Jewelley, from Russia with love

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.

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Posted under: Bespoke Jewellery

Say how you feel with acrostic 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.

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Posted under: Bespoke Jewellery

Edwardian Jewellery: a new era of style

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.

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Posted under: Bespoke Jewellery

Victorian jewellery: leading by example

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

The Many Shapes of Diamonds

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.

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Posted under: Bespoke Jewellery

Late Georgian jewellery: a revolution in style

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.

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Posted under: Bespoke Jewellery

Evening Star diamond sells for $5.4 million

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

Art Nouveau jewellery: shock of the new

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

The Timeless Appeal of Art Deco

Dec 01, 2009

There's something about Art Deco jewellery that is curiously compelling for many jewellery collectors and vintage fashionistas. Although it can often at first appear dated, too simplistic or occasionally even over the top, Art Deco has a unique charm that cannot be denied. Read the rest of this entry >>

Posted under: Bespoke Jewellery

Hallmarks and Trademarks: An Introduction

Nov 28, 2009

Examine any item of precious metal carefully, and there's a good chance you will find a series of symbols etched onto it. To the uninitiated, these marks might as well be Greek, but once you know a bit about them, they can tell you a great deal about the item you are holding. Read the rest of this entry >>

Posted under: Bespoke Jewellery

The History of Birth Stones

Nov 24, 2009

The addition of a birth stone is a great way to personalise a piece of bespoke jewellery. Birth stones are usually associated with months of the year or the signs of the zodiac - which means they are particularly appropriate for birthdays or other special anniversaries - as well as qualities of character. But where did the idea of birthstones originate, and what do they each mean? Read the rest of this entry >>

Posted under: Bespoke Jewellery

Cleaning Your Engagement Ring at Home

Nov 20, 2009

A glittering new engagement ring is more than a piece of jewellery, it represents the commitment of a couple who are looking forward to the rest of their lives together.

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Posted under: Bespoke Jewellery

How To Choose a Diamond

Nov 05, 2009

Diamonds may well be forever but what exactly should you consider when you are buying a gift intended to last a lifetime?

To the untrained eye, many diamonds of a similar shape and size will look very similar, but the potential differences in quality and value are myriad. It is therefore worth knowing at least the basics before you make what should be one of the most special purchases of your life. Read the rest of this entry >>

Posted under: Bespoke Jewellery

White Gold Or Platinum?

Oct 29, 2009

At Ingle & Rhode, we make every piece to order, whether it is one of our classic engagement ring designs, or a unique item of bespoke jewellery. This means that as well as being able to source the exact conflict free diamond to match the client’s requirements, we can also make their jewellery in the metal of their choice. The most common decision that a client faces is the choice between platinum and 18ct white gold. These two metals are superficially quite similar, but there are a few key differences.

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Posted under: Bespoke Jewellery

The Origins of Bespoke Jewellery

Sep 24, 2009

Since prehistoric times, people have adorned themselves with uniquely individual jewellery. But bespoke jewellery as we now understand it really stems from the nineteenth century.

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Posted under: Bespoke Engagement Rings, Bespoke Jewellery

New bespoke jewellery brochure

Mar 02, 2009

In response to the strong demand for our bespoke jewellery service, and in particular for our custom made ethical engagement rings, we are pleased to announce that we have produced a short brochure which describes how our bespoke jewellery service works - from developing a unique design to your specifications, to producing the finished piece of jewellery.

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Posted under: Bespoke Jewellery, Ethical Jewellery

11 Ridiculous Gold and Diamond Accessories

Mar 25, 2008

At a time when the jewellery industry is troubled by serious ethical problems, there seems to be no limit to some consumers’ appetite for bling. More and more designers use precious stones and metals to add a sense of luxury to what used to look like sensible, everyday items.

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Posted under: Bespoke Engagement Rings, Bespoke Jewellery, Conflict Free Diamonds, Custom Engagement Rings, Ethical Diamonds, Ethical Jewellery

The World’s Most Famous Engagement Rings

Mar 24, 2008

It is more than five centuries since Archduke Maximilian I of Austria gave the first recorded diamond engagement ring to Mary of Burgundy, and since then rich and famous men have indulged their fiancés with some quite incredible gifts.

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Posted under: Bespoke Engagement Rings, Bespoke Jewellery, Custom Engagement Rings, Ethical Jewellery

Good As Green Gold

Jan 16, 2008

Recently ‘Ingle & Rhode’ visited several alluvial mines in the Jujuy province of Argentina – that’s up north, close to the high Andes at 12,000 feet and light years away from the glamour of a fine jewellery showroom. 

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Posted under: Bespoke Jewellery, Ethical Jewellery

London Jeweller Profits by Trading with Junta

Oct 26, 2007

At a time when Burma's brutal military dictatorship is ruthlessly crushing pro-democracy protests, you wouldn't expect British businesses to be boasting about their links with this regime.

Amazingly though, a number of jewellers are doing just this. 

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Posted under: Bespoke Jewellery, Ethical Jewellery