, sparkle and give you the Met look without the budget busting prices. They are also great for layering so you can choose whether you go big or keep it simple.

There were some stunning cocktail rings adorning the hands of stars including Jennifer Lopez, Demi Moore, Elle Fanning and Serena Williams. Come in store and see the stunning cocktail rings we have available from a princess cur green quartz with diamonds on the band to a show stopping contemporary 18ct yellow gold ring set with 28 baguette cut diamonds with a total carat wight of 2.06.

Enough is never enough when it comes to diamond bracelets. Adorn your wrists like Naomi Campbell and Jennifer Lopez with diamond tennis bracelets, traditional or contemporary, statement cuffs or a mixture of the two!

For more inspiration click through to our social media

-> Instagram

-> Facebook 

-> Twitter

[galiogal]

Wedding season 2019!

Wedding season is truly upon us! Whether you’re choosing an engagement ring, your wedding bands, here at Galio we offer a unique and truly welcoming experience. Why not pop in and enjoy a cup of tea (or glass of champagne!). We have an extensive range of traditional, quirky and contemporary wedding bands to suit every style and fit. 

Enjoy 10% off your engagement ring when you purchase from Galio and a subsequent 15% off your wedding bands. If you have already purchased your engagement ring, enjoy 10% off your wedding bands. Our wedding gift to you!  Ask about our wedding package for additional benefits too.

Make a note in your diary for the Hanbury Manor Wedding Show in Ware on Sunday 28th April 2019. Galio will be there welcoming and chatting to brides and grooms so pop along. It’s a great venue!

[galiogal]

Push Presents for Mum’s To Be.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry could welcome their first child into the world any day soon.  So, what do we think Prince Harry will be gifting Meghan to mark this special occasion?

While that gorgeous baby is reward enough, if there's anybody who deserves a little spoiling, it's a woman who's just nailed childbirth!

From traditional diamond eternity rings to something a little more alternative such as a birthstone pendant, we can help you mark the birth of your child.

If you’d like to make it even more special, we offer a bespoke service too. Click here for more information.