Jan 27, 2010
In contrast to fake diamonds, which are simply lookalikes made from other materials, synthetic diamonds are stones that have been created in the lab instead of by geological processes.
Man-made diamonds tend to be slightly less expensive than mined stones, and are a growing choice for bespoke jewellery. They share similar properties to natural stones, and their origins mean that they are by default conflict-free.
Read the rest of this entry >>Posted under: Ethical Diamonds
Jan 25, 2010
Diamonds entered popular culture in a big way in the years following World War II. There were a number of reasons for this development, which saw a surge in the number of custom engagement rings and other pieces of jewellery featuring the stone. In 1947 De Beers ran an enormously successful advertising campaign based on the phrase ‘A Diamond is Forever’ – voted the best advertising slogan of the century in 2000. Two years later, the Broadway production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes featured the song ‘Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend.’
Read the rest of this entry >>Posted under: Ethical Diamonds
Jan 22, 2010
The Kremlin in Moscow houses an unparalleled collection of Russian jewellery, known as the Diamond Fund. The collection is now kept in the Armoury building but originates in the Royal Treasury created in 1719 by Emperor Peter I of Russia, which he stored in the Winter Palace in St Petersburg. It comprises a large number of gemstones, pieces of jewellery and natural gold nuggets.
Read the rest of this entry >>Posted under: Bespoke Jewellery
Jan 20, 2010
Acrostics are now a relatively unusual theme for clients requesting bespoke jewellery but the appeal is still clear for those wishing to make a very personal declaration of love.
Acrostics – spelling a message using the first letter of a series of words – have a long history, though the practice of incorporating this in jewellery probably dates to the 18th century at the earliest.
Read the rest of this entry >>Posted under: Bespoke Jewellery
Jan 18, 2010
A style that clients often request when ordering bespoke jewellery is Edwardian. The Edwardian era began in 1901 when Queen Victoria’s first son, Prince Albert Edward, acceded the throne on her death. The turn of the century was a time of optimistic fashion and sophistication – the ‘Belle Epoque’ that saw the development of new technologies such as the car, plane and cinema, and economic prosperity. Edward died in 1910, but the Edwardian period is generally assumed to end with the beginning of the First World War in 1914.
Read the rest of this entry >>Posted under: Bespoke Jewellery
Jan 15, 2010
Clients looking for bespoke jewellery often ask for pieces in a particular historical style, and one of the most popular themes is Victorian jewellery. Read the rest of this entry >>Posted under: Bespoke Jewellery
Jan 13, 2010
The unusual black form of diamond also known as Carbonado is becoming a more and more popular choice for bespoke jewellery. Naturally formed – though very likely in a different process to its sparklier clear cousin – the black diamond is a polycrystalline gem that is generally found in Brazil and Africa. It is usually black or dark grey, though brown stones are also known. Carbonado tends to be more porous than regular diamonds.
Read the rest of this entry >>Posted under: Ethical Diamonds
Jan 13, 2010
We recently had the pleasure of making a beautiful bespoke engagement ring for Joe Cripps and his fiancé Louise.
Read the rest of this entry >>Posted under: Bespoke Engagement Rings
Jan 11, 2010
Diamonds can come onto the consumer market in many different shapes, determined by various factors including the natural properties of the rough stone, the personal taste of the consumer and the popular designs of the time.
Read the rest of this entry >>Posted under: Bespoke Jewellery
Jan 10, 2010
Another popular style often requested for pieces of bespoke jewellery is Late Georgian, which encompasses the reigns of the British kings George III and IV (1760-1820 and 1820-1830), as well as William IV (1830-1837). This period was a time of social and political change, and these monarchs’ combined rule was set against the backdrop of the American Revolution, French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars.
Read the rest of this entry >>Posted under: Bespoke Jewellery
Jan 08, 2010
A potentially flawless five-carat pink diamond has sold at Christie’s for a sum of $10.8 million – a record $2.1 million per carat. The previous per-carat record was set by a 7.03-carat internally flawless fancy vivid blue stone, which sold at Sotheby’s for $9.48 million, or $1.35 million per carat, in May this year. Read the rest of this entry >>Posted under: Ethical Diamonds
Jan 06, 2010
A stunning pear-shaped 39-carat diamond known as the Evening Star has been sold in an auction at Christie’s for $5.4 million. With an estimated value before the sale of between $3.6 and $5.5 million, the final bid indicates that although the price of smaller diamonds remains relatively stable, the market is strong and larger stones are selling at the upper end of their valuation range. Read the rest of this entry >>Posted under: Bespoke Jewellery
Jan 04, 2010
Clients frequently request bespoke jewellery in a particular historical style. One popular style is Art Nouveau – an influential movement which originated in Paris around the turn of the 20th Century and which enjoyed great popularity in Europe and further afield for a brief but highly significant period of around 15 years. Read the rest of this entry >>Posted under: Bespoke Jewellery
Jan 01, 2010
As with all very high-value goods, the trade in diamonds is subject to more than its fair share of abuse. In particular, the high price of diamonds in relation to their size makes them vulnerable to being controlled to finance war and insurgency. Read the rest of this entry >>Posted under: Conflict Free Diamonds
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