Helen & Phil’s Story

On 1st June 2021 I finally married my best friend and business partner Phil Ainsworth in his old school chapel at Giggleswick, North Yorkshire. It was simply the happiest of days, surrounded by close family and friends.

Jewellery, of course, played a very personal and symbolic role – as the traditional rhyme that advises what a bride should wear on her wedding day to bring her good luck:

Something Old,
Something New,
Something Borrowed,
Something Blue,
And a silver sixpence in her shoe

The ‘something old’ was my beloved Nana’s wedding ring, the unbroken circle of 22 carat gold that was hallmarked in 1927 and was the symbol of her love for her husband Jim.

I never knew my grandad, but after she was widowed, she wore his signet ring on her wedding finger. Over time this eroded the shape of her wedding ring, creating a barrel shape. It’s the reason I do not resize or repair jewellery – I treasure the precious memories it holds and the unique story of this ring.

The ‘something new’ was my new wedding ring, a 2.5mm recycled platinum, rounded flat- section ring. The profile matches the cushion shape of my sapphire-set engagement ring – my ‘something blue’. We also had the honour of personally hallmarking this and my husband’s ring at the Sheffield Assay Office with the Ainsworth Jewellers sponsor mark.

The ‘something(s!) borrowed’ were the stunning pearl and diamond earrings and bracelet from my dear friends Bernard and Ruth Ungar, who were also guests. These exquisite pieces have been favourites and desired jewels for such a long time; I was so honoured to wear them on the day. As well as representing purity (hence the wedding association), pearls are also said to represent tears – one tradition says that wearing pearls on your wedding day will ensure your marriage is happy and that you won’t shed tears during it.