Gifts for Sea Lovers: Coastal Jewellery Made in Cornwall
Some people check the tide times before the weather. Some still have sand in the car from August. If someone you love belongs by the sea, here is a little guide to finding them a gift that says “I saw this and thought of you”.
Silver Sailing Boat Earrings in a Display Bottle · £20
Our sailing boat earrings: silver-plated sailboat charms on sterling silver hooks, tucked inside a little glass bottle with a cork stopper. The bottle is part of the gift, and it often ends up on a windowsill long after the earrings are worn.
Made on the Cornish coast, near Padstow
We are Zamsoe, a family-run jewellery business supported by talented friends. Our studio sits in a reclaimed coastguard lookout on Trevose Head, just along the coast from Padstow in North Cornwall. Around us are the Trevose Head lighthouse, the surf beaches of the Seven Bays and the coast path that winds towards Padstow and the Camel Estuary.
Our team meetings often happen on the coast path, usually with the dogs. Much of what we see out there finds its way into our designs, from shells and sea urchins to rowing boats and lighthouses. Every gift in this guide comes from that little corner of Cornwall.
For the sailor and the harbour-watcher
You know the one. They can name every boat on the mooring, and they never miss a regatta. Sailing designs are a lovely way to recognise that.
The Mariner: Sailing Boat & Lighthouse Swirl Brooch · £25
A wave-shaped swirl brooch carrying a sailboat, a lighthouse, a ship’s wheel, an anchor and oars, hand-finished in our studio near Padstow. It looks just as good on a sailing jacket as it does on a winter scarf.
Lighthouse Earrings in a Bottle · £20
Silver-plated lighthouse charms (25mm × 8mm) on 925 sterling silver ear wires, presented in a glass bottle. A small nod to every lighthouse on the Cornish coast, including our neighbour on Trevose Head.
Browse more boats, anchors and ship’s wheels in our Nautical Jewellery Collection.
For rowers, paddlers and surfers
Some sea lovers like to be on the water, not just beside it. Cornwall is home to pilot gig rowing, paddleboarders on calm mornings and surfers waiting in the line-up, and we have a design for each of them.
Silver Paddleboard Earrings in a Bottle · £20
Silver-plated SUP charms, board and paddle together, on genuine sterling silver hooks. A thoughtful nod to the friend whose weekends start with an early paddle.
Silver Surfboard Earrings in a Bottle · £20
Textured silver-plated surfboards with patterned inlays and stripe details, on 925 sterling silver hooks. For the surfer who still checks the forecast on holiday.
The Coastal Rower: Rowing Boat and Oars Charm Necklace · £25
A rowing boat, crossed oars and an anchor on an 18-inch silver-plated chain. It is a lovely choice for a gig rower, a kayaker or anyone who finds their calm in the steady pull of the oars.
For the beachcomber and the rock-pooler
Their pockets are full of shells and their windowsill is lined with pebbles. These designs celebrate the small treasures of the tideline.
Beachcombing Swirl Pin Brooch · £25
Silver-plated conch, starfish, ammonite, coral, seahorse and scallop shell charms on a 6 × 3cm swirl pin, made in Cornwall. It is a whole beach walk in one brooch.
Sand Dollar Oval Hoops in a Keepsake Bottle · £25
From our Seashore collection: elegant silver-plated oval hoops with a delicate sand dollar charm, suspended in a 9cm glass keepsake bottle. Simple enough to wear every day.
Crab and Bucket Sterling Silver Earrings in a Bottle · £20
A crab on one ear and a bucket on the other, with silver-plated charms on 925 sterling silver ear wires. For anyone who never grew out of crabbing off the harbour wall.
Find more shells, starfish and pebbles in our Seaside and Beach Jewellery and Seashore Oval Hoop Earrings collections.
For the one who would rather be underwater
Snorkellers, wild swimmers and anyone who loves what lives below the surface will like our illustrated glass domes. Each pair of earrings sits in front of a backdrop drawn by hand on watercolour paper, so no two are exactly the same.
Circle Coral Earrings in a Glass Dome · £25
From our Shoreline collection: non-tarnish stainless steel coral studs presented in a tall glass dome, with a fine-line shoreline illustration that echoes the fan-like lines of the coral.
The Whale Gallery: Original Hand-Drawn Art · £20
Stainless steel whale studs in a glass dome, set against a hand-sketched scene of nuzzling whales, floating hearts and a tiny hand-coloured crab. It is a gift and a little piece of art for the shelf.
See the full range of coral, seaweed and sea urchin designs in Seaweed and Coral, and more hand-drawn pieces in The Shore & Meadow Collection.
For the dreamer and the holidaymaker
Not every sea lover wants a wetsuit. Some just want a deck chair, a good book and the sound of the waves. Others are already planning next year’s cruise.
The Sea Maiden: Mermaid and Shell Charm Necklace · £25
A mermaid, a starfish and a seashell on an 18-inch silver-plated chain, hand-finished near Padstow. For the mermaid at heart, whatever their age.
Silver Deck Chair & Parasol Earrings in a Bottle · £20
Silver-plated deck chairs tucked under little parasols, on sterling silver hooks. It is a summer holiday in a bottle, ready for a grey December morning.
Cruise fans should also look at our Silver Cruise Ship Earrings in a Bottle.
A little something from you, to you
You can be on the list too. If the sea is your happy place, our gold-plated huggies are small enough to wear every day and come in a bottle that looks lovely on a dressing table.
Gold Whale Huggie Earrings in a Bottle · £25
18k gold-plated hinged hoops (12 × 2mm) with a little whale charm, presented in a 5 × 3cm bottle. Prefer shells? Try the Gold Shell Huggie Earrings.
And a taste of Cornwall
Cornish Pasty Earrings in a Bottle · £20
For anyone who still talks about that pasty on Padstow harbour. Silver-plated pasty charms of about 2cm, in a glass bottle with a cork stopper. A cheerful reminder of a Cornish holiday.
How to choose the right sea-themed gift
- Start with their sea. Are they on it (sailing, rowing, paddling, surfing), beside it (beachcombing, rock-pooling, coast path walks) or dreaming about it (holidays, mermaids, whales)?
- Pick a style they already wear. Drops, studs or hoops for earrings; a brooch for someone who loves coats and scarves; a necklace or bangle if they rarely wear earrings.
- Check the details. Each product page lists the materials and measurements. Our designs use different metals, including silver-plated charms with sterling silver hooks, stainless steel and gold plating.
- Think about the presentation. A bottle or illustrated dome becomes a keepsake after the earrings are worn, which makes it a lovely choice for someone who keeps everything.
Still deciding? Our earlier guide, Jewellery Gifts for Someone Who Loves the Sea, has three quick questions to help you narrow it down. You can also browse all of our Earrings in a Glass Bottle.
Ordering for Christmas
If your gift is for Christmas, please read our delivery information for current dispatch times and the latest posting dates before you order. You will find more festive ideas in our Christmas Jewellery Gifts collection.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good gift for someone who loves the sea?
Start with the way they enjoy the coast. Sailors often love a boat or lighthouse design, paddlers and surfers a board they recognise, and beachcombers shells, sand dollars or rock-pool finds. Zamsoe's sea-themed jewellery covers all of these, with most pieces between £20 and £25.
Where is Zamsoe based?
Zamsoe is a family-run jewellery business on the North Cornwall coast near Padstow. Our studio is in a reclaimed Coastguard lookout from Trevose Head, and many of our coastal designs are inspired by the beaches and coast path around it.
What are earrings in a bottle?
Many of our earrings arrive in a small glass bottle with a cork stopper instead of a standard box. The bottle doubles as a keepsake, so the presentation becomes part of the gift. Our illustrated designs come in a glass dome with a hand-drawn backdrop instead.
What metals are Zamsoe's nautical earrings made from?
It depends on the design, so check each product page. Many nautical earrings pair silver-plated charms with sterling silver hooks; our illustrated dome studs are stainless steel, and selected designs are gold-plated.
Can I order sea-themed jewellery from Zamsoe in time for Christmas?
Yes. Please check our delivery information page for current dispatch times and the latest Christmas posting dates before you order.
From our coastguard lookout near Padstow to someone who loves the sea: we hope you find their little thing.