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Nailing The Crystal Look In Geode Goodness

With the runways awash with the footsteps of hundreds of models in new season thigh high boots, houndstooth print seen left right and centre and bold granny chic adornments dangly from polished and preened earlobes, fashion week has once again descended upon our calendars! Last fall the jewellery and beauty worlds came together in all their tantalising trends to bring us spellbinding galaxy nail art and geode lips. Makeup artists have made it easier for you to take your covetable crystal collection everywhere with you by drawing inspiration from the world's prettiest gemstones and turning it into gorgeous geode nail

Journey into Crystal with L'École Van Cleef & Arpels

Journey into Crystal with L'École Van Cleef & Arpels How much do you know about rock crystal? The "Journey into Crystal" exhibition currently presented at the Musée de Cluny - Musée National du Moyen Âge, where this conference will be filmed, is an incredible opportunity to discover this fascinating, transparent material. Found as far back as 5,000 BC, notably in the form of pearls, rock crystal is the most widespread variety of quartz (hyaline quartz). Its name comes from the Greek word "krustallos" meaning "ice", which has long been attributed to a divine creation, and has contributed to enriching the collective

Hypnotic Crystal Lips: Where Jewellery Meets Beauty

Striking gemstones have been setting hearts all aflutter as they dazzle, glitter and shine round the necks, wrists and dainty fingers of models strutting the fall runways. Nothing quite beats the majestical beauty and subtlety of semi-precious crystal stone jewellery that never fails to capture the magpie eyes of the jewellery world. The enchanting light refractions that encompass the delicacy of the gemstone spectrum have been entwined into a new and bewitching creative innovation where the wearing of coloured stone just got magnetising. Capture the passion for coloured stones by painting a new twist upon this old tradition by taking

The Rock Crystal Exhibition At The Cluny Museum: Explore This Fascinating Material Through Time And Space

The Rock Crystal Exhibition At The Cluny Museum: Explore This Fascinating Material Through Time And Space From 26 September 2023 to 14 January 2024 Paris Rock crystal has fascinated every civilisation since time immemorial for its mysterious translucence. From 26 September 2023 to 14 January 2024, the Musée de Cluny – Musée National du Moyen Âge will be taking visitors on a journey through the history of crystal from the present day to the Middle Ages and beyond. During medieval times in particular, this colourless quartz was a much coveted material for making tableware and other precious items such as

The Fashion Awards 2016 Trophy Designed By Marc Newson For Swarovski

The British Fashion Council (BFC) and Swarovski have commissioned Marc Newson to create a bespoke crystal trophy for The Fashion Awards 2016 in partnership with Swarovski which will take place at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday 5th December. Created with the resources and technical ability of Swarovski and crafted from Swarovski Crystal, the hexagonal design draws inspiration from crystal clusters and rock structures. The trophies are all handcrafted at Swarovski’s headquarters in Wattens, Austria and will complete an 800 mile journey from there to the Royal Albert Hall in London. Each trophy measure 245mm in height by 67mm wide.

Met Gala Extravagance

Whilst it came with some controversial murmurs, it's without question that this year's Met Gala theme of 'Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination' provided a night of jaw-dropping celestial charm. Celebrating an ornate sector of religious art, guests of the Gala pulled out all the stops with big-time ornamentation which left a sea of dramatic and decadent jewellery to admire. From oversized rings to ornate drop earrings, guests upped their ante with subtle and chic references to depictions of renaissance saints and deities. Wrapped strands of oversized jewels, bejewelled headpieces, tiaras and crystal-crystal-encrusted religious crosses and rosaries adorned the

Christian Dior Exhibition opens at V&A, Supported by Swarovski

Today marks the official opening of the exhibition ‘Dior: Designer of Dreams’, at the V&A. The exhibition, focusing on not only the founder, but his successive Artistic Directors and the design House as a whole, will be the largest and most comprehensive ever staged in the UK on the spectacular House of Dior. The exhibition is sponsored by Swarovski, who have a longstanding history of collaboration with Dior. In 1956, Swarovski worked with Monsieur Dior to create a unique crystal with rainbow-like effects called Aurora Borealis. Since then, the partnership has grown ever stronger, with each of Dior’s artistic directors

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

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,

Q&A: Wendy Ramshaw CBE

Wendy Ramshaw FCSD FRSA OBE RDI CBE is a distinguished jewellery designer, architectural designer, designer, educator and artist. She can be credited with leading and contributing to the ‘New Wave’ of jewellery modernism throughout the 1970s and 1980s and is renowned for her diverse use of materials. She is married to David Watkins, jeweller. She answers the Benchpeg Q&A. From left to right Title: Invitation card for Wendy’s ’Towers’ exhibition. Date: 2005. Materials: Anodised aluminum, stainless steel, Delrin, brass, crystal and optical glass. Photo credit: Graham Pym Title: Set of mirror rings. Date: 1970. Materials: 7 rings, silver with surgical

Tropical Coloured Fun

When you think of summer, you think of fun so this season it's all about piling on the colour, texture, print and shapes with your summer colour-popping accessories! The jewellery world is diving into the tropical world of summer with palm leaf prints, juicy fruit motifs and multi-coloured gemstones to brighten your life with statement style. Conjuring up scenes of crystal blue lapping waves, rich and lush rainforests of bushy leaves and exotic animals parading in beautiful arrays of colour, now is the time to get your hands on summers' finest necklaces, statement rings and flirty bracelets. Take a dive

Raymond Weil to Release third edition maestro The Beatles timepiece in April

Next month, the third edition to the Raymond Weil Beatles-inspired watch family will go on sale. The piece, inspired by the legendary Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album, is a limited edition, with 3,000 available worldwide. Priced at £1,195, The Sergeant Pepper maestro The Beatles Limited Edition features a RW4200 mechanical self-winding movement housed in a 40mm polished yellow gold PVD plated stainless steel case offering 38 hours of power reserve. The black strap is the first from Raymond Weil featuring the a-la-mode Vegan leather and the case-back presents a smoked sapphire crystal that carries the official The Beatles logo

Gemfields reveal newly discovered ‘Inkalamu’ 5,655 carat emerald

Gemfields have revealed the discovery of ‘Inkalamu’, the Lion Emerald, a 5,655 carat Zambian emerald crystal with remarkable clarity and a perfectly balanced golden green hue which was uncovered early last month. Inkalamu was discovered at Kagem, the world’s largest emerald mine, which is 75% owned by Gemfields and 25% by the Industrial Development Corporation of Zambia (which belongs in turn to the Government of the Republic of Zambia). “The discovery of this exceptional gemstone is such an important moment both for us and for the emerald world in general” commented Elena Basaglia, Gemfields’ dynamic London-based gemmologist. “We are experiencing

ADORE launches 2018 Spring Summer Collection

Contemporary fashion jewellery maker ADORE has launched its collection for the 2018 Spring-Summer seasons which promises a contemporary twist to ADORE'S trademark modern elegance. The collection includes on-trend ear crawlers and ear jackets, uniquely adjustable bracelets, statement rings and necklaces. It has been created with mixed crystal shapes in an array of colorful crystals inspired by summer jewel tones – Rose gold with Indian Sapphire accents, Gold with hues of light topaz, and Rhodium with soft shades of blue and lilac. Within the collection is ADORE'S Signature Collection which can be worn as stand alone pieces or layers, fashioned in tri-tone

Grown-up Glitter for AW18

Your September diary may not be booked full of evening soirees full of schmoozing and boozing, but don't let that stop you from working some serious sparkle into your jewellery game this season! Statement looks guarenteed to cause a few head turns are all a-rage this September so why not up your accessories game with some red-carpet worthy sparkle and upgrade low-key day-to-night attire with a touch of razzle dazzle! Dip into a shower of dazzling showstoppers with décolletage grazers dripping in crystal motifs, neckline grabbers encrusted in multi-coloured sparklers and lollipop rings dusted in light-catching rocks! From subtle flashes

The Birthstone of March: Aquamarine

Aquamarine, the birthstone for those born in March, embodies all things connected to the sea, from its crystalline ocean tones to its Latin aqua marinus, translating to "water of the sea". Aquamarine is the translucent blue variety of crystal belonging to the beryl family. Ranging in colour from transparent, pale-blue hues to slightly greenish-blue tones, the variety seen in aquamarine is caused by the presence of iron oxides within its chemical composition. All about Aquamarine Heat treated aquamarine tends to result in crystals with a strong, deep blue-like appearance whilst natural aquamarine is usually of a lighter hue and more

Step into super natural delights

When you think of fall and the beginnings of autumn delights, what immediately springs to mind? Leaves! As the world continues to turn, marking the arrival of a fresh new beginning and season, jewellery designers have taken inspiration from the earthy wonders of our world. Ethereal leaves, natural structures, organic shapes and deep, fiery gold figured heavily in the arrival of fall/winter 2018-2019 jewellery trends. The arrival of super natural pieces swathed in deep tones and swirls of gold, crystal and pearl radiate a whimsical, delicate, elusive and enigmatic look just in time for September. The fall fashion runways showcased

Green with Envy

There's no denying that a flash of green has something of the 'wow' factor. Fresh, vibrant, energetic and charmingly mysterious, expect pops of this stone to make a this fall. From deep jewel tones of charm to zingy flashes of tropical greens, there's a colour and style of green envy jewellery for every personality out there. Wear it bold and bodacious as head-turning showstoppers or as chic and subtle hints of colour in everyday attire. From left to right : Gold Green and Blue Charm Necklace , Green Stone Thin Bracelet , Green Drop and Crystal Ring , Emerald and Diamond Choker

The Unspoken Beauty of Moissanite

Moissanite (/ˈmɔɪsənaɪt/) So what exactly is moissanite; the ugly step-sister of the cinderella gem world? Think again! Incredibly rare and precious, moissanite is a beautifully natural gemstone born from a meteorite star that fell to Earth in 1893. Originally thought to be the discovery of Diamond by French scientist Henri Moissan, it was soon revealed to be a crystal gemstone with very similar properties to Diamond but that was composed of silicon carbide. Due to the natural composition of Moissanite, it has become a very scarce mineral worldwide making moissainte as we see it today almost entirely laboratory-grown. Through

Rudolf Heltzel - Bounded + Unlimited

Rudolf Heltzel || Bounded + Unlimited Master goldsmith and an icon of Irish craft and design, Rudolf Heltzel presents a solo exhibition of his exceptional sculptural pendants. Heltzel has gained an international reputation for the originality, quality and timeless aesthetic of his craftsmanship with each piece created meticulously by hand using some of the world’s oldest jewellery techniques. This exhibition, In Precious Metal , will showcase many of Heltzel’s most ambitious and technically complex designs, selected from his personal archive together with newly produced work. Three of his most significant collections of scultptural pendants will be presented; Rock Crystal Treasure

Amethyst Crush for February Birth Babies

One of the most revered stones for centuries, amethyst crystal is one of the most treasured variety of quartz. With its stunning tones of violet-purple and its rich history saturated with medieval lore and legendary powers, few crystals are as distinctive as arresting amethyst. Today, amethyst is classified as a semi-precious stone but throughout history, many ancients regarded it as a "Gem of Fire", worth as much in value and beauty as a diamond. Believed to carry energies of passion and fire, creativity and spirituality, amethyst has always been associated with the month of February and the Roman water-god, Neptune.

Diamonds Are Forever

Happy birthday month to all you April babies out there! With Spring in full swing and summer fashion trends ready to ring-a-ding-ding, the diamond dazzles as queen bee in this months gemstone spotlight! Owing to their superior robust structure, remarkable luster and beautiful crystal lattice patterns reflecting and refracting light spectrums, the diamond sparkles with a hidden beauty of intrigue and desirable finery. Diamonds are not only a notoriously ancient coveted treasure of the wealthy elite but it is highly loved many gemmologosts for being one of the only gemstones made entirely from one element- carbon. Owing to its isometric

Plunge Into The Fresh Watery Hue of Aquamarine

Whilst traditionally there are two precious birthstones associated with the blooming spring month of March it is Aquamarine that is more closely considered the stone of seasonal tranquility. Derived from the latin word translating to "water of the sea", the ancient myth and symbolic folklore surrounding its properties is pulled from its aquatic associations and crystal ocean-like hue. Mined mainly throughout Brazil, this precious stone is distinctive for its blue-green iridescent tones caused by the chemical makeup of the stone of iron oxides. Aquamarine is a blue-stone variety within the Beryl family and can be found within a range of

Carmarthen School of Art - Coleg Sir Gâr

Established in 1965, the Foundation programme at Carmarthen has a national reputation for excellence. It offers learners the opportunity to explore a diverse range of art and design options to enable them, through experience, to make an informed choice about future education, training and employment progression. HERITAGE Carmarthen School of Art has been providing Art education since 1854, being one of the first Art Schools set up in Britain following the Great Exhibition in Crystal Palace in London. The School has been continually evolving ever since, responding to social, creative and cultural developments and the changing needs of its

Lady In Red: Ruby Passion

A captivating and fiery lady in red who with one radiant gleam of passion could enchant just about any wanton eye; Welcome to the world of red, red Ruby. The gem queen of the crystal world, this precious stone of nobility and flaming shades of beauty is one of four "precious" gemstones accredited to its rarity, carat value, hardness and natural vitality; the others including diamond, sapphire and emerald. Ruby is derived from the latin word ' Rubeus ' meaning 'red' and the deeply striking red colour palette is due to genes within the Corundum family. Comprising of chrome and

Colour Your World With Gemstones

Mineral crystal gemstones are without a doubt the cherry on top of the cake when it comes to the jewellery world and are hands down fully loaded with captivating myths, folklore and legends! With a fascinating plethora of coloured gemstones knocking about in the world, the variety of healing properties and metaphorical symbolism behind each stone is specific, unique and communicates an individualistic creative energy to each wearer Newsflash! I am a girl (woah, shocking eh?). Therefore I like my Jewellery. If I find myself scampering around in the big wide world without my forever present bracelets, rings and shell

The Stony Look: Exposing Raw Power

With the resurgence of bohemian talisman charm flooding the summer runways, the crystal allure has embedded its way back into our jewellery trinket boxes with a plethora of raw stones demanding centre stage on the catwalks this fall. Forgoing dainty, dull and inconspicuous, the array of brushed stones being unearthed are boldly brilliant in their simplistic and effortless composition and infuse a charmingly seductive way to waltz into fashionable fall! An alluring way to inject a powerhouse statement to any outfit this coming winter and a champion detail that can enhance or strengthen an ensemble into high-power fashion territory! Time

iWeld® Laser System 990 Series - 60 Joule System

iWeld® Laser System 990 Series - 60 Joule System 8.0kW Advanced Edition Software: Advanced P3 , Motorized Beam Expander, Memory Presets Removable Chamber Enclosure W/ Front Door Design Supply Curcuit: 220v (+/- 10%), 50/60-Hz, 15 Amp, Single Phase Platform Benchtop Color: Titanium/Pearl This machine has been well looked after for 11 years. I have had it from new Bulb recently blew and on inspection has also blown the nd:YAG crystal. The gold flash chamber plating is peeling off although I have a spare if that too. Unit was working perfectly prior to bulb blowing but as I cannot hold water

Goldsmiths Craft and Design Awards: The Winners

The presentation of the annual awards of the Goldsmiths Craft & Design took place at Goldsmiths Hall in London on 27 February 2017. Here we detail the full list of winners. WINNERS LIST - CRAFTSMANSHIP & DESIGN AWARDS 2017 - Full List Name Description Where from SECTION 1 SILVERSMITHS SILVER Charlotte Tollyfield Table Centrepiece Charlotte Tollyfield Designer Silversmith Luke Orford Silver Table Centrepiece Grant Macdonald SECTION 2 SMALLWORKERS BRONZE Gisèle Moore Gold Clock with Rock Crystal, Enamel & Onyx