Love Stories, Written in Jewellery
Heart charms, memories, and the stories you’ve trusted me with
Valentine’s Day has a way of bringing jewellery into focus, with hearts in shop windows, gift guides filling our feeds, and a quiet pressure to find something that feels meaningful enough. But at Sorrell Jewels, jewellery has never really been about ticking a gift box. It has always been about memory, connection, and the small, everyday treasures that quietly hold our stories.
Over the years, I have learned that behind almost every piece someone chooses, there is a reason. A moment. A person. A feeling. These stories are what make vintage jewellery so special, and they are the reason I continue to feel so passionate about sourcing and sharing these pieces.
Vintage treasures from my love-filled Sorrell Jewels Valentine’s Ring Box. Each one chosen for its romance, history, and tiny hidden story.
Why Jewellery Feels Like a Love Letter
Jewellery is something we wear close to our bodies. It becomes part of us and travels through life with us, witnessing milestones, heartbreaks, celebrations, and all the quiet moments in between. That is why it feels so personal. After years of running Sorrell Jewels, I am still constantly amazed by how sentimental people are about the pieces they choose. Whether it is about romance, family, friendship, loss, or self love, there is almost always a deeper meaning attached.
To me, jewellery is like a love letter, written in gold and silver and meant to be carried with you.
Heart-themed jewels I’ve sourced over the years, little symbols of love, luck, and sentiment that have shaped Sorrell Jewels from the very beginning.
Why Heart Charms Mean More Than We Think
If there is one symbol that captures this better than any other, it is the heart. Heart charms have been worn for centuries as tokens of love, protection, and connection. One of my favourite jewellery books, Charming: The Magic of Charm Jewelry, describes them as symbols of reassurance and belief in the protective power of love, which feels exactly right.
Throughout my time sourcing and selling vintage jewellery, I have handled countless heart charms, from delicate Victorian lockets to bold gold padlocks and chunky silver pendants, and somehow they never feel outdated. That is because hearts are not trends. They are timeless.
One of my personal favourites is the heart padlock clasp. Whether worn as part of a charm necklace or used to close a bracelet, it often becomes the starting point for a collection full of meaning and memories.
A closer look at some of my wonderful customers and the sentimental pieces they’ve chosen to carry their memories.
Three Customer Love Stories
One of the greatest joys of running Sorrell Jewels is getting to know the stories behind each purchase. Especially at markets, I am able to chat face to face with customers and learn who a piece is for and why it matters. Those conversations stay with me long after the market has finished.
At a recent market, a customer treated herself to a Libra scales charm. Later, I learned she was both a lawyer and a Libra, and the charm represented two important parts of her identity. It was a small piece that told a big story. Another very special moment was finding a French bulldog charm for Liv from Salad Days Market after her beloved Frenchie Lennie passed away. Being able to help her commemorate him in such a personal way meant a great deal to me. Before Christmas, I also met a customer who had been searching for a Claddagh ring to honour her Irish mother, who had recently passed away. She chose a ruby Claddagh, and it was an honour to help her find something so meaningful.
These are the moments that remind me why I love what I do. They are not just sales. They are small parts of people’s lives that I am trusted to be involved in.
Just a few of the many ways you can build your own story through rings, charms, and carefully chosen stacks.
How to Turn Jewellery Into a Love Letter
When people ask me how to build a meaningful jewellery collection, my answer is always the same: think in stories, not trends. Layer with intention and choose charms and pendants that represent different chapters of your life, whether that is a first meeting, a special trip, or a personal achievement. Over time, these pieces become a wearable timeline.
Engraving is another powerful way to add meaning. Dates, initials, postcodes, and inside jokes can turn a simple piece into something irreplaceable. Rings are also perfect for marking important milestones. Many of my own celebrate business and personal goals, and my stack continues to grow alongside me. Most importantly, jewellery should be worn and enjoyed. The most meaningful pieces are usually the ones that never come off, because they become part of your everyday life.
Snapshots from my own heart-filled jewellery collection, pieces I’ve kept, loved, and worn through different chapters of my life.
My Heart Jewellery Obsession
A large part of my own collection is filled with heart themed pieces, and I also have seven heart tattoos, so it is safe to say this is a long standing obsession. One piece I will always treasure is a Georgian ring set with ruby, sapphire, and a large sapphire heart at the centre. I did not plan on buying it, but when I saw it at Bermondsey Antiques Market, it completely stole my heart.
It is the most expensive piece I have ever bought myself, and I have worn it every day since. It reminds me that sometimes, the right piece finds you.
Sentimental treasure hunters, finding joy in pieces that feel personal, meaningful, and truly theirs.
If You’re Choosing Something This Valentine’s
If you are choosing jewellery as a Valentine’s gift, my advice is simple: think about the story. For new relationships, a delicate charm or simple necklace can feel thoughtful without pressure. For long term partners, engraving, layering, and symbolic designs often mean the most. And for yourself, always choose something that makes you feel confident and happy.
My Valentine’s-themed drops over the years, each one a little love letter in jewellery form.
From Me to You
Every piece that leaves Sorrell Jewels carries a story. Sometimes it is about romance. Sometimes it is about friendship, family, grief, or self love. But it is always about connection.
Thank you for trusting me with your memories and milestones. It is something I never take for granted. Here’s to love, in all its forms, and to the jewellery that helps us carry it with us.