Our FAQs page is here to help answer some of the most common questions about Heidi Kjeldsen jewellery and services.
From bespoke design and sourcing diamonds or coloured gemstones, to appointments, resizing and aftercare, you’ll find clear guidance to support you at every stage. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, our team is always happy to assist.
Do you clean jewellery?
Yes, we offer a free cleaning and checking service. All you need to do is arrange an appointment to come into the showroom with your jewellery so we can clean and check it, completely free of charge.
Do you redesign old, unworn jewellery?
Yes, we re-design old jewellery into new designs of your choice. This is a great way of breathing new life into old jewellery, and carrying both the sentimental and true value of pieces for future generations. If the item has intrinsic value as it is then Heidi will always advise and would not recommend a redesign. Book an appointment to discuss your requirements at our Mill Street, Oakham showroom.
Do you value jewellery for insurance, probate etc?
Yes, this is an important service as if the worst happens you will need accurate, up-to-date valuations for your insurance company. We use an Independent Registered Valuer (IRV) and Heidi can also value some items if appropriate. If our IRV is appropriate for pieces then the charge is £75.00 for the first item and £50.00 for each subsequent item. Items of high value will attract a Premium charge of £120.00 and you will be advised of this prior to valuation. Heidi charges £30.00 per item and you will receive effectively a quote to replace the item. Book an appointment to discuss your requirements at our Mill Street, Oakham showroom.
Can you find me the perfect Gemstone or Diamond and are they ethically sourced and guaranteed to be conflict-free?
Yes, we are often asked to find a specific, valuable Gemstone or Diamond as customers find it hard to distinguish between Natural, Laboratory grown or unethically treated stones. We offer a broad spectrum of high quality loose Gemstones and Diamonds in a variety of cuts and sizes, ethically sourced from around the world. Book an appointment to discuss your requirements in our Mill Street, Oakham showroom.
We use all reasonable endeavors to ascertain that for any precious or semi-precious Metals, Gemstones, Diamonds or other materials that we acquire and use in Goods and/or articles or otherwise which we purchase readymade for sale, that the provenance is good and conflict-free and that the items have been ethically sourced in compliance with United Nations resolutions. Our gemstones and Diamonds are sourced from highly respected suppliers so that, as far as we can ascertain, any treatments carried out are fully recognised and accepted by the Gemmological Association of Great Britain.
Do you restring Pearls?
Yes, Heidi personally restrings all Pearl jewellery using silk and knots to protect them. Book an appointment to have your Pearls restrung by Heidi.
Can you resize my ring and repair my jewellery?
Yes, we can resize and repair most jewellery. Firstly, we need to assess your jewellery to decide whether a resize or repair is possible and then we will estimate the cost to you and then gain your approval before starting the work. If a piece is truly beyond repair, Heidi can creatively re-design into a new style of your choice.
Do you buy secondhand jewellery?
No, but we do offer customer’s fine jewellery for resale in our Pre-loved collection. Please book an appointment to bring in your jewellery to be assessed and discussed.
What are the birthstones for each month?
You can find the different birthstones here:
What is the difference between Platinum and White Gold?
Platinum is a precious metal which is often used in fine jewellery. It is a relatively dense metal and wears away less than Gold. It also only requires a polish to maintain it.
Pure Gold as we all know is bright yellow colour so to make white Gold, pure Gold is alloyed with white metals such as Silver and Palladium to make it as white as possible. It will always have a pale buttery yellow colour so white Gold is usually Rhodium-plated to make it look whiter and brighter. This needs to be redone periodically in order to maintain the white look, depending on the wear and tear of the ring.
Can you explain the different types of Pearl and what are the differences between Natural and Cultured Pearls.
There are many types of Pearl so in order of value and desirability here are the main types:
The Golden South Sea Pearl is the rarest Pearl grown in the world today, farmed in secret locations off the coastline of the Philippines. Here water temperatures and nutrients combine to allow the gold lipped oyster to grow in near perfect conditions and create some of the world’s largest Pearls.
White South Sea Pearls are highly sought after for their size, growing up to 20mm and with a lustre which is second to none.
Tahitian Pearls are also expensive and lustrous with a range of colours from silver grey to dark grey with green and yellow hues and also renowned for their larger sizes.
Akoya pearls are the beautiful lustrous Pearls ranging in size from a few millimeters to a maximum of approx. 9.5mm. These are usually white although other colours, some are natural and some colour treated, are available.
Freshwater pearls, usually known simply as Cultured Pearls are usually non-nucleated and one mollusk can produce many pearls of varying size, colour and lustre.
All Pearls vary in quality and only gem quality Pearls are used in Heidi Kjeldsen’s jewellery so why not book an appointment to view our Collection of pearl necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings.
Natural Pearls have grown inside a mollusc, be it freshwater or sea water, as a result of an irritant entering into the shell and the creature lays down protective layers of Nacre and so creates a pearl. The nucleus of a natural pearl is usually a grain of sand. Natural Pearls are extremely rare, usually misshapen and very costly.
Since the late 1800s it has been possible to grow Pearls in oyster farms after Japanese entrepreneur Mikimoto Kokichi created the world’s first Cultured Pearl in 1893. Over a relatively short time this revolutionised the jewellery industry and made Pearls much more accessible, yet high quality, spherical Pearls with qualities which may be extremely valuable. Cultured Pearls have a nucleus inserted into the shell of either Mother of Pearl or soft tissue, which the mollusc then covers with Nacre so producing a Pearl. Today, most Pearls are cultured and high quality Cultured Pearls, of different types, are widely available and Heidi Kjeldsen has a beautiful collection of Pearls for you to view.
What makes a high grade Gemstone or Diamond and how are they graded?
Natural Diamonds, like other precious gemstones, have a number of determining factors which are taken into account for the purpose of valuation or when purchasing. There are excellent stones, unique and rare examples, and then there are many Diamonds which are imperfect and offer little value.
When considering the value of Diamonds there are four main classification factors often referred to as the “Four Cs”: Cut, Colour, Carat and Clarity, with the finer examples of Diamonds possessing higher grades of each characteristic.
At the high end of the spectrum quality, exotic Natural Gemstones have recently seen a threefold increase in demand. Whilst Emeralds, Rubies and Sapphires have seen a resurgence, there has been a particular interest in more obscure stones which possess unusual colours and allow customers to choose Gemstones to suit their own unique style. A high grade Gemstone is one which has a clarity and depth of colour which is appealing. The Gemstone will have been cut and polished very well, with individual proportions to allow the play of light over the Gem and through to be maximised. Flaws and inclusions will be minimal or be such that they add to the provenance and are indicative of origin and enable an expert to ascertain if the stone has been heated, by man or naturally by processes deep within the mantle or the crust of the Earth, or not. Gemstones which have not had heat treatment and which exhibit a natural beauty are considered to be very rare and in some cases will be more valuable. Treatments which will be only those accepted by the Gemmological Association of Great Britain such as heat are used by Heidi Kjeldsen.
Book an appointment to discuss your requirements in our Mill Street, Oakham showroom.
Heidi Kjeldsen
5 The Maltings, Mill Street, Oakham,
Rutland, LE15 6EA
