Sadly, I recently lost a much loved family member, my Great Aunt June Patricia, or Patti as she was affectionately known by all.

I remember always exploring her dressers and playing dress up with her diamond earrings, quirky brooches and fun hats when I was much younger, and watching her take huge pride in her appearance – flats were a stern “no” and there wasn’t a day when Patti would be seen without her highest heels on, at 5ft nothing, who could blame her!? 

When clearing out her belongings, it was clear that Patti had continued her love of ‘pretty things’ into her elder years, she was always experimenting with lotions and potions and although a foot operation had taken away her beloved habit of slipping on a pair of heels, apparently it never stopped her buying them!

It was only the other night when my mother opened Patti’s jewellery box that all the memories of being little and trying on all these trinkets came back to me, I fell in love with coloured stones thanks to Patti and my Mum’s engagement rings – sapphires, emeralds and of course, rubies are high on my list of gem stones! I am now wearing with pride two beautiful rings – one a diamond and sapphire engagement ring and another which has a black stone, encased in a beautiful petal diamond setting. I adore these rings already and will be reminded of our own little diamond each time I wear them!

xJane