Jewellery Blog – Handmade, Vintage, Costume, Fashion Jewellery

Monday Pick Me Ups – The Curious Pancake

Posted on May 14, 2012 by What Simon Said

So, was that summer then? I bloomin’ well hope not but our friend the rain is back again, typically on a Monday when we’re all completely unmotivated to spring out of bed and dash to the office with big cheesy grins on our faces. Ho hum.

In my bumblings about, I happened across this wonderful website, The Curious Pancake (what a great name!) who describe themselves as ‘purveyors of the finest gifts and oddities‘ which I thought sounded rather fabulous. In I dived. And I’m happy I did as I found lots of wonderful things to gladden the heart on a dismal Monday afternoon.

As well as jewellery, they also sell cards, stationary, bags and wallets, but I’ve picked out a few jewellery pieces that I thought suited the day.

Thumb your nose at the sky and celebrate the rain with this cutesy Cloud and Raindrop Necklace. Designed by Jodie Ana and only £16, I think it’s lush.

Cloud & Raindrop Necklace by Jodie Anna

THE perfect necklace for Monday morning, whether you’re stuck in traffic, the kids won’t get ready for school, the cat’s been sick or you’re being pushed into someone’s sweaty armpit on the tube, this necklace says it all. Grr! Arg! Necklace by Finest Imaginary, £7.

Grr! Arg! Necklace by Finest Imaginary

I know that, apart from the Olympics, all you’re hearing about right now is the Queen’s Jubilee. But how about this for an alternative nod to Our Sovereign’s special day? Corgi Brooch by Finest Imaginary, £15. I love this little fella.

Corgi Brooch by Finest Imaginary

On a dull Monday afternoon, it’s easy to reach for the biscuit tin to try and find some motivation. I have, on occasion, been know to consume not one, but TWO packets of chocolate digestives (milk not plain, it’s just how I roll) when times are tough and the printer’s not working again! Fear not, your hips need not suffer with this adorable Custard Cream Necklace by Jodie Anna, £8.95.

Custard Cream Necklace by Jodie Anna

Old school biccies are the best. Fact.

Hopefully these have given you some inspiration to give Monday a damn good talking to. If not, my advice is to hit the wine.

Toodles.

WSS.

Please note, all products reviewed here are done so totally independently, the author has not been incentivised in any way. All images are used without the permission of the owner who holds any and all the rights to them. If you own these images and wish me to remove any of them, please use the Contact Us form on the site.

Posted in Animal, Brooch, Handmade, Necklace | Tagged brooch, cloud, corgi, Custard Cream, Monday, necklace, pendant, Queen's Jubilee, raindrops | Leave a comment

Emerald – The Birthstone for May

Posted on May 10, 2012 by What Simon Said

Got a birthday this month? Yes? You lucky thing! Your birthstone is the fantastically fabulous Emerald.

Now, we all know that diamonds are seen of as the last word in luxury but I think that emeralds have an opulence and sophistication that outshines even the most impressive diamond. They reek of old school glamour. Think of emeralds you envisage the golden age of Hollywood and screen legends such as Liz Taylor and Marlene Dietrich. Celebrities today will showcase the world’s most amazing jewels on the red carpet, but those who want to really make an impact, who want to let us know they are true stars, wear emeralds.

Part of the Beryl family of gemstones, emeralds are relatively soft stones, which makes them very delicate. This means cutting them for use in jewellery requires a huge amount of skill. They also tend towards having lots of inclusions (faults) so clean stones are rare, which makes them extremely expensive.

Science comes to the rescue of us mere mortals who can’t afford the real thing as created emeralds are widely available today. But the real deal is something special and I’ve picked out a few of my most lusted after emerald jewellery pieces.

Chaumet Emerald Tiara circa 1900

Let’s start off properly old school. This mind-blowing tiara, originally the property of Princess Katharina Henckel von Donnersmarck (trying saying that after a few wines) went up for auction at Southeby’s last year. It sold for nearly $13 million, the most expensive tiara ever sold at auction. Stylish and practical, the cost per wear will make this a bargain. Housework, shopping, picking the kids up from school……..I’d wear this everywhere!

The Chalk Emerald Ring

Wow, wow and thrice wow! Would you just look at this thing? The Chalk Emerald, thought to be one of the finest Columbian emeralds in the world, weighs a hefty 37.8 carats. Originally part of a necklace, Harry Winston worked his magic and set the stone on a ring and surrounded it with a mere 15 carats of pear-shaped diamonds. As you do.

Elizabeth Taylor's Bulgari Emerald Necklace.

I hope you got the chance to watch the recent documentary about the sale of Elizabeth Taylor’s jewellery collection at auction. Us jewellery geeks were in gemstone heaven, I’ve watched it 3 times already. Recognised as one of the most impressive jewellery collections of all time, Liz knew that bigger was definitely better. This spectacular Bulgari necklace was bought for Taylor by Richard Burton as a wedding gift and sold in December 2011 for a whopping $6 million.

Angelina Jolie wears Lorraine Schwartz Emerald Earrings

Does this woman ever get it wrong? One of the most beautiful faces in the world was framed perfectly at the 2009 Oscars by these swoon-worthy emerald earrings by Lorraine Schwartz. Big and bold, Angie knows emeralds are the way to go when you want to make sure everyone knows you are Hollywood royalty.

Perfect jewellery AND Brad. No fair Ms. Jolie, no fair.

Romanov Faberge Emerald Necklace

I’m sure you’ll agree, I’ve astounding saved the best for last. This trellis-style Romanov necklace recently presented by Faberge is re-worked from a design from the House of Faberge archives. It comprises 79 emeralds totalling a huge-mungious 186.85 carats PLUS the central single pear-shaped emerald which alone is 30.65 carats. Add to that over a 145 carats of diamonds and this is one serious piece of jewellery.

So, if you do have a birthday this month, share this with your friends, family or significant other. You never know, hopefully it’ll provide them with some inspiration for a really great birthday gift.

You’re very welcome.

WSS.

Posted in Carat, Diamond, Earrings, Emerald, Gemstones, Necklace, Ring | Tagged Angelina Jolie, bulgari, Chalk, Chaumet, emerald, faberge, tiara | 1 Comment

Bank Holiday pick-me-up jewellery

Posted on May 8, 2012 by What Simon Said

So, how was everyone’s Bank Holiday? Mine was mainly all about eating, interspersed with getting wet in the regular downpours. Still, managed to bag myself a little treat, natch.

Saturday found me with a few hours to kill without Mr. WSS, so I had a nice little wander round the shops, and bagged this bargain in the Miss Selfridge department of House of Fraser.

Creepy or cute?

Definitely cute!

How adorable right? This cutesy little skulls necklace was only £2! I’ve looked on their website and can’t see it there, but there were loads left in stock in the shop. I wore this fine fella for a family birthday party, layered with my extra long arrow head necklace and sweet little bird earrings, which I thought gave a good contrast. A bit of tribal, a bit of goth and a bit of sweetness.

Loving. This. A lot.

Now, I wonder if anyone’s selling crystal encrusted flippers or maybe a diamante snorkel….

Toodles.

WSS.

Posted in Necklace | Tagged Diva, goth, House of Fraser, Miss Selfridge, necklace, skull, tribal | 1 Comment

Help Design the World’s First Facebook Diamond Ring and Win an iPad 3

Posted on May 2, 2012 by What Simon Said

When I was sent details of this fantastic experiment, I was really excited as this is something that’s been bumping around in my head for a while. Wouldn’t it be great to get real people, the people that actually buy jewellery, involved in the design process? Helping make decisions that shape all aspect of the design of a piece of jewellery, creating something unique and representative of who people really are and how they feel.

That’s exactly what Andrew Geoghegan has done with his latest idea, using the power of social media to get people to vote on key choices at each stage of design over a number of weeks.

Andrew is a UK jewellery designer with a passion for creating really beautiful, crafted, design-led rings, with the focus on engagement and cocktail rings. Here are just a few of his stunning rings.

The Celestial Fire Cocktail Ring

The Cube Diamond Engagement Ring

The Satellite Fire Opal Ring

So, hopefully these gorgeous rings have whet your appetite to get involved. Here’s how.

Click on the link below to go through to the competition’s Facebook page, where you can watch the video of Andrew and his adorable dog Wilbur explain exactly how the process is going to work. Make sure you ‘Like’ the page and then you can vote on each design stage, ‘Share’ and makes comments, all of which enter you into the competition to win an amazing iPad 3. Sounds interesting huh? I know I’m going for it, so get clicking.

http://www.facebook.com/andrewgeogheganjewellery/app_197602066931325

Be lucky people.

WSS.

Posted in Diamond, Diamond shapes, Engagement, Eternity Ring, Gemstones, Gold, Ring, Ring settings | Tagged Andrew Geoghegan, Cocktail ring, competition, design, Designer jewellery, engagement ring, iPad3 | Leave a comment

Collectible Sculpture – Hannah Martin Jewellery

Posted on April 24, 2012 by What Simon Said

One of the things I love about being able to write this blog is that, even now, I am constantly wowed by the amazing, incredible talent we have in the UK jewellery industry. Every day I come across wonderful designers, boutiques, retailers and other industry professionals who represent the very best this country has to offer; integrity, creativity and passion.

One of those moments happened yesterday when, researching another article, I came across Hannah Martin’s website and knew instantly I had fallen in love yet again. Sometimes you just see a piece or a collection that just reaches you and Hannah’s designs thrilled me. I can’t even remember the last time I said the word thrill!

Anyway, enough of my gushing. Hannah describes her jewellery designs as ‘collectible sculpture for the body’ and that really is what each of her pieces are. They transcend the usual assumptions of what jewellery should be and each collection is a masterclass in original, forward-thinking design.

This is not cheap and cheerful fashion jewellery to play with trends and mix and match to your entire wardrobe. These are investment pieces, like art, and are priced accordingly. Although way out of the reach of my wallet right now, I wanted to share a few of my favourite pieces. As humans, we always need to strive for something. Hannah does it with her designs and I will do it by hoping to own some of them one day.

Euphoria of Lights: The Comte’s Pyramid Ring. £8,200.

Bid For Freedom Heavy Shackle Bangle. £10,800.

Imperial Eagle Tiny Talisman Necklace. £1,100.

Stabbed Pearl Ring. £1,580.

I hope you agree with my selection, I think they are beautiful. Please, go and have a look at the rest of her range, which includes Men’s jewellery, leather goods and accessories.

TTFN.

WSS.

Posted in Bangle, Bracelet, Gold, Necklace, Pearl, Ring | Tagged Comte's Pyramid, Designer jewellery, earrings, Hannah Martin, necklace, ring, Shackle bangle, Stabbed Pearl | 4 Comments

Beat the rain with bright yellow jewellery – sunshine is a click away!

Posted on April 23, 2012 by What Simon Said

Well, I don’t know about you good people, but I am officially sick of this weather. Yes, I know we need the rain and all that, but please can we at least have a couple of sunny days before the next deluge? I actually considered taking gloves out with me today!

So I thought, to combat the grey, dreary drizzle out the window, I’d bring some sunshine directly to you. There’s nothing like bright jewellery and accessories to put a smile on my face on even the dankest of days, and yellow is the colour of summer. So here are a few of my faves, and all great value in the run up to payday.

Chips Necklace by Tatty Devine

Seriously, lovely sunny yellow jewellery and chips. The perfect seaside accessory, what’s not to love?

Chips Necklace by Tatty Devine. £18.00.

Yellow Studded Cuff at Topshop

Good ole Toppers gets it right as usual. Combining fierce studs and sunny yellow, this statement cuff will ensure you stand out from the run-of-the-mill festival crowd.

Yellow Studded Cuff at Topshop. £25.00.

Yellow Fringe Earrings from lazysundays

Stumbled across these on Etsy and I love ‘em. Hey, if you want bright and bold, why not really go for it?

Yellow Fringe Earrings by lazysundays on Etsy. £12.76 (approx).

In The Rose Garden necklace by Lou Lou's Luxuries

Of course, yellow doesn’t always have to be loud and proud, it can be feminine and pretty and nothing beats this gorgeous rose pendant.

In The Rose Garden Necklace by Lou Lou’s Luxuries. £6.50.

Little Yellow Ninja Earrings by Lilley

And now for something completely different! I’m sorry but I just couldn’t resist these little fellas. How cute are they? And everyone loves a Ninja right?

Little Ninja Earrings by Lilley on Etsy. £7.50.

There you have it people, my stab at brightening up a slightly damp day in Blighty. Here’s to the Great British Summer, when it finally arrives. I’ll see you by the river with a G&T.

Hugs and smooches.

WSS.

Posted in Bracelet, Color, Earrings, Handmade, Necklace, Pendant, Pretty, Rose | Tagged cuff, Etsy, fringe, lou lou's luxuries, ninja, studs, Tatty Devine, TopShop, yellow | Leave a comment

Ravishing Rhodolite – WSS shares a fave gemstone

Posted on April 16, 2012 by What Simon Said

Now don’t get me wrong, I love a diamond, but truth be told, I really adore striking coloured gemstones as much, if not more. Rich jewel tones are called that for a reason and one of my favourites is rhodolite.

Rhodolite isn’t technically a gem in is own right, rather it is a type of garnet, called rhodolite due to its distinctive colour. The name is derived from the Greek word Rhodon, which means ‘Rose’. The luscious purplish-red colour, combined with its high refractive index (which means it’s nice and sparkly) and the hardness of the stone makes rhodolite excellent for use in jewellery making. Lucky us!

The rich, sumptuous colour just makes me drool. It looks fabulous against yellow and rose gold and I especially like it combined with black stones like black diamonds, onyx or black spinel. Modern designers are coming up with some fantastic colour combinations as well as using the stone in unusual settings or contrasting finishes.

Here are some of my favourite pieces around at the moment:

Rhodolite Bracelet by Freebird Trinkets

I love the simplicity of this bracelet with the run of so many small gems on one side of the chain, this really shows off the rich colour of the stones. These are then highlighted by a few gems on the clasp and dangling charm. Very chic and wearable for spring/summer. Plus, it’s a total bargain.

Rhodolite Bracelet by Freebird Trinkets on Etsy. £20.75 (approx).

Rhodolite and Diamond Pendant by John Biagiotti

Lordy, would you just look at this beauty! What a showstopper. The rhodolite is set against druse melanite garnet crystals and highlighted by white diamonds. Stunning. And at $2100, a wee bit out of my price range, but what a gaaawjus piece of jewellery eh?

Rhodolite and Diamond Pendant by John Biagiotti. $2100.

Rhodolite 18ct Vermeil Ring by Davina Combe

I’ve been hankering after this ring for a while now, it’s got a certain something that I just love. The cabochon cut of the stones shows off the rhodolite’s great versatility as a gemstone and the texture of the finish of the metal give it a lovely organic feel that adds to the sumptuousness of the stones. Winner!

Rhodolite 18ct Vermeil Ring by Davina Combe. £85.

Rhodolite and Pink Amethyst Earrings by Lucent Jewels

I think these are just super-cute. They are so pretty and I can just see me wearing them with a summer dress and some cool shades. I love the combination of shades from the rich deep red through to the palest pink.

Rhodolite and Pink Amethyst on Silver Earrings by Lucent Jewels on Etsy. £36.97 (approx).

Aurora Interlocking Ring by Shaun Leane

Another of the more pricey pieces I’ve shown here, but this ring is so divine, I couldn’t not include it. The design here really captures the inherent sexiness of rhodolite, deep, ripe and lavish. Combining the rhodolite with rubies just takes this piece to a whole new level. Heavenly indeed.

Rhodolite and Ruby ‘Aurora’ Interlocking Ring by Shaun Leane. Available at Astley Clarke. £1995.

Oxidised Silver Flapper Rhodolite Earrings by Karen Morrison

Here the designer has used the attractive contrast of the rhodolite’s colour against black in a slightly less traditional way. Rather than using black stones, she’s set them against oxidised silver, which looks great. Plus, these earrings will be bang on the 20s flapper trend doing the rounds this season. Nice.

Oxidised Silver, Rhodolite and Garnet Earrings by Karen Morrison. £130.

Mari Splash Cuff by SHO London

And finally we have this magnificent cuff from the ever fabulous SHO London. Showcasing how rhodolite combines so well with other gemstones, here with citrine and amethyst, this statement cuff is both super-stylish and timelessly elegant.

Mari Splash Cuff by SHO London. £630.

So there you have it, some of my favourite rhodolite jewellery. I hope this brief glimpse into the world of this magnificent gemstone has given you some inspiration to add some rhodolite jewellery to your collection. I know I definitely will be.

TTFN.

WSS.

Posted in Bangle, Bead, Black, Bracelet, Color, Earrings, Gemstones, Gold, Necklace, Pendant, Pink, Ring, Rose, silver, Trends, Uncategorized | Tagged Astley Clarke, cabochon, cuff, Davina Combe, earrings, flapper, Karen Morrison, pendant, rhodolite, rings, rubies, Shaun Leane, SHO London, vermeil | Leave a comment

Elephantastic Goodies from Love Hearts and Crosses

Posted on April 12, 2012 by What Simon Said

What Simon Said has been confined to the sickbed of late (flowers, chocolates and sparkly things all gratefully received). So what better way to cheer myself up than a cheeky purchase?

So, the perfectly timed email from the wonderful Love Hearts and Crosses gave me just the opportunity I was looking for. And what’s this, a SALE!?! Squee! I needed no further persuading.

I headed on over and started browsing. There were tonnes of things I could’ve bought right away but I thought I’d try and show a little constraint (me? I know!). So I ended up with this majestic guy.

Vintage Brass Elephant Necklace from Love Hearts and Crosses

Brass Elephant Necklace Was £14.00 Now £8.40.

Now I have a thing for all things animal, whether it be leopard print, faux fur or animal shaped. Over the years, I’ve managed to acquire a fair amount of elephant-related paraphernalia (pictures, wooden carved numbers from my travels etc.), everything bar an actual Elephant (one day…). So this was the perfect addition to my little zoo.

When I read the size of dumbo in the website’s description (4.5 x 3cm) I was slightly worried that it would be a tad heavy, but rather than being solid 3D, the elephant itself is pressed into relief. This means not only is it light enough to wear comfortably (without being too flimsy) it also sits nicely flush against my skin.

I’m looking forward to wearing this layered with a few other chains, maybe with some coloured pendants and different textures in the summer. I see fields, I hear live music and I feel sun on my skin.

Come on Summer, I’m waiting!

Toodles.

WSS.

Posted in Animal, Gold, Necklace, Pendant, Vintage | Tagged animal, Elephant, Love Hearts and Crosses, necklace, pendant, summer | Leave a comment

Here comes the sun! Top summer jewellery picks

Posted on March 27, 2012 by What Simon Said

I know it’s only March and I shouldn’t be getting giddy about summer yet. But, I’ve been wearing flip flops and eating ice creams solidly for the past 3 days, so I just can’t help myself. The sun is shining and thoughts turn to floaty dresses, BBQs, beer gardens and festivals. Of course for me, preparations for summer also include lots of lovely summery jewellery.

So here are a few of my faves doing the rounds at the moment:

First up is this pretty Hummingbird Ring by Kristin Ash. £55 available from accessoriesonline.co.uk.

Hummingbird Ring by Kristin Ash

Lovely colours with the cutsie hummingbird detail. I also like the fact the designer has included such a detailed band for the ring, rather than just a plain one. Adds a lot to the overall vintagey feel of the piece.

Next up are these smashing Crystal Parrot Earrings. £10 from Chelsea Doll, still my favourite place to by cool, funky jewellery. Love. Them.

Crystal Parrot Earrings at Chelsea Doll

Saw these on CD’s Facebook page when they came in and have been hankering after them ever since. Nice and sparkly but the colours are slightly toned down which means they won’t completely take over your entire outfit.

Totally in love with these Reef Drop Earrings by Karen Morrison. The colours are gorgeous, lovely and bright and perfect for when the sun’s shining. I’d wear them with a strappy summer dress or ripped jeans and flip flops. £65 on Independentboutique.com.

Reef Chain Drop Earrings by Karen Morrison

How nice is this pretty pink Lydia Ring by Lola Rose? Never mind summer, I’d be wearing this all year round. Oversized, with diamond facets, this really is a statement piece and would look great alongside some simple silver band rings. £70 by Lola Rose.

Lydia Ring by Lola Rose

Très WSS!

You have to adore these fun, funky and very fruity bracelets by Jianhui of London! Inspired by the Chelsea Flower Show, the Picnic at Jianhui London Collection is perfect for making a summer statement. Available at their retail outlet at Gabriel’s Wharf on the South Bank in London.

Banana Bracelet by Jianhui London

Chilli Bracelet by Jianhui London

Delicious Fruits Bracelets by Jianhui London

Good ole H&M have come up trumps with this bright bundle of bracelets. I cannot believe they’re only £3.99 for the set of 10, a total bargain. The colours are really lovely and they’ll go with absolutely everything in your summer wardrobe.

10-pack elasticated bracelets from H&M

Lastly, for something a wee bit different. I love the site Flashtrash, they have some brilliant jewellery on there and this stunning necklace by Patricia Nicolas stood out for me. A little bit Goth, horses and pretty pastel shades, it’s ticking a hell of a lotta boxes for me. £172 available from Flashtrash.

Punk Pastel Horses Necklace by Patricia Nicolas

So there you have a few of my top picks for summer jewellery. Hope you’re enjoying the sunshine!

Big smooches.

WSS.

Posted in Bead, Bracelet, Color, Earrings, Handmade, Necklace, Pastels, Pink, Pretty, Ring, silver, Trends | Tagged Chelsea Doll, Flashtrash, H&M, Independent Boutique, Jianhui, Lola Rose, Patricia Nicolas, summer jewellery | 4 Comments

Bag a bargain from Dorothy Perkins

Posted on March 14, 2012 by What Simon Said

Ah, the happy thud of a package being squeezed through my letterbox and hitting the doormat. Yesterday saw a couple of additions to my ring collection arrive, yay! Typically, alongside my engagement and wedding rings, I usually stick to one large statement ring on the other hand. But recently I have been drawn into layering up and wearing a few rings spread across both hands. So, of course, I needed to make a few purchases (honestly, I really did, most of my rings are all sized for the same finger!).

So, I was delighted to see my perennial fave, Dorothy Perkins, offering 30% off all their jewellery online. Get. In!

So, I ordered these 2 lovelies.

Silver Look Zig Zag Ring from Dorothy Perkins

Silver look zig zag ring from Dorothy Perkins. Was £6.50, special offer price £4.55.

Silver Look Triangle Ring from Dorothy Perkins

Silver look triangle ring from Dorothy Perkins. Was £5.00, I paid £3.50. And I’ve just checked and it’s now down to £2.50 with a further 10% off!!!

So, what on earth are you waiting for? Get online and stock up whilst the going’s good.

No no, don’t thank me, it’s what I’m here for.

Big hugs.

WSS.

Posted in Ring, silver | Tagged Dorothy Perkins, layering, triangle, zig zag | 2 Comments

What Simon Said

Emerald – The Birthstone for May

Bank Holiday pick-me-up jewellery

Help Design the World’s First Facebook Diamond Ring and Win an iPad 3

Collectible Sculpture – Hannah Martin Jewellery

Beat the rain with bright yellow jewellery – sunshine is a click away!

Ravishing Rhodolite – WSS shares a fave gemstone

Elephantastic Goodies from Love Hearts and Crosses

Here comes the sun! Top summer jewellery picks

Bag a bargain from Dorothy Perkins

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