Ethical & Sustainable Jewellery Blog
Notes from the bench
Choosing a Diamond – Not the 4 C’s
A very quick overview of diamond options......If you went online, and typed how to choose a diamond, they'd tell you it was all about the 4 C's - cut, colour, clarity and carat. I'd like to add another category, SOURCE. My values (the things I'm personally concerned...
Commissioning a Bespoke Engagement Ring
I often get asked what the process is to commission a bespoke engagement ring, so I thought it'd be useful to write about it here. So first up, ring, email or make an appointment for a chat. I'll want to hear your thoughts on what you want to create. If you're...
Precious Metal Alloys
Did you know, pure gold isn't often used for jewellery as it's so soft? We know pure gold as 24ct and it's bright yellow in colour. When we make jewellery we alloy pure gold (or silver, platinum or palladium) with other metals to create precious metals with different...
Shopping for Ethical and Sustainable Jewellery
It's difficult to know what you should be asking when you're shopping for ethical and sustainable jewellery. Whether you buy from me, or someone else, here's what you should be asking: Where does this gemstone or diamond come from? Can you trace it back to the mine?...
Ethical Emeralds
Emeralds are tipped to be the gemstone of 2022. Here's 5 emerald facts: 1. Emerald is the bluish green to green variety of beryl, a mineral species that includes aquamarine. 2. Emerald is the birthstone for the month of May. 3. The world's oldest emeralds come from...
Rhodium Plating
Rhodium Plating - those of you who've bought shiny white rings that have started looking patchy 6 months down the line, will know exactly what this is. Plating is a way of adding a very thin layer of colour to the surface of metal. Think your granny's silver plated...