Which Earring Back is Right for You? A Guide to Earring Fittings

Celebrating a wedding anniversary is more than marking another year together — it’s about reflecting on the journey you’ve shared and the milestones you’ve achieved. Traditionally, certain materials are associated with specific anniversaries, each symbolising qualities that make a marriage strong. At Jensgemz, we specialise in handmade anniversary jewellery for milestone years including the 10th (aluminium) , 11th (steel) , 15th (glass) , and 30th (pearl) anniversaries. Every piece is crafted in Nottingham with care, meaning you can give a gift that’s both personal and meaningful. Whether you’re shopping for your partner or looking for a thoughtful gift for a couple you know, this guide will help you choose the perfect anniversary jewellery by year. 10th Anniversary Jewellery – Aluminium Aluminium is the traditional gift for a 10th wedding anniversary. Lightweight yet strong, it symbolises the flexibility and resilience needed in a decade of marriage. At Jensgemz, aluminium takes centre stage in many of our chainmaille jewellery designs, especially when combined with stainless steel for contrast. Our anodised aluminium rings come in a rainbow of colours, making it easy to create something that reflects your loved one’s style. 👉 Browse Aluminium Anniversary Gifts → 11th Anniversary Jewellery – Steel Steel represents durability and unbreakable bonds — a fitting symbol for the 11th year of marriage. Our stainless steel chainmaille jewellery is not only beautiful but also built to last a lifetime. Each piece is handcrafted in Nottingham using high-quality stainless steel rings, meaning it won’t tarnish or lose its shine. From elegant bracelets to statement necklaces, steel jewellery is a practical yet romantic choice for this milestone. 👉 Explore Our Chainmaille Jewellery → 15th Anniversary Jewellery – Glass The 15th anniversary is traditionally marked with glass — representing clarity, transparency, and beauty. While less common in jewellery, glass can create stunning statement pieces through beads or focal accents. Some of our designs feature glass beads alongside chainmaille, offering a modern twist on the tradition while keeping the sentiment alive. 👉 See All Glass Jewellery Options → 30th Anniversary Jewellery – Pearl Pearls are the classic choice for a 30th wedding anniversary. Known for their natural beauty and timeless elegance, they symbolise wisdom and the beauty that comes with years together. We use genuine freshwater pearls in our necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, with each pearl slightly unique in shape and lustre. Whether you choose a simple strand or a pearl-and-chainmaille combination, you’ll be giving a gift that will be treasured for years to come. 👉 Shop Pearl Jewellery → Why Handmade Jewellery Makes the Perfect Anniversary Gift Mass-produced jewellery can be lovely, but handmade pieces carry an extra layer of meaning. When you choose a handcrafted anniversary gift, you’re choosing something made with skill, care, and attention to detail — just like your relationship. We can also create bespoke designs to suit your exact vision, from matching sets to pieces incorporating meaningful colours or stones. Tips for Choosing the Right Piece Match the style to the recipient’s everyday look — classic, modern, or bold. Think about sentimental touches, such as colours with personal meaning. Choose comfortable, wearable designs so they can enjoy the piece often. Mark Your Next Milestone with Jensgemz Whether it’s your 10th, 11th, 15th, or 30th anniversary, our handmade jewellery offers a lasting way to celebrate your love. Browse our Anniversary Gift Guide or get in touch for a bespoke commission and let’s create something truly special.

At JensGemz, we believe jewellery should be as unique as the person wearing it. That’s why we love working on custom orders — whether you want to personalise a piece you’ve seen in our shop or create something completely new. What Can Be Customised? We’re always happy to adapt our designs or work with your ideas. Popular requests include: Custom lengths (especially for bracelets and necklaces) Alternative colours (like anodised aluminium ring colours or different pearl shades) Matching sets (bracelet, earrings, and necklace) One-off designs for gifts, weddings, or special occasions Past Custom Projects Here are just a few examples of custom work we’ve done recently: A matching necklace, bracelet and earrings for a 30th wedding anniversary. The pearls were specifically selected to match the bride's original wedding dress and birthstones for the couple and their 3 children were added to create a truly unique piece. Freshwater pearl necklaces for a bride and her bridesmaids. A chainmaille choker necklace in custom colours How to Order a Custom Piece If you’ve got an idea in mind, just get in touch! You can: Message us through our Contact page Email us at jensgemz.uk Chat with us at one of our craft fairs (see our Facebook page for upcoming fairs) We’ll talk through your ideas, suggest options, and confirm pricing before we begin. All custom pieces are handcrafted by Jen in our Nottinghamshire studio using high-quality materials. Why Choose JensGemz? Handmade with care and attention to detail Flexible design process to suit your needs No mass production — just artisan skill and creativity A friendly, personal approach to customer service Ready to Start? If you’ve been thinking about a special piece of jewellery, we’d love to help bring it to life. Let’s create something just for you.

In today’s world of fast fashion and mass production, the word “handmade” is often thrown around — but what does it really mean? At JensGemz, every piece of jewellery is individually handcrafted by Jen, using high-quality materials and traditional techniques. We don’t use factory templates or automated machines. Instead, we focus on craftsmanship, care, and creativity — all from our small home studio in the UK. More Than Just Assembling Being handmade doesn’t just mean putting beads on a string. It means: Selecting each component with care – From genuine freshwater pearls to strong yet stylish stainless steel rings and colourful aluminium rings, every material is chosen for both beauty and durability. Time and skill – Our chainmaille pieces, for example, are made link by link using ancient weaves originally developed for armour. Each one takes time and precision — and no two are exactly alike. Made to order – Many of our pieces are created just for you, with customisation options like colour scheme, clasp types or earring fittings. You're not picking something off a warehouse shelf — you're getting something made just for you. Why It Matters When you choose handmade, you’re not just buying a product — you’re supporting a real person’s time, energy, and artistry. You’re also getting a piece that has been checked, finished, and packed by the same hands that made it. There’s a reason people say handmade jewellery has heart — because it truly does. Discover the Difference Whether you’re looking for an elegant pearl necklace, a bold chainmaille bracelet, or a unique gift for someone special, we hope you’ll notice the difference in a handmade piece. Explore the collection at jensgemz.uk/shop and treat yourself to something with a little more meaning.

At JensGemz, every piece of jewellery is handmade with care by Jen – the creative heart of our business. What began as a personal hobby has grown into a passion for creating unique, meaningful pieces that bring joy to others. Jen first discovered chainmaille many years ago, intrigued by its blend of strength and elegance. As she mastered the art of weaving each tiny ring into intricate patterns, her love of the craft only deepened. Today, her chainmaille jewellery ranges from bold statement pieces to delicate everyday wear, all crafted from high-quality stainless steel and anodised aluminium. Her second love? Pearls. Real, freshwater pearls – chosen for their organic shapes, soft lustre, and timeless beauty. Whether paired with chainmaille or used in more classic styles, Jen’s pearl jewellery is always one-of-a-kind, just like the wearer. Based in the UK, JensGemz is proud to be a small, independent business. We don’t mass-produce anything – every necklace, bracelet, and pair of earrings is made to order by Jen herself, with a focus on craftsmanship, detail, and originality. Whether you’re buying a gift or treating yourself, we hope you’ll find something special in our collection. Jen is regularly at craft fairs and loves meeting fellow jewellery enthusiasts in person. Our pieces are also available at a variety of independent shops across the country, so you can find JensGemz jewellery near you. Explore our collections online here: Chainmaille Jewellery | Natural Pearl Jewellery

Pearls have captivated people for centuries — symbols of elegance, purity, and timeless beauty. But not all pearls are the same. At JensGemz, we work exclusively with genuine freshwater pearls, and every piece of our pearl jewellery is made with care, precision, and an appreciation for their natural charm. 🌊 Where Do Freshwater Pearls Come From? Unlike saltwater pearls (which grow in oysters in the ocean), freshwater pearls are formed inside mussels that live in rivers, lakes, and ponds . Most of the world’s freshwater pearls today are farmed responsibly in China, where skilled pearl farmers have developed the techniques to grow beautiful, lustrous pearls in a range of shapes and colours. Each mussel can produce multiple pearls at once — and because they’re formed naturally, no two are exactly alike. 💎 Why We Choose Freshwater Pearls At JensGemz, we only use genuine freshwater pearls in our jewellery. That means: Every pearl is real — not plastic or glass They’re naturally irregular , with unique textures and organic shapes Their colour and sheen comes from layers of nacre , just like traditional pearls This natural variation is what gives each piece of our jewellery its individual personality . When you wear it, you know no one else has one quite the same. 🎨 What About the Coloured Pearls? We love working with a range of pearl colours — soft pinks, cool greys, shimmering purples, and more. All of our coloured pearls are dyed , not painted. That’s an important difference: Dyed pearls have colour that penetrates into the nacre Painted pearls just have a coating that can wear off — we never use those You still get all the natural shine of the pearl, just in a tone that suits your style. 🌟 Handmade Pearl Jewellery, Made to Order Every piece of our pearl jewellery is handmade to order — whether you’re choosing dainty earrings, a classic bridal bracelet, or a meaningful anniversary gift. We allow you to customise fittings (hooks, studs, or lever-backs for earrings), and we dispatch within 5–7 working days. 📌 Explore the Collection Discover your perfect piece of pearl jewellery here: 🔗 Natural Pearl Jewellery at JensGemz