Have you ever considered buying a gemstone while traveling as a memento of your trip? That is exactly what Stuart did on his trip to Africa last year when he climbed Kilimanjaro. Stuart wanted to do something special for his wife’s birthday and decided to commission a bespoke piece of jewellery for her using a stunning tanzanite sourced during this … Read More
What does Carat or Karat mean?
Carat in jewellery can either refer to the weight of a gemstone, or the fineness of gold. Confusingly, in the UK, we use the same spelling for both. In the US, K (or K, Karat) is more commonly used when describing gold fineness and ct (carat) is used when discussing the weight of a gemstone. Why carat? Both in gemstone … Read More
Rose Gold
Rose gold, also called red or pink gold, has re-gained popularity in recent years as an alternative to white metals and yellow gold. This copper coloured metal has become so popular we now see its warm tone replicated in interior design, with ‘rose gold’ coloured taps, handles and lamps, and also in our technology with ‘rose gold’ coloured mobile phones and … Read More
Recycled Diamond Engagement Ring
It is becoming increasingly common for couples to look more closely into the ethical credentials of their jewellery. Going the bespoke route can make people feel more comfortable about the provinence of their jewellery as there is often a strong relationship between an independent jeweller and their suppliers of metal and gemstones. One ethical route that some of the customers … Read More
Bespoke Horse Charm
It’s always exciting when I get asked to make something a little out of the ordinary, and David set me a fantastic challenge to design and make a custom charm for his wife Cathy’s charm bracelet. Cathy has a bucket list of experiences she is working through and top of the list was to ride a horse along the water’s … Read More
What is a hallmark?
A hallmark is an official mark on a piece of jewellery or item made from a precious metal. Hallmarks exist to protect consumers as they prove the type of metal and its quality, and also provide evidence of who made the piece and when. A full traditional hallmark is made up of five marks and looks like this: Sponsors’ (or … Read More
Why is my white gold tarnishing?
You’ve got a new beautiful white gold ring you have worn for a few months, but then you notice the metal around the back of the ring and the setting have changed colour. Patches of your ring are a totally different shade of white, and next to the bright silvery areas that remain, these patches almost look yellow. Is your … Read More
How to get the perfect ring size
Deciding on the perfect ring size sounds like an easy job, right? Well, sometimes it is, but quite often it can be a surprisingly tricky decision. Ultimately, it is a matter of personal preference but here are my tips and some tricks to get an accurate ring size you are happy with. What size is right? Your ring should feel comfortable … Read More
How to choose your wedding ring (for women)
In my experience, designing wedding rings for women is often a simpler job than it is for men. This is because the design is usually somewhat dictated by the engagement ring. The other difference is that the majority of women have worn jewellery before and therefore have an idea of their taste and style. However, regardless of this, it can … Read More
How to choose your wedding ring (for men)
Each time I have met a man who is in the planning stage of his wedding ring, there has been a sense of trepidation about him. This is completely understandable as the vast majority of men have not worn a ring before, making it alien territory. I try to encourage my clients to see the design process as a case … Read More