So you’re thinking about purchasing a special piece of jewellery. You’ve started to take note of the jewellery the recipient already wears and through that research you’ve come to the conclusion that they like silver coloured metals best. You’ve gazed at several jewellers’ dazzling window displays, and you’re now totally baffled by the range of sparkly white metal pieces that … Read More
White Metals: Part Three – Platinum and Palladium
Platinum: the most expensive of the precious metals. But what is it about this precious metal that makes it stand out from the crowd? And how does it differ to Palladium, one of its sibling metals? I hope to answer all these questions and more in this article all about Platinum and Palladium, the final piece of my third part … Read More
White Metals: Part Two – White Gold
White gold is a very common choice for jewellery – especially engagement and wedding rings. White gold was originally developed to give a cheaper alternative to Platinum which became very fashionable in the 1920s, and so white gold has often seemed its poor relation. Although its natural colour is warmer than the cold white of Platinum, white gold is normally … Read More
Diamond Shapes
When it comes to choosing a diamond for a piece of jewellery, the first decision you’ll need to make is its shape. The shape of a diamond means more than simply the outline shape of the stone. Each cut has a totally different number, shape and positioning of facets. These variations can have a real impact on sparkle and how … Read More
Why white gold should not be Rhodium plated
White gold is one of my favourite precious metals and is still a popular choice for bespoke jewellery. However, I worry it is often chosen as a budget white metal option as opposed to Platinum rather than being selected for its own merit. This is because white gold is traditionally Rhodium plated; what you see in jeweller’s windows is actually … 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
Recycling Jewellery: Reimagining Unworn Gemstones & Precious Metals
I have seen a real increase in customers enquiring about reusing metal and gemstones from existing jewellery. Very often, it is broken and unworn items or, even more commonly, inherited pieces that are not to the client’s taste but hold immense sentimental value. Increasingly, people are considering upcycling these pieces into something new rather than having them go to waste … Read More
Five Reasons to go Bespoke
Making a purchase of fine jewellery is rarely for pure adornment. It could mark a special birthday or anniversary, celebrate a landmark moment, represent a loved one, or be for a proposal! Jewellery really means something to its owners – it is not just about its material value. The most common route is to explore jewellery shops on the high street … Read More
September Sapphire
The birthstone for September is sapphire – one of the ‘big three’ precious coloured gemstones (sapphire, emeralds and rubies). Although you see sapphire jewellery in every high street jeweller’s window, you rarely see any colour other than blue. It is a common misconception that sapphires are just blue – they come in every colour under the sun! Colours other than … Read More