Diamonds are a girls' best friend and a man's worst enemy yet I will try to make the diamond buying experience as painless as possible. Well that is at least until you have to pay for it because all of 'us men' know that it does hurt having all of that money tied up on her finger when you could be out in that nice sports car you covet! However please remember that, whilst your sports car would be depreciating in value, the diamond will continue to fluctuate with market values. A good diamond bought at the right price can be a sound investment, certainly if you select carefully based upon cut, colour, and clarity. I am happy to advise customers and can order stones upon request so that you can personally select from a range.
You may have learned in the news recently, that Sotheby’s have auctioned the largest coloured diamond ever to be sold at auction. At 7.03 carats, cushion-shaped, and (best of all) flawless, it reached a price of $9.48M. If you have not got that sort of cash floating about at the moment due to the recession, and you still wish to wear a rare and striking stone then there are things we can do within the smallest budget! Of course a natural stone can still cost the earth but there are affordable alternatives. Technology has pushed the boundaries of what used to be a very costly process of colouring white diamonds. This has resulted in coloured stones becoming an affordable option with a vibrant range from red through to bright blue, green, yellow, brown, and even the more allusive pink stones have become more readily available.
With modern technology the choices of coloured stones are endless and their striking features have raised popularity significantly in recent years. There are now more and more coming onto the market. On the downside this popularity has in turn increased prices so buyers should take care to ensure value for money. This is true also for those in the trade as some of the fake tanzanites can and have been known to fool even the big tanzanite buying shops out in South Africa.
The significant difference between platinum and 18 carat white gold is that platinum is a denser metal and therefore wears better, hence the higher price tag. It is also a different colour due to it being a pure metal 995. 18ct white gold consists of 750 parts of yellow gold which are ‘alloyed’ out leaving it dark grey in colour. This is why 18ct white gold is plated with rhodium to enhance the colour to the same as platinum however, this is only a temporary measure as the plating wears away over time. How fast it wears away will vary from person to person as some people have more acid in their skin which speeds up the process!
Silver has the chemical symbol Ag and its diverse attributes lend it to many trades including photography, healing, aviation, electronics and of course, jewellery making. Sterling silver is used for all jewellery and silverware and consists of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. Due to its significant price difference to gold it is also the metal most used for the vast ranges of giftware from candelabras to picture frames. It has been known for some people to have their bathroom scales and taps crafted from silver but there are drawbacks as it is a 'labour of love' to keep clean! Despite best attempts to develop an anti-tarnish alloy, I think that the jury is still out as to whether it works or not, so only time will tell.
I have known necklaces to range from small, understated, and comfortable to large statement pieces which are striking yet sometimes can appear heavy or awkward. When I design a necklace for any client it must first be comfortable so that they can wear it with ease as often as they choose. With this in mind I can then turn my hand to anything! For bespoke pieces I invite clients to discuss their ideas which are then sketched before the appropriate materials are individually selected.
Rings are often considered the most important items of any woman’s jewellery collection, and this is increasingly true for men also! This statement is true without even considering the allusive engagement ring choice which can be known to make the boldest man shudder in fear! However, my aim is to eliminate any pain from the selection process of this ‘once in a lifetime’ item. A complimentary consultation service is available to enlighten you to all the options available to ensure that you choose, or independently design, the perfect piece for your loved one.
Traditionally a lady’s wedding band would match her engagement ring but these days an increasing number, and often mixes, of colours and design are seen. I invite clients for a wedding jewellery consultation where we can discuss personal taste, styles, and sentiment, allowing me to create the perfect pieces with which to signify your commitment.
People always ask whether the pearls are cultured or not but it is true to say that most pearls are cultured (or farmed) these days, and are sourced from the South Sea, Fresh Water, or Tahitia. It is then their shape, texture, and colour which directly influences the market value. Pearls can be worn alone with a jewelled clasp or combined into more complex items of jewellery, dependent upon your taste and the occasion. A variety of sizes and colours can be sourced to your request so please do not hesitate to ask….
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