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Born into a family of metal foundry workers in Paris in 1927, Robert Goossens became a 20th-century jewellery icon, best known for his extravagant rock crystal sautoirs and Byzantine cuffs, which earned him the moniker Monsieur Bijou (Mr Jewel).

Used for millennia, marcasite is a gemstone that features in many distinctive jewellery pieces. The term ‘marcasite’ generally refers to jewellery set with the semi-precious stone, but also to jewellery made from silver with tiny pieces of its chemical twin, pyrite. Marcasite creates a uniquely intricate design that is instantly recognisable, and this sort of jewellery has been sought-after in vintage pieces over the last few years.

Jean Dunand, an Art Deco designer and sculptor distinguished by his unmatched genius in lacquer, is widely regarded as one of the few Western artists to have practised the Japanese style of lacquer execution. Primarily concerned with lacquer, Dunand also became renowned for his distinguished dinanderie (fine cast metalwork), establishing him as one of the foremost Renaissance artists of the Art Deco period.

February’s birthstone is the amethyst, a purple stone that is a variety of quartz. With a triangular crystal system, the stone forms by lining a cavity within basalt rock – known as a geode.

There are many different types of necklaces that have been popular throughout history, and many of them are still popular now. Necklace design has evolved over time to reflect changing trends and techniques, but many necklaces from the last 200 years still take influence from more antiquated jewellery.

The story of the Suffragette movement is a part of national history that intertwines politics, social justice, feminism, and culture. The suffragettes were an iconic force in the advancement of women’s rights, and they left behind a legacy in the form of huge cultural shifts as well as much smaller impacts on the world, like the idea of Suffragette jewellery.

French jeweller and glass artist, Rene Lalique, is famed for his elegant designs. During the early 20^th Century, his unique jewellery and glasswork made a significant contribution to the Art Nouveau movement.

Gemstones are pieces of mineral crystal that can be cut and polished to make jewellery. They come in all shapes and sizes, and there are hundreds of types out there on the market. Diamonds, emeralds, amethysts, and rubies are all examples of gemstones. Some organic materials that are used for jewellery are often described as being gemstones even though they aren’t technically: amber, pearl, and jet are all examples of this.

Kenneth Jay Lane was a designer who built a jewellery empire specialising in fake and junk jewellery – or ‘faque’ and ‘junque’ – as he wryly put it. Considered the first American jeweller to make faux jewellery chic, Lane led a luxurious, jet-setting lifestyle, attending A-list soirees all over the globe, including the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Morocco, and Egypt. In this blog, we chronicle the life, jewellery, and lasting legacy of Kenneth Jay Lane.

When buying a diamond engagement ring, the size of the diamond is a crucial consideration. In this blog, we will help you develop an understanding of how diamond sizing works, so you can be confident when choosing the perfect gemstone for your partner.