Frequently Asked Questions

About mim best Jewellery

  • Yes. Every piece is designed and crafted using traditional hand tools by Mim Best in her Bristol studio, using techniques like lost-wax casting, hand-stamping and fabrication. Nothing is mass-produced or cast overseas.

  • All pieces are made from recycled sterling silver and recycled 9ct, 14ct and 18ct Gold, sourced for their quality and lower environmental impact compared to newly mined metal.

  • Sustainability is core to the studio's approach, recycled precious metals are used throughout and gemstones are chosen for their quality and provenance. Read more about the story and process.

  • Everything is designed and handcrafted at my studio in Easton, Bristol, UK

Bespoke & Remodelling Services

  • Yes. Alongside the ready-to-wear collection, I offer a full bespoke and remodelling service by appointment, including custom engagement rings and alternative bridal jewellery. Take a look at my gallery to see previous work or start a bespoke enquiry.

  • Yes, remodelling unwanted or heirloom pieces into something new is one of my specialities, using your existing gold, silver or gemstones wherever possible. Get in touch to discuss your piece.

  • Yes, custom and alternative engagement rings are a core part of the bespoke service, designed collaboratively with each client. See the bespoke process.

Ring Sizing

  • Full guidance on measuring your ring size at home is on the Sizing page.

Jewellery Care

  • General care guidance, including how to store pieces and keep silver from tarnishing, is on the Jewellery Care page.

  • As a rule, it's best to remove fine jewellery before swimming, exercising or applying perfume/lotions directly to it, to protect both metal and gemstones. See Jewellery Care for full detail.

  • Recycled precious metal is chemically identical to newly mined metal of the same purity, so it wears and cares for in exactly the same way.

Shipping & Returns

  • Check current delivery information at checkout or via the Contact page.

  • Full details are on the Returns and Refunds page.

Birthstone Jewellery

  • Gemstones have carried symbolic meaning across cultures for thousands of years, from ancient Egyptians burying lapis lazuli with their dead, to Hindu traditions linking gems like ruby and pearl to the sun and moon. The specific custom of wearing one gemstone tied to your birth month is more recent, emerging in 16th -18th century Europe, with the standardised list most people use today only fixed in 1912.

  • January - Garnet
    February - Amethyst
    March - Aquamarine / Bloodstone
    April - Diamond
    May - Emerald
    June - Pearl / Alexandrite
    July - Ruby
    August - Peridot / Spinel
    September - Sapphire
    October - Opal / Tourmaline
    November - Topaz / Citrine
    December -Turquoise / Tanzanite / Zircon

  • Yes, birthstone gemstones can be incorporated into a bespoke commission or into any of my collection items. Please get in touch if you have an idea!

Other Asked Questions

  • A hallmark is an official UK stamp confirming the precious metal content of a piece, applied by an Assay Office. It's a mark of authenticity and quality. All mim best Gold Jewellery over 1 gram and sterling Silver over 7.7 grams is UK hallmarked.

  • Lost-wax casting is a traditional jewellery-making technique where a design is first carved or modelled in wax, then used to create a mould that molten metal is poured into, allowing intricate, one-of-a-kind shapes that would be difficult to achieve by other methods.

  • The number refers to the proportion of pure gold in the alloy (9ct is 37.5% gold, 14ct is 58.5% gold), higher carat means more pure gold content, a richer colour, and typically a higher price, while lower carat gold is generally more hard-wearing for everyday wear.

  • Yes, refined gold is refined gold regardless of its source; recycled and newly mined gold of the same purity are chemically identical.

  • Different gemstones have different levels of hardness and sensitivity to knocks, heat, and chemicals, see the Jewellery Care page for guidance specific to your piece.