UK jewellers look with envy upon Birmingham’s centre for precious stones. 40% of the UK’s jewellery trade passes through the area of Hockley making it a great place to seek out quality jewels at the best prices in the country. It is not only a place to buy however, it is also a place to visit, particularly because of its historical importance. The Quarter was home to 30,000 workers at the peak of the industry in the early 1900s and while things have changed since then, there is still an unquenchable demand around the UK and the world for peerless diamonds as well as goldsmiths who can make the rings to match. This means that Birmingham is still the place to come for the best deals on diamonds and quality rings, particularly on the main thoroughfare of the Jewellery Quarter which is Vyse Street. Jewellers line this street with windows that glitter with diamonds beyond, while the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter seeks to add to the history and heritage of the entire area. There are modern as well as Victorian shops which give you an impression of the sediments of history being laid down as technological and fabrication processes improved alongside our ability to seek out the most flawless diamonds and metals. If you are looking for some history with your jewellery shops Birmingham can certainly provide.

Jewellery has many different aspects with metals ranging from bronze to platinum along with gemstones and golds. At the head of it all, however, is the diamond. A product of the Earth’s natural formation, diamond truly are something to behold. It gives our planet its uniqueness and is in many ways a symbolic testament to our home. While diamond can be formed anywhere in the universe through the same processes, on our planet it is comparatively rare. This really adds to why we behold this stone ahead of all others. It is the hardest natural substance, it was formed in the passionate inferno of the early Earth and it will last far longer than us. The aspect of continuity really adds to the family aspect, particularly since diamonds can be passed down and kept as family treasures. The diamond is the perfect companion and symbol for relationships, reliability and steadfastness.

Diamonds themselves are graded according to how perfect they are. Some have colourations which can add or subtract value, while some have flaws and others have relatively few. The unique measurable aspect of diamonds is their ability to use light, splitting it, reflecting it and twinkling it. Magnification is used by experts to peer into the diamond to see how many inclusions it has. An internally flawless diamond is incredibly rare and by extension, incredibly expensive, and as more and more inclusions crop up the price drops and the supply becomes more plentiful. This is why the more perfect diamonds should be kept hold of and cared for, particularly if they are sizable. If you have an interest in diamonds, then the Jewellery Quarter Birmingham is the place to come.

Preparing to pop the question can be daunting. It takes plenty of courage to ask this all-important question. Of course, one of the issues you’ll need to consider is the ring you’ll hand over. This is the symbol of your love for your partner so it’s got to be spot on.

Rather than taking the plunge and buying a ring yourself, risking the possibility that your other half won’t like it, you might instead want to go shopping for the gem with your partner by your side. That way, she can choose for herself and will end up with something that suits her perfectly. When it comes to shopping expeditions like this, there’s no better place to visit that the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter. Put simply, the jewellery shops in Birmingham are superb.

Jennifer Aniston gets the perfect ring

Former friends star Jennifer Aniston recently received the diamond engagement ring of her dreams. The glamorous actress was asked for her hand in marriage by Justin Theroux. The pair were dining at Greenwich Village restaurant Blue Hill to celebrate his 41st birthday when he handed over the emerald-cut diamond.

Commenting on the proposal, Theroux’s publicist said that he “had an amazing birthday on Friday, receiving an extraordinary gift when his girlfriend, Jennifer Aniston, accepted his proposal of marriage”.

Serious bling

Meanwhile, talking about the gem she was given, a source said: “It’s a huge emerald-cut diamond. It’s a rectangle with tapered diamond baguettes on the sides. It’s beautiful. Just after Jen got engaged, she called all her friends and told them about it. She was so happy and said she loves the ring. I think she was overwhelmed and overjoyed by the size and beauty of it!”

The gesture has taken the celebrity duo’s relationship to a new level. They have reportedly been friends for a long time, but only started dating around a year ago after filming the movie Wanderlust.

Make a day of it

When you and your partner are planning your shopping trip to the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter, make sure you give yourself enough time in the city. After all, there’s no sense in rushing the process. The purchase could be one of the most important the pair of your make.

Also, there is plenty of choice in this part of Birmingham and you need to make sure you have time to investigate all your options. There are hundreds of retailers and designers in the area and it is known as the UK’s centre for jewellery.

A romantic break

You can also inject some extra romance into the trip by taking in some of the wonderful sights and sounds in the quarter. In addition to all the jewellery shops, there are lots of art galleries, museums, restaurants and bars for you to explore and make the most of. Of course, you might want to keep your alcohol consumption down to a minimum until you’ve made your choice.

This is not the kind of decision you want to make while you’re tipsy!

If you are on the lookout for the perfect diamond jewellery, you might want to turn your attention to the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter. This iconic area is renowned for its array of superb jewellers and taking a trip there can be truly inspirational.

Sometimes, the best way to get ideas for rings, earrings, bracelets and so on is to see a selection of such offerings. This can help you get a much clearer idea of what exactly it is that appeals to you and you may also come across styles and designs you have never seen before.

Simply heading to your local high street might not cut it as you may be very limited in choice. In contrast, making your way to the famous Jewellery Quarter located in the heart of England presents you with a virtually overwhelming selection of gems.

Spending a few hours immersed in this gleaming and glamorous world can really get your imagination working and you might well develop a clear idea of exactly what it is you want from your jewellery. Indeed, you may even see and purchase the perfect item for you.

And, while you are in this fascinating area, you can also make the most of the superb eateries, bars, cultural attractions and so on that line the streets.

There really is no better way to gain inspiration when you are on the lookout for diamonds and you might well be shocked by the variety of jewellery shops that exist in this location.