Jewellery Info
RING SIZE GUIDE
We've put together an essential guide on how to perfectly measure your ring size.
In the UK, ring sizes are measured alphabetically and in the US and Europe it is numerical. 
FINDING YOUR RING SIZE
There are a number of ways to measure your ring size and we advise the following:
Measure with an existing ring:
Please measure with a ruler the inside diameter of an existing ring and with the measurement refer to our Conversion Table.
If the measurement of the diameter falls between two sizes, we would advise to choose the larger size.
Print our Ring Size Checker to find out your correct size
Measuring without a ring:
Wrap a narrow strip of paper or string around your finger.
Mark where the ends meet and measure the distance, this is your circumference.
Match the measurement using our Conversion Chart.
BUYING A RING AS A GIFT
The best & easiest way to find out someone else’s ring size is to borrow one of their rings. Use the above Ring Size Checker to determine its size.
TIPS AND THINGS TO CONSIDER
If you measure your finger and it is between two different sizes, we would advise selecting the larger size, as this will be more comfortable.
When stacking rings please be aware that the size of you finger increases towards your knuckle so we would advise that you may need to consider wearing a size larger than you are used to.
Temperature can affect the size of your finger. The best 9me to measure your finger is at the end of the day when your fingers are at their largest.
STILL UNSURE?
Should you require any assistance with ring sizing please do not hesitate to contact us and we would be happy to help, please email Andrea@neoladesign.com or call +44 (0) 20 7693 6483
Our unique and contemporary designer jewellery is created using the finest gemstones and precious metals. Fine jewellery requires a little care and attention to keep it looking its best. Many factors can influence the wear and tear of jewellery. Therefore you should make sure that your jewellery is properly cleaned, repaired and stored. As with all fine things in life, protect your jewellery from sharp blows, scratching, chemicals, sunlight and heat/cold. Ideally, store your jewellery in a soft lined box or pouch and try to keep pieces apart. Always remove your jewellery when applying scent, lotions and potions, or even better, always put your jewellery on last when getting dressed.
Remove your jewellery before doing anything particularly heavy duty. Silver and gold are malleable metals that can scratch easily and certain gemstones by nature are less durable than others.
SILVER
Like all jewellery, avoid wearing silver in chlorinated water. Also make sure that silver is stored away from excessive light and air as these can further tarnish the jewellery. Keep the silver in a dark, cool and dry place. Silver can tarnish very easily. To help prevent this, simply clean with a mild soap and water solution. Alternatively, a silver cleaner or soft felt cloth may be used, but tissue paper or paper towels will cause scratches
GOLD
It is not recommended to wear your jewellery in the shower or when swimming. Chlorine and soap, can permanently damage or discolour gold. A soft jewellery polishing cloth with tarnish preventive will help you keep the gold pieces lustrous and shining.
GEMSTONES
Avoid salt water and harsh chemicals such as chlorine bleach or detergents as they can cause damage. The chemicals erode the finish and polish of the gems leaving them dull. Hairspray, perfume and perspiration can also cause dullness if not regularly cleaned off. Storage in a soft pouch is recommended.
Plated or oxidised pieces can fade over time due to general wear. Where this does occur, jewellery can be re-plated easily for minimal cost.
The concept of birthstones is common to most cultures and different stones are attributed to each month, giving an additional dimension to presents for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Christenings. Birthstones make perfect jewellery gifts, set in either necklaces, rings, earrings, or bracelets. Gemstones are surrounded by myths, folklore, and history, giving each stone a specific meaning and rich story. The birthstone calendar used in this guide is one of the more commonly used in the UK, but you can find many different variations around the world.
January – Garnet – Friendship and purity
Garnet signifies eternal friendship and trust and is the perfect gift for a friend. Garnet, derived from the word granatum, meaning seed, and is called so because of its resemblance to a pomegranate seed. Garnet comes in a variety of colours, but the most popular is a rich and deep red.
References to the gemstone dates back to 3100 B.C., when the Egyptians used garnets as inlays jewellery. Purity, truth, faithfulness and friendship are some of the properties with which the garnet is associated.
February – Amethyst – Wisdom and strength
Amethyst is the purple variety of the mineral quartz and is a popular gemstone. The colour purple is traditionally the colour of royalty and amethyst has been used since the dawn of history to adorn the rich and powerful monarchs and rulers. The name “Amethyst” comes from the Greek and means “not drunken”. This was perhaps due to a belief that amethyst would ward off the effects of alcohol.
Amethyst jewellery is said to keep the wearer clear headed and quick witted. Used to celebrate the 6th and 17th wedding anniversaries.
March – Aqua Marine – Courage and friendship
The serene colour of aquamarine is said to cool the temper, allowing the wearer to remain calm and levelheaded. The gemstone aquamarine is the blue, or blue-green variety of the mineral beryl and is diachronic, which means when viewed from different angles the gem can appear blue or colourless. The name aquamarine is derived from the Latin word aqua, meaning water, and marina, meaning the sea.
This gemstone was believed to protect sailors, as well as to guarantee a safe voyage. At one time it was believed that aquamarine used to be a charm against poisons and a good luck stone for new brides. The pretty pale blue-green colour of aquamarine gemstones is beautifully set off by silver, white gold or yellow gold.
April – Diamond – Invincibility, clarity, purity and eternal love
Diamond is the ultimate gemstone and was discover in India around 500 BC. It is well known that Diamond is the hardest substance found in nature, a few people know that a diamond is four times harder than the next hardest natural mineral, corundum. Diamonds are found in a type of rock called “Kimberlite”, which comprises the core of certain volcanoes over especially thick portions of the earth’s crust.
Diamonds are thought to strengthen relationships and be the symbol of eternal love which is why they are often used for Engagement Rings. They are also purported to bring the benefits of clarity and abundance.
May – Chrysoprase – Fertility and compassion
Chrysoprase is a green and most valuable variety of chalcedony. It is usually an apple green colour, but can also be a dark green. The colour is due to the presence of nickel. Chrysoprase is cryptocrystalline, which means that it is composed of crystals so fine that they cannot be seen as distinct particles under normal magnification.
June – Moonstone – balance, good fortune and tender passion
The moonstone has a glowing shimmer. Its name is derived from a visual effect, or sheen, caused by light diffraction within a microstructure consisting of a regular succession of feldspar layers.
Moonstones have already been used in jewellery by ancient civilisations. The Romans admired moonstone, as they believed it was born from solidified rays of the moon. Both the Romans and Greeks associated Moonstone with their lunar gods and goddesses. Considered a sacred stone in India, moonstones are believed to encapsulate within the stone a spirit whose purpose is to bring good fortune.
July – Ruby – Devotion, love, and integrity
The birthstone ruby is second only to diamond for hardness. The deep red of ruby has long been associated with religion and spiritual matters. The ruby was the favourite of the Victorians but also looks great with contemporary designs. The best rubies are a dark red to a slightly purplish red. Rubies are said to stir the imagination and arouse the senses.
They are the stone of love, and are said to impart wealth, health, wisdom and success in love. There’s no better way to demonstrate your love than by giving a ruby in celebration of a July birthday. Rubies arouse the senses, stir the imagination, and are said to guarantee health, wisdom, wealth and success in love. Oval and cushion cut are popular shapes for rubies in jewellery including necklaces, rings and earrings.
August – Peridot – Fame, dignity, protection, and success
Peridot is the gem variety of olivine. Peridot has been mined as a gemstone for an estimated four thousand years, and is mentioned in the Bible under the Hebrew name of Pitdah. This stone in Roman times was described as ‘the evening emerald’ as it lost none of its lustre at night and was still visible by lamplight.
Peridot is unusual in that it is one of the few gemstones to only come in one colour – green. Although the green can be different shades. Peridot is a beautiful gemstone in its own right and is widely popular. Peridot comes from the ancient source of Zagbargad Island in the Red Sea off the coast of Egypt, but it can also be found at Pakistan, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Australia, and Hawaii.
September – Lapis Lazuli – Understanding and protection
Lapis Lazuli is one of the most sought after stones in use since man’s history began. Its deep, celestial blue remains the symbol of royalty and honour, gods and power, spirit and vision. It is a universal symbol of wisdom and truth.
Since ancient times Lapis Lazuli was most highly regarded because of its beautiful colour and the valuable ultramarine dye derived from it. Its name comes from the Latin lapis, “stone,” and the Persian lazhuward, “blue.” It is rock formed by multiple minerals, mostly Lazurite, Sodalite, Calcite and Pyrite, and is a rich medium to royal blue with gold flecks (pyrites). Lapis Lazuli is mostly lazurite but commonly contains pyrite and calcite and some other minerals.
October – Opal – Hope, faith and purity
The name opal derives from the Greek Opallos, meaning “to see a change (of colour).” Structurally it consists of tiny spheres of approximately equal size and have a regular concentration or structure of the spheres. This has the effect of diffracting light at various wavelengths, creating colours. The multi-coloured flashed of light that Opal emits gives it a truly beautiful and valuable look, called play with light. Opals range in colour from milky white to black with flashes of yellow, orange, green, red, and blue. An opal’s beauty is the product of contrast between its colour play and its background.
November – Citrine – Cheerfulness, youth, and health
Citrine is a member of the quartz family and the name is derived from the colour – the yellow of the lemon. The most sought-after stones have a clear, radiant yellowish to brownish red. Citrine takes its colour from small traces of iron in the crystal.
Citrine can be found in a variety of shades ranging from pastel yellow to dark brownish orange. Citrine is known as ‘the healing quartz’ as it is said to support vitality and health, and encourage and guide hope, energy and warmth within its wearer.
December – Turquoise – New possibilities, prosperity, happiness
Turquoise is a valuable mineral and has been mined by early Egyptians since at least 600 BC. The name turquoise, from the French expression pierre tourques or Turkish stone, originated in the thirteenth century. Turquoise varies in colour from greenish blue, through robin’s egg-blue, to sky blue shades and its transparency ranges from translucent to opaque. The finest turquoise comes from Iran but is challenged by some south-western United States specimens. Its colour can actually varies from greenish blue to sky blue shades. Turquoise is the last of the twelve gemstones of the ceremonial breastplate worn by the high priest Aaron, representing the twelve tribes of Israel as described in the Old Testament book of Exodus.
