Pretty in Pink

Christie’s to sell 10.09 carat purplish-pink diamond New York, March 6, 2011 - Christie's will offer a 10.09 Carat Fancy Vivid purplish-pink diamond at its April 12 Magnificent Jewels sale in New York. This exceptional diamond, with its highly desirable cushion cut, is estimated at US$12,000,000-15,000,000. “Collector demand for large coloured diamonds has never been stronger, especially where pink diamonds of this size and quality are concerned. Fewer than 10 percent of all pink diamonds mined weigh more than 0.20 carats, and even fewer exhibit the exceptional colour saturation and brilliance of this exceptional gem. In all my years at Christie’s, I have never seen such vivid colour in a stone of this size,” said Rahul Kadakia, Head of Jewellery at Christie's New York.

via Christie's

I don't think I will be bidding for this one but what a colour! We have seen a recent increase in Fancy Coloured Diamonds at AG and believe that 2011 will be all about colour. We created the Fission Cluster with a stunning yellow diamond cushion a while ago and soon we will be dazzling you with an extra special yellow diamond pendant called Sugar Coated!

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London here we come!

A few months still to go but September 2011 will see us exhibiting back in London at  International Jewellery London in Earls Court. It has been a good few years since we last exhibited, so many I can't actually remember, but we will be coming back in style!

We will be exclusively launching Gents Jewellery (a first for AG), New Cocktail Rings which will knock your socks off and, as ever, Unusual Engagement Rings worth crying over. This month I will be having meetings with our clever sausages in marketing to come up with a plan to create a stir at the trade fair so you have been warned. In the mean time, sit back and relax and I will keep you posted with progress and maybe a sneak preview of some of the pieces.

via Posterize

Art Deco Heaven!

I am currently in London seeing some clients and there is one arcade in Mayfair that I can't help taking a slow stroll down. That is Burlington Arcade and it must have some of the most exquisite Art Deco pieces of jewellery in the world.

Art Deco jewellery is synonymous with fine detail, incredible pave work and stunning form and proportions. It is this period which inspired me to create the Decadence Designer Engagement Ring which has been a firm favourite for many of my retail partners. Just around the corner from Burlington are the jaw dropping windows of Boodles, David Morris, Cartier and more. I found myself dropping profanities as I looked at the pieces and mainly out of disbelief in the quality and sheer size of the some of the precious stones.

If you ever have a spare half an hour and find yourself in Mayfair then go take a look - take a chair as you may need to sit down!

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Designer Day in the West Midlands April 9th

I am going back to my roots!

Now I am sure you will be surprised to know that I am nearly 37! And the first few years of my life were spent in the West Midlands - Solihull to be precise. So I am delighted to be going back home (close enough) to Sutton Coldfield for a 'Meet the Designer Day'.

Artifex is the gallery hosting the event and if you click on the link you will see that they are proud exhibitors of some incredible handmade furniture and fine art – as well as jewellery.

As usual I will have my full collection and my CAD programme to satisfy all those who are considering a bespoke design. This event will also mark the West Midlands launch of the Satellite designer cocktail ring which is looking like it could be one of our most talked about pieces. If it is a designer engagement ring you are looking for or perhaps a pair of gold earrings, then come along and if I don’t have exactly what you want I could create some designs for you as you wait.

The event is on April 9^th 2011 from 11am to 5pm. Click directions for a map. The gallery is situated in The Mitchell Centre which is a hub of craft boutiques with a cafe, toilets and plenty of free parking.

via Posterize

SARAH HO- SHO JEWELLERY

Luxurious collections by Sarah Ho SHO Jewellery offer a fashionably fresh take on jewellery design and strive to make fine jewellery fun! Award-winning goldsmith and gemmologist Sarah Ho, whose passion for gemstones, together with inspiration from her strong family heritage and important milestones in her life, have led to innovative designs and avant-garde jewellery collections. Sarah was born in Hong Kong, studied at London Met and now has a Showroom in London.

via Jewellery Show 2011.

Every trade magazine I look in I see Sarah Ho! She is everywhere. And rightly so - she is a great designer and a bloody nice person to boot. Design collaborations and product launches have been her forte of late and this has propelled her into a jewellery celebrity. Congratulations Sarah - thoroughly deserved.

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Charles and Camilla visit Goldsmiths' Hall

HRH THE PRINCE of Wales accompanied by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, visited Goldsmiths’ Hall on Wednesday 23 February 2011 to meet apprentices, young silversmiths and jewellers, as well as Members of the Goldsmiths’ Company.

One of the highlights of their visit was a demonstration on Hallmarking. The Prime Warden of the Goldsmiths’ Company, Mr Michael Galsworthy introduced Their Royal Highnesses to members of the Goldsmiths’ Company’s Assay Office including David Merry, Head of Assay Office Training, and two young Assay Office Apprentices, Robert Grant and Robert Hinson, who explained and demonstrated the Hallmarking process.

The Goldsmiths’ Company has for more than 700 years been responsible for hallmarking precious metal articles. In fact the word hallmark originates from the fifteenth century when London craftsmen were first required to bring their wares to Goldsmiths' Hall for assaying and marking. Today more than 5 million precious metal items are hallmarked by the Assay Office each year and the Company is particularly proud of its historic role, which remains as relevant today as it ever has been, in safeguarding the interests of the consumer.

Before leaving Goldsmiths’ Hall, His Royal Highness, thanked the Goldsmiths’ Company and expressed his admiration for the work and many initiatives that the Company undertakes to ensure that the skills and crafts of the goldsmith are maintained and developed. In addition, His Royal Highness wished the Company great success with the new Goldsmiths’ Centr.

via The Goldsmiths' Company

It is brilliant to see our Royals taking a keen interest in the precious metals industry.  The UK has a wealth of talent which needs to be supported and nurtured so as for years to come the phrase "British Made", is still synonymous with incredible quality. Many areas of the jewellery and silver/goldsmithing industry have crumbled due to the imports from the Far East. So it is very important to do what we can with our heritage.

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Everything you need to know about Yellow Diamonds

Rarity is one reason for the desirability of yellow diamonds but Tiffany also had a part to play. In 1878, after a year of being studied, a rough yellow diamond was cut under the supervision of a brilliant gemmologist George Kunz. This exquisite stone yielded an impressive 128.51 carat cushion cut and was to be become the emblem of Tiffany & Co. This yellow monster was on display at Tiffany on 5^th Avenue for 70 years where it has had millions of admirers. At the time of cutting, Charles Tiffany was unsure of the rarity of the piece as South Africa was producing a healthy measure of yellow stones. But, in the following years, the depth of colour possessed by the emblem stone was confirmed as exceedingly rare and valuable.

So what causes a diamond to be yellow? Here comes the science...

Diamonds are made up of mainly carbon and when one has absolutely no other elements within its structure it possesses no colour and would be graded as a D.

All other diamonds contain other chemical elements, most often nitrogen. Since the nitrogen atoms do not have the same number of electrons as the carbon atoms, they bond with the carbon atoms in such a way that one nitrogen electron remains free. The free electrons are able to partially absorb light, most often the blue and violet wavelengths. The diamond’s yellow colour results from the light that has not been absorbed. The different ways in which the nitrogen atoms are present accounts for the different intensity of yellow within the diamond.

The deeper colours are rarer and thus command high prices.

How are yellow diamonds graded? I am sure you have all heard of white diamonds being referred to as a G VS1 for example. The G stands for the colour. The internationally recognized GIA colour grading scale begins with the letter D (pure white) and ends at letter Z (tinted colour). It is beyond the Z grade that the stone would be referred to as a Fancy Coloured Diamond as opposed to a White Diamond. The lower down you go in the alphabet (so the more yellow you go) the less rare and less expensive the stone is. However after colour Z this is reversed!  The colour range for Fancy Coloured Diamonds includes four colour grades: Fancy Light Yellow, Fancy Yellow, Fancy Intense Yellow, and Fancy Vivid Yellow. The colour known commercially as canary or canary yellow actually refers to the GIA grade of Fancy Vivid Yellow.

Why are most yellow diamonds radiant or cushion cut?

The intensity of the stones can be clearly improved by choosing the most appropriate shape; as a result, the stone’s value will increase accordingly. The Radiant Cut and the Cushion Cut both respond beautifully to large yellow diamonds. The reason for this is that they ‘hold’ the colour well. Experience has shown that a Radiant Cut yellow diamond might be certified as “Fancy Yellow”, whereas the same stone would most probably be certified as only “Fancy Light Yellow” were it to have a round brilliant shape.

The Celebrities. There have been several celebrity yellow diamonds besides the aforementioned Tiffany stone.

The Eureka (Greek for “I‟ve found it!”) is the first recorded diamond to be found in Africa. The pale yellow diamond was found in 1866 by children playing along the Orange River in Hopetown, South Africa. Later, in 1867, the rough 21 carat diamond was officially recorded as the first authenticated diamond discovered in the history of Africa. The diamond was subsequently cut to its current 10.70 ct size and in 1967, a century after its discovery, De Beers bought the diamond and returned it to the African people. The South African government put The Eureka on display at the Kimberley Mine Museum where today it continues to bear witness to the beginnings of the country’s diamond industry.

The Incomparable is the largest faceted yellow diamond in the world. It is flawless and weighs 407.48 ct. It was found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, supposedly by a little girl who was playing on a garbage heap next to a diamond mine. Its colour has been determined by the GIA as Fancy Brown Yellow.

The Kahn Canary is a flawless, rough diamond weighing 4.23 ct. Discovered in 1977 in the state of Arkansas, nick-named “The Natural State”,  this diamond has become the state’s unofficial symbol for its natural uncut triangular form. Former First-Lady Hillary Clinton was allowed to wear the diamond on several ceremonial occasions, including the inauguration of Bill Clinton as the President of the United States of America.

Thanks to Kulsen and Hennig, the coloured diamond specialists.

via Posterize

Alexander Davis Opens Boutique

Alexander Davis jewels celebrate opening of boutique LONDON, February 14, 2011 – Talented designer Alexander Davis, winner of the New Designer of the Year at the UK Jewellery Awards 2010, is launching new bespoke pieces of jewellery to celebrate the opening of his first boutique in Duke Street, near Selfridges in central London. At The Jewellery Show in 2011, Alexander showed a taster of his forthcoming Deadly Nightshade Collection, inspired by dangerous flowers and Victorian poisons.

via Designer Alexander Davis

The AG team are in awe at the speed at which this relatively new designer is developing.  There are a group of designer makers who are reviving our heritage of 'British Made' being synonymous with impeccable quality. Davis is no doubt amongst this group and it seems this is accompanied with a keen eye for business. Definitely one to watch!

via Posterize

Happy Valentines with a Perfect 56 Carat Diamond

Christie's is offering a 56.12-carat, heart shaped, D colour, Internally Flawless diamond at its upcoming jewellery sale in Geneva.

Less than a handful of diamonds over 50 carats have appeared at auction in the last 20 years and this one also belongs to the elite Type IIA category of diamonds confirming it as exceptionally white.

It will be sold on May 18 when it is expected to fetch $9,000,000-12,000,000.

via  Luxury News .

The heart cut is not see much at AG towers but being Valentines Day I thought it was pretty suitable to share this news. To have such a large stone at colour D and Flawless is indeed a rare thing and it will be interesting to see what the monster diamond fetches at auction. We created a modest 1ct heart pendant in platinum for one of our Yorkshire customers at Christmas and this inspired me to pursue the lesser used cuts when ever I get the chance. Keep an eye on the designer engagement rings page for these lesser spotted dazzlers!

via Posterize

Designer Day at York, February 19th - with a Gallactic Launch!

Ashberry of York have very kindly invited me to take part in another 'Meet the Designer' day.  Saturday 19th February will see me join the highly experienced team along with the entire AG collection and my computer design package. This is an ideal opportunity to discuss with me your jewellery requirements be it delicious Designer Engagement Rings or ostentatious Cocktail Rings. Besides the fact that champagne will be flowing though out the day and a 10% discount on all purchases, we have a special treat in store for you.....

We are to proud to announce the launch of the brand new Satellite cocktail ring! Some of you may have had a sneak preview of the computer created images but now we have two actual rings to show off.... and they are stunning!

We have a scintillating Fire Opal in 18ct yellow gold and mesmerising Tourmilated Quartz in 18ct white. Both accompanied by excellent quality diamonds. Believe me when I tell you that this is our most daring ring to date and it will not disappoint!

Sarah, Liv, Sue and myself look forward to seeing you on the 19^th. The event starts at 11am and finishes at 5pm.

Click google map to see the location of Ashberry and please do not hesitate to contact us on 0113 3070100 or Ashberry on 01904 679000 for any more information

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Pure Gold Genius

• 26th January 2011 was the date.


• The Birmingham School of Jewellery was the venue.


• The speakers were the goldsmithing deity Martyn Pugh and laser welding guru Dr Anne-Marie Carey.


• The title of the talk was 'I want one of those in 24ct'.

I can't remember the last time I went to a lecture and came out of there so inspired and in awe! The genesis of this lecture and it's title occurred a decade or so ago when one of Martyn Pugh's customers, on seeing one of his exquisite silver and crystal jugs said, 'I want one of those in 24ct'.  24ct gold has a beautiful rich colour but is inherently soft. This softness makes it unsuitable for jewellery or tableware but this was all part of the challenge for Pugh. If you haven't heard of Pugh, you should have! He is prolific British creator of tableware and jewellery and is the winner of several awards and his work is used in 10 Downing Street!

So how do you make 24ct gold tough enough to create a jug with and then pour claret out of? This was the question which Pugh had bouncing around in his head and what followed were groundbreaking in both the end result and processes developed. There is no need to go into too much technical detail here (mainly because it I don't fully understand it!) but what Martyn had to do was research what micro alloys of gold were available and suitable. A micro alloy is where a tiny amount of another metal is joined with the gold. After many conversations with world leaders in the field of metallurgy and workshop trials involving leading craftspeople, a gold-titanium alloy was chosen. This was 23.9ct pure gold and 0.1ct titanium. On hearing this I first thought that this small amount of titanium could not affect the strength of the gold  - but it does - significantly. This alloy has been used over the past few decades to create jewellery but has not made a huge impact in the industry. Creating the sheets and components of the gold alloy to be worked on was no mean feat and bullion and casting experts were drafted in to figure it all out. Actually the whole project was a successful experiment in pooling the resources and expertise of the best metallurgic/casting/spinning/lasering/goldsmithing minds in the world!

One of the issues that came up when creating the pieces was invisibly joining the sections together - the jug was made up of about half a dozen or so pieces. This is where Dr Anne-Marie Carey came in - the laser wielding welding expert! Countless hours were spent in creating the perfect join which the pieces required. There was no previous research available in the welding of this alloy so Dr Carey had to develop her own. A challenge but highly rewarding.

Believe it or not, one of the most important applications in creating the tableware was good old Brasso! The alloy did not respond well to normal gold polishing methods so Martyn decided to give Brasso a shot and it worked perfectly  - as the image shows!

To those of you who work in metal you may appreciate what Pugh and Carey have achieved here. To sum it up - they have created the first pure (almost!) gold jug and developed the working of a lesser used alloy on a scale never before achieved. Praise be to Oppi Untracht for those who decide to commission the impossible.

In 2008 I returned from a trip to India inspired to use rich gold with platinum in my designs. I heard rumours of these elusive alloys which were hard enough for jewellery but they just remained as rumours. That is until last year when I had the pleasure of chatting with Martyn. It is my desire this year to create some jewellery using this beautiful alloy.  The only thing is that it is bloody hard to produce or source. But, like the Pugh, I will rise to the challenge!

via Posterize

Gem Hunting

Tucson, Arizona is the venue for what is arguably the best Gem and Mineral show in the world. January 23rd till February 11th sees thousands of exhibitors and tens of thousands of visitors at this incredible trade fair where there will be every gem and mineral you have and haven't even heard of. Meteorite to moon rock and red diamonds to rare garnets, this show is a must for jewellers, collectors and enthusiasts. Saying that, due to my crazy work schedule at the moment I am unable to go but one of my stone dealers and friends is there as I write this. He has promised me that he is hunting for some extra special material! Specifically, we are in search of some exquisite stones for the Celestial Cocktail Rings and the new Satellite Ring which we like to think is our most delicious ring to date! So watch this space and I will let you know what beauties have been unearthed Stateside. If you have any special requests then please do get in touch and we will endeavour to find the perfect gem for you.

Click to watch a video of the Tucson Fair - it's a little cheesy but gives you the gist!

via Posterize

Van Cleef & Arpels, Nid de Paradis collection

Van Cleef & Arples Ring

To celebrate St Valentine’s Day 2011, Van Cleef & Arpels has created the Nid de Paradis collection.Three pieces (ring, earrings and pendant) display the imaginative, asymetrical motif of the collection that reflects the spirit of the Maison.

Borrowing the slender curves of the plumage of the bird of paradise, the Nid de Paradis collection is part of the fairy-tale world of Van Cleef & Arpels. Ever since it was founded, the Maison has drawn its inspiration from idyllic representations of benevolent nature.

via Van Cleef & Arpels, Nid de Paradis collection.

Splendid looking ring but did you expect anything less from VC&A? I particularly like the asymmetric styling which I will be introducing into my collection very shortly - in the form of stunning  cocktail rings. I have tended to lean towards perfect symmetry until now but recently I am drawn to 'dischord' or 'unbalance' within a piece giving it an incredible sense of tension.

via Posterize

World Gold Council's six key trends for 2011

[caption id="attachment_756" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Dimiani Rose and White Gold Wedding Rings"][/caption]

The World Gold Council (WGC) has announced six key gold trends for 2011, as seen at Vicenza Fair in Italy last month.

The six trends focus on styles which were popular across gold jewellery at Vicenza, including a focus on gold as a 'jewel', delicate gold accents and popular shapes and themes.

Gold - the New Jewel
Gold prices have seen gold accents become a popular way to add a luxurious edge to jewellery designs, with gold becoming a 'jewel' to elevate a design. The incorporation of gold into wood or ceramic designs is both eye-catching and modern. Gold chains were nestled amongst silver in designs by SuperOro.

Precious & Delicate
The preciousness of gold was exemplified at Vicenza in delicate and detailed jewellery. High carat, slim chains were shown, combining elegance with classic style. Nanis' Petites collection presented tiny gold charms on necklaces and rings. Gold detailing had been designed to imitate gemstones, using diamond-cut techniques to catch the light and the eye.

Openwork& Weaving
Expert craftsmanship on show at Vicenza showed how gold electroforming has been taken to a new level. Designers including Tre Spighe and Graziella showed bracelets, necklaces, earrings and rings that demonstrated a level of detail in gold jewellery which previously was only possible to achieve through hand-carving. Delicate, spidery, skeletal structures weaved through designs – pieces that expressed the beauty of the gold in the most intricate designs.

Texture & Colour
Hammered, diamond-cut and silk finishes were popular textures, creating much interest. A mix of textures were often combined in one piece to create eye-catching effects. Yellow, white and rose gold were combined by designers including Damiani.

Shapes of the Season
Gold hearts, pebbles, stars, seashells and flowers peppered pieces by Il Giglio, Sade and others. Gold Expressions' Opulent Organics theme was seen throughout the industry at Vicenza Fair. Smaller details were complemented with bolder shapes alongside organic, free-form designs including corals.

Personal Expression
Expert gold craftsmanship found was shown through a trend for versatile jewellery, such as reversible designs; pieces that work with or without charms or those designed to lengthen or shorten chains. Customisable gold by designers including Neri Romualdo, Chimento and Mattioli offered versatility, modernity and the power of personal expression, something seen last year in the popular bead charm trend.

via  ProfessionalJeweller.com.

Brilliantly detailed trend report by Professional Jeweller - as always they are really helping to support and inform the industry. Trends have never been a huge influence with our work as we concentrate on creating more Timeless than Fashionable. Especially when it comes to our unusual engagement rings.  Saying that, it is good to know that we are on trend with Expert Gold Craftmanship which is something we have shouted about for a long while. The combination of white, yellow and rose gold by Damiani sounds delicious - we have seen an excellent response to Rose gold of late championed by our Celestial Rose Cocktail Ring.

via Posterize

Photo Shoot for the Satellite Cocktail Ring

The studio is booked at Powerhouse Photo - and these guys know how to take a pic! The subjects are two Satellite Cocktail rings! These are our most adventurous cocktail rings to date and we have one with Tourmilated Quartz and another with Fire Opal. I guarantee that these shots will knock you socks off so be prepared....

via Posterize

Timeless Royal Style

[caption id="attachment_737" align="aligncenter" width="190" caption="The Albert Brooch"][/caption]

In 1840, Queen Victoria married her beloved Albert. The engagement ring that he presented to her was a snake with an emerald-set head. The snake was a symbol of eternal love and emerald was her birthstone.

Victoria's wedding dress was decorated with hand made lace and adorned with a sapphire and diamond brooch, presented to her by Albert, the day before their wedding.

via Lang Antiques.

Now correct me if I am wrong but the Prince Albert Brooch has a very similar styling to the recent Royal Engagement Ring. The choice of a serpentine engagement ring is a trend which has not lasted to this day but was subsequently fashionable in the 19th century.

Sapphires are associated with fidelity and a gift of sapphire suggests trust, honesty and loyalty which is why it is commonly used as a stone for engagement rings. I have heard it said that the blood that runs through the royals is blue so maybe the sapphire is also a symbol of their status and nobility.

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Three Inspirations

When I started out my career in the jewellery industry in the late '90s it was a very different creature to what it is today. The word 'brand' was not uttered that much and there seemed to be more of a focus on design and craft quality. In my opinion, a more pleasant and authentic era but one must change with the times mustn't one?

So there I was with a full head of hair, and under that a sponge like substance which was absorbing every bit of jewellery information available. 23, passionate and hungry! They say that your formative years are the most influential with regards your developing personality. Maybe the same applies to your career in that the initial influences when you start out in your profession become inspirations which are evident throughout.  Three companies and designers are etched in my memory and their work still has a place in my rhodium plated heart:

[caption id="attachment_714" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Henrich and Densel"][/caption]

When I looked closely at the work of Henrich and Denzel, I could not really believe what I was seeing. As a mere jewellery designer fledging, I did not know that this level of quality and precision was possible - it was perfect! To match this precision was a stunning simplicity and balance which all added up to creating pieces that were bloody marvellous! The designs, even though simple, were innovative and not too out-there for my conservative British taste so all-in-all this company were a huge inspiration to me and engrained within me to always strive for better quality.

[caption id="attachment_715" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Paul Spurgeon"][/caption]

A name familiar with many in the jewellery industry and consumers alike is Paul Spurgeon. It seemed that every jewellery retailer I approached was stocking this man - he was everywhere! On more than one occasion potential retailers would tell me that they loved my collection but wouldn't do business with me as they had just invested in Paul! And good reason. This man has created some iconic designs - he has an incredible skill of  keeping designs wearable and practical yet they posess a sculptural and timeless aspect - no mean feat as any jewellery designer will tell you. His focus on the setting of the gems is something which we both share and his approach to keep reinventing has no doubt spurred me on in my endeavours.

[caption id="attachment_716" align="aligncenter" width="288" caption="Neissing"][/caption]
You may think that my famous three are a little German heavy when I mention my next inspiration but there is good reason.  I was working in Manchester when I first clasped eyes on the  Neissing's Tension set ring. I was initially dubious of the strength of the setting but when I actually tried to physically twist a ring I understood that there were some strong German forces at work! As with Henrich and Densel the craft was flawless and the grace of the pieces was undeniable even if some of the pieces got a little heavy for the UK market. An interesting fact is that both Neissing and the late Stephen Kretchmer from the US claim to have invented the Tension Set idea. Kretchmer, who died in 2006, was a brilliant goldsmith and metalurgist even developing 'levitating' jewellery using a magnetised platinum alloy. As I have a fascination with innovating settings, the ingenuity of the tension ring was indeed a strong inspiration.

So there you have it - three very important jewellers that have helped me to carve my own path in the industry. There are no doubt many more but it is these that I would like to thank and ask that you keep doing what you are doing.

via Posterize

"Up-cycling" - the new Re-cycling!

[caption id="attachment_693" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Image kindly donated by www.feedthechildren.org.uk"][/caption]

Dower & Hall have unveiled a new "up-cycle" scheme to help transform old gemstone jewellery into affordable, new designs.

Having first designed their Twinkle stack rings twenty years ago, Dower & Hall's new Sentiment rings have been created "to bring new life to old jewels", by setting customer's own diamonds or gemstones into the pre-designed stacking rings.

She added: "We saw a rise in brides coming into our stores with family diamonds that they wanted to use, or they had been proposed to with the grooms family ring, but they felt they needed to add their own style. Sentiment will be a great way to do this."

via ProfessionalJeweller.com.

Congratulations Dower and Hall - great idea. There must be a huge amount of diamonds and stones which are lying around in unfashionable or damaged jewellery! This clever marketing idea by the Scottish based designers will no doubt do them proud.

via Posterize

A Right Royal Knees-Up!

[caption id="attachment_684" align="alignleft" width="228" caption="The ring"][/caption]

Not since 1981, when that fabulous sapphire engagement ring surrounded by diamonds appeared the first time around, has the world been so excited about a royal wedding.  With William and Kate’s announcement of a spring time celebration accompanied by the fabulous news that we all get an official day off to enjoy it, royal wedding fever has enraptured the nation.

Gripped by news stories speculating over the fine details, Andrew Geoghegan Ltd, has been pondering over what would make the perfect royal wedding.  With the UK trying hard to crawl out of the depths of economic recession we doubt William and Kate will go for the pomp and circumstance that regaled the wedding of Charles and Diana back in the eighties.  But we still expect something more than a little bit special to cheer us all up.

We’ll spend time wondering what Kate’s dress will be like; where William will take his friends on the stag do and what jokes Harry will make at his older brother’s expense in the best man’s speech.  But speculate as we may, it’s hard to imagine how this contemporary royal pair will celebrate their union.

We doubt they’ll opt for one of those popular themed occasions which force guest to dress up like Vikings or other historical figures – it just wouldn’t go down well with the Queen and her friends the Heads of State.  We imagine they’ll avoid scenes of faux-fairytales with lots of pink taffeta like those adopted by Katy Price and Posh Spice in celebrity weddings splashed over the front cover of HELLO magazine.

We do imagine that there will be high glamour, exquisite tailoring and some incredibly impressive hats. Like a red carpet occasion, there will be designer outfits galore and plenty of famous faces to spot. And we can only assume that Kate’s huge sapphire will be complemented by something equally as fabulous as she takes the spotlight at as a future Queen of England.

As the crowds delight in watching a new era of royalty take their vows at Westminster, we know guests will be sipping the finest champagne dusted down from the special section of Prince Charles’ cellar and that the canapés served at the wedding breakfast will be much better than those from your average wedding caterer.

With less than an 100 days to go, we know we’ll join the millions of people who’ll gasp in admiration at Katy’s bridal wear on April 29th and feel a sense of national pride as William and Kate become Mr and Mrs King and Queen to be.  But as for the finer details we can only wonder with the rest of the world.  With cameras from all corners of the commonwealth rolling, we know for certain it will be a right royal knees-up!

There's an interview with the happy couple over on youtube.

via Posterize

Spiritual Designs

After a good few years of enjoying alcohol, partying and all that goes hand in hand with these, I started to feel deeply unsatisfied.  I developed an underlying dislike of who or what I had become. Not entirely because of the relatively hedonistic life style I was leading, but of how much inane chatter was present in my head and how low my confidence was, even though I managed to project confidence externally. After finally admitting this to myself I decided that it was time to have a look at these aspects of my life. During this introspection it transpired that true confidence was something that I desired intensely. I was fed up with the fickle and superficial confidence that I had when drunk or when something in my life had gone the way I wanted it to. So what was the answer, if any?

At this point I was lucky enough to be introduced to meditation. My view, at the time, was that this was an esoteric practise and it appealed to me greatly. Armed with some books, advice and a soft cushion, I delved deeply and whole heartedly into this discipline. My understanding was that by meditating, many benefits could be experienced. The particular ones inspiring to me were: increasing confidence, reducing mental chatter, calming, and any mystical experiences that might come along too!

The initial effects of meditation were exactly as promised in the books. My inane chatter, usually highly critical was starting to lose his voice, friends started to comment on how calm I appeared to be, and I had a deeper understanding of my true nature which in turn increased my confidence. More importantly, I took introspection to heart which has helped to provide me with a growing inner strength for the last 10 years. Along the way Yoga played an incredibly significant part in my life which led me to India learning from the bendiest people I have ever come across! My meditation took me to South Africa and India also, taking part in 10 day silent retreats learning what is called Vipassana. This was the hardest thing I had ever done but I felt like I was taught something almost magical!

More recent events in my life have turned everything upside down again (in a positive way), but I'll share the details of that with you another time. Coming down to earth a little, it is important to say how all this mumbo jumbo has helped me in my profession. As a jewellery designer creating fine jewellery for over 60 retailers in the UK and Eire, I am quite a busy chap. I am confident in saying that without my alternative interest, my mind would be far too busy to probably even enjoy my job. Even though I have a deep passion for my craft, I also have a healthy detachment from it where I appreciate that the emotions and feelings I experience from and in my business are not me, not permanent and not to be cherished or despised. One intriguing aspect is that when creating my designer engagement rings for example, even though they can take many hours of resolving, testing and adapting, the initial ideas come quite effortlessly. It appears to be less about hard, brow creasing thinking and more about introducing an initial idea and then being receptive. This receptivity allows a flow of ideas and to be honest I am not sure where it comes from.... but I like it!

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I cant believe it's not butter!

Famous jewellery designer Gurhan ignored the prevailing belief that pure 24 karat gold was too soft, heavy and expensive for jewelry. He studied the craft of the ancient goldsmiths of the Anatolian and Byzantine empires who had been successful in their endeavors to make pure gold jewelry, then refined their methods to develop his now signature technique.

Today his designs are driven by the dictates of the pure metal; every piece must achieve strength, lightness and affordability, as well as beauty in its design. But the warmth and sensuality that is central to pure gold remains at the soul of his pieces and is the first thing that appeals to his devoted followers.

via GURHAN | The Jewelry.

All of the team at Andrew Geoghegan admire greatly what Gurhan has done and Angelina Joley appears to agree pictured in a pair of Gurhan earrings. There seems to be a wealth of techniques available to us when we start to delve into ancient methods but also, it seems, in mixing with more recent technology.

2 years ago whilst in India, I was inspired to use pure gold but was naturally concerned with the hardness of the metal. Subsequent research has introduced me to the skill of Gurhan but of also the more recent possibility of micro alloys! This is where pure gold is combined with other metals such as titanium thus creating a harder gold. My research carries on and will take me to a lecture in late Jan 2011 by Martyn Pugh. This goldsmithing genius has created an item of table wear from this micro alloy - an incredible feat.

I have designer engagement rings and cocktail rings floating around in my mind just waiting for me to resolve the possibility of using this magnificent metal. I will bring you news as soon as there are developments!

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Jeweller designer to the Celebrities

Dramatic jewelry lit up the red carpet at the 2011 Golden Globes  and the most successful looks were truly golden. After years of diamond-intensive bling, this year’s best jewelry styles showed texture and unusual gold work (in addition to diamonds, of course). The trend was best captured by the suites worn by Angelina Jolie, Beyonce, and Jennifer Lopez - all by Lorraine Schwartz.

via Modern Jewelry Trends » Globes Truly Golden.

Now I have to admit my ignorance here and say that I do not know who Lorraine Schwartz is.  Of late I have seen her name linked with a plethora of celebrities and it seems, after a quick bounce around on google, that she has her own celebrity status. I feel this will need a little more research on my part but feel free to send any information. This prolific designer is obviously doing something right and I am keen to learn a little more.  She seems incredibly adept at cocktail rings - which is any area that we at Andrew Geoghegan started to focus on in 2010. I am pleased to say that, although we are nowhere near the dizzy heights of Mrs Schwartz, our Cocktail Rings are being sought, bought and admired - mainly, I am reliably informed, because there is nothing else quite like them!

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Business Link put out of business

Business Link put out of business

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