Blog

What Is A Cocktail Ring?

A cocktail ring is an exuberantly large ring, often set with a colourful precious stone in a complex design or surrounded by diamonds. Cocktail rings have been around since their inception in the 1920s and have consistently come back into fashion ever since. They are ostentatious, expensive, and, most importantly, intrinsically linked to a sense of fun.

The Significance of Birthstones: January and Garnet

Birthstones are used in many different types of jewellery and have been for decades, and they’re a great way to choose jewellery that you have a more personal connection to. Certain birthstones are gems that have been used consistently throughout history, such as the garnet, and they have historically been popular in engagement rings, necklaces, and bracelets.

Spotlight On: Robert Goossens

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).

What is Marcasite Jewellery?

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 it’s for this reason it’s such a sought-after vintage gemstone.

Different Types of Necklaces

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

A Guide to Suffragette 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.

The Story of Rene Lalique: Art Nouveau Jeweller

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

A-Z of Gemstones

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.

Spotlight On Kenny Jay Lane

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.

Diamond Size Guide

When buying a brilliant vintage diamond engagement ring, the diamond shape and size 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.