About Us
How I Started AlanaJayne Jewellery
I started AlanaJayne Jewellery during the first lockdown in 2020. I had always enjoyed buying/ receiving jewellery and received a beautiful (yet expensive!!) pearl necklace from my parents for my birthday and this was where I fell in love with pearls and I knew I wanted to create beautiful and unique pieces at an affordable price! It began as a small hobby where I was making for myself, but after receiving many compliments from friends and family I decided I wanted to offer these pieces to everyone else!
Since then I have worked so hard to create a huge array of pieces which not only I love but all of my customers love too, which I like to think I have achieved!
Looking back to when I first started selling these pieces I can see how far we have come in terms of quality and quantity.
In august of 2022 I was very lucky to take part in the National Final of the Young Traders Market 2022 up in Stratford-upon-Avon after being put through at Welshpool. It was a new experience for me as I had never made such a large quantity of jewellery in one go! However, it was a huge success, I am so proud of the way my stall turned out and the support I received from friends and family, and I was SO fortunate to receive highly commended in my trading category in the NATIONAL FINAL!! I competed again in 2023 and reached Stratford-upon-Avon for the second year in a row, which was another successful and enjoyable event!
I am working so hard to continue improving my shop for you all and consistently introducing new and improved products!
About the Owner
Hello! My name is Alana and I am the owner of AlanaJayne Jewellery (if you couldn't guess). I am 21 years old and currently in my final year of university in Swansea, studying Accounting and Finance. I have a part-time job that I do alongside university and this business so I am quite a busy girl! I recently moved into my first home with my partner and our two bunnies (Cinnabun and Sooty), and am very excited to finally have my own proper office space to create more and grow this business!
Pearls
We predominently use freshwater pearls in our jewellery at the moment, however we have a handful of alternative pearl items also available which we plan to expand very soon! Let me go into detail about pearls and the different types:
Freshwater: Freshwater pearls are pearls that are formed by mussels or other freshwater mollusks. Unlike saltwater pearls, which are formed in oysters, freshwater pearls are produced in various species of freshwater mussels. These pearls are typically cultivated in lakes, rivers, and ponds. Freshwater pearls form when an irritant, such as a piece of tissue or a small bead, is inserted into a mussel. The mussel responds by secreting nacre (a combination of calcium carbonate and proteins), which coats the irritant and forms layers over time, creating a pearl. Freshwater pearls come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors. They can be round, oval, button-shaped, or irregular, and their colors can range from white and pink to lavender, peach, and other pastel shades. Freshwater pearls have gained popularity for their versatility, affordability, and unique beauty. They offer a range of options for those looking to incorporate pearls into their jewellery collection.
Tahitian: Tahitian pearls, often referred to as black pearls, are a type of cultured pearl that is cultivated primarily in the waters around Tahiti and the French Polynesian islands. Despite the name "black pearls," they come in a wide range of colors, including various shades of black, gray, green, blue, and even peacock green. They are typically larger than freshwater pearls and can range in size from 8mm to 18mm or more. Tahitian pearls are renowned for their exceptional luster, which refers to the reflective quality of the pearl's surface. This lustre gives them a unique and captivating appearance.
Akoya: Akoya pearls are a type of cultured saltwater pearl that is primarily cultivated in Japan, China, and other parts of Southeast Asia. Akoya pearls are generally smaller compared to other cultured pearls, with average sizes ranging from 5mm to 11mm. They are known for their round or near-round shapes, making them highly valued for their classic and symmetrical appearance. Akoya pearls are renowned for their high luster, which refers to the reflective quality of the pearl's surface. This gives them a beautiful, glossy appearance.
