"Don't order from Jenny & Sue." That's what I told my sister.

Me, reading glasses on, ready to talk my sister out of it.

My sister Anne lives in Brisbane. A few weeks ago she sent me a link with three words: "Look at these!"

It was a page full of sapphire jewellery. Rings, necklaces, earrings. Deep blue stones set in gold. And underneath, in big letters: free, just pay shipping.

I write for a living. I know a headline that's too good to be true when I see one. So I wrote back straight away:

"Don't order from Jenny & Sue. Nothing is free. Trust me."

I had three good reasons. Or at least, I thought I did.

But Anne is stubborn. So I did what writers do. I checked. Every single thing.

What I found surprised me

Reason 1: "There has to be a catch"

There is a reason, but it isn't a catch. Jenny and Sue have run their little jewellery shop for 34 years. Now they're retiring, and instead of boxing everything up, they're giving it away. The pieces are free. You only pay for shipping.

That's it. No subscription, no hidden fees. I read the checkout page twice to be sure.

Reason 2: "Who are these people?"

Two real women, with a real shop and a lot of happy customers. Thousands of them, in fact:

I read the bad reviews first. That's always my trick. There were hardly any.

Reason 3: "It will never arrive"

So I tested it on myself before I let Anne spend a cent. I chose a ring and a pair of earrings, paid the shipping and waited. I was half expecting nothing to turn up.

A tracking number landed in my inbox. Then the parcel landed on my doorstep.

Wrapped in tissue paper. Not what I expected for "free".

Then I opened the box

This is the part I didn't expect. The blue is deep and rich, like the sea on a still evening. The gold is warm and the pieces feel solid in your hand. Nothing cheap or plasticky about them.

They've been on my hand at my desk ever since.

Every piece also comes with a Lifetime Colour Warranty. If the colour ever fades, they replace it. A shop that's trying to trick you doesn't promise that.

So I rang Anne back

"Go on then," I said. "Order them."

Hers arrived in Brisbane just fine. She sent me a photo before she'd even taken the tissue paper off. Then she ordered a bracelet for her daughter.

Me, wearing the necklace and earrings. I don't usually post selfies.

Last week I wore the necklace and bracelet to lunch. My friend Margaret asked where I'd bought them before the coffees had even arrived.

Margaret has ordered hers too.

What I'd tell you if you're as sceptical as I was

The pieces Anne and I chose

Our little collection. Not bad for "nothing is free".

So, Jenny and Sue, if you're reading this: I'm sorry I doubted you. I told my sister not to buy from you. Now half my family wears your jewellery, and I don't regret it for a second.

And to you, wherever you are in Australia: check it yourself, the way I did. Then pick something blue.

Sharon

P.S. It's a retirement sale, so once a piece is gone, it's gone. Anne missed out on the earrings she wanted most because she waited a few days. Don't be Anne.

They won't restock. — Sharon

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