When I came across a rather dismal looking shopping arcade with a sign suggesting stores were…read morehidden within, I didn't expect much. However the very first shop I came across surprised me pleasantly. It's only a tiny jewellery store, there's no way Brangelina and their brood could fit in here. But their jewellery appealed precisely to my taste; a lot of dainty silver and colourful glass beads. They do have a website but it does the store absolutely no justice. You really need to visit the shop to see what this place is all about. So next time you're in Paddington and happen to stumble across a mysterious arcade, venture down and pay this shop a visit.

Is RW Harrold Watchmaker a dying breed of artisans who really know their craft? In my humble…read moreopinion, yes. I've been taking my timepieces here for over 20 years. There's almost nothing they can't fix, from rebuilding complex watch movements to simply replacing batteries and repairing watch bands. Tucked away at the rear of a small shopping arcade in Toowong, it's one of those "if you know, you know" places but given its longevity it seems that plenty of people do know it and appreciate the craftsmanship when it comes to taking care of one's timepieces. I, and I'm sure many others, hope this place continues to thrive for years to come, and with the owner's son now working there, let's hope the legacy continues as I would be lost with RW Harrold Watchmaker as my "go to" for horological help!

Rock collecting is something I've done since I was a pup. I used to collect rocks that looked like…read morehearts, miniature grave stones, or just ones with cool patterns in them. The Rock Shop on Adelaide Street is home to many semi precious stones. Some are for sale, but most of them are actually just on display. It's more like a small museum than a shop. Any person with a minor interest in geology would like to go in here. They've got your unpolished and polished versions of most stones. The malachite and lapis lazuli are particularly enchanting. There's a stone called 'Ribbon Rock' which while not sounding very scientific does represent the rock well. There's rocks that have patterns that make one think of outer space and star dust. Then there's the psychedelic ones. Trippy, star burst kind of stones of all sorts of colours. The staff in store know their stones. They can explain to you why a particular rock will have red in the centre and then change into yellow, and then to green. They'll blind you with their science. They spend most of their time selling rock ornaments and jewellery to people, but they are more than happy to talk rocks with anyone who is interested. If you're like me, you'll just go in to ogle the pretty colours and patterns in the rocks.

When I was but a wee thing I made my mother buy the (now…read moredefunct) fossicker weekly. Each week a new semi-precious gem would be added and before I knew it I was hooked on those mineraloids. Fill of gems and jewels this store would make any fellow rockhead whoop for joy. From garnets and amethysts to tigers eyes, crystals and pearls. The rock shop has you covered. This place also boasts some of the best range of Opals I've seen (Be sure to check out the QLD boulder opal displays) as well as offering up some beautiful jewellery to display them in. So the next time you have an itch for some unpolished gems (or some apology pearls) I highly recommend you pay these guys a visit.

This seems to me to be the only semi-decent jewellery store in West End. Of course a lot of other…read moreshops in the area have nice jewellery, but in terms of specialist jewellery shops, most of them are small enough that you might mistake them to be stolen from the set of The Hobbit. This one is bigger and better than the rest. The size obviously results in a larger selection, but it's still not a place I would highly recommend or drag my unsuspecting boyfriend past while dropping hints. There's some lovely stuff but I just wasn't mouth agape, struggling to decide which of their items I could justify buying.

The selection of jewellary and watches in Hall's are all OK, but I must admit I was a little…read moreunderwhelmed by the range. I was on a hunt for a new pair of earrings but didn't find anything that really tickled my fancy. The shop attendant was busy talking to a friend so I didn't really get any assistance in that respect. In terms of repairs though, Hall's does a good job for a reasonable price. I've had a watch fixed there before as well as a necklace which had broken as a result of the debauchery of a night out. It's an OK little jewellary store, but not the kind of place I would rave about to friends.

The metal bars across the entire front of this store make for a fairly formidable, intimidating…read morepicture and make the place look like it's permanently closed. After working up the courage to cross the threshold, I discovered a large jewellery store with nothing to interest me too much (a LOT of gold). The people here are nice enough and their children playing on the floor certainly make an interesting contrast to the barred windows, but their products just really aren't my style. Now let's talk more about these bars. I will give them one point for attempting to make them friendly by having some of said bars formed into the shape of love hearts, and I realise they are simply trying to protect themselves against would be burglars (something they are obviously petrified of), but still, it is not the most welcoming site for customers. Enter if you dare.

I have been eyeing off Lannah Dunn for a little while now, so in an attempt not to get attacked by…read moretypical jewellery retail assistants over the busy Christmas period, I told a little fib when I went into their store in Tattersall's Arcade. They asked if I was browsing for anything in particular, and I told them I was looking for a 21st birthday present for my sister, which isn't for another 6 months so I was simply gaging what they had. Lie. Complete lie. But I wanted to avoid the hard-sell. The assistant was lovely and left me to potter around in the store unattended. The jewellery in Lannah Dunn is stunning. Simple, elegant and stunning. It's a mixture of antique and new pieces with something for everyone. I am a huge fan of their monogram rings and was secretly (and selfishly) shopping for one for myself. They are super reasonable in price starting at $89 for a small silver ring, and upgrades in price according to the size of the face and whether you go for silver, gold or white gold. These would make for an affordable and memorable gift for any young woman. Whether you're shopping for an engagement ring, a present or something special to spoil yourself, Lannah Dunn have a gorgeous range worthy of a swoon. The staff are lovely, and not at all as forward as some other unmentionable jewellery stores. I needn't have told that little lie after all!

Trudy and the lovely ladies at Anthony's Fine Jewellery Indooroopilly are always so friendly…read more Never pushy. Always happy, cheerful and good for a laugh. Drop by next time you're in the centre - I do!