A Stunning Toi Et Moi Ring From Aladdin’s Cave Jewellery

One of my closest friends, Jessica Spencer, co-owns a breathtakingly beautiful, family-run business, Aladdin’s Cave Jewellery, a one-of-a-kind jewellery shop and ecommerce site bursting with antique and vintage treasures, nestled in the Queen’s Arcade in Leeds city centre and is home to timeless, statement style.

Having met at the age of 10 in North Leeds where we were neighbours, Jess and I quickly became the best of friends, experiencing every milestone imaginable, side by side during our formative years, and beyond and it is with great pride and pleasure that I share her heavenly vintage and antique jewellery business on the blog. The treasure trove of a shop was founded in the early 80s by Jess’ grandparents and she joined the business in 2003 after a degree in Broadcast Journalism and diverse portfolio career spanning the arts, sports and marketing.

Jess regularly travels across the UK to auctions and fairs, sourcing unique pieces, with a special interest in Art Deco designs, she loves for their boldness and style. Jess offers her worldwide customers one-off pieces at a time when many are shunning mass produced, homogenous, trend-driven jewellery.

Jess has an incredible eye, discovering timeless pieces that are strikingly stunning but meaningful too. They all tell a story.

Case in point is the dazzling ring, Jess kindly gifted me you see here that I’m completely besotted with.

A Toi et Moi ring, translating to ‘you and me’ in French, and which usually signify a romantic relationship, Jess knew I was searching for a ring with two adjacent, blue stones to represent my sons, Oliver and Alexander and the bond they have with one another, as well as with me. Jewellery can represent whatever you like and this piece tells our own story. 

My husband is part Parisien too so this French style could not be more perfect in reflecting our family and his heritage. 

I own a pink sapphire and diamond ring already to signify my youngest child, a daughter, who incidentally was born two months after Jess’s youngest daughter, and the two, just like their mummies, are great pals and jewellery lovers of course! 

I literally cannot stop starting at my ring.

Isn’t she a beauty?

This enchanting duo of spinel gemstones (spinel comes in many colours and is a highly durable gem so can be worn every day) sits on a strong, 14 carat sunny yellow gold band, matching the pale blue hues perfectly.

Dazzling in the light, like the glistening waters of Cyprus, where my parents come from, this antique ring was made for me, and perceptive Jess, knowing me so well, picked something she knew I’d love, surprising me with this a few weeks ago.

I’ve fallen deeply in love with it, and the many sparkling and unique pieces on Jess’s site, even purchasing a stunning 1920s 9ct gold blue paste necklace, earlier tonight.

For those who don’t know, blue paste jewellery includes hand-cut, colored glass paste designed to mimic the appearance of natural gemstones, particularly blue sapphires. This technique was popular in the Georgian and Victorian eras and I cannot wait to share it with you too when it arrives! 

Every piece by Aladdin’s Cave is available online or in the shop Jess runs with her mother, Roberta, a fellow experienced jeweller. Together, they carefully select and curate as well as redesign jewellery with their expert team.

Spanning every metal and precious gem you could possibly want or need from engagement to eternity rings, thoughtful birthday gifts and all manner of markers of milestones (or just because you deserve a treat), there really is something for everyone and of all budgets including gorgeous glorious rings, watches, brooches, necklaces and earrings both within the store and on their ecommerce site, allowing you to own a preloved, ethical, sustainable and original piece of history to love forever.

I’ve taken to wearing all of my beloved jewellery every day and I recommend you do the same. It’s made me infinitely happier.

Every day is an occasion for celebration in my book, and I refuse to save anything for best anymore.

My daughter, Florence, 3, unknowingly taught me this life lesson, choosing brightly coloured clothes and jewellery to rock every day, whatever we’re up to. Watching her run around the playground in her favourite pink tutu, glittery turquoise shoes upon her feet, I decided to join her and choose joy-giving clothes and jewellery myself!

Jewellery makes me happy and I’ll wear as much as I like even for a stroll around the supermarket.

I must have been a magpie in a past life-haha!

I’m such a lucky duck, thank you Jess!

Do check out Aladdin’s Cave’s site and social media, where you can gasp at Jess’ achingly gorgeous unboxing reels and fascinating historical insights over on Aladdin’s Cave’s instagram! There are new drops daily!

If you’d like to visit the shop in person, the address is:

19, Queens Arcade, Leeds LS1 6LF.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 10am–5pm and both buyers and browsers are always welcome.

Now go treat yourself to some treasures from Aladdin’s Cave, you deserve it, you really do! 

 

My ring was kindly gifted but as always, my words are honest.