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Playing with Pearls

The pearl has long been a stable of those who long for an elegant and sophisticated style but 2019 will see the classic piece make a return to the mainstream spotlight and in turn, convert a whole new fashion crowd. If you're one to keep your beady eyes on the trends, you'll have noticed that pearls are a fashion staple that never seems to go out of style. Adorning just about every inch of fashion's finest chunky trainers, strung tightly around choker-style chains and delicately dangling from earlobes across the runway, the resurgence of pearls this season is all about

Pearls - A Practical Guide ​by Wendy Graham

Pearls - A Practical Guide by Wendy Graham Pearls are one of the oldest precious gemstones.  They have been revered through history and the best reserved to adorn royalty and their favourites.  Now, with the arrival of freshwater pearls, they are available to suit every pocket and every style, from the classic to the most creative.   Includes a guide to the types of pearl and to the farming process.  Gives advice on buying pearls; what to look for and what to avoid.  Gives instruction on working with pearls, including drilling, setting and knotting.  Finally, there is information on South Sea,

Not Just For The Queen: Girl With The Pearls

Not only for the ladies who lunch at Selfridges on a Tuesday, pearls are irrefutably the emerging trend to reign supreme on the fashion runways this fall. Not one to take no for an answer, the pearly presence has always remained in low-level limelight behind the scenes but it seems the time has come to breath a fresh wave of innovative air into the timeless ocean-bread adornment. Long gone are the days of prim, poised and proper with the return of the pearl showcasing new generation inspired design through larger than life iridescent balls married amongst chunky military jackets, sports

Job Lot - 1000’s of gemstones, pearls and beads

Job Lot - 1000’s of gemstones, pearls and beads I have thousands of cut stones, cabochons, agate shapes, drops, odd pearls and beads for sale. The cut stones and cabochons are mostly in calibrated sizes, 5  to 10mm round, ovals 6x4 to 14x12mm. Amethyst, garnet, lapis, agates, moonstones, tourmalines, topaz, quartz etc etc. Too many to list here. Ideal for a manufacturer or crafts person. Located in Hastings, East Sussex. Offers around £1000 please. Contact Nick - 07510431813, nickkellett@nickkellett.co.uk for more info.

Raw Pearls Celebrate After Record Breaking IJL

Raw Pearls, one of the UK’s leading pearl jewellery suppliers, have announced that they had their most successful IJL ever after exhibiting there earlier this week for what was their 6 th  year at Olympia.   Many visitors took advantage of the discounted prices Raw Pearls had on offer as part of their huge clearance sale at the show. They have reported that the most popular items were cultured Tahitian strings, nucleated freshwater strings both round and baroque, and also, in line with recent fashion trends, larger baroque freshwater strings. Director, Miranda Raw went on to say “We were thrilled with

A Job lot of cultured pearls, amethyst chips and opal chips

A Job lot of cultured pearls, amethyst chips and opal chips Many different rows, button freshwater pearls and many others. Ideal for Jobber or starter in the trade.  £200 plus £12 post or can collect from Lincolnshire.   Contact  ian.stewart1960@hotmail.co.uk

Raw Pearls' 'Pearl Academy' Continues with Instalments Two and Three

Back in February, we reported that Raw Pearls, one of the UK’s leading pearl jewellery suppliers, have created Pearl Academy to educate the Nation on the oldest gemstone. We're seeing pearls everywhere at the moment , from the runways to the highstreet. A huge focus on jewellery inspired by sea-life has been observable in 2019, no doubt influenced by the 2019 Pantone colour of the Year 'Living Coral' , as well as the increased media focus on our endangered ocean spaces- pearls have been the perfect pairing with shell and coral details.   With this surge in interest in pearl jewellery, there's

Raw pearls debut new diamond and pearl collection at IJL

Raw Pearls, the south west based pearl supplier will launch a brand new fine diamond and pearl jewellery collection at this year's International Jewellery London. All of their diamond and pearl pieces are available set on 18ct white or yellow gold and many are available as earring and pendant sets. Raw Pearls have reacted to customer feedback, that they needed a broader range of diamond set pearl pieces so the father and daughter company are responding to this demand. The entire ragnge will be showcased at the event. Raw pearls can be fund on stand A70 in the fine jewellery

Raw Pearls to hold 25% off stock clearance at IJL

Raw Pearls, one of the UK’s leading pearl jewellery suppliers have had an incredible year with the launch of an innovative education programme, numerous awards and new product lines. All of which they will celebrate with a monumental stock clearance at this year’s IJL. Director Miranda Raw said, “As we all know, the high street has been somewhat stuck of late, and we want to help our clients by offering at least 25% off hundreds of our lines at IJL in September. Visitors will see pearl prices like they’ve never seen before!” Pearls have been enjoying a revamp for some

Raw Pearls announce Pearl Academy, free and accessible training videos at your fingertips

According to a study by the British Pearl Association, only 20% of staff could explain the types of pearl, nor the factors affecting the value of the pearl. Raw Pearls, one of the UK’s leading pearl jewellery suppliers, have created Pearl Academy to address staff training needs; enabling retail staff to be confident when imparting their knowledge and passion for the pearl.  As well as in-store training, Pearl Academy will be releasing a series of webinar style videos that are free and accessible to anyone wanting to deepen their understanding of pearls. Part One has already been released; lasting just [youtube

The 2018 Trends Edit: Pearl Revamp

For 2018 there could only be one word to describe the resounding theme of jewellery trends: Big. With big hoops, big jewels, big designs and big logos, it's no surprise that the spotlight is also shining loud and proud on big pearls! Femininity is the buzz word for 2018 with a resurgence of vintage-style florals, summer gingham and plaid as well as mix n'match power pastels. Pearls are back with a punch and nothing says feminine quite like pearls. A fabulous addition to any outfit, pearls are notoriously met with hesitation due to their associations with prim afternoon teas worn

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

News Edit: 8 January 2023

Here is a round up of this week's international jewellery news...   Moda Jewellery and Watch launch bursary for emerging jewellery designers Fashion United: Jewellery and Watch (J&W), the UK’s biggest returning jewellery showcase taking place at Moda, has announced a New Jewels Bursary in collaboration with the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) and sponsored by Curteis Creates to offer an up-and-coming jewellery designer access to invaluable advice and support. fashionunited.uk Independent spirit The Guardian: Pearls & Pomegranates is a new ethical jewellery destination founded by Natalia Kübler with the conscious shopper in mind. Each purchase at Pearls & Pomegranates

The Prettiest Pearl in the Room

An ever-loved adornment for jewellery, accessories, furniture and more, the pearl is the oldest gem known to man, symbolic for its association with beauty, wealth, wisdom and purity.  Pearls are a timeless symbol of style; universally flattering due to their ability to complement a plethora of outfits and brighten just about any complexion of its wearer. One of the most precious trends for winter 2018 is the return of the pearls! Single bold chokers, as well as fine and dainty multi-strand necklaces, are a big hit with designers this season. With interesting clasps, the array of pearl jewellery this winter

The Modern Pearl Collection by Margot McKinney

Internationally acclaimed jewellery designer  Margot McKinney  is redefining the way women wear pearls with a new collection created from the unusual beauty of Australian South Sea pearls. Based in Australia, Margot  McKinney hails from a long family tradition of luxury retail  dating back to 1884.   Transcending mere adornment,  her  jewelry  designs  are statement pieces of pristine craftsmanship that lend any ensemble a touch of the sublime. For Margot, it often begins with the stone, sourced with extreme care from rare finds. Out of its intrinsic qualities, she fashions the ideal setting for the gem to shine at its most

The Flaming Pearl Queen of Conch

Prized for her rarity and creamy unique shimmer, this freshwater gemstone is hailed as The Flaming Pink Pearl Queen of the exotic sea. Whilst many have come across its sister counterparts, freshwater pearls as well as Mikimoto, pink conch pearls remain to be amongst some of the most desirable and rarest form of naturally-occuring organic gemstones. Found within the depths of the Caribbean ocean off the coast of North America, this beautifully spiral shaped snail shell inhabits from Florida down into the waters of the West Indies. The conch shell belongs to a genus family called the Gastropod as it

Melanie Georgacopoulo: MOP Shell Collection

The MOP Shell collection crafted by Melanie Georgacopoula celebrates Mother of Pearl and its various beautiful colours, featuring seamless MOP diamond and emerald forms, paired with 18ct gold and freshwater pearls. Mother of Pearl, otherwise known as nacre is produced by mollusks as an inner shell layer, it also makes up the outer coating of pearls. It is a strong, resilient and iridescent material that has been used for thousands of years, mainly in the form of inlay. Natural Mother of Pearl has many different applications worldwide, in both expensive and inexpensive items. It can be commonly found in East

Wearable Works of Art By Bibi van der Velden

Conscious, adventurous and sculptural, that’s how Bibi describes her jewellery. Expressed by mixing gold, diamonds and semiprecious stones, with ostrich eggs, scarab wings, tahitian pearls and 40,000 year-old mammoth tusk. Based in Amsterdam, Dutch designer Bibi, combines 18ct gold, precious stones, pearls and ‘objects trouvé’ within unique designs. Taking inspiration from her background as a sculptor, Bibi shows mastery in working with the elements and designing pieces around the natural shape of the stones or using rare materials such as 40,000 year old Mammoth Tooth, scarab wings and sustainable gold. "My continuous search for new materials made me discover the

Danni Schwaag: A long search for pearl

Nacre also known as mother of pearl, is an organic-inorganic composite material produced by some molluscs as an inner shell layer; it also makes up the outer coating of pearls writes Ilaria Ruggiero. Nacre also known as mother of pearl, is an organic-inorganic composite material produced by some molluscs as an inner shell layer; it also makes up the outer coating of pearls. It is strong, resilient, and iridescent. Danni Schwaag’s obsession for mother of pearl started during her studies in Idar-Oberstein, when she was looking for a pearl necklace – not a classical one. She wanted to do one on her own, being fascinated by the variety of the material, its luster, the sensitivity and brittleness. Visiting all

Baselworld 2018

Baselworld is the most important marketplace and trendsetting show for the world's watch and jewellery industry. Baselworld distinguishes itself as the only show that regroups all the key players from watchmakers to jewellers, from diamonds, pearls and gemstones dealers through to machines and supply industry. Dates: 23 - 30 March 2018 Venue: Messe Basel, Switzerland Open: Daily from 9 am - 6 pm. (except Thursday, March 30: 9 am - 4 pm) www.baselworld.com

New Year, New Hoops!

It's no news that hoops were huge for 2016 and for the new year, the trend loops back around with a sweeping update! Look to Anissa Kermiche for double hoops with perfectly balanced pearls or why not try Dinny Hall's intertwined Twist hoops in gold or silver for 'a twist' on a traditional classic... www.anissakermiche.com www.dinnyhall.com [All Photos sourced & Copyrighted to Anissa Kermiche, Dinny Hall] Author:  Published: 

News Edit: 30 May 2021

Here is a round up of this week's international jewellery news...   Pandora says lab-grown diamonds the ethical choice. Not so, say diamond miners. Who’s right? SCMP: Tobias Kormind, of online retailer 77 Diamonds, says diamond miners have largely eliminated shady dealings, and notes that lab-grown stones need a lot of power. www.scmp.com My lightbulb moment: Jewellery designer who created a collection of pearls for the modern woman reveals the inspiration behind her business Daily Mail: Olivia, 40, founded the Olivia & Pearl jewellery brand in 2016. She lives in London with her husband James, a major in the Royal

News Edit: 16 May 2021

Here is a round up of this week's international jewellery news...   Made in Britain: Handcrafted jewellery brand, ‘The Silver Stable’ BM Magazine: Last year, Camilla Cottle took the plunge and launched her jewellery brand, The Silver Stable. She talks to us about what inspired her business and some of the challenges she has faced so far. bmmagazine.co.uk Jewellers recreate historic necklace made from 1,000 pearls for Chatsworth exhibition Sheffield Telegraph: A historic necklace has been recreated by a jeweller – and will go on display at Chatsworth House. sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk Phillips Announces WOMAN TO WOMAN – The Female Voice In

Desire Jewellery and Silversmithing Fair 2024

Desire Jewellery & Silversmithing Fair 6 - 10 November 2024 RHS Garden Wisley Visit to view and purchase from a stunning collection and unrivalled choice of contemporary jewellery and stylish silverware. All exhibitors have been selected for their superb and innovative designs and craftsmanship as well as outstanding quality. Exhibitors include j ewellers working in gold, silver, platinum, palladium, enamel, ceramic, vegetable ivory, titanium, aluminium and glass and incorporating gemstones, seaglass, pearls, and beads into their work. Anyone celebrating a special occasion – maybe a birthday or anniversary - may also like to speak to the makers about commissioning bespoke

I'm Working On It!

Maya Selway pledges in association with Fair Luxury to work towards making a positive change within the jewellery industry and use business as a force for good in 2021. Maya Selway Fine Jewellery has taken the next steps in moving towards being a business that nurtures a more sustainable environmental and social future by pledging with Fair Luxury to create jewellery that is handcrafted using only recycled gold, diamonds and sustainably sourced pearls. The first of these pieces have been added to her timeless Held collection and can be viewed as a capsule group at Tomfoolery in Muswell Hill as

Singular Postdoctoral Research Opportunity

Singular Postdoctoral Research Opportunity, GIA Early-career scientists in geology, minerology geochemistry and related fields have a unique opportunity to advance their research and our understanding of the Earth with a fellowship at the world’s premier gemological research organization –  GIA, the Gemological Institute of America. The Institute’s Richard T. Liddicoat Postdoctoral Research Fellowships provide an exceptional opportunity for specialized research through unparalleled access to nearly 90 years of in-depth research and the vast array of diamonds, colored gems and pearls that flow through GIA’s laboratories. Qualified candidates are urged to apply for the fellowships at GIA’s Carlsbad, California and New

New Boutique launched to service ‘responsible and meaningful’ purchases

The launch this week of the new ‘Emerald Studio’ marks a new wave in consumer sensitivity going mainstream. Emerald Studio will cater for discerning clientele who seek not only beauty but also a responsible and meaningful purchase. The newly launched platform which will offer both In-person and online accessibility will showcase one-of-a-kind fine jewellery pieces in 18ct and 22ct gold, with ethically sourced diamonds and precious gems on the menu. Tourmalines, pearls and emeralds, as the signature stone will feature. The Emerald Studio aims to bring together an informed and styled curated selection of jewels that celebrate the best in

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

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,

Nacre: Melanie Georgacopoulos at Munich Jewellery Week

​ Nacre: Melanie Georgacopoulos Munich Jewellery Week Munich, Germany 13th - 16th March 2019 'Nacre' marks Melanie Georgacopoulos's first solo exhibition for ten years. In this time Melanie has cemented herself as a leading figure in the world of pearl jewellery due to her daring and innovative approach which has seen her slice, drill and facet pearls, fearlessly experimenting with them as a material to great acclaim. In a natural progression from her examination of the pearl, Melanie turned her attention in 2016 to the often overlooked by-product of the pearl industry, mother of pearl. MOP, otherwise known as nacre,

Bringing Back Brooches for A/W '19

Big, bold, bodacious and dripping in retro vibes, the return of brooches is one of the most fun and surprising jewellery trends for A/W '19. Be it surfer-style corn shells, regal pearls or badass chokers, we know by now that what is old becomes new again, and for brooches, this once outdated accessory is set to become the  must-have  accessory for Autumn fashionistas. Combined with the arrival of heritage-inspired straight legs suits and cardigans galore upon the A/W runways, quirky oversized brooches complete the cosy, practical grandma-esque aesthetic that designers have favoured this Autumn. For those of us wanting to

Stars 'rock' up at royal wedding

All eyes were on the glamorous outfits yet the fiery brilliance of the rocks hanging off fingers, necks and ears at Meghan Markle's wedding to Prince Harry was more than a match for the day's dazzling sunshine. As well as the bride's own jewels, namely the pair of Cartier 18-carat diamond earrings, the £100,000 10.11 carat bracelet (with over 150 individual diamonds) and the gorgeous diamond and platinum Queen Mary Tiara, there were diamonds and pearls galore among the 600 guests, many of them designed by celebrity jeweller Lorraine Schwartz who since 2002, when Halle Berry first wore her diamond-fringed

International Pearl Design Competition 2018

Call for Applications: International Pearl Design Competition 2018 The International Pearl Design Competition (IPDC) was created in 2009 to recognize design excellence with all types of cultured pearls under the authority of the Cultured Pearl Association of America. The Awards are international in scope, and have garnered international recognition for both emerging and seasoned artists from all over the world. The judging process is anonymous, transparent, and confidential. Judges are leaders of the jewelry industry and include retailers, editors, buyers, and pearl jewelry craftsmen. Purpose of the Competition Awards are given to entries that demonstrate high levels of design achievement

Champagne Showers in Race Day Jewels

Galloping off to a day of sumptuous hospitality, world-class racing, fabulous fashion and sartorial elegance? Welcome to the season of popping corks, fine-dining, frivolous antics and the mixing and mingling of tradition and fun; Race Day tomfoolery is off to a flying start! Experience the spirit of summer out on the racecourses with a winning selection of jewellery wonders that'll have you turning heads come rain or shine. Accessorise your polished champagne flutes with a touch of regal refinement in graceful gemstones and delicate drapery dripping in colour, charm and unforgettable glamour. From classic milky pearls to modern bursts of

Gemstones Set The Tone: GFG Jewellery by Nilufe

GFG Jewellery by Nilufer is a London-based British contemporary fine jewellery brand established by founder, Nilufer Kizilkaya.  With a vision to encapsulate timeless beauty, Nilufer set about creating collections that are easily wearable from day to night with a vision to form a part of a woman’s daily outfit ritual. The aesthetics of the collections are created with love and passion, inspired by the beauty of our surroundings. Each piece is created using precious metals, handset and polished while gemstones, diamonds and pearls are sourced around the world and cut to bespoke specifications for the brand. GFG Jewellery by Nilufer,

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships and Internships at GIA 2018

GIA Postdoctoral Research Fellowships and Internships The Gemological Institute of America invites qualified candidates to apply for the Richard T. Liddicoat Postdoctoral Research Fellowships at its Carlsbad, California and New York City locations. The one-to-two year fellowships encourage early-career scientists to pursue full-time academic research on fundamental scientific problems in gemstone geology, defect physics and diamond synthesis; and other fields related to gemology – the study of diamonds, coloured gemstones, pearls and their treatments. A paid research internship program is also available for students pursuing a Bachelor or Master of Science degree in related fields. “GIA’s fellowship and internship programs

Zeemou Zeng’s ‘Melody’ Collection: A Treat for the Eyes and Ears

Zeemou Zeng, an IJL ‘Bright Young Gem’ winner, follows up his debut ‘Venus’ collection with one that incorporates celebrates the beauty- and musicality- of pearls. The recent graduate designs contemporary fine jewellery and accessories, drawing from his extensive knowledge of craftsmanship and experience with different materials (such as precious metals, glass, gemstones and porcelain.) Zeemou Zeng 'Melody' Collection Zeemou Zeng 'Melody' Collection Zeemou originally studied interior and architecture design in China, before graduating from the London University of Arts- the collection is a perfect amalgamation of design functionality and beauty- and is testament to the breadth of his studies. Each

Lin Cheung: It’s a Jewellery Thing

Lin Cheung: It’s a Jewellery Thing Lin Cheung references normal, traditional, understated jewellery forms and uses standard materials and techniques, then deftly twists these conventions through subtle subversions. Her work explores the conceptual core of her medium of choice but is far from being overtly cerebral or self-referential: starting from a longstanding preoccupation with jewellery, it opens up observations concerning current affairs, gender issues and the everyday. The show includes works made from a range of materials, such as pearls, quartz, lapis, corian, pink opal, black Belgian marble. According to the artist there is a tension between their aesthetic qualities

It's All In The Wrist

Crafted With Love. Curated With Taste. Worn With Character. With the official start of Spring upon us, the Auverture boutique have curated a selection of artisan designed and made bracelets, cuffs and bangles crafted by designers Delfina Delettrez, Bibi van der Velden, Pamela Love, Ana Khouri, Monique Péan and Sara Beltran. The hand-picked springtime line up uses precious materials such as walrus ivory, mammoth ivory, shark teeth, Tahitian black pearls and polki diamonds to create unique and timeless pieces. Moon Phase Bracelet, Pamela Love The stunning ‘Moon Phase Bracelet’ is a circular-link bracelet crafted from a series of 18ct rose gold

International Pearl Design Competition 2016-2017

The deadline is approaching of the call for entries for the International Pearl Design Competition, open to all with a love of pearls. Enter the International Pearl Design Competition (IPDC) sponsored by the Cultured Pearl Association of America (CPAA) and you will receive a one year membership as a Designer member into the CPAA. (A $500.00 value). All cultured pearl varieties; Akoya, South Sea, Tahitian and Freshwater of any shape and size are eligible for submission. Entries are considered eligible for any of the awards being given. Let the piece you create speak for itself. You can enter up to

Melanie Georgacopoulos: MOP Shell Collection Features New Pieces

Melanie Georgacopoulos recently added new pieces to their "MOP Shell" collection. They will be unveiling the collection this week at Collect at the Saatchi Gallery, London, where  you can discover the new additions!  Mother of Pearl, otherwise known as nacre is produced by mollusks as an inner shell layer, it also makes up the outer coating of pearls. It is a strong, resilient and iridescent material that has been used for thousands of years, mainly in the form of inlay. Natural MOP has many different applications worldwide, in both expensive and inexpensive items. It can be commonly found in East Asian and

News Edit: 25 September 2022

Here is a round up of this week's international jewellery news...   How Delfina Delettrez Fendi Created Fendi’s First-Ever High-Jewelry Line Vanity Fair: Born into fashion royalty, the fourth-generation designer debuts the first haute joaillerie line for the Italian house bearing her name. www.vanityfair.com Her Majesty's personal crown jewels Daily Mail: From her favourite pearls and £40,000 diamond brooch to sapphires from the President of Brazil for her coronation - and the 3 carat engagement ring from Philip she never removed. www.dailymail.co.uk The Most Dazzling Jewellery Moments From Each Decade Of The Queen’s Reign Vogue: Throughout her reign, the Queen

News Edit: 17 February 2019

A round up of this week's international jewellery news...   BAFTAs 2019: Jewellery Vogue: From pearls, diamonds and emeralds to a whole host of different styles, cuts and designers see below the jewellery that swept the red carpet during the BAFTAs 2019. https://www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/baftas-2019-jewellery Baftas 2019: diamonds are a girl's best friend on the red carpet https://www.telegraph.co.uk/luxury/jewellery/baftas-2019-best-jewellery-red-carpet/amy-adams-baftas-2019/ Grammys 2019: Jewellery Vogue: From Tiffany to Messika and diamonds to emeralds - see below the jewellery worn at the Grammys 2019. www.vogue.co.uk Louis Vuitton's Jewellery Designer Is Launching Her Own Line BoF: Called Thief and Heist, Francesca Amfitheatrof's drop-driven concept aims to shake