Author: Jewellery Monthly

In the first of a series, we explore a variety of diamond shapes starting here with the Cushion cut. We hope that these are a brief, yet informative guide to help you select that ideal shape for your finger. Cushion cut diamond shape The Cushion cut distinguishes itself in the shape of a square with rounded corners – hence a “pillow-like” look that matches the name. This is a personal favourite diamond shape for us as you can get a square or rectangle (for those who like geometric symmetry) but without pointed corners (which pose the most risk to the…

Shining Diamonds, the independent jewellery retailer, have opened their first store in London. The store has opened in the coveted jewellery spot of Hatton Garden, within the Holborn district of London. Customers have been able to check out the store for themselves since Saturday 5th May. Shining Diamonds started out as an online-only retailer for quality, yet low priced diamonds. However, plans to open a store were put in place as most higher value customers preferred to view the diamonds and the jewellery they are buying. Whilst the online market is growing for classic designs for lower to average budgets,…

Meghan Markle sent the ring back to her ex, but what would YOU do? Research has revealed that 42% of brutal Brits wouldn’t hesitate to put their ring on eBay following a separation/divorce. Following news that Meghan Markle posted her engagement ring back to her ex, F.Hinds decided to conduct research into what exactly the British public decided to do with unwanted engagement rings. 42% of people would sell their ring on eBay after a breakup/divorce 7% of thrifty fiancés in the UK admit that they would re-use the ring Case studies reveal what brutal things people did with their engagement ring…

So, you’ve met ‘the one’ for you. Congratulations! Maybe you met at University or on Tinder, or someone introduced you at a wedding. However it was that you first met, sparks flew, and you overcame the not insignificant odds faced by your generation in getting together and staying together. Odds like spiralling housing costs and the reality that you probably had to live with others (at least in the beginning) when you first took the plunge and moved in together. The economic uncertainty you’ve faced and your student debt, the missed weekends while you travel for work and the late…

Costume jewellery has been an integral part of characterisation throughout film history, as they are invaluable, meaningful, and glamorous all at the same time. Although there are many iconic movies, there are a few in which the jewellery is almost a headliner in its own right. Grab your popcorn as we round up our top 8 iconic pieces of jewellery that were showcased on the silver screen. Breakfast at Tiffany’s Multi-Strand Pearl Necklace The opening scene of 1961’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s is one of the most memorable character introductions in history. A stunning Audrey Hepburn stood in front of a…

Jewellery is always a first choice of gift for any important occasion, but sometimes only something truly unique will do. Whether you’re commemorating a milestone anniversary or birthday, whether you want to impress a special someone, or whether you simply want to show a person just how much they’re loved and appreciated, you need to find something that really expresses your feelings in a unique way. What could be better than a necklace or earrings made from genuine miniature rose petals? The Eternity Rose has spent years honing their techniques and have perfected the art of glazing real natural roses to…

Wild Ilk Design Studio has unveiled a new lookbook for luxury watch designer and maker C. & R. Struthers Watchmakers. Founded by husband and wife Craig and Rebecca Struthers – w​​ho have 30 years of experience in vintage and antique watch restoration, as well as award-winning design and research – Struthers design and create bespoke, hand-crafted timepieces for clients all over the world. Because every item is made to order, each commissioned piece is sent to its new owner as soon as it’s complete, meaning Struthers doesn’t hold stock and rarely has any physical examples of its work in the…

In the lives of the rich and famous, £600,000 for a diamond encrusted Christmas tree topper is seen as acceptable. And it doesn’t stop there, there are pens available for just short of £1 million and Rolex watches fitted with diamonds for close to £45,000. Together with Angelic Diamonds, retailers of stunning engagement rings , we take a look at the market of expensive goods and investigate how some items earned their price tags. The attraction to pricey purchases Of course, many of the super-rich make expensive purchases simply because they have the disposable income to do so. But, there are other…

Fashion can be unpredictable with its boomeranging trends. The good things come back but with a slight update. The 90’s trends have made a remarkable comeback and fashion enthusiasts can be seen wearing belly shirts, floral dresses, neon accents and of course, choker necklaces. Choker necklaces have been around for hundreds of years. If you look carefully, you will realise chokers are reinvented every decade. Curators of Jewelry Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) Boston, Yvonne Markowitz, the Rita J. Kaplan and Susan B. Kaplan said that the origin of a simple choker necklace dates back to 1500 BC.  Chokers are…

For the first time ever, a selection of the best of Czech contemporary jewellery comes to London. The exhibition commissioned by Czech Centre London will be hosted at the East London Gallery S O. As part of London Craft Week, ‘Purity and Decadence: Contemporary Czech Jewellery’ is set to celebrate and inspire the design industry throughout May. While Czech glass and costume jewellery already have a strong reputation in the United Kingdom, Purity and Decadence is the first group exhibition showcasing several generations of contemporary Czech jewellery and metalwork to the British audience. Each of the presented artists are renowned…

Sally Cuthbert’s latest Littlehouse Jewellery collection, titled  ‘Albert21’, is being launched on Friday 27 April 2018 at the Open Eye Gallery, Abercromby Place, Edinburgh. This solo exhibition, running until Saturday 6 June, is a collection of over 20 necklace designs, all handmade in Sterling Silver and focused on the key design elements of elegance, timelessness, durability and comfort. Having had discussions with her friends and commission requests from her clients, Sally was made aware of the strong requirement for jewellery pieces that women can wear in their professional lives that are not only unique but that are of a lasting…

We all love a new beautiful piece of jewellery, however to keep the exquisite shine throughout its lifetime regular care is required. Through following the steps outlined below you will prevent potential damage whilst also ensuring your ring is always displayed at its best. In addition to maintaining the sparkle you are also protecting against long-term costs such as stone replacement or metal repair, allowing your ring to be treasured and passed on for generations to come. 1. Store your ring correctly Storing your rings correctly includes keeping each piece secured separately in a safe dry place. By separating jewellery…

Senti Fiori is an innovative, luxurious jewellery range created by mother-daughter design team Selina and Sarah. The Senti Fiori lotus  jewellery set, made of solid 925 sterling silver, is hallmarked and handcrafted in the United Kingdom by acclaimed silversmiths and jewellers. The lotus piece makes  a bold statement with its unique, physical design and with a slight twist of its centre, the fragrance will be released. The wearer can opt to use her own favourite perfume or the signature Senti Fiori 100% natural perfume oil. The set is an interchangeable system which allows the wearer to customise her look. This extensive…

Cheffins is strengthening its position as one of the leading regional fine art auction houses with the appointment of Steven Collins as Head of Jewellery, Silver and Watches. Steven joins the Cambridge-based team after over 30 years in the jewellery, silver and watch industry. Previously having worked for Asprey, Garrard & Co, the London Assay Office and a series of other reputable jewellers Steven is an FGA and DGA qualified gemmologist with international experience in the buying and grading of gem stones. He also has significant experience in the identification of Rolex, Omega and other leading wristwatch brands as well…

Danish jewellery brand PANDORA have partnered with Melbourne experience design agency YourStudio to create a engaging multi-sensory retail store to launch their new collection PANDORA Shine. YourStudio conceptualised a beehive to create energy and excitement in Sydney’s Pitt Street Mall, and also to showcase the beautiful product using geometric shapes and gold tones.  Taken cues from PANDORA’s geometric honeycomb charm design, YourStudio have designed and built an immersive 5 meter high installation called ‘The Hive’ to replicate a working beehive. This includes ‘Humming Hubs’ that incorporate scent and sound, LED light panels that mimic the movement of bees and the…

Chapelle Jewellery to Open New Store in Gunwharf Quays Designer Outlet in May 2018. Leading jewellery outlet retailer, Chapelle Jewellery has announced that it will open a new flagship store at Gunwharf Quays Designer Outlet. Gunwharf Quays Designer Outlet is a bustling outlet centre, popular among local residents and visitors searching for designer brands at discount prices. The approximately 1000sq ft Chapelle Jewellery store will offer a wide range of designer watches and jewellery, from diamond engagement rings to fashion styles at discount prices. They will showcase designer watch brands from Casio, Emporio Armani, Dreyfuss & Co and Luminox with…

Luxury jewellery line delighted to see pearl pins being worn by actors to support women in the industry A jewellery brand that provides trend-setting women keen to explore their individuality with a stunning collection of pearl jewellery pieces is celebrating the rare stone gaining more recognition thanks to ‘Time’s Up Pins’ that were worn by men at the Golden Globes recently. Pearl-Lang, a contemporary jewellery line that offers a range of high-quality and ethically-sourced pearl pieces including earrings, bracelets and necklaces, is keen to draw attention to the pearl pins that were worn by A-list actors including Tom Hanks and…

Do you prefer those sparkling jewelry pieces or gems of high quality and lasting value, preloved and cherished? Yes! Sometimes some of the best pieces are vintage finds. There is a wide section of people like you who enjoy wearing vintage jewelry and love the idea of owning antique furnishings. However, such jewellery can be costly or difficult to find. If you decide to search for vintage jewellery here’s a few tips to help you on your way. 1. Explore your brands Well there’s vintage jewelry and there is designer vintage jewelry. Your families heirlooms may have some some value but there’s some great pieces to look out for…

Leading Scottish-themed Jewellery Brand MaeVona are set to continue their American success story in the UK with their innovative “Try at Home” service direct to UK customers. MaeVona, founded by Scottish Designer Maeve Gillies in the USA in 2005, has built a dedicated following for unique Diamond Engagement Rings with a beautiful Celtic twist. Maeve Gillies, a graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, wants to bring her sought after creations home, with the launch of a dedicated UK website at www.maevona.co.uk. “Choose up to 4 bestselling ring designs to Try at Home, with no commitment to buy and…

With the evolution/advent of the internet and technology, it’s never been easier to buy what you want, when you want, at a price you want. Indeed, the days of heading to Hatton Garden or browsing the shops in Mayfair to buy an engagement ring are declining as more and more find buying fine jewellery online an accepted practice. If you wish to join this growing trend then this article is dedicated to helping you understand things to look out for to make sure you get the best deal and hope that you will feel more comfortable using the internet for such an important and emotional…

Sasha Jewellery is a new Men’s Jewellery Brand headed up by award winning designer Alexandra Afanasyeva.  Featuring a impressive range of men’s accessories from the stylish and chic Black Tie Collection to the more industrial EX90°00′00′′ men’s jewellery collection which conceptualises the spirit of exploration and polar expeditions. Closely linked to such notions as identity and rite of passage the range features artefacts such as Climbing gear, survival equipment and various tools including ones from Inuit tribes and those dating back to the Ice Age. These items are the main basis for the collection. The pieces are made of a rich combination pewter and…

Amazon is a huge market place for buying a range of useful products. Along comes prime delivery making next day and free delivery the norm for online purchases. It’s quick, it’s simple and just easy to use. They have an extensive and dedicated Jewellery & Watch section on their site offering items from a range of merchants from cost effective Silver earrings to Gold rings that require that little bit more investment. We were interested to know what some of the best selling products are. The list below is taken from their published list of Best Selling Jewellery and is compiled by volume of…

The desire for personalised jewellery coupled with the lust for high quality unique design has seen Whistle + Bango’s distinctive range of personalised enamel jewellery boom. Unlike 99% of personalised jewellery, Whistle + Bango’s range is cleverly embossed rather than engraved to give their pieces a statement twist. Quality is not compromised down to their commitment to sourcing the very best metals and enamel meaning that you can wear your jewellery year after year without it chipping, tarnishing or breaking. We love a gift with sentiment and so are delighted to hear about the launch of Whistle + Bango’s new…

U Black unveils ‘Unico’: pure gold spurs with gemstones, totally customisable. Created by master goldsmiths and designers boasting the craftsmanship of the highest made in Italy jewellery. A personalised jewel that moves​ ​come from an ancient, prestigious past; designed to charm, moulded to last​. Exclusive since every dream, every love, is unique. ​VICENZA, Italy (January ​10​th​, 2018​). From now on the dream comes true. The constant pursuit of an elegant perfection – axis around which horsemanship revolves – takes shape. That of a precious object whispering in all its refined lustre: “Dream. Desire. Love. Dare more, dare to choose the perfection inside you”.…

A gang of 5 men, wielding axes, steal millions of euros worth of Jewellery in Movie style heist at a Jewellery Store located at the Ritz hotel in central Paris. According to French media a stash of Precious stones of over 4 million Euros (£3.5m) was stolen and reports of Gun Fire were heard by various witnesses. The Gang of 5 made the smash and grab at the luxurious five-star Ritz which is located in Place Vendôme in Paris. Next door to the ministry of justice the Ritz is situated in the historical first district on the bank of the river Seine. The…

Antwerp – Celebrating its 30th Anniversary, Fine Group is delighted to unveil their new corporate identity flanked by the launch of a new dazzling diamond jewellery collection. Today, to mark this significant milestone, the company proudly announced the introduction of their new brand identity, reflecting both the heritage of the company as well as its vision for the future. “We’ve kept the visual elements that honoured our history but we emphasised our forward-thinking mindset and our focus on creativity,” quoted Viral Kothari, Director of the Fine Jewellery Group. With the writing of this new chapter, Fine Group will be launching…

According to a recent survey, 67% of women are “devastated” the Prince is now off the market.  Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are the couple that the public most want to see wed Liam Hemsworth is the male celebrity that most Brits wish was single instead of in a relationship Tom Hardy and Jennifer Lawrence are the celebs the public want to date the most Full findings and graphics can be found here Nothing beats the glitz and glamour of a royal wedding when it comes to celebrity marriages, new research has revealed.  43% of the UK public have said that a…

The popularity of Engagement rings over the last 50 years has almost pushed aside the more simple wedding ring in favour of a sparkling diamond, glittering atop a women’s finger. Sitting in comfortable silence the wedding ring I feel still holds more value, more memories and more importantly a lifelong promise. Exchanging rings during a wedding ceremony is an ancient tradition which generally consisted of a crudely fashioned, simple metal bands, has grown into the creation of beautifully crafted, precious metal bands made of Gold, Silver and Platinum.  Simple wedding bands are still a popular choice but more modern alternatives can enhance and compliment your engagement…

Trollbeads an introduction – 1976 Created by silversmith Søren Nielsen in Denmark in 1976, the first Trollbeads were eccentric silver charms with an opening through the center that could be hung on a bit of calfskin rather than the more traditional eyelet. The beads were initially sold in the adornments store of Søren’s dad, Svend Nielsen in Copenhagen. In 1987, Søren’s sister Lise opened a second store in Lyngby. In the 1980’s Trollbeads presented a chain with a bolt that could be physically removed and afterward reattached, making it workable for customers to explore different blends and bead arrangements. Read more on Trollbeads story…

We asked our editor and owner of Design Agency Lionsorbet Stephen Irvine to provide us his top 20 Jewellery Website designs of 2017. As a company that specialise in Jewellery Website design we feel they are perfectly placed to offer their views on the industries best designs. Stephen notes “As part of our design process we naturally look for inspiration and trends within Jewellery Retail and online eccommerce. We all have our favourites with some companies being trend setters and others following closely behind . Designers are generally led by their clients and you have to be careful not to follow trends too…