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The Little Black Book of Jewellery Terms

Ever felt like you’ve stumbled into a foreign land of unknown territory like Alice falling into wonderland whilst a constant whirlwind of name-drops and fancy words are thrown your way? Welcome to the Jewellery world! Welcome to the Benchpeg library of learning! Listen up and take note as there's a lot to be said for confidently slipping some technical babble into conversation to elevate your respect and cachet within the Jewellery world... Assay Hallmark: The hallmark and coding indicating the office which has assayed a piece of Jewellery. Baguette Cut: A gemstone which has been cut and set into a

How are you? A little note from us to you

Hello How are you? We’ve missed you. You may have been wondering where we have been. Like all of us, Benchpeg has had to acclimatise to a ‘new normal’ and this has taken some time. We’ve had to weather a few storms before but this global pandemic is something none of us have experienced in our lifetimes. For Benchpeg, this has meant a number of personal and professional issues including the hospitalisation of one of our children with a Covid-19 scare, who is thankfully fine now. Unfortunately, this meant putting Benchpeg on hold temporarily while we hunkered down and dealt

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

App-ccessories: The Rise of Wearable Tech

Humans have adorned themselves in jewels, metal mixes and delicately embellished accessories for tens of thousands of years. But for what reason? The answer quite simply put is because jewellery looks pretty. Bejewelled adornments, up until now, has had a limited repertoire of functionality. The mirage of glistening and sparkling rings we flash upon our fingers may well tell us the status of our relationship whilst that watch on your wrist tells you the time of day but aside from this, they provide very little purpose. In most circumstances, the jewellery we wear is purely to add a little charm,

Symposium: Made in the Middle, Meet the Maker

Made in the Middle: Meet the Maker Symposium Talking Practice, in association with Vittoria Street Gallery and Craftspace, is delighted to present Made in the Middle: Meet the Maker. Please join us for an afternoon symposium exploring the routes into business for new and more established craftspeople, and an evening soiree in the company of the Made in the Middle exhibitors over a glass of wine. The Symposium is comprised of two panels, the first with makers who are embarking on their careers and the second with those who are perhaps a little more seasoned by experience. They will give

Insta hashtags prompt sales in lockdown

The artist Matthew Burrows set up an artist-led movement and network on 16th March 2020 to support artists struggling financially during Covid-19 using the social media platform Instagram – with a simple pledge. The pledge #artistsupportpledge created a much needed route to market in lockdown for artists and makers. He released a statement saying that within a month “…from making the first sales pledge I am a little awe struck yet completely delighted by the momentum and viral take up of this campaign. It is not just an important network and survival mechanism for artists: It has become a global Hear

Gemfields brings to auction the Kafubu Cluster, a colossal 37,555-gram cluster of emeralds

Discovered at the Kagem emerald mine in Zambia in March 2020, the Kafubu Cluster is a colossal cluster of emeralds. Close inspection of the 37,555-gram (187,775 carat) cluster reveals that it contains very little matrix or other minerals, meaning the piece is almost entirely made up of emeralds, which, given its sheer size and formation, makes this a very rare find indeed. The Kafubu Cluster, our gentle giant, is a testament to the high-quality gemstones that can be produced when Mother Nature allows time for the various crystals to form deep within the Earth’s crust. Gemfields’ geologists describe the formation

News Edit: 17 November 2024

A curated edit of this week's national and international jewellery news... This Is What It’s Like to Sleep Above a Jewelry Store in Paris Harpers Bazaar reports: At 1, Place Vendôme, you can stay a little while inside the glittering, glamorous world of Chopard. www.harpersbazaar.com These diamond jewellery collections whisper, not shout Vogue reports: You’ve no doubt heard the terms 'demure', 'mindful' and 'quiet luxury' bandied about recently. Understatement is the mood of the times, as proven by these jewellery collections that wear their luxury with a whisper. vogue.sg The Round Up: Statement Crystal Jewellery Sheerlux reports: From fringe earrings

20 Years in the Making

20 Years in the Making 27 April - 22 June 2024 Part of Craft Festival’s 20-year celebration Amazingly, Craft Festival has been going for 20 years. What started as a small project with 2000 visitors in Bovey Tracey has grown into the fantastic, diverse and vibrant event it now is, shaping the town where it started into the ‘Capital of Craft’, spreading the word to Cheltenham, Cardiff and online, and perhaps even transforming our views of making to appreciate the handmade that little bit more. In recognition of this, Sarah James, Director of Craft Festival and Find a Maker, was

Suri Jewelry: Memories from Renaissance

The women painted by the great Venetian Masters wear jewelry and precious stones, fabrics from the East, embraced by smoky atmospheres of incense and fragrances writes Ilaria Ruggiero. Since childhood Giulia Vecchiato admired the jewels of the eccentric ladies who live in Venice, as they were amulets to access the past and ancient times. She started very little to build her own jewelry by assembling scrap metal found in her house, seals, scraps of fabrics mounted on curtains’ pendant. Growing up and studing traditional techniques of goldsmith, she started her own journey into the jewelry field, by developing a very

Homage to Earth: Hidden Treasures by Teresa Seabra

During one of her last visits to India, Teresa Seabra met an old man who had been collecting wonderful dendritic agates since his childhood. He then confided her with great sadness, that none of his successors cared about his treasure. She so decided to take some of them, working with these mysterious stones by combining them with others, with tiny Basra pearls and rough little diamonds writes Ilaria Ruggiero. Necklace: Hidden Treasures I, 2016 Oxidized silver, dendritic agates and crystal rock Necklace: Hidden Treasures II, 2016 Gold, dendritic agates and amber Agate is the name given to numerous varieties of banded Chalcedony,

Eco Metal Masterclass – Recycling Precious Metals

Eco Metals Masterclass Sunday 5 November Dunblane, Scotland As increasingly more makers and designers are looking for ways to make their practice more sustainable and less impactful to the environment, CSSJ will host an ‘Eco Metal’ workshop dedicated to learning skills and methods needed to recycle gold, silver and other metals. With very little equipment, it is possible to melt down pieces of precious metal and turn them into fabulous cast pieces of jewellery within a home studio environment! This workshop will focus on charcoal ingots and granulation with students leaving the workshop with a unique cast ring. Other ingot

Junior Production Associate, Fernando Jorge - London

Junior Production Associate Fernando Jorge London Fernando Jorge’s evolution from dynamic emerging talent to globally recognised brand has unfolded in little more than a decade. Since founding his eponymous label in 2011, Jorge has swiftly gained international recognition, earning industry acclaim and receiving prestigious awards. Born in Brazil and based in London, Jorge’s unique design aesthetic stems from his multicultural perspective. His jewellery blends the attitudes of his two homes -the sensuality and vibrant warmth of Brazil with the refinement and rebellious spirit of British style - creating a visual language that is at once elegant and contemporary. Fernando Jorge

'Out Of The Shallows’ - Falkland Islands jeweller Alice Clarke's new collection

Fine jeweller Alice Clarke creates one of a kind ocean treasures at the bottom of the World in the Falkland Islands. Her new collection ‘Out Of The Shallows’ was launched last week in New York at the Melee The Show. Living and working in the Falkland Islands, where her waterfront studio sits in Stanley, with a population of 3,000, Alice creates all her work in-house. From casting to stone setting, Alice’s little workshop is a hub of creativity. Alice exhibited her jewellery collections in New York for the first time at the beginning of August. Her “ very nautical year”,

Tiffany & Co.: The Story Behind the Style

Tiffany & Co.: The Story Behind the Style by Rachael Taylor Tiffany & Co.: The Story Behind the Style is a beautifully illustrated, handbag-sized visual history of one of the world's most iconic brands. Open the world's most famous little blue box to discover the story of Tiffany & Co. since its founding in 1837. Packed with photographs and information from the company's 185 years, get a glimpse of the legendary designs that have made Tiffany & Co. a household name. Starting in New York City in 1837, you will discover just how far plucky upstart Charles Lewis Tiffany went

The Handmade Fair 2017

The Handmade Fair is brought to you by Kirstie Allsopp and is all about appreciating the beauty of handmade, and learning the skills to become a maker yourself. Whether your day at the Fair teaches you how to make something yourself, upcycle a piece you already own, or if you buy it from an expert, it’s here to help everyone to make their life a little more beautiful. The Shopping Villages are full to the brim with handmade products of the highest quality, brought to you by our hand-picked and incredibly talented makers, along with an enviable range of tools

'Tis the season for gift giving

Scratching your head on what to get your mother, sister, friend or lover this Christmas? A little package dressed up with tassels, bows and frills will cause that sought-after thrill for sure - and that's before they see something extra special and sparkly nestled inside! The old adage 'Diamonds are a girl's best friend' may still ring true for many, but here at BenchPeg, we'd argue that bold and colourful gemstones, weighty chains and eccentric designs are just as desirable for that jewellery lover in your life. We all know that there is a keep-forever piece out there for just about

Yellow Bright Lights

After what can only be described as one down-right glorious May bank holiday weekend, It's safe to say that Britain has been swept away by a wave of happiness. Summertime happiness feels just that little bit more special and sentimental when basking in the warmth of the sun. It seems only fitting that with this sudden burst of blazing heat and pimms by the bucketload that we tailor our jewellery game to the occasion. When you think of summer, happiness and positivity, what colour instantly comes to mind...? Why Juicy lemon yellows and citrus bursts of canary brights of course!

Artisan Paul Wayne Gregory creates a giant Rotary Greenwich Timepiece replica from Chocolate for C4's Extreme Chocolate Makers

Last week, Rotary made its TV debut on the Channel 4 show, Extreme Chocolate Makers. The new series follows chocolatiers from around the UK as they tackle tricky builds and complicated commissions in an attempt to deliver a little bit of chocolate heaven. Ahead of its 125th birthday, Rotary commissioned Paul Wayne Gregory, of the TV show, to create a griant-sized replica of one of their most popular watches. The Greenwich timepiece, is a particularly challenging feat in chocolatiering- with its skeletal detailing and intricately detailed face. Image caption or copyright Paul, who creates bespoke chocolate commissions for a living, has

Make Your Mark Awards 2019 Winners Announced

Now in its third year, the Make Your Mark award ceremony, organised by the Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office, was held on Tuesday as part of the wider Make Your Mark event. The event, and the competition, were designed to celebrate and promote the British Hallmark. As the event is largely geared towards newcomers to the trade, the competition has two entrance categories, one for industry members who completed their training within the last 5 years, and one to accommodate those who are a little earlier in their careers, for students and apprentices. Dr Robert Organ, Deputy Warden of the

Style Buzz: Bejewelled Bugs

Something has been buzzing around at the back of the fashion world for some while now, creeping slowly towards the limelight ready to make a style strike. Arrange a line of spiders, beetles, ladybirds and other multiple-legged bugs and just about anyone would squirm with discomfort and unease. Yet somehow, arrange the same little critters moulded and shaped in brass, silver, jewels and crystals and they suddenly become far more alluring and compelling. Gold glittered ladybirds and dragonflies may have adorned your headbands and pencil cases as a young girl but fast forward a few years and they're flying back

Signet rings all the rage again

The recent hike in signet ring sales, among both men and women, represents a tiny sliver of heraldry history, with trends and customs in 'pinky' rings and regalia dating back almost 3,500 years. Today, it is no longer necessary have a family coat of arms and a small fortune to wear a signet ring. Most high street jewellers can engrave initials on a ring for as little as £100 but the desire to embellish one's appearance with an item that indicates heritage and pedigree or power remains as strong as it was in around 1300 BC when the Greeks and

Crafts for Christmas 2017

Crafts for Christmas 2017 Come along to our annual Crafts for Christmas Fayre to browse a wonderful collection of OVER 50 STALLS including jewellery, wood, glass, ceramics, textiles, craft and so much more! Enjoy FESTIVE ENTERTAINMENT and an outdoor BIRDS OF PREY DISPLAY in the beautiful castle gardens. There is something for the little ones too including CHILDREN'S CRAFT WORKSHOP and FACEPAINTING by Fabulous Faces! Relax over coffee and cake whilst taking in the stunning sea views from our café before continuing on to the food hall in our medieval Tythe Barn where you will find FOOD STALLS including bread,

The Ultimate Engagement Ring Guide

When it comes to engagement rings, the right style, colour, size, band, decoration and price is as unique as the wearer themselves! So when it comes to picking the right ring for your wife or husband to be, it's no wonder that many end up feeling overwhelmed as after all! If you're going to wear a ring for the rest of your life, you've got to make sure it's something pretty that hits the spot! Whilst one person may like a single diamond solitaire, another may want something a little unique with a Padparadscha sapphire pop! “Love is just a

Seeing Elegance in the Everyday - Kinley Jewellery's Award Winning Grid Collection

Kinley Jewellery is the brain-child of jeweller Laura Williams. Meeting her at New Desiners, she spoke with us about the unique inspiration for her award-winning 'Grid' collection. The collection's motif is wire pushed through a grid, cut to different lengths to create a ripple effect on the surface. At first glace, one could easily mistake the makers' inspiration for a pin-art board, but upon speaking with Laura, we were surpised to learn the collection's inspiration was a little closer to home- stickle bricks! Laura expertly negotiates the fine line between a jeuvenile stimuli and Kinley's mature style, which are seemingly

Precious Pearl for Those Born in June

What better way is there to celebrate the fact that we're exactly half way through the year than with a little organic charm for all those June babies out there?! Those born in June are lucky enough to have not just one but three birthstones associated with their birthday; pearls, alexandrite's and moonstones. Unlike most other gemstones that are found within the Earth, Pearls are unique in that they have an organic origin. Pearls are often either created inside the shells of living creatures such as clams and oysters or occur naturally in the mollusks of freshwater species in rivers

Indulge In Some Detail Therapy

In a fashion frenzied world where velour juicy tracksuits are becoming the new LBD and rubber crocs are suddenly the seasonal It shoe, the easiest way to stand out in the crowd is simply through your dramatic adornments! With high-street fashion positively blooming with Springtime must-haves and our bank accounts starting to recharge back to health after the festive blowouts, we risk looking like trend-heavy clones of each other. Here at Benchpeg we fervently believe that to inject a sense of individual flair and pizzaz it comes down to one little game changer: It's all in the detail. An easy,

Trend Tease: Keeping It Cool with Fan-studded Finery

Step outside the box of everyday monotamy for a night of shimmying and swaying in old-deco glitz and allure with something a little etherial, exotic and fanning from afar. The hand fan is a classic artefact that originates far back into prehistoric times, first being a device of practicality in keeping its' wearer cool and keeping fires bright and live with oxygen. As time progressed these very same fans transformed into decorative and ornamental pieces that many carried as an artistic symbolism of class. Embellished representations of these hand fans originate back to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and later

Amethyst In The Violet Spotlight

For those birthday babies of February, purple Amethyst marks the precious birthstone of highly esteemed legendary powers and symbolic mythology. February delivers an unpredictable month of gloomy rain showers, shivering temperatures amongst the short, dark days of monotony for many. The semi-precious violet birthstone of Amethyst therefore provides a soothing antidote of strength to fight the February fatigue and inject a little warmth through its calming properties of of peace, stability and courage. As one of the most widely used naturally hard gems, Amethyst is generally sourced in the form of six-sided crystals and contains the second most abundant minerals

The Handmade Fair 2017

About Benchpeg

A little bit about our history... 18 years ago, the UK jewellery industry was lacking accessible information. Organisations in the trade were keeping themselves to themselves, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with the latest developments. In 2006 we founded Benchpeg, and launched the first digital newsletter for the jewellery industry and allied trades aimed at promoting information from across the trade and bridging the gap of information out there and accessibility to it. In 2024 we published our 800th issue of the Benchpeg newsletter. Today we support the jeweller by assisting with recruitment needs, sharing the

Knuckling Down The Look: Midi Rings

Mysterious, laid-back, nonchalantly cool and nailing the cool girl status by being entirely noncommittal in following the status quo...say hello to the middle rise of the midi ring. This dainty but fierce finger accessory sauntered her flirty flair upon the fashion scene during the boho boom early last year but instead of nestling back down into the fashion wardrobe awaiting a resurgence to emerge, this little minx has rebelliously fixed herself upon the mainstream trend agenda and is here to coax us round her middle finger once more! Just like the charcoal ribbed midi skirts you've been sashaying around in,

Hoops Of Summer Fun: Trend Alert '16

Guess whose back, back again? Miss Hoop is back, c-e-lebrate! Statement earrings were the cool and effortless 'it' girls of the fashion accessory hierarchy throughout 2015 and it seems that this little fashionista is looping back round this Summer 2016 as a jewellery box mainstay: Hoop earrings. We've fiddled and fumbled around with stud encrusted ear cuffs and crawlers and quite frankly they're a ruddy pain in the ear to keep in place and if you manage to keep it attached to your lobe for more than two hours then you my friend are a triumph! The fashion flurry magpies

Spell Out Your Love In all Things Fine

February 14th has sauntered her way back onto the scene in her aromatic scent of expectation and lust for all things passionate, sensual and romantic. The gift of love for that special little someone in your life is really rather simple; everyone wants to be feel special, understood and cherished. In this day and age we all like to be creative, innovative and impressive in how we suprise our admirer on the annointed day of love. Yet let's face it sometimes stripping it back to the simple basics can often trump the fancy niceties and pack more of a punch

Museums

Sometimes a little bit of inspiration can go a long way. Here is a list of national museums which have jewellery or related articles, objects or artefacts in their collections... Abbott Hall Art Gallery Kendal Cumbria LA9 5AL www.abbothall.org.uk Aberdeen Art Gallery Schoolhill Aberdeen AB10 1FQ www.aagm.co.uk Art and Archaeology in Lincolnshire Danes Terrace Lincoln LN2 1LP www.thecollectionmuseum.com Ashmolean Museum Beaumont Street Oxford OX1 2PH www.ashmolean.org Bantock House and Park Finchfield Road Wolverhampton WV3 9LQ www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk Bilston Craft Gallery Mount Pleasant Bilston WV14 7LU www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery Chamberlain Square Birmingham B3 3DH www.birminghammuseums.org.uk Black Country Living Museum