This Kate Middleton-backed British jewellery brand has a new autumn collection that's too beautiful to miss
Alex Monroe is my secret to making an autumn wardrobe feel instantly more expensive
There are some jewellery brands you buy into just because they're having a moment in the spotlight, and then there are the ones people always stop you to ask about. Alex Monroe falls firmly into the second category for me. For our first Christmas together, the man who would go on to become my husband gifted me a beautiful gold Alex Monroe necklace, and I've been getting compliments on it ever since. I absolutely treasure it, so it's safe to say the brand has a special place in my heart, and I'm certainly not the only fan.
The Princess of Wales has worn several Alex Monroe pieces, including the Paleontology Nugget Necklace. Founded forty years ago in 1986, the brand has a whimsically British feel that really sets it apart from other jewellery brands on the market right now. The designs feel distinctive without being difficult to wear.
The pieces have a wonderfully nostalgic quality, drawing on founder Alex Monroe's childhood spent exploring the Suffolk countryside - think bees and flowers - and amazingly, each design is handmade in England.
Now, as the leaves start falling and autumn arrives, that connection to the countryside feels particularly fitting. The brand's new collection, Scattered Seeds, is a sensory exploration of the changing seasons and nature's ongoing rhythm of rebirth and renewal.
The pieces are honestly quite incredible (the detail on that pinecone necklace!), and prices start from £135. There are both gold and silver options depending on your preference, and I think my favourite has to be the Pink Freshwater Pearl Drop earrings, which I can totally imagine Kate Middleton wearing.
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Available in both silver and gold, these subtle huggie hoops will become an everyday go-to. They're inspired by the shape of fennel seeds, and this silver version is made using solid recycled silver. Personally, I quite like to mix both metals.
The level of detail on the necklace is truly breathtaking. The pinecone is a symbol of autumn, and this has been constructed layer by layer. The chain length can be adjusted to 16 or 18 inches, and this would make quite a statement against your best cashmere jumpers.
I can really imagine these catching Kate Middleton's eye. These earrings feature the fennel seed design of the huggie hoops you just saw, with a very pretty pink freshwater pearl drop detail.
This is the most expensive piece in the collection, but can you imagine any outfit it wouldn't work with? It's available in two different sizes, and there's even a safety chain to make sure it stays safely on your wrist.
What good is the bracelet without the earrings to match? These would look so sophisticated with a little black dress this party season.
Dandelions symbolise resilience and renewal, so this ring would make an incredibly thoughtful gift. It can be made to order in ring sizes G to Q1/2, and Alex Monroe offers free standard delivery on orders over £75.
I really love the idea of a locket, and this one is big enough to hold something like tiny dried flowers from a wedding bouquet or a small photo.
Can you believe this necklace actually has what Alex Monroe calls a 'shaking seed detail'? It has tiny balls of silver trapped inside, and if you give it a shake, you'll hear the sound of ‘seeds’ inside. So clever!
As I mentioned, I'm a big fan of mixing metals, so this ring is right up my street. It will look so stylish on its own or stacked with other favourite rings.
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Alex Monroe is known for bee designs, and these earrings boast both a bee and a forget-me-not flower. They're handmade in Sterling Silver and plated with 22ct Gold, and they're a really delicate size.
This necklace is "inspired by antique coin pendants crafted in the Victorian age by lonely sailors at sea." It's hand-engraved on both sides - on the reverse, it says "beyond the sea". The rope detailing around the edge is a nice nod to the nautical theme, too.
One happy customer wrote of this piece: "Have always wanted this necklace since I saw it worn by Lesley Sharp in Scott & Bailey. I have seen other bee necklaces over the years but I held out for this one. I am so happy I did, it did not disappoint... the attention to detail is second to none and the presentation is lovely."
A new necklace, ring or pair of earrings can really elevate a simple autumn outfit of jeans and a jumper, so upgrading your jewellery is a simple way to update your wardrobe for the new season. It's so easy to assume a fresh autumn look has to include a new winter coat and boots, but actually jewellery has the power to completely switch things up.
