A gem of an idea for Valentine’s Day
Love is in the air across the city centre this week, as Sunderland shoppers flock to snap up a Valentine’s Day gift.
And with the big day just hours away, there is still time to hit the shops and pick up a romantic treat for that special someone.
When it comes to finding the perfect present for the one you love, it seems nothing can beat a piece of jewellery.
The city is home to dozens of jewellers, from small, independent firms to large, national giants, stocking everything from charms and earrings to watches and diamonds.
Local firms like Collinson’s Jewellers at Crowtree Road and Wittens, Vine Place, remain strong alongside a host of bigger, national and international brands, such as Pandora, Swarovski or firms like H Samuel, Goldsmiths, Beaverbrooks and Warren James.
And, according to Rachel Ridley, of family firm Collinson’s Jewellers, savvy Sunderland shoppers refuse to scrimp when it comes to the most romantic day of the year.
“Jewellery is a very popular choice of gift for Valentine’s Day, as people still want to give something special – there’s definitely still a lot of love in Sunderland,” she said.
The nationwide trend for charm bracelets appears to show no sign of abating, as these remain top of the list in Sunderland.
“For us, we are finding collections from Links of London and ChloBo are particularly popular, and with prices starting at under £50, these seem to be among our biggest sellers this year.
“Charm bracelets continue to be one of our most popular choices, but we are still finding a big demand for timeless, classic pieces like necklaces and earrings.”
It’s deemed to be the most romantic day of the year, and is often the day when people will propose to their other half, but Rachel says February 14 has also become a popular day to get married.
“We certainly still get people coming in looking for engagement rings, but I’d say that in recent years we’ve seen a lot more demand for wedding rings,” she said. “As a result of that, we also get a lot of people coming for eternity rings or wedding anniversary presents, so romance certainly isn’t dead here.”
While the tills may be ringing in jewellery shops across the city centre, it seems that more men than women are parting with their cash.
“We do get women coming in looking for gifts such as a nice watch for their partner, but it’s definitely the men who seem to be spending the most,” said Rachel.
“There is a definite demand for items like silver love hearts at this time of year, and coloured stones like rubies or tanzanite are also popular.
“It’s about finding something special for your partner, and it seems saying with jewellery remains a popular choice here.”
Sharon Appleby, Head of Business Operations at Sunderland Business Improvement District (BID), is delighted that the jewellery industry continues to thrive in the city.
“Jewellery never seems to go out of fashion, and here in Sunderland it continues to be a popular choice of gift,” she said. “We are very lucky to have so many quality jewellers, including local, national and international brands.
“There is no substitute for going into a store and actually being able to see and touch the items you want to buy along with getting the expert advice that we have across the city.”