Beautiful Pawn Shop Jewels

I was reminded of a phrase from 'The Cheap Date Guide to Style' by this charm bracelet in the window of a pawn shop in Shepherd's Bush this morning, which always has quite unusual if expensive things

'Apart from the risk of getting mugged, we like the idea of having beautiful jewels rather than a savings account.'

More Ice

In relation to the ice post below:

Tessa with new ring from Shepherd's Bush pawn shop, and necklace from me for her birthday. (Pope Julius would be proud.) This outfit was thrown together in 5 minutes before rushing out the door for lunch, and after a very late night celebrating her birthday, I was in awe.

 

(Quite enjoying 'The Killing' box set - yet to be watched - propped up outside Tessa's room)

Diva?

Apologies in advance for the quality of these pictures... These rings, all by 'Diva', or the jewellery section of Miss Selfridge, had the most unbelievably bad rings to offer the other day - so bad, they were SO GOOD. Such as, this cross

as well as lots of rings that require multiple fingers to be worn, like:

That's a pretty awkward situation if you wanted to high-five someone. All fingers encased by the lobster, bar one. 
This little face was one of my favourites

But the best was definitely this

 

Despite their greatness though, I didn't buy any of them which is probably a good thing, and partly due to the fact that I'm so attached to the rings I already have and always wear like this beautiful one, borrowed from Mum. 

Rings have been a long standing obsession of mine, from endless trips peering through pawn shop windows, and countless trips to 20p machines.

Gold

I saw this bracelet in a pawn shop in Shepherd's Bush market yesterday, and actually missed my bus I was so astonished by it. At first it was definitely just the price that got me - never seen anything like it in a pawn shop before.

The sovereigns, or bullion coins (coins made from precious metal kept as a store of value rather than used in commerce), date back from the early 20th century, and would obviously mean a lot to someone - they would have to for £1871. Since 1817 sovereigns have been made with the same specific standards that dictate weight, thickness and carat.
There was a definite stage at school, where girls wore sovereign rings to proclaim how badass they were. I remember Tessa and I spending a long time in Argos looking at rings for children that we could squeeze on to our hands.

They are really great, I still want one.
At work, my brother has just edited a really interesting book about gold, published by the Goldsmith Company. It tells of 25 gold facts, such as:

and

Watch

A slightly odd gift to myself this week after handing in my dissertation - this watch with bull heads on. At least I think they are bull heads, they look a bit like guinea pigs too - either is good with me. It was a fiver from a pawn shop in town, wooohooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

Charming

I went to Edinburgh recently and two things stood out - that Harvey Nichols like stationary (see dress and tree made out of pegs/pencils), and the oval tray of gold charm bracelets in a pawn shop window. Sometimes find pawn shops a bit sad, as I always invent heartbreaking stories for why people's engagement rings are sparkling at me from the shop window. Charm bracelets are particularly personal I think, as they take so long to fill up. I have a silver one, that has mostly been contributed to by my Cornish Grandma, with charms such as a pasty and tin mine. (One other thing that stood out - Men in Kilts. No thanks.)

NEWS FLASH

I received a belated 21st birthday present today. My best friend bought me a Claddagh ring - an irish wedding ring, or token of friendship/love. Apparently (wikipedia) the Claddagh ring was first produced in the 17th century for Queen Mary II. The hands are said to represent friendship, the heart, love and the crown, loyalty. I've never seen one with a garnet set in it before. It's from a pawn shop in Shepherd's Bush market, and the guy was pretty much convinced Tessa and I were lesbians which was fun. I can't stop staring at it.