Monday, August 11, 2014

A Treat From Toko



I may be one of the luckiest girls in the world: my mother-in-law and her sister co-own a small jewelry company stocked with the most beautifully curated ranges of gorgeous pieces.  Toko has been a labor of love for Jon's family for nearly 30 years, and it's been a character in and of itself throughout my relationship with Jon.  Of course, it was only fitting that Ellie, Sarah, and I all wore Toko jewelry at our wedding!

My Toko trove has grown over the years and each piece has a memory attached to it.  It's always special to open a black and silver box at Christmas and know that Jon or his mum has picked out this necklace or that pair of earrings especially for me from everything they have in stock.  I love hearing stories from Ged and Annette's buying trips to Italy, Mexico, Poland, and Hong Kong - sometimes they go out with an idea of the collection they want to round out, but other times they stumble on new designs that blow them away.  (By the way, did you know that most of the amber in the world comes from the Baltic region?)  Jon worked behind the counter at Toko for years, and it's brilliant to be married to someone who knows so much about jewelry because I can completely trust his judgement.  Here are some of my favorite pieces from their current collection:

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 

Toko has three locations in the south of England (one in London, one in Richmond, and one in Suffolk) but they've also just launched a new website and I wanted to help them spread the word.  They're very generously offering a 15% discount to Betsy Transatlantically readers through the end of September plus a free pair of freshwater pearl studs with your purchase - use the code "Betsy" and you'll be all set.  Toko is only shipping within the UK right now but I don't want those of you who live elsewhere to miss out on all the fun, so Jon's mum agreed we could do a giveaway open to everyone!  As of the writing of this post, I'm not exactly sure what the winner will get because I haven't picked it out yet, but make sure you're following me on Instagram if you want to virtually come along to the Suffolk shop with me to choose the piece.

Do check out the Toko website and let me know if you place an order from them.  Yes, that's my sister-in-law modeling their lines.  It really is very much a family business, you know!  I'm sure you'll love their jewelry as much as I do.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

wedding photos by Tarah Coonan

 photo 866de425-8336-4c63-9efd-1c4dd8bf0e62_zpsafe0d56b.jpg

34 comments:

  1. That's so special that you wore their jewelry on your wedding day and get some at Christmas. I think that traditions are very important. I didn't grow up with many, so now I make it a point to incorporate traditions in my family!

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  2. That is awesome, thee are so many lovely pieces there!

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  3. Betsy these are lovely pieces, I love the sterling silver pieces the most... And the classic bangle, I always love classic items... How lucky are you? Awesome stuff! And you look gorgeous in the photo where you're getting ready, is that your wedding day?
    Much love to you for a fantastic week,
    Tammy x

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  4. Absolutely lovely pieces! Even if they did deliver outside the UK, almost NOBODY ships to Hawaii these days so I'll just window shop :D Love that you're giving these pieces such a beautiful spotlight.

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  5. Ugh, it's all so seriously lovely. I love all the rose gold pieces. The amazonite and gold vermeil bracelet is beautiful as is the cornflower chalcedony and gold vermeil ring! x

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  6. It's all so lovely! I love the amber and burnt orange pieces - and the moonstone ring!

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  7. What a fun thing to have in the family! I love the Amazonite & Gold Vermeil Stud, they would go with so many outfits and different times of day!

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  8. How cool to have an amazing jewelry shop in your family?


    I love the Gold Vermeil Bracelets.

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  9. I love the bracelets with the amazonite stone, it's so pretty! I love family run businesses, how cool everyone is a part of it!

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  10. What a cool thing to have in the family! And so much pretty jewelry - I especially love the wavy bangles.

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  11. You lucky, lucky lady. As someone who has studied metalsmithing and jewelry making, I so appreciate and understated elegance of these pieces. Especially love the amethyst bracelets and ring: http://www.tokojewellery.co.uk/natural-stones-5/green-amethyst-gold-vermeil-ring-detail

    How generous of you to offer a piece to a reader, thanks for the opportunity :)

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  12. They're all so beautiful. I love that three strand gold rose bracelet that you posted about the most though. I'll really have to consider them when making my next jewelry purchase :)

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  13. Oh, how lucky you are Betsy ! (I thought I lucked out having a great grandmother and than grandmother own seafood restaurants.) The site has such lovely pieces. If I was going for pure glamour I would choose the

    Twisted Strand & Faceted Ball Necklace, but if I was opting for something more understated, yet timeless I would choose the Amethyst & Silver Earrings - love how they offer matching pieces for those earrings, so you can make it into a suite. So glad your visit is going well.

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  14. Ohhh so many good things! My faves are all the natural stone bracelets. If I had to pick one, it would be the Amazonite & Gold Vermeil Bracelet. Love!

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  15. I love the freshwater pearl earrings with the silver swirl and the gem at the end, but everything is gorgeous. Wish they shipped to the US!

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  16. What gorgeous pieces they have! I hope that you'll keep us updated as to when they begin shipping to the US :)

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  17. Thanks SO much for the giveaway, Betsy! Those amber studs are lovely, and I'll be sure to drag Peter by the London shop the next time we're across the pond ;-)

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  18. I really love the sterling silver twisted strand bracelet, or the moonstone and sterling silver bangle! This is a great shop- love the elegant and understated pieces!

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  19. Their pieces are GORGEOUS! It's so difficult narrowing it down to which piece I love but I'd have to say the Cornflower Chalcedony Large Stud earrings are my favorite!

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  20. thanks for the introduction to the line!! i love the Rose Gold Vermeil Strands Bracelet!

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  21. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity. Please thank your mother in law! Everything is so gorgeous; it will be difficult to select a single item. However, I do love the Pink Chalcedony & Silver Necklace!

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  22. Thanks, Sweetie! How awesome are you right now? SO awesome! I'm loving some of this jewelry, and your pictures!

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  23. Everything is so beautiful, but if I had to pick just one piece, it would be the pink freshwater pearl necklace! (With the bracelet and stud earrings to match). Please let us know if they ever decide to ship to the U.S.! The prices are quite reasonable for the materials and craftsmanship.

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  24. For me it has to be the three ball drop in sterling silver - stunning!

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  25. Gorgeous! I love all the moonstone pieces!

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  26. I had no idea! This stuff is gorgeous! You are a lucky girl. I could list a bunch, but my tops are the vermeil studs in amazonite and gold and green salvia and gold and then the silver ring in both moonstone and pink chalcedony. I wish they shipped to the US!

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  27. I got entered 7 times!! Woohoo!! Thanks Betsy!

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  28. It's rather difficult to pick just one piece...but I'm rather fond of this http://www.tokojewellery.co.uk/shell-pearl-and-sterling-silver-pendant-necklace-detail

    Bookmarking the website as we speak!

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  29. I love the pearl necklace and earrings. Also such a fan of any rose gold. That bracelet is stunning! They have a very nice line xx

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  30. Every time I think I've found a 'favorite', I find about ten more! Love the freshwater pearl necklaces, and just about anything in moonstone!

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  31. I love the three stone drop earrings or any of the studs! Your SIL is absolutely gorgeous!

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  32. Lovely jewelry. Simple yet stunning. Torn between the blue stone and gold necklace, and the grey single pearl necklace.

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  33. i like the silver earrings with moonstones . anything without rhodium

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  34. Ahh gorgeous jewellery, lucky you! I love the precious stone bracelets, particularly the Amazonite ones.

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