Make it at Market
Posted on | January 15, 2025 | Comments Off on Make it at Market
Make it at Market: Season 1 & 2 – available on BBC iPlayer
Rachel was asked to join the Make it at Market team as their expert jewellery mentor to provide practical making tips and sound advice on how budding entrepreneurs can make a successful business from their crafting hobby.
The Repair Shop’s Dom Chinea hosted the series and it was filmed on location in Stoneywell Leicester and Waterperry Oxford.
Rachel mentored four fledgling crafters and they are all continuing to thrive.
Rachel thoroughly enjoyed working on this series and found it tremendously rewarding.
Valentine’s Day gift guide
Posted on | January 15, 2025 | Comments Off on Valentine’s Day gift guide
There are many traditions surround February 14th, some romantic, some celebrating the beginnings of Spring – In Europe, Saint Valentine’s Keys are given to lovers “as a romantic symbol and an invitation to unlock the giver’s heart” ….. but if ever there was a time to treat your loved one to something special and unexpected then this is it.
Here we’ve put together a few gift ideas sure to light up anyones face on February 14th. You may not see the exact piece you’re looking for on this page but if something catches your eye then click through to the page on our web for more variants.
The LOVE PILL collection
Our remedy for love – a faceted silver surface twinkling in the light with the contrasting glow of a gold heart! Each piece makes a contemporary statement on it’s own or together they coordinate nicely for the person who rocks your world….
Love Pill Earrings Love Pill Ring
Love Pill Pendant Love Pill bangle
The BLUSHING HEART collection
A romantic collection featuring a pendant, ring, bangle and earring. With a solid silver heart you can choose between satin or shiny finish and even add diamonds for an extra sparkle!
Blushing Heart Pendant with Diamonds Blushing Heart Ring Sating Finish
Blushing Heart Bangle Blushing Heat Sating Earrings
Blushing Heart Earrings Shiny Blushing Heart Pendant
Charms, flowers and the key to her heart…
Love comes in all shapes, so we’ve put together some special pieces which we think would make memorable Valentine gifts….
– an invitation to unlock the givers heart – Interlocking circles of gold and silver
Daisy Studs Tundra silver and gold studs
– A classic – For something a little different…
– Choose her birthstone or simply her – All of our pendants make beautiful charms
favourite colour
18ct Gold Rose Pendant 18ct Gold Anther Crescent
– Delicate and romantic – Contemporary symbol of balance
Rings and bangles can be personalised with your own special message. Simply email us at [email protected] or call us on 01582 833800 for details or add your wording to your ‘Order Notes’ before checking out.
All pieces are presented in our RJ monogrammed gift box and bag and can also be wrapped and finished with a ribbon on request- at no extra cost!
Anniversary Gemstones
Posted on | January 15, 2025 | Comments Off on Anniversary Gemstones
We think that every anniversary is a time for celebration (and not just weddings – how about the number of years you’ve been together or a personal achievement?) but while most of us are familiar with the traditional gifts associated with the major milestones, there is a little-known list, (compiled over the years by many authors on the subject) of gemstones to celebrate each year in between.
This is great news for those of us endlessly brainstorming gifts for our other half when the traditional material to mark the day is something like wood (5th), copper (7th) or ivory (14th).
Here we have the list of gemstones and precious metals to assist your anniversary search – just click on the links for our suggested handmade pieces.
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1 Year |
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2 Years |
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3 Years |
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4 Years |
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5 Years |
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6 Years |
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7 Years |
Onyx |
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8 Years |
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9 Years |
Lapis Lazule |
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10 Years |
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11 Years |
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12 Years |
Jade |
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13 Years |
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14 Years |
Opal |
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15 Years |
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20 Years |
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25 Years |
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30 Years |
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40 Years |
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45 Years |
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50 Years |
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60 Years |
If you can’t see the stone you want in the piece of your choice then don’t panic – we can source the gem and make the bespoke piece for you. If this is a bangle, ring or pendant, then why not add a heartfelt engraved message?
Mother’s Day gifts
Posted on | January 15, 2025 | Comments Off on Mother’s Day gifts
Mother’s Day or Mothering Sunday falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent and is the modern celebration of mums and motherhood. There are many historical meanings associated with the day but the sentiment is always the same – Mum deserves a treat and this is her special day!!
However you decide to spoil her, you can’t go wrong with a timeless piece of jewellery.
We’ve handpicked a selection of pieces any mum would love and don’t forget, on bangles and rings we can engrave your special message too! Simply fill in your special wording in ‘order notes’ when checking out.
The Seed collection –beautifully organic and quirky
Rosehip Large Pendant Oaknut large pendant
Oak Nut Drop Earrings Poppyhead Drop Earrings
Silver Pea Pod – A lovely design where the peas can symbolise each child, all nestled together in the pod
The Daisy collection – A classic
Tundra – inspired by shifting snowdrifts – Exciting texture and surface interest with the Tundra and Maelstrom collections
Tundra Large Silver and Gold Earring Tundra medium Silver and Gold Earring
Tundra Large Silver Pendant Tundra extra wide silver ring
Maelstrom – Inspired by the swirl of a snowstorm
Maelstrom Silver Ring Maelstrom Open Bangle
Learn something new…..
Of course, the gift of some ‘me time’ is also a precious one – just a few hours out of the day doing something new and creative – so why not give her a jewellery school gift nugget? That way, she can attend one of our one day workshops and learn to make her own ring/bangle or pendant/earring/cufflink whilst ‘getting away from it all’ in a relaxed, friendly environment!
Tags: collection > Engagemet jewellery > Gift Guide > gift nugget > gold > Jewellery > Silver
5 things to consider when choosing an engagement ring!
Posted on | January 15, 2025 | Comments Off on 5 things to consider when choosing an engagement ring!
Selecting, researching or designing an engagement ring for a surprise proposal needn’t be the head-spinning process it’s cracked up to be. Whether you’re considering a bespoke, commissioned ring or looking to find the perfect piece glinting at you in the corner of a shop window, then fear not because before you start shopping, we’ve got a few little hints and tips you may like to consider whilst making your decision.
First things first:
Your budget
This is a tricky one but try to have an amount in mind before you start your search. This will greatly help when you’re faced with so many choices of metals and stones. Ignore old rules about how much you should spend and stick with an amount you’re comfortable with.
The Metal choices:
Does your partner wear yellow or white metal jewellery?
9ct or 18ct yellow gold – a warm and classic choice
9ct or 18ct white gold – fairly contemporary and usually plated with rhodium to make it whiter
Platinum – more durable than gold and naturally hypoallergenic
Palladium – new to the jewellery industry and similar to platinum
The style of the ring
Here are some of the key questions we would ask about your partners style:
Do they like chunky or delicate jewellery? Modern or vintage?
Lots of tiny stones or a single stone?
A diamond or a coloured stone?
You probably know the answer to a lot of these already but if not, you can always ask a friend or check out her jewellery box!
Engagement Ring ideas
The Stone
The diamond -The 4 C’s are used to measure the character and quality of the stone – cut, colour, clarity and carot. We pride ourselves on our knowledge of stones and can provide you with a selection of cuts, colours and clarities to choose from.
If they like a coloured stone, do they prefer blue? red? pink? green? Something out of the ordinary?
The setting
Once you’ve decided on the stone, consider the type of setting (metal framework in which the stone is mounted). This can really set the style of the ring. Whether you go for a clean, modern rub over setting or a traditional claw set. The thing to think about here is how they are going to wear their ring and also what they do for a living. Are they likely to wear the ring for active pursuits? practical jobs? Do they need a low profile style with a secure secure setting or would a delicate setting be more appropriate?
Take a look at our full ring collection here for more inspiration. These styles can be adapted to really personlise your choice.
Bespoke
Whether you have a specific style in mind or starting from scratch, we are happy to work with you in designing your unique ring. You may even want to incorporate inherited stones for a truly personal piece.
Please contact us to book an appointment, without obligation, to discuss your requirements. We aim to give you as much guidance as you need.
On the bench… transforming a family heirloom
Posted on | January 14, 2025 | Comments Off on On the bench… transforming a family heirloom
On the bench today… transforming a family heirloom into contemporary pieces
Our client came to us with a traditional claw set sapphire and diamond ring with a request to use both the gold and stones in contemporary pieces (the ring had belonged to her grandmother and had sentimental value). During the consultation, our client favoured the idea of making three rings, with each stone set in a contemporary rub over setting. This way the rings could be worn separately or stacked to maximum effect.
We were able to successfully re-use the gold band in this commisision, melting it down and creating a new, round wire band (this is a tricky process but can be used to great effect).
The three stones in their original claw setting (R), plus the newly formed band and setting (L)
The new band has been made and the sapphire’s setting is ready to be attached
The three bands are ready for setting
The final three gold rings: ready for hallmarking
All polished and ready for collection – the final stack of gold rings look beautiful together!!
If you would like to discuss a commission, please call 01582 833800 or email [email protected] to book a no obligation appointment with Rachel here at the Mill.
On the bench… a commission to re-use sentimental gold
Posted on | January 14, 2025 | Comments Off on On the bench… a commission to re-use sentimental gold
On the bench today… we showcase how you can re-use a sentimental item of jewellery
A customer came to us with the hopes of re-designing two inherited engagement rings, looking for a ‘statement’ piece that would re-use the existing gold and diamonds from their sentimental pieces.
Taking inspiration from our popular Husk ring (its simple design is practical yet versatile, with the option of a being set with any of a range of stones) we sketched out some ideas and began work…
Numerous processes later (including melting the original rings down, adding some additional new metal, forming a solid shank and doming the setting) and we arrived at a ring ready to accept the pavé set diamonds.
Our workshop has witnessed numerous transformations of sentimental and inherited jewellery for customers over the years – it’s a lovely way to give your jewellery a new sense of purpose for either yourself or loved ones. Please visit our link for Bespoke Jewellery design on more information on how we can work with you to produce the ultimate bespoke gift.
Existing rings
Melted gold formed into ingots
Doming the setting
Ready for stone setting
The finished item
Why is handmade so special?
Posted on | January 14, 2025 | Comments Off on Why is handmade so special?
Handmade jewellery vs mass produced
It is a misnomer that the majority of jewellery on the market is machine made and mass produced. In fact, high street, mass produced jewellery has been hand assembled and finished by a human being somewhere along the way. That said, there’s nothing like a piece of jewellery that has been handcrafted from initial sketch to the finishing polish by a trained goldsmith who is passionate about what they do. That is the essence of such an item – care and talent poured into the making process.
Crafting jewellery by hand is an ancient art and many of the silversmithing and goldsmithing techniques used today date back thousands of years. Whether it’s a ring, bangle, or pendant, each piece begins it’s life in the form of a sheet or wire. It then goes on a unique journey of heating, shaping, soldering, setting and filing and because this is done by hand there is a sense of warmth and weight to the piece that just cannot be achieved with any other way.
Here in Wheathampstead, you can peer through the window of our watermill workshop to see the jewellery being made, as well as hear the grinding, hammering and screeching of the tools being used. It’s a creative buzz and customers love that. Other advantages include the selection of your own stone and your design input. We pride ourselves on our stone knowledge and can advise on cut, clarity and colour within the parameters of any budget.
Every customers’ story fuels our enthusiasm to get a project started and see it to the end. Jewellery leaving our shop, whether a bespoke commission or a piece from Rachel’s collection, is carefully packaged with love and pride. We get a kick out of hearing about proposals with rings made in our workshop, meeting the girl who said ‘yes’, seeing wedding photos taken of the wedding bands we’ve made and catching stories on social media about surprise birthday presents being gifted.
handmade (ˌhændˈmeɪd) adj – passionate about craftmanship, unique pieces, esp keen on customer follow up and jewellery care!
Contact us at [email protected] or give us a call on 01582 833800 to book an appointment and start your story.
On the bench… fish pendant commission
Posted on | January 14, 2025 | Comments Off on On the bench… fish pendant commission
On the bench today… we are showcasing a bespoke 18ct yellow gold fish pendant, produced by our talented in-house team.
This commission was for a 60th birthday gift, made from the customer’s own gold and based on a design sketched by his daughter. Having communicated the overall concept of the pendant to us we drew up a technical illustration of the fish, confirming the size and profile before starting work. Produced using methods such as chasing & repoussé and forging & engraving, both the client (and us!) were delighted with the way the final pendant turned out.
Many of our customers love animal-themed pendants – check our dolphin pendant along with our other animal inspired jewellery here >>
Below are a few more ‘in detail’ shots for the making process:
Gold ingot
Roughing out the shape
Adding detail
Making your own wedding rings
Posted on | January 14, 2025 | Comments Off on Making your own wedding rings
Whether it’s decorating the table centrepieces or making your own wedding favours, the DIY wedding craze is in full swing. Pinterest and other social media sites are awash with ideas on how to go about creating and personalising anything from the wedding venue to the cake. It’s a chance for both families to get involved and make their contribution, however small!
But during the busy build up, there is part of the wedding planning that a couple can do together – make your own wedding rings! Is there anything more romantic than crafting a piece of jewellery for each other that will be worn as a symbol of your love forever? Not only that, but a day spent learning something new and creating a shared memory is so rewarding and also FUN!!
How would you go about this?
First of all, make sure you leave plenty of time before your big day. The ring workshop is a one day course but you’ll need to allow a couple of weeks to get your rings hallmarked. If your looking to engrave or have stones set into the band then allow 6 weeks before your big day.
Even if you’re not sure which metal to choose or style to go for, do get in touch. We can book you an appointment to talk about the choices and you can try on plenty of samples to help you.
If you’re not local to Wheathampstead, don’t worry. We can consult with you over the phone and via email. Why not make a weekend of it? We can recommend plenty of great overnight places to stay in the area.
Metal choice and style
In our experience, the best style of ring to be completed in a day is a plain wedding band. The simple, classic style of the D shape band sits well with all engagement rings, whether traditional or contemporary in design and can be achieved by complete novices to jewellery making.
Never worn a ring before chaps? Don’t worry because we have plenty of samples in different widths for you to try on and we’ll help you select the best one for you. To narrow the selection, consider your style, comfort and daily work/lifestyle.
You can choose from silver, yellow or white gold, platinum or palladium. We do advise that ladies match the metal of their wedding ring to that of their engagement ring as this gives the best wear over time.
If your choice is platinum or palladium, you’ll need to make your ring in silver first and we will then cast it for you. This is because both platinum and are very difficult metals to work with and aren’t suitable for beginners. We’d need to build 4 more weeks into the making time but don’t worry as this will be explained when you book.
Personlise with engraving
Why not add a meaningful touch and get your ring engraved? A special message, date, or initial inscribed on the inside of the ring can be a little secret just between the two of you.
For enquiries or to book an appointment, please give us a call on 01582 833800 or email [email protected] Available workshop dates can be viewed here.
On the bench… an 18ct yellow gold Constantine ring
Posted on | February 15, 2016 | Comments Off on On the bench… an 18ct yellow gold Constantine ring
On the bench today… an 18ct yellow gold Constantine ring with Old Cut diamond 0.27ct
18ct yellow gold Constantine ring with Old Cut diamond 0.27ct
Old Cut diamond, gold wire and setting – all ready to begin
Shaping the band
Hand crafted ring, all ready for setting
The ring has been set and on its final polish before the satin finish is applied
Et voila! The Constantine ring in all its glory!
Browse Diamonds for more styles and stone setting variations in 18ct yellow and white gold. If you don’t see the exact ring you’re looking for, or would like another metal, then please get in touch for a design consultation.
Telephone 01582 833800 or email [email protected] to discuss your project.
On the bench… bespoke emerald earrings
Posted on | January 25, 2016 | Comments Off on On the bench… bespoke emerald earrings
On the bench today… 18ct yellow gold bespoke emerald earrings
Our clients came to us to make a pair of emerald and diamond earrings to match an engagement ring we had previously made for them:
Original emerald engagement ring
They were looking for an emerald cut stone surrounded by 0.02ct diamonds set in 18ct yellow gold – a traditional and stunning combination.
The size and setting of the stone was agreed, and the emeralds chosen:
Earring design sketches
…and here are the finished earrings, crafted for one lucky lady!
The finished items!
We regularly undertake commissions and pride ourselves on offering experienced, no-obligation design ideas and quotations. If you are interested in commissioning a bespoke piece of jewellery (whether using your own inherited stones or selecting new ones) then please contact us to arrange an appointment.
This particular project took around six weeks, so if you have a deadline then please bear this in mind. Your piece will be designed and handmade in our St Albans workshop using traditional techniques.
For all enquiries please contact us – [email protected] or call 01582 833800
On the bench… the making of our Globe Tide pendant
Posted on | December 14, 2015 | Comments Off on On the bench… the making of our Globe Tide pendant
On the bench today… the making of our Globe Tide pendant (with cuttlefish casting!)
The workshop is always buzzing with activity. The sound of hammering, sawing and polishing spill into the shop but it’s not often we get the chance to sneak next door and observe an ancient jewellery making technique in action! Cuttlefish casting is used to make the gold plated discs in our Globe Tide pendant and here’s a sneak peek into how it’s done.
Cuttlefish, found washed upon beaches, have the ideal hard, boney exterior with a soft, carvable interior which can withstand very high temperatures. The perfect organic mould!
Cuttle Fish mould
Silver pieces ready for melting
The temperature is rising! This can take a few minutes but is fascinating to watch
The silver ‘balls’ into a liquid at around 800-900 degrees and is ready to pour into the mould
Click here to see a short snippet of the pouring process >>
The cooled silver is released from the mould to reveal with a beautiful ridge textured surface
A section of this will then be cut into a disc and shaped. Next a coating of 18ct yellow gold provides a rich contrast to the smooth silver sphere it will be fitted to.
Silver sphere halves ready to be joined together with the moulded insert
The finished piece, ready for plating in 18ct yellow gold
The finished pendant on a silver ball chain. Lovely!
If this post inspires you then please check details about our 2 day Casting Course listed on our website under Wax Casting (the second day covers cuttlefish casting).
Inspired by the Seed Gathering Season……..
Posted on | September 23, 2015 | Comments Off on Inspired by the Seed Gathering Season……..
National Seed Gathering Season – From 23rd September through to 23rd October
To celebrate the beginning of the Seed Gathering Season – traditionally considered to be the start of Autumn and ‘a month-long festival organised by The Tree Council, which aims to inspire people to get outside and gather, nurture and germinate tree seeds for the benefit of their neighbourhoods ‘ we’ve put together a collection of pieces inspired by the beautiful falling seeds, leaves and fruits found cascading onto the woodland floor this time of year.
See here Fruit Cluster pendant in silver and gold, Acorn Pendant, Honesty Pendant, Spike Drops, Thistle Drops and Catkin Pendant all in silver – for more information on these and other products please email [email protected]
Rachel and Joffa in Woman & Home
Posted on | November 14, 2014 | Comments Off on Rachel and Joffa in Woman & Home
Rachel and her labradoodle are stars of the Christmas issue of Woman & Home magazine!
The national women’s
monthly magazine was searching for participants for a feature on how Christmas would be different this year. Rachel approached the journalist herself. “It occurred to me that the arrival of my dog Joffa has had such a positive impact on my life already, that his presence this Christmas will make it an entirely new experience for me.” Rachel had always wanted a dog but put off taking the step to find a puppy or go to a rehoming center. Finding time to look after a new four-legged friend would be a balancing act with the busy shop and jewellery school.
But after visiting a friend who had a litter of labradoodles, Rachel felt the timing was perfect. She took the first born home as soon as he was ready and has not looked back. That Joffa is as happy being in the shop or workshop, as he is starring in a glossy magazine shoot makes them perfect companions!
Rachel says “the whole experience was wonderful. The photoshoot was glamorous, the magazine team were really fun, and I have a lovely photograph to mark this memorable year with.”
Why learning a new skill is good for you
Posted on | May 28, 2014 | Comments Off on Why learning a new skill is good for you
Learning a new skill keeps our minds sharp and our lives interesting. It can enhance your social skills & social life, memory, wellbeing, self worth, even employment prospects.
Stretch yourself, surprise yourself, do something different.
“Learning affects our well-being in lots of positive ways. It exposes us to new ideas and helps us stay curious and engaged. It also gives us a sense of accomplishment and helps boost our self-confidence and resilience. There are many ways to learn new things – not just through formal qualifications. We can share a skill with friends, join a club, learn to sing, play a new sport and so much more.” www.actionforhappiness.org/10-keys-to-happier-living/keep-learning-new-things/details
The neuroscientist David Eagleman has found that the brain uses more energy in representing a memory when it’s a novel one and urges us to stretch our horizons, learn new skills, cultivate an openness to fresh possibilities, and live more intensely www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/do-something-blog/2014/jan/11/do-something-manifesto-oliver-burkeman
“Learning a new skill works best to keep your brain sharp.” New research shows you might be better off picking up a challenging new hobby to prevent memory loss. Challenging activities strengthen entire networks in the brain which can ward off dementia. “We hope that by maintaining a very active brain, you could defer cognitive aging by a couple of years,” www.npr.org/2014/05/05/309006780/learning-a-new-skill-works-best-to-keep-your-brain-sharp
“The excitement of learning separates youth from old age. As long as you’re learning, you’re not old.” ~Rosalyn S. Yalow
“Appreciate the experience of trying something new, rather than obsessing about how well you are going to do it. That way, you’re more likely to keep going and stay motivated over time, regardless of your ability…. Don’t judge yourself too harshly: trying something new isn’t about winning awards, but about pushing yourself and breaking out of old routines.” www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/jan/11/do-something-resolutions-seven-ways-get-started
The message is clear – breaking out of routine, undertaking new challenges and finding outlets for your skills is key to achieve a happy balance in your life.
One day courses, 4 lesson courses, and 10 lesson courses are all available at our jewellery school. See what you can achieve!
Father’s Day
Posted on | June 12, 2013 | Comments Off on Father’s Day
A few gift ideas for your Dad that will beat the usual socks & chocs!
Cannikin cups for a dram of whisky, silver sporting bookmarks, silver sugar and coffee spoons, Crown cufflinks, Golf ball cufflinks, Iced Gem silver cufflinks, Rugby ball cufflinks.
April birthstone
Posted on | April 2, 2013 | Comments Off on April birthstone
Those with April birthdays enjoy the diamond as their birthstone.
What is it about this stone which sets is apart from others?
Here is some background…
Where do diamonds come from?
Just like gold and silver that form naturally in the earth, diamonds do too. Diamonds are minerals made up of carbon. They are particularly famous for being the hardest known natural substance.
Diamonds are formed very deep within the earth (approximately 150-200km down), when carbon is crystallized by pressure and high heat over a long period of time – in fact, most diamonds are between about 1 and 3.3 billion years old before they reach the surface of the earth!
Diamonds are found in lots of different places around the world.
Some of the largest diamond-producing countries include Australia, Congo, Russia, and South Africa.
What makes them so valuable?
Diamonds are considered to be very valuable.
Strength and durability? Shininess and beauty? Rareness? Aside from qualities like these, what are some other qualities that make something valuable? Uniqueness, sentimental value, and having a special history might all be good examples!
Are all diamonds white?
Diamonds vary from colourless to black, and they may be transparent, translucent, or opaque. Most diamonds used as gems are transparent and colourless or nearly so. Colourless or pale blue stones are most valued, but these are rare; most gem diamonds are tinged with yellow.
A “fancy” diamond has a distinct body colour; red, blue, and green are rarest, and orange, violet, yellow, and yellowish green more common.
The colour of diamonds may be changed by exposure to intense radiation (as released in a nuclear reactor a particle accelerator) or by heat treatment.
What makes them so sparkly?
A very high refractive power gives the diamond its extraordinary brilliance. A properly cut diamond will return a greater amount of light to the eye of the observer than will a gem of lesser refractive power and will thus appear more brilliant. The high dispersion gives diamonds their fire which is caused by the separation of white light into the colours of the spectrum as it passes through the stone.
What are inclusions?
Clarity is a gemstone’s relative freedom from clarity characteristics that are classified as inclusions and blemishes. Inclusions are enclosed within a diamond, or they extend from the surface into the diamond. Blemishes are confined to the diamond’s surface. Inclusions typically have more influence on a diamond’s clarity grade than blemishes. 5 factors determine the overall effect of characteristics on a clarity grade – size, number, position, nature, relief. The nature of the inclusions influences the grade also – larger ones can be hazardous for example.
Some inclusions are; crystals, clouds, needles, pinpoints, graining, twinning wisps, knot, chip, feather, cavity, bruise, cleavage.
Some blemishes are; surface graining, nick, scratch, abrasion, extra facet.
Clarity characteristics make every diamond unique which helps to identify individual diamonds.
When a diamond has no inclusions or blemishes when examined under 10x magnification by a skilled grader its called flawless.
What are fancy cut diamonds?
A fancy cut diamond is any diamond shapeother than a round brilliant. Some people attribute personality type to these shapes. See below… Do you agree?!
Marquise – career-orientated, aggressive, daring, impulsive, loves to travel, loves excitement and turmoil
Heart – creative, outgoing, flirtatious, highly sensitive to criticism, lives on cloud 9 and likes it there!, trusting
Oval – individualistic, organized, good budget keeper, independent, orderly, faithful, leader, has well behaved children
Pear – home centered, likes to keep options open, considerate, innovative, frugal with family finances, good homemakers, solid citizens
Triangle
Emerald cut – disciplined and organized, good leaders, likes order and cleanliness, good teachers, honest and open
Radiant
Princess
I mostly use princess cuts and round brilliants in my work. The photographs below show how round brilliants can easily be added to designs to add a lovely addition!
March birthstone
Posted on | March 1, 2013 | Comments Off on March birthstone
March birthstone is aquamarine.
In her book ‘The Crystal Bible’ Judy Hall writes “aquamarine is a stone of courage. Its calming energies reduce stress and quiet the mind. It harmonizes its surroundings and protects against pollutants. In ancient times it was believed to counteract the forces of darkness and procure favor from the spirits of light. It was carried as a talisman against drowning.”
I love it for its watery cool blue colour, which reminds me of Spring skies and clear seas and lakes.
Aquamarine has good hardness (7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale – This is a scale of comparative hardness devised in 1822 by Friedrich Mohs, a German mineralogist. Hardness can be described as the ability to resist abrasion when a pointed fragment of another gem substance is drawn across it.) and an eye-catching clarity. That hardness makes it tough which makes it a good stone to set and wear in rings.
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February birthstone
Posted on | February 1, 2013 | Comments Off on February birthstone
February birthstone is amethyst.
To me amethyst is quite a regal stone, I love it paired with peridot, and it’s a favourite with our customers whether they have a February birthday or not!
It looks really beautiful in both white and gold metals as shown here. It’s also one of my favourite stones which looks beautiful whether faceted or polilshed round and smooth.
Left photograph shows Vortex ring in 18ct yellow gold with princess cut amethyst, right photograph shows Husk large silver ring with cabochon amethyst.
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“The February-born shall find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they an amethyst will wear.”
Wedding ring making – bride & groom
Posted on | January 31, 2013 | Comments Off on Wedding ring making – bride & groom
On Saturday a lovely couple joined our Ring/Bangle making workshop to make each other’s wedding rings.
They took some fantastic photos of the process and shared them with us.
Below shows their silver rings, before we’ll cast them in palladium and white gold.
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For more information on making your own wedding rings, take a look here. |
January birthstone
Posted on | January 3, 2013 | Comments Off on January birthstone
Garnets are such beautiful stones – I love to use the very deep blood reds from Mozambique, so rich and wearable. The colour reminds me of pomegranate, red apples, and dramatic fairy tale reds. They are sometimes considered to represent love, and are the brithstone for January.
On the Mohs scale which ranks mineral hardness (where diamond is 10) garnet has a hardness of around 7. Interestinlgy, to me they look to have an orange hue before they’re set, then look very dark once encased in the metal.
They’re said to have been used for thousands of years, and can be seen in Roman and Anglo-Saxon pieces.
“By her who in this month (January) is born
No gem save garnets should be worn;
They will ensure her constancy,
True friendship, and fidelity.”
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November birthstone
Posted on | November 1, 2012 | Comments Off on November birthstone
“Who first comes to this world below
With drear November’s fog and snow,
Should prize the topaz’s amber hue,
Emblem of friends and lovers true.”
Topaz is the November birthstone. Here it is described with an “amber hue” but it can also be brown, clear, red-pink, green, or blue.
I like to use the blue stones in my work – Swiss Blue or London Blue mostly. London Blue is darker and more inky, but Swiss Blue is so bright and cheerful!
In her book “The Crystal Bible” Judy Hall says “Topaz helps you to discover your own inner riches. It makes you feel confident and philanthropic, wanting to share your good fortune and spread sunshine all around. Negativity does not survive around joyful Topaz.”
Whether because of its bright, happy appearance or because of its empowering properties it’s a really popular choice in the shop with customers and the team – Charlotte wears a Swiss Blue large Husk ring, Bec wears a London Blue Husk ring, and Lili wants both! My favourite at the moment is the Snowball ring (pictured below).
What do you think?
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Kirstie’s Vintage Home Series & Book
Posted on | October 9, 2012 | Comments Off on Kirstie’s Vintage Home Series & Book
Kirstie’s Vintage Home – Channel 4
Rachel was asked to appear on Kirstie Allsopp’s Homemade Home programme in a special wedding edition that aired on Channel 4.
Rachel taught a couple how to make their own wedding rings, and Kirstie how to make a silver bangle that became a gift for the bride-to-be.
Filming was great fun and the production team were very thorough. It was a wonderful insight into how a TV show comes together. The hard work put in by the team continued after filming as further research was made to produce the Kirstie’s Vintage Home book which accompanied the series. Look out for Rachel’s appearance… on page 204.
 Filming with Channel 4 for Kirstie’s Homemade Home.
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 Rachel and Kirstie outside the Vintage Home shop used for filming.
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Wheeler Dealers
Posted on | September 24, 2012 | Comments Off on Wheeler Dealers
Wheeler Dealers – Discovery Channel, Quest
Car enthusiast Mike Brewer teams up with mechanics and other experts to repair and restore classic cars.
In our very our workshop, Rachel was filmed creating a dashboard panel for a classic car, from a silver trophy.
It was so much fun to film – laughter filled the workshop.
Secrets of the Royal Jewels
Posted on | September 24, 2012 | Comments Off on Secrets of the Royal Jewels
Secrets of the Royal Jewels – Channel 5
In 2020, Rachel was asked to participate in this channel 5 series which looked at some royal jewellery treasures.
For British royalty, jewellery is no mere adornment. The programme takes a look at the history of some of the most iconic pieces of jewellery and its history with the British Royal family. From the stones to the setting, everything has significance… from Diana’s divorce ring to a cursed tiara, to the headwear battle between Megan and Engine…
The show features many leading jewellery houses and Rachel was asked to speak about the Pearl of the Dee brooch which she created for the Queen Mother.