As high-quality jewellery can last a lifetime, here’s how we ensure that London DE’s bespoke service doesn’t disappoint.

1. Begin Online

Fundamental to the success of a bespoke creation is the relationship between client and consultant, with clear communication and trust at its core. As 80% of jewellery purchases begin online, London DE offers a hybrid service which combines the ease of online shopping with personable interaction. Begin your journey on our website where you can find a selection of bespoke ideas to inspire your creation.

You can also browse through the variety of loose gems and diamonds, available in a selection of colours, which you can choose to be set within your ring. If you can’t find what you’re looking for then you can easily request the cut and carat of the stone you desire and we will source it for you directly from our suppliers.

2. In-Store Consultation

Once you have checked out your basket on Londonde.com, we will invite you into our Hatton Garden-based store for a face-to-face consultation. Our friendly and highly trained consultants will discuss your design with you. Using their expertise, they will help guide your vision in order to make it the best it can possibly be. No idea is too small or too large for us to handle; whether you have just a starting concept or a detailed vision, we can work with you to achieve it. Even after your creation is finished, we will continue to provide an excellent level of aftercare.

Whilst we encourage you to visit the store in person, we understand that this might not be possible for everyone which is why our consultations are individually tailored to fit each client. By utilising a range of communication technology, we can still successfully connect with you. You will even be able to visualise your engagement ring in 3D as we will send you CAD (Computer-Aided Design) models to ensure everything is perfect before we proceed.

3. Selecting the Right Gems

Perhaps even more important than an engagement ring’s design is the jewel chosen to take centre stage. A gemstone with a scintillating sparkle can be a real talking point but a poor-quality jewel will have a negative impact on the ring’s overall appearance. As winners of UK Enterprise Awards’ “Best Diamonds & Emeralds Supplier 2018”, you won’t have to worry about the quality of London DE’s gems.

All our stones have been certified by at least one of the world’s leading gemological laboratories. This includes The GIA (Gemmological Institute of America), SSEF (Swiss Foundation for Gemstone Research) and CDTEC who are at the forefront in the assessment, tradition and authenticity of Colombian gems. These bodies guarantee that the quality and provenance of our gemstones achieve the highest specifications.

With the popularity of coloured stones growing in the last few years, and expected to increase tenfold within the next decade, London DE encourages you to look beyond the white diamond and go for colour instead. Along with specialising in emeralds, we have access to one of the world’s largest inventories of certified diamonds and naturally coloured stones. With over 400,000 to choose from, we will always be able to find what you are looking for.

4. The Two T’s

Each engagement ring holds its own story but that shouldn’t just be limited to the design. With a supply chain founded on transparency and traceability, London DE allows you to trace the story of your gemstone right back to its mining origins.

Our jewellers are experts in the ethical sourcing of gemstones and pride themselves in their understanding of the production process; from the mines all the way to the consumer. We believe that a hands-on approach is best in order to ensure we provide the finest quality gems. We frequently fly out to Colombia, and other leading gemstone regions, to see first-hand the mining and distribution process. From this, we are able to personally check the quality of gemstones and ensure we are buying from ethical distributors, as locally as possible. Our approach contributes to the development of the blockchain which strengthens the traceability and transparency of diamonds through a reduction of how many hands the stones are passed through.

With direct access to distributors, we are able to keep costs down. This guarantees that it is the quality of the gemstone that exceeds the price, rather than another way around. We are so confident that we provide value for money that our diamonds come with a 30-day guarantee; if you can beat our price within a month of your purchase, we will refund the difference.

5. Quality Craftsmanship

Once everything has been chosen and you’re happy with the design then it will go to the final and most exciting stage; the creation process. You can be rest assured that your vision is in the hands of master craftsmen as London DE personally selects only the best workshops in Hatton Garden to make your creation. Each piece is expertly finished by hand providing it with individuality.  Indicative of our authenticity, we have been granted the “Created in the UK” accreditation by The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ). The scheme was specifically designed to provide customers with “absolute confidence” in the provenance of their handmade jewellery. This mark can be stamped next to our ‘LDE’ hallmark, recognised by The Goldsmiths’​ Company London Assay Office.

London DE also has a choice of ready-to-wear jewels that have been created through the same high-quality process as with our bespoke pieces. For more information or to arrange a free consultation, visit www.londonde.com or contact us directly on +44 (0) 2078 594 754 / support@londonde.com.

Read on at: https://www.jewellerymonthly.com/category/jewellery-diamonds-and-gemstones/

Unfolding inside a specially built workshop, this six-part contest is built on the extraordinary skills of eight talented jewellers from all walks of life. The programme is looking for both amateurs and professionals to work with the most valuable objects on earth: gold, silver, diamonds and sapphires.

The series will be filmed in the heart of Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter and each week, the chosen jewellers battle it out to make real clients’ dreams come true, transforming emotion into objects of beauty that last forever. The challenges will explore the wildly different styles and aesthetics that can be found across different types of jewellery and some will even be inspired by the world’s most famous and coveted pieces.

Eight jewellers will enter the workshop…but only one can prove they are a cut above the rest and claim the ‘All That Glitters’ crown. Could it be you? Follow this link to submit your entry by 29 November !

*All That Glitters is the working name for the series which may be updated when the programme is televised.

Can we take this seriously? and is there any truth to these home tests?

So while you go dig out your diamond rings that auntie Pat left you in her Will, please note the information below is a guide only and should be taken with caution. If you are in any doubt about the authenticity of diamonds you have bought or been given please seek the opinion of a professional valuer or Jeweller.

1. Use an electronic diamond tester

The simplest and most accurate way of checking the authenticity of your diamond is to purchase a Diamond Tester from amazon. These inexpensive devices can tell you a lot about the properties of your stone.

2. The newspaper ‘ read through’ test.

Place your diamond on a newspaper. If you can read the writing through the diamond then you possibly have a glass or quartz diamond.

Real diamonds have a high refractive index and dispersion of light, they will bend light making it very difficult to see through them. Due to a diamonds unique properties it can look brighter and more colourful than plain glass. If your in doubt then please take your diamond to a local jeweller.

3. The fog test

A diamond is very good at dispersing heat. If you hold the diamond up to your mouth and use the fog method like you would when cleaning a mirror, a diamond should evaporate the fog instantly.

If the fog stays on the diamond for more than 3-4 second then you may be holding a fake diamond.

4. The weighing test

Using a carat or gram scale you can check the weight of your diamond. Fake diamonds will normally weigh 50 – 60% heavier than an authentic diamond of the same size.

5. The rainbow test.

If you look closely at a diamonds sparkle, you should see beautiful shades of Grey reflections. If you see many rainbow reflections, you either have a very low quality diamond or a fake.

6. The UV test.

If you have a UV or Black light to hand then you might want to try this simple test.

Place the diamond under the light in a dark room. If the diamond is real it should show a blue fluorescent glow. The absence of blue, however, does not mean it is fake, it could simply be a higher quality diamond.

If you see a very slight Green, Yellow, or Grey fluorescence under ultraviolet light, it could possibly be a fake.

7. The flaw test

Diamonds tend to have tiny flaws in them such as small cracks, traces of carbon or pinpoints. These flaws are called inclusions and can effect the clarity of the diamond. The less inclusions in the diamond, the higher it scores on the clarity ranking chart.

You can use a magnified glass to check for these tiny imperfections. If you can’t see anything, you either have a very expensive, rare diamond or a fake. You might want to get a professional jeweller to check this over for you.

8. The metal test

As a diamond is a very expensive item to own, they are normally set in precious metals such as Gold, Silver, Palladium or Platinum. Always check the shank of the ring for a hallmark. If you find a hallmark with (CZ) on the stamp then your diamond is a fake

9. The trip test

The best possible place to get your diamond checked out professionally is a trip to your local jewellers.

10. The Water Test

Take a glass of water and drop your diamond into it. If it sinks it is more likely to be a diamond as it has a high density. If it floats above or just below the water you diamond is likely to be fake.

11. Diamond Inspection using a Loupe

A simple and inexpensive Diamond Loupe  can be used to magnify the diamond to see it’s imperfections and colour. These imperfections are called inclusions and can tell a diamond expert a lot about it’s quality. White gemstones or Glass stones such as Cubic Zirconias don’t generally have these flaws.

1. First meeting

We invite anyone who’s curious about having a bespoke design made to come to an Allum & Sidaway store for a chat. Choose which of our five stores is more convenient for you, and we’ll arrange a casual meeting with Ivonna. This initial consultation is completely free, and is a way for you to get to know us, and for Ivonna to understand a bit more about your likes and dislikes. She’ll show you a few different styles of jewellery and talk you through them, to see what you think and get a feel of your tastes.

If you have strong opinions about your bespoke jewellery design, we invite you to speak up! Remember, this process is all about you. If you already have a clear idea of what you want, please tell Ivonna in this first meeting. If not, we’ll do our best to show you a full range of options for inspiration. Remember, nobody will be offended if you react strongly to something. We want to know what you really want.

Remodelling an old piece of jewellery is also an option. If you’ve got an old piece that you’d like to turn into something totally new, please bring it to the consultation so we can discuss options for transformation.

2. Choosing your gemstone

There’s a lot to take in when it comes to choosing a gemstone, and we’ll talk you through all your options, and explain all the little details and essential decisions that may have not even entered your head. You may have already decided if you want a classic diamond or a coloured gem, but there are other things to discuss, too. We’ll talk about the cut, carat, clarity and colour. If your head’s spinning just thinking about that, don’t worry! We know that gemstones can be a bit of a mystery if you’re not in the jewellery business, and we’ll break it down for you clearly so you can make a confident decision about your piece. Later, you’ll have the chance to look at a selection of gemstones up close and personal, which can help you understand the slight differences that can exist between one stone and another.

3. The design process

When you come back for your second appointment, the magic has already started to happen behind the scenes. We’ll have mock-up drawings based on your design for you to consider, allowing you to make any changes that you want. Usually, we provide several different drawings, all rendered at real life scale to help you make your choice. At the end of this meeting, we’ll all have a very clear idea of how your design is going to progress, and what it will look like when it’s turned into reality.

At this point, we’ve got a couple of other things to talk about, too. First, we’ll let you choose the exact stones that you want in your piece. Whether you’re opting for a diamond or a coloured gemstone, we have a broad selection for you to look at. Each stone is unique, so we want you to make the choice – this is your design, after all!

We’ll also discuss the tricky matter of finances. Talking about money can be a sensitive topic, so we’d rather get everything out in the open, and we won’t try to push you if you have a firm budget in mind. No matter how much you’re planning to spend on your piece, we’ll find something that suits you. The selection of stones that we present to you will cover a broad range of prices, so you should be able to find one that suits your wallet.

4. Making your piece

When all the design and budget details have been finalised, and we’ve double checked that you’re totally happy with everything, it’s time to make your dream jewellery design a reality. At this point, we don’t want to rush anything. Our expert goldsmiths will take their time as they lovingly handcrafted your piece in our workshop, paying close attention to each step as they take the delicate metal and gemstones and forge them into something truly special. This process usually takes between 6 and 10 weeks.

When that’s done, you’ll be able to take your piece home with you! We expect you to be totally satisfied with your unique piece of jewellery that represents a true collaboration between your design ideas and our professional expertise.

To enquire about commissioning a bespoke jewellery piece from Allum and Sidaway visit:
 https://www.allumandsidaway.co.uk/bespoke-design or email ivonna@allumandsidaway.co.uk directly.

Read more about other Jewellery designers here: https://www.jewellerymonthly.com/category/jewellery_designers/ 

Malle’s Fairmined gold coil designer ring is part of the 2019 Pure Earth Pure Gold Auction, through April 8th .

New York, NY. April 1, 2019. Human rights lawyer turned jewelry designer Christina Malle, is no stranger to the conversation on responsible practices. With a passion for humanity and craftsmanship through the ages, Malle is renowned for her timeless 18K gold jewelry styles, many of which are sourced from mine to market, inclusive of gold and gemstones used. Through April 8th 2019, her stunning Fairmined gold coil ring will be available for bid through the Pure Earth Auction site here. Made by hand in solid Fairmined 18K gold, this elegant ring marks the beginning of Fairmined gold in Christina Malle designs.

In 2017, Cameron Russell and Áine Rose Campbell coordinated over thirty model activists in Washington D.C., who participated in the People’s Climate March, beginning the collective that would become known as the Model Mafia. Over 2oo members work to fight pollution today, collaborating on environmentally responsible causes, with a focus on fighting global pollution. The Model Mafia is collaborating on the 4th Annual Pure Earth Pure Gold Responsibly-Sourced Jewelry Collection, in an effort to encourage miners to go mercury-free, and raise funds to help mitigate pollution.

Worn by Model, Actress and Harvard graduate, Meisha Brooks, the Christina Malle gold coil ring is exquisitely flattering on all—elongating the fingers, while comfortably and subtly making a statement from a march to a night out, to daytime at the office. “The fashion industry relies on international consumption to exist. The condition of the supply chain is important… Transboundary pollution isn’t simply an industry problem it’s a human problem. We are all affected no matter what country we inhabit and it is the responsibility of those with influential positions to get involved with making positive changes for everyone, says Meisha Brooks. She continues, “What I love about Pure Earth is that they are active leaders in the entire spectrum of addressing world pollution. It’s a human- focused effort with the priority constantly being the well-being of victims… everything is driven by local power. They have local advocates motivate change and this is the most effective method for adoption of new technology. Ultimately, those efforts which do not respect local structures, well- intentioned or not, end up making very little impact. Pure Earth has been able to address and prevent pollution while at the same time helping existing communities thrive.”

Christina Malle Jewelry is proud to announce that it recently became a Fairmined Licensee.  After hearing Roberto Alvarez, a representative of La Fortaleza mining organization in Colombia speak at the Chicago Responsible Gold Conference, Christina was motivated to learn more about Fairmined Gold.  She has been an advocate for traceability and transparency in the jewelry supply chain, and Fairmined provides those assurances. Malle says, “Last fall, I heard a Colombian gold miner speak at a conference in Chicago about how his organization benefits from the Alliance for Responsible Mining support.  In addition, this mining organization is working on mercury mitigation and alternatives to mercury altogether.  The ecosystem surrounding his community, as well as its people, benefits as well.”

“Pure Earth is a tremendous organization: smart people doing innovative work to mitigate pollution worldwide. They are tackling the problem of mercury, which is quite literally in the hands of artisanal gold miners. Donating a ring made of Fairmined Gold to Pure Earth’s auction makes perfect sense! I envision a jewelry supply chain that is transparent, traceable and has a less harmful effect on the environment and miners. The missions of Pure Earth and Fairmined resonate; and since the coil ring is easy to wear and looks great on every hand, it seemed like the perfect piece to donate,” states Christina Malle.

To view the gold coil ring on the Pure Earth auction through April 8th, click here. To visit Christina Malle online, visit http://www.christinamalle.com, contact the designer directly by email at info@christinamalle.com, or call 917-488-9338.

About Christina Malle Jewelry

Christina Malle, G.G., is a classically trained goldsmith, who uses the finest materials to hand fabricate, or cast in small editions and hand finish, her timeless and elegant jewelry collections. A former human rights attorney, Christina is committed to using recycled and Fairmined Gold, and responsibly sourced gemstones. She is a board member of Ethical Metalsmiths and a member of the Mercury Free Mining Group, the latter of which is working to remove mercury from artisanal and small-scale gold mining communities. Her fine jewelry features 18K gold, sterling silver, and beautiful gemstones. For more information, visit http://www.christinamalle.com

Read more at https://www.jewellerymonthly.com/category/jewellery_designers/ 

Closely linked to such notions as identity and rite of passage the range features artefacts such as Climbing gear, survival equipment and various tools including ones from Inuit tribes and those dating back to the Ice Age. These items are the main basis for the collection.

The pieces are made of a rich combination pewter and steel encrusted with marble, raw quartz, metal teeth and Swarovski crystals. Elements that are reminiscent of extreme cold. The unevenly self-braided and self-dyed rope is cast with the same materials set in silicone.

Designer Alexandra points out that “the pieces are designed for men who are not afraid to stand out” whilst stating that “The brand’s ideology is to promote jewellery in today’s men’s fashion and let men make impressive looks with tiny yet striking details”

Although at first glance there is a roughness to the design, it appears Alexandra has considered every detail. The collection in its entirety evokes a perception of intense cold. The course finish of the sand-cast pewter pieces have the appearance of ice crust whereas the braided ropes create a frozen display under glossy silicon.

Alexandra states “The shapes come from climbing gear, survival equipment and Ice Age tools”  the very items that an arctic explorer would utilise in an extreme environment. In order to complete the story Alexandra has complimented the collection by a range of apparel including jeans and shoes. These have been fashioned using the same direction and techniques demonstrated in the jewellery pieces.

Each piece presents a fearless almost heroic style, with the bold mix materials providing a raw, unfiltered, very masculine feel. A range that really stands out from the crowd and sure to make in an impact to its audience.

View Sasha Jewellery online at www.sashajewellery.com

Designer Profile: Alexandra Afanasyeva

Award Winning Jewellery Designer Alexandra Afanasyeva is the creative lead behind Sasha Jewellery.

“My experience in fine jewellery allows me to create fashion accessories with a pure luxury finish” mentions Alexandra. The multilingual artist utilises her extensive travel and culture experiences into her designs offering a daring and audacious voice in men’s jewellery and certainly one to look out for.

Follow on Instagram @sasha.jewellery

View more Jewellery Designer Profiles at Jewellery Monthly.

Her fine jewellery collections, years after years are a continuation process, which takes forms inspired by seeds, grasses, clusters of insect eggs, and the internal structures of plants. Taylor’s emphasises minimalist refinement and restraint to evoke a sense of lyricism and rhythm through the delicate details of her work. Yellow and white 18-karat gold are used to create small seed like forms, which are hooked into lengths of fine box link chain. The seed forms appear both in clusters as with a pair of yellow gold earrings – in uniform procession along the front of a necklace, or in rhythmic variables that draw from natural compositions.

She makes every piece by hand in her studio. It is a meditation and a labour of love, which shows through in the final product. Each piece becomes like a work of art something precious to hold on to and cherish.

Read more about Sia and purchase her creations at: https://www.whitebirdjewellery.com/gb/jewellery-designer/34/Sia_Taylor.php

An Orcadian student is set to have her winning competition designs brought to life after wowing judges with her range of contemporary jewellery, inspired by one of Scotland’s Neolithic sites.

Historic Environment Scotland partnered with Orkney-based jewellery manufacturer, Ortak, to challenge students across the country to design a range of jewellery inspired by Maeshowe Chambered Cairn. Entrants were asked to draw on the different features of the 5,000 year old Orkney site, and its past, to help inspire their designs for the chance to have their creations manufactured and made available to purchase in gift shops and online.

Local Orcadian and Fine Art Textiles student, Norna Sinclair was named by judges as the overall winner. Representing the heritage and historical landscape of the site, her designed range – which includes a necklace, bracelet, ring and earrings – uses the circular bird’s eye view and archaeological field survey drawings of Maeshowe for its main inspiration. Sinclair drew on other aspects and features from the local surrounding landscape through the use of coloured enamels and was inspired by the Barnhouse Stone, incorporating this into her earring design as well as necklace and bracelet fastenings.

Judges, including Ortak Managing Director, Michael Gardens, Director of Scotland Re:Designed, Chris Hunt and Historic Environment Scotland’s Kari Coghill, also named Glasgow-based student Paula Hutchinson as runner up for her pendant design inspired by the Viking dragon stone carving within the tomb at Maeshowe.

Kari Coghill, Head of Business Development and Enterprise at Historic Environment Scotland and member of the competition judging panel, said: “The standard of design entries was incredibly high and it was fantastic to get a real insight into the emerging design talent within Scotland.

“Whilst judging wasn’t an easy task, we were particularly impressed with Norna’s innovative approach and it was great to see how she used an archaeological field survey drawing of Maeshowe to spark her creative process. Across the board the design submissions were so strong that we decided to select a runner up and chose Paula for her necklace design, based on the Maeshowe Viking dragon stone carving.

“These bespoke designs are sure to be popular and exciting additions to our existing jewellery collections, when they are made available to buy from early December. This exciting enterprise is made doubly special during Scotland’s Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design.”

These pieces form a unique collection that represents Maeshowe and Scotland’s historic environment in a contemporary and simplistic style. Currently being manufactured by Ortak, the jewellery will sit alongside other collections and be available to buy in gift shops at Skara Brae and Edinburgh Castle, as well as online from early next month.

Competition winner, Norna Sinclair, added: “Winning this design competition is a fantastic accolade and a very exciting time for me. Being an art student, you often have ideas that never reach fruition so it’s a real privilege to see my design taken from sketches on paper through to final pieces of jewellery and manufactured by Ortak. It has been a wonderful experience and I’m looking forward seeing it go on sale.”

Helping to celebrate Scotland’s Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design, the competition was open to students studying art, design and creative industry related degrees. With the initiative attracting entries from aspiring designers from Glasgow and Edinburgh to the Highlands and Orkney.

The newly designed jewellery will be available to buy from early December in gift shops at Skara Brae and Edinburgh Castle, as well as through the Historic Scotland online shop.

Family-owned and operated the Chinchar/Maloney team set their own standard in heirloom quality, handcrafted fine jewellery. They currently work out of a modest studio in Portland, Oregon having built an exceptional team of creatives that mirror the uniqueness and strength in their products.

Working with a range of beautiful gemstones the team explain “It is our privilege to work with rustic diamonds, as we believe that they are underrated in their beauty, appeal and timelessness. Each of our diamonds are one of a kind, untreated, ethically sourced and can never be replicated. This means much more to us than adding energy to an overrepresented and outdated definition of beauty”

Elaborating on this Chinchar/Maloney believe “The flaws within each diamond and gemstone represent our appreciation for the imperfect, as well as our deviation from contrasting societal standards. Our consistently evolving designs, ornate and fluid as they are, we see as the catalyst. Truly, our diamonds speak for themselves, each in a language exclusive to the person they choose.”

With an impressive range of designs from Engagement Rings, Wedding Rings and their unique One of a kind pieces you’ll find it difficult to not fall in love with their products charm and quality. Find them online at http://chincharmaloney.com/

Pieces of Mine is a new fash-tech startup, which brings a collection of curated jewellery designs from independent designers to a broader audience. Founder Nadine Oei states that “Despite the many distribution channels available nowadays, there is still a huge gap between emerging designers who are trying to get their products and brand name out there and the consumer that is looking for something ‘special’ which is not available in masses in high street stores. Pieces of Mine aims to bridge that gap through a curated jewellery marketplace.”

Launching with over 300 unique jewellery pieces and boasting  16 independant, international designers you will find creations from Jewellers such as Vera Vega from Denmark, Carmen Chan from Hong Kong and Rosedale Fine Jewellery from Los Angeles to name a few.

Pieces of Mine is very passionate about giving small but exciting jewellery designers from around the world a chance to sell to the UK and European markets, and really bring their stories alive so customers are not only buying jewellery, but jewellery with personality.

Nadine believes that consumers, particularly when looking for jewellery, are always intrigued by the ‘story’ behind a piece. “At Pieces of Mine, they can find a unique selection of jewellery pieces made by real people, with real stories. Amidst increasing consumer awareness about production processes of the fast-fashion industry and the loss of craftsmanship, Pieces of Mine caters to an audience that is looking to celebrate individuality and support and connect with a new generation of talented designers who are keeping the art of jewellery making alive.”

Unique and Fashionable

Their product selection is focused on high quality, innovative, fashionable yet durable jewellery. There is not one particular category within jewellery that they focus on giving them scope to search for pieces with unique characteristics and authentic design features, which are not necessarily available in high street stores. This wide variety of jewellery styles allows every jewellery lover to find something special in their product selection.

Our focus is on connecting the customers with the makers, as we feel this is very much missing in today’s fast fashion world. In this faceless era of mass brands, customers want to rediscover that feeling of intimacy and relationship with the designers behind the pieces.

Where their designers have featured

With a great product selection, a fantastic set of designers on board and an easy to use online store, you are bound to find something perfect as a gift or a treat for yourself.  Shop now at https://piecesofmine.com or follow them on facebook at https://facebook.com/piecesofmineuk

A three-dimensional object only has the magnitudes of space – length, breadth, and depth. The Jane Seymour is an object of power, a four-dimensional creation with the precious aura that spells the pinnacle of perfection. It alludes to the ambassadors who have travelled the globe in search of finesse; it allows you to venture into the remarkable expression that cannot be expressed in words.

Reflecting the power celebrity who has clinched an Emmy Award, two Golden Globe Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, dwell into the untamed desires of the mind and soul to expand all perceptions into an atmosphere of true significance. A deep blue exudes infinite fondness through a hypnotic magnetism, which The Jane Seymour embodies to the highest degree.

This impossibly rare diamond has been meticulously selected to illustrate the pride of eternity over matter, emotion and knowledge. Blue is the colour of all-inclusiveness. You will see in the existence, anything that is vast and beyond your perception generally tends to be blue, whether it is the ocean or the sky.

In its rough state, The Jane Seymour was hardly symmetrical in structure, which meant that with one miscalculation, one slip, and its color would have disappeared entirely. Retaining techniques passed down from generations, among the world’s finest artisans spent almost a year deliberating, planning and painstakingly cutting the rough into a magnificent cushion-cut 2.08 carat diamond of perfect proportions.

Flaunting an intellectual infrastructure beneath the outward illusion of apparent simplicity, the scintillating diamond ring emulates a constellation – worthy enough to grace the red carpet of the Oscars, which even the panoramic vista of Monaco can’t trump. This enigmatic treasure draws on a shared passion and affinity for Jane Seymour, for only she can replicate the magical enchantment. It promises profuse access to the recondite mysteries of nature.

The exceptional 2.08 carat Fancy Vivid Blue, Cushion-Cut Diamond deserved only the rarest of precious metals – Platinum.

Presented elegantly in an exclusive, handcrafted treasure chest, made from premium leather. Signed “W.O.D Genève”.

Jane Seymour, OBE

Distinguished as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, the Actress, Producer, Philanthropist, Painter and Businesswoman has propelled a singular piece of art, fated to delight the most exigent of characters. Having starred as Bond girl in Live and Let Die, as Queen Marie-Antoinette in La Révolution française, and an appearance in Young Winston as Winston Churchill’s lover, to name a few, the A-
lister transcends films and reality.

“Even though I make those movies, I find myself wishing that more of those magic moments could happen in real life.” – Jane Seymour

With a curtain of hair that falls halfway down her back coupled with spectacular and enviable ballerina legs owing to her dance aspiration, Jane favors sweet French white wine. A perfect sphere of mystical juice shall please the senses, cheer the spirits, and in wine, there is truth.

Demonstrating a high level of conscience, The Jane Seymour reveals the quintessential secrets of the soul.

The Creator – World Of Diamonds Group

Having launched and sold the world’s most expensive perfume collection in Singapore in 2015, the WOD Group has always been behind some of the finest diamonds and jewelry pieces. Through joint ventures with maisons in Europe and the Americas, the Russian conglomerate is almost fully integrated in diamond mining, polishing, high jewelry creation and distribution to leading houses of the world. As one of the largest privately held diamond mining corporations, the WORLD OF DIAMONDS has directly catered to billionaires and members of royal descent.

“ The invitation to behold this creation would rather you not compare The Jane Seymour to anything else in the high jewelry world. It is a celebratory treat, more comparable to a mega-yacht or a ticket to the moon.” – Karan Tilani, Director, World Of Diamonds Group

The Jane Seymour

Private viewing by invitation only.

Blue diamonds of this saturation have been known to fetch over USD 2,000,000 at Sotheby’s and Christie’s in the past, however, this ring is priceless after accounting for its celebrity recognition. The Jane Seymour was presented to Jane during a lavish dinner party at CÉ LA VI Singapore on the 25th April where the ring complemented Seymour’s blue dress and her Open Hearts jewelry collection which she proudly wore. The masterpiece then retreated to a vault as part of World Of Diamonds’ private collection after the dinner. Following this, The Jane Seymour was exclusively displayed at The Vortex, the glamorous “Art For Charity” red carpet gala evening on 29th April at the Raffles Singapore, attended by Jane Seymour & the President, on the 3rd May at the Royal Albatross Ship, on the 6th May at Angelina, Capitol Piazza during an exclusive lunch, and on the 10th May at 1-Altitude, the world’s highest al-fresco bar. Concluding the festivities, World Of Diamonds had hosted a champagne & cocktails party on the 18th May at CÉ LA VI Singapore.

“The resin reflects a modern, trendy look, whilst the precious metals bring a sense of tradition and old values, creating amazing, bold style pieces. The delicate ivory shine with, deep black colour of the products with real gold or silver make for luxurious creation.” – Izabela

Izabela Calik

‘I believe my jewellery represents independent, strong, and happy women. It makes you feel like one of the kind’. – Izabela

Izabela Calik is a London based designer. Her jewellery is made of high quality resin with 925 sterling silver and 18 CT gold plated. Every single piece is hand crafted, polished and engraved on the inside with the logo of the brand with great attention to detail

The designer’s aim is to meet the needs of today’s women, combining two worlds: the modern one represented by resin and the traditional one found in precious metals.

The brand has been inspired by Latin culture and its charismatic personalities. The collection reflects independent, strong, and happy women.

View this fabulous range online now at: http://www.izabelacalik.com/

share with your friends at: https://www.facebook.com/izabelacalik.jewellerydesigner/

Born in a family of traditional jewellers, Christina learned to appreciate classical forms and precious materials. But her creative mind and restless personality made her want to explore jewel-making further. During her studies at Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design she experimented a lot with different materials, shapes and techniques. Her creative journey and exploration led her to realize one thing: Her persistent love for classical forms and her urge to interpret them in a new unconventional way.

For her creations, Christina Soubli uses primarily 22 carat gold. The purity of the metal as well as the depth of its colour is something that runs throughout her collections. Her use of precious stones as well as gemstones and pearls gives a colourful aura to her pieces, something that also reflects her personality as an artist.

Christina’s collections are lush and diverse, each one of them inspired by a different mood, story or experience that touched her soul and triggered her creativity. At the same time, all of her collections have a common dramatic and utterly feminine identity, marked by the deep colour of 22 carat gold.

Christina has been distinguished with significant awards, among which is also the Worshipful Company of Goldsmith’s Award of Jewellery. She has exhibited her work in some of the most prestigious galleries and stores worldwide and has received numerous outstanding reviews.

Say hello www.christinasoubli.com

Despite the growing competition in the fine jewelry industry, Zoë Chicco continues to see tremendous growth internationally. Zoë is one of the only fine jewelry designers to both design and produce all of her jewelry in-house (at her studio & showroom in Los Angeles) without outsourcing or having her jewelry manufactured/purchased overseas. Zoë is a trained goldsmith; she took a horizon-expanding sojourn at Studio Arts Center International in Florence, Italy and worked several apprenticeships with well-established jewelers.

Since the launch of Zoë Chicco, her eponymous collection—which marries 14k gold with diamonds and semi-precious gemstones such as onyx and turquoise—has created a cult following among celebrities and trendsetters alike, including Jessica Alba, Giselle Bündchen, Jennifer Lawrence, Sofia Vergara, Miranda Kerr and Cameron Diaz, to name a few. Moreover, Zoë has maintained such loyal clients around the world because she continues to offer accessible price points. While she does have several more expensive pieces and collections, approximately 95% of her line retails for $3,000US.

Her jewelry is carried in over 250 stores across the world, and her line keeps growing each year. Below are a few highlights of the pieces that are now being carried at BABIOLE.

http://zoechicco.com/

Being a lover of jewellery myself, and spending much of my time writing about beautiful designs, i have to say, on this occasion, I am having to use serious willpower not to spend all my wages on their jewellery!

The brains and beauty behind this company, Amanda Reimer, began making jewellery in spring 2013 and by the October of that year, her determination and ambition meant that she had achieved a huge milestone and opened her own shop on Etsy. Being largely self lead, with the support of her cousin Amber(who models the jewellery) and her loving husband Keith (helping to prepare orders etc), Amanda embraced his suggestion to embark on an exciting new journey into the jewellery business. Due largely to her understandable obsession to buy it!

Much of Amanda’s inspiration comes from her appreciation for simplicity and geometry but also having a passion for creating things that people can relate to – such as, a favourite animal or more symbolic items. She expresses her love for making necklaces with the beautiful sentiment of creating a piece that will be worn, kept close to someone’s heart, like an every day, never to take off an item that holds meaning. Amanda also enjoys designing fashion items, made subtly for that glamorous look without being tacky.

Below is one of Amanda’s favourite designs.

Silver moose Arts also offers a bespoke service that is gradually increasing in popularity. She enjoys the challenge this allows in producing another’s vision, pushing her to be more diverse in her designs and make something that may aesthetically please someone else and not just what comes from her own heart. Having a passion for timeless things means Amanda uses quality material that will last and she will often upcycle vintage components to maximise uniqueness.

Silver Moose jewellery is available through their Facebook page and Etsy (see links below), where you can purchase a range of items, made mainly from sterling silver, gold vermeil and gemstone necklaces, earrings ,studs, natural and sterling silver stone bracelets. All items are nickel free and handmade with love. You may also view their items via twitter and Instagram.

Prices range from £18-£95, higher priced pieces being the more complex vintage designs.

Amanda aspires to make beautiful things that are everyday wearable and with a touch of glamour. Quoting, “I am proud of everything I make, and endeavour to design what I myself would wear and what I think my customers will love”. I highly recommend any jewellery fanatics to browse the links below. You will not be disappointed!!

You can check more of Amanda’s jewellery on Esty or Facebook

This week at QP Jewellers we’ve been trawling through an array of fresh creations in an attempt to single out our favourite new jewellery designer. After much deliberation and several vats of coffee we can finally say we’ve tracked her down and it’s safe to say she’s worth the arduous search.

Born in New Zealand, Jessica McCormack is one of the most exciting designers working in Britain today. Her father was an antiques dealer and auction house owner who possessed a keen talent for finding beauty where few others looked. McCormack’s career began with a lucrative internship at the Victorian jewellery department of Sotheby’s. This was her only formal experience when she then launched her own brand of finely handcrafted diamond designs. In 2007 she worked, with punk tenacity, out of a bizarre studio in Clerkenwell decorated with a collection of animal skulls and a swing hanging from the ceiling. She ascended into the spotlight, in 2011, when Rihanna bought one of her unique pieces, a stylish earcuff adorned with 37 shining diamonds, named the Wing of Desire. This particular piece was chosen by the Barbadian pop star from McCormack’s Messenger of the Gods collection. It featured a centred five-carat cushion diamond flanked by stylised wings and also utilised the designer’s favoured Georgian cut-down setting to accentuate the centrepiece.

When McCormack talks about jewellery she does so with a grounded sense of having been empowered by it. In the past she talked specifically about the heart-shaped Kia Ora pendant that her father had given to her. The Jade-like greenstone featured in the design is called, Pounamu, which is only found on the South Island of New Zealand where McCormack was raised. She describes the piece as being like a pearl, the lustre of which is improved over time as a result of being worn next to the skin. Her comment conveyed the fact that such a vivid reminder of home and family would always remain beautiful. This on-going theme of marrying the past and present pervaded her more recent pieces. She seems to prefer that jewellery which appealed to the heart, offering an emotional significance that couldn’t be measured in shine and cut. For this reason McCormack speaks highly of heirloom pieces. In her own collection she displays a set of ruby and diamond double-clip brooches that once belonged to her great-grandmother and which had, she proudly stated in an interview with The Telegraph, ‘been worn by three generations of women’. Essentially the key to her appreciation in this instance is the romantic continuity that imbues the pieces with power. She then went on to explain her view that people are a bundle of stories passed down through generations and implied that jewellery could help in the telling of those stories.

In keeping with this perspective, McCormack often incorporates subtle narratives into her designs so that the wearers could enjoy a more intimate interaction with their jewellery. For example, the design of her Wing of Desire piece was inspired by Greek mythology, taking the motif of Hermes’s winged sandals, which He used to deliver mortal dreams to the Gods in their cloud kingdom. Some of McCormack’s most iconic designs belong to bespoke pieces delivered to the likes of Madonna and Carine Roitfeld. She spun all kinds of innovative wonders from her ornate, art-filled salon on Mayfair’s Carlos Place. Mostly her creations reflected her background in antique jewellery and the craft to which her father had devoted her work. She called these handpicked designs ‘miniature pieces of art’, infused with such unusual influences as city skylines and the bold art of Maori tattoos. McCormack’s portfolio is resplendent with a diverse array of designs, many of which are showcased in her refined private collection.

In 2008 McCormack launched her captivating collection: XIV Sins and Virtues. The fourteen pieces she created for this collection were ingeniously based on each of the seven deadly sins and seven lively virtues. Each individual invention was intimately characterised to befit their designation, like, for example, the sloth earrings that featured dangling diamond-studded spheres and skulls framed with detachable partridge feathers. McCormack described how the spheres were supposed to symbolise bubbles being blown by some spoffish layabout and thereby the wasting of time.

At QP we were inspired by McCormack’s intriguing symbology and so we decided to arrange our very own decadent collection – we just couldn’t resist it. We must say we’ve thoroughly enjoyed choosing a piece to match each deadly sin: sloth, pride, envy, wrath, gluttony, lust and greed.

ANNE WALKER www.heistjewellery.co.uk

The avid Jewellery Monthly reader will have come across her in a previous article.

Anne’s degree theme was Contrast and explores the discord between good and evil, light and dark, solid and void etc. Through mind-mapping this led to explore the forest within the realms of fairy tales, such as Hansel and Gretel’s ribbon of breadcrumbs/stones to lead them out of the forest, Snow White’s poisoned apple, and Little Red Riding Hood’s wolf.

Using CAD and 3D printing technology, Anne is developing her skills by exploring the opportunities that scripting and panelling could offer alongside stone setting. Her collections certainly are interesting, edgy and anything but traditional.

Why did you become a jewellery designer?
I was already in design, but found myself unemployed during the recession after redundancy. Signing on at the Job Centre, for eleven months with two young children to look after on my own, was a difficult place to be, having worked as an architect for twenty years. I was recommended by the job centre to go back to college for a year and learn something new to prevent myself from joining the long-term unemployed. Sometimes you just have to take a chance. Choosing what to do…The design bit was easy… it is what I do. The technology bit was straightforward, I have been doing it for years. Initially, the difficult bit was becoming a student again. Yet, being older and wiser, I knew how hard I would need to work to achieve my goal, learning new skills and drawing on those I already had. Jewellery is like architecture, just on a different scale. Redundancy makes you evaluate what is important, what you already have and what you need to do, to get your confidence back.

Where do you draw inspiration from?
Visual and verbal stimuli, my environment and my everyday thoughts spark a constant process of design evolution within my imagination. Rarely found without sketchbook, pen or pencil in hand, I enjoy drawing and developing my ideas. I derive satisfaction from interpreting my designs and fine tuning details by exploiting CAD and 3D printing technology, to allow detailed stone setting at the bench; creating interesting, edgy and covetable jewellery.

How would you describe your own work?
Interesting, edgy and covetable. It is different, bold maybe, some pieces with a unisex appeal. heist represents skills, stolen from my previous career as an architect; as an antithesis, or contrast, to challenge the ‘traditional’ and as my brand identity.

If you could choose a famous person (alive or dead), who would you love to design a piece of jewellery for? What would it be?
Probably a pendant for someone like Suri Cruise or Harper Seven Beckham, the celebrity endorsement of your product can never be underestimated, and these two kids have plenty of mileage ahead. Maybe that makes me sound shallow or is it just commercial? However, I would probably like to have had the opportunity to design for another designer. Someone like Massimo Vignelli, [graphic designer] “If you can design one thing, you can design everything”, or Arne Jacobsen, [industrial design, architecture, furniture] or Max Miedinger, [the Swiss typeface designer who enriched the world with Helvetica] or Coco Chanel ….. Now they would be a challenge. The consultancy conversations would have been fantastic and the insight into their design worlds would be invaluable. What would I design; cufflinks for the gentlemen and a cuff for Gabrielle.

If you hadn’t become a jewellery designer/maker, which other career would you have chosen?
My parents told me I should be a doctor, a dentist or a plumber…. ‘People will always need them!’ Em…and if I hadn’t done architecture…. A photographer maybe, a graphic or product designer but most likely a ski instructor in the winter and tennis coach in the summer!

What is your favourite piece of jewellery and why?
I have two very small sentimental pieces, a ring and a charm bought by each of my children for me, one on a primary school trip and the other when we were on holiday together in Turkey. They chose them, themselves and they chose well.

What are your plans for the future?
Just fresh out from my Degree, I have been asking myself that question on a daily basis. I recently got knocked back for a CAD designer job with a large jewellery retailer as I ‘lacked experience’…. It is difficult to get passed HR sometimes and speak to the right people. I would like to work in the design department for an established company, to engage with a team, to inspire and spark enthusiasm to produce contemporary fine jewellery for the customer who wants a choice; something different. I have the skills to do this. I just need the right company to realise they should take a chance on me! Whilst actively pursuing employment, I am concentrating on getting heist jewellery the name on everyone’s lips, but what is more important is heist bangles on their wrists, heist pendants around their necks and heist rings on their fingers!

A word of advice – just because it’s heist jewellery, don’t feel encouraged to steal it, it doesn’t mean you can help yourself to it…or you better be a very fast runner!

CAROL DOCHERTY

You could not meet a nicer person, highly skilled, and incredibly humble. This designer doesn’t realise how good she actually is….believe me, she is very good!

Born in 1960 Carol grew up in Coatbridge, left school in 1979 and attended Glasgow School of Art, where she specialised in ceramics. She was drawn to contemporary figurative ceramics, and especially hand built one off pieces that incorporated colour, texture and mark-making. Carol graduated in 1983 with a first class BA Hons, a travel scholarship and the prestigious Newberry Medal.

She worked for a year teaching ceramics and then in1984 moved to London in order to attend the Royal College of Art where she graduated in 1987 with a Master’s degree in ceramics and glass. After leaving college Carol taught ceramics and Art and Design alongside being a practising artist, showing her work in many galleries throughout the UK.

She returned to Glasgow School of Art in 2009-20111 to take evening classes in jewellery and realised very quickly that she was going to love making jewellery. It was at this point that Carol decided to return to college full time to get a more formal training in jewellery, graduating with an HND in 2014.

Carol Docherty’s jewellery is very personal, to herself and the customer, a lot of thought goes into each and every piece, for example her bracelets can tell the customer’s own little story, full of memories and emotions, like a tapestry of their life.

Some of her latest work – especially designed for Rockcandy Gallery in Edinburgh feature subtle etchings, based on sketches of thistles, a gentle nod to her home country.

You can tell Carol is very interested in the sculptural and human form and her work goes far beyond jewellery, such as her stunning pill boxes and mementos.

Why did you become a jewellery designer?
I came to jewellery later in life but it was something I always had an interest in. I remember being overawed as a teenager by a book that my mum brought home from the library; it was the jewellery of Rene Lalique. I am still a huge fan of his work.

When I was at Art School I had to choose a “specialism” in my second year, my choice was between ceramics and jewellery, I chose ceramics. Jewellery over the years became an itch I couldn’t scratch and that’s why I have come back to it later in life.

Where do you draw inspiration from?
I draw my inspiration from a wide variety of sources; these include the natural world, symbolism, pattern, texture and the human form. I like my pieces to have a narrative this could be a personal story known only to the wearer of the piece or something that I have an interest in. I particularly like Victorian jewellery for its sentimentality, symbolism, and its attachment to significant events in a person’s life.

How would you describe your own work?
I would describe my work as narrative, decorative and personal.

If you could choose a famous person (alive or dead), who would you love to design a piece of jewellery for?
If I could choose anyone to design a piece of jewellery for it would be Cleopatra and it would either be a headpiece or a collar.

If you hadn’t become a jewellery designer/maker, which other career would you have chosen?
I have always been a maker and since leaving The Royal College of Art in 1987 I have been both a figurative ceramicist and an Art and Design teacher. So jewellery is my other career or perhaps it could be considered as just transferring ones skill to a different medium.

What is your favourite piece of jewellery and why?
I like so many pieces of jewellery it seems mean to pick a favourite, Rene Lalique’s work is a great favourite of mine along with Alexander Calder, but recently I came across “The Ship of Fools” 2004 pendant in silver and gold by Dieter Dill-de which I just loved.

What are your plans for the future?
My future plans are to continue making jewellery and to develop my figurative wax carving skills. I’m convinced, Carol’s future as a jewellery designer/maker is bright…there’ll certainly be one of her rings on my hand soon!

PAULA SLOAN

Paula Sloan is originally from County Armagh in Northern Ireland. She has been working and studying in the jewellery industry since 2001. Prior to studying Jewellery Design she worked in retail for 5 years.

It was during this time that she decided that she wanted to learn how to make all the beautiful pieces of jewellery that she was selling, so she decided to return to full-time education, taking advantage of the opportunity to learn as much as she could and become adept in the use of CAD and advanced stone setting.

Paula obviously loves jewellery and this…..well, almost addiction…comes through in her work. The stunning designs of her rings are based on patterns formed by drugs (of the good and bad kind, such as Prozak and Heroin) when dissolved, spread on film and looked at under the microscope…Fantasy and Ecstasy look great when transformed into jewellery! They are fingerlickingly beautiful pieces, and the good news: all legal and no side effects!

She enjoys applying colour to her pieces through the use of vitreous enamels.

Paula’s great talent really shines in her gemstone-set one off pieces that truly stand out. These are pieces not for the shy and faint-hearted, but bold, stunning and full of personality.

Unsurprisingly this ring gained her a Highly Commended by the Scottish Gemmological Association in 2015.

What inspired you to become a jewellery designer?
Jewellery has always fascinated me. People have been using jewellery as a way of adorning their bodies for centuries. So many different designers influenced by the culture and era they lived in. This is what inspired me to become a jewellery designer / maker. I wanted to learn the complexity of construction so that I could produce pieces that the wearer could feel a personal connection to and create designs that would endure.

Where do you draw inspiration from?
I like unusual shapes and patterns, both natural and manmade. I especially like fractal patterns. I take a lot of photographs when I am not in the workshop, so I am continually gathering new images that I can use to ignite my imagination.

How would you describe your own work?
I have always enjoyed the practical side of being a designer maker and take pleasure in applying all of the bench skills that I have acquired over the years to the pieces I create. I like to combine new technology with traditional techniques to enhance my pieces.

If you could choose a famous person (alive or dead), who would you love to design a piece of jewellery for?
What would it be? The person I would choose would be Elizabeth Taylor. I think she had a wonderfully adventurous taste when it came to the pieces of jewellery she chose to collect and embodied style and decadence in every aspect of her life. I would have made her an elaborate “collarette” because I believe she exuded the confidence to carry off daring pieces of jewellery.

If you hadn’t become a jewellery designer/maker, which other career would you have chosen?
If I had not become a jewellery designer, I would hope to have still been designing and making objects in an alternative medium as the process of producing art is the only career path I could see myself having chosen. Probably sculpture, as it is still creating, just on a larger scale.

What is your favourite piece of jewellery and why?
I would find it very difficult to choose just one piece of jewellery. I have a broad range of taste when it comes to other jewellery designers and find aesthetic appeal in many styles and in a variety of mediums. One of the contemporary designers whose work I really like is Hattie Rickards. Her pieces are always fun and very colourful. I especially like her kinetic range of rings which include The Revolver Ring and The Rubix Ring.

What are your plans for the future?
I aim to continue to broaden my knowledge by learning more new and existing techniques and focus on developing my understanding of designing as a whole. I want to continue to design and create items of jewellery that excite and inspire not only me but the people that they have been made for. Anne Walker, Carol Docherty and Paula Sloan, watch these girls, they are going to make their mark in the jewellery industry. Their work is currently available at Rockcandy Gallery, Edinburgh.

Images thanks to:

Anne Walker www.heistjewellery.co.uk
Carol Docherty
Paula Sloan
Rockcandy Gallery www.rockcandygallery.com

Each intricate design is originally carved from wax. These delicate models are then cast into silver and bronze and each is finished by hand. The sterling silver is oxidized for an antique finish while the bronze is dipped in 22k satin gold. Chains, clasps, and ear wires are sterling silver or 14k rolled gold. Many items are also embellished with an array of high-quality freshwater pearls or semi-precious stones. Louise Douglas Jewellery takes pride in the high quality and hand finishing of all their pieces.

http://louisedouglas.com/

She has exhibited her statement jewels across India. From London market (hotel Intercontinental)to Le social (DLF Emporio in New Delhi) and S & S Trunk show (hotel Maharaja in Ludhiana) to Runway Rising (Hotel Ashoka in the Capital), she has beautifully showcased her collection in various fashion & lifestyle events. Fashion emboldens one’s personality and individuality is Tania’s strong belief and also the idea behind starting her fashion line. 

Fashion entrepreneur and stylist Tania M Kathuria is extremely passionate about her work & this reverberates in her designs, which are very classy & chic.

TI Couture’s statement jewels comprises of earrings, neckpieces, ear-cuffs, rings, body chains and many more, varying between modern pieces and Indo-western designs. From a teenager to a middle-aged woman, TI couture caters to them all. The brand presents its customers with a blend of fashion, style as well as a price that goes well with different market segments. Most of the contemporary fashion brands in the market work on cost based model, either too cheap or too expensive for most customers. However, TI Couture is a platform which works upon a value added model.

Tania M Kathuria is launching its own e-commerce website (www.ticouture.com). The brand currently has its online presence at www.indianroots.in (an NDTV Venture), www.raffinee.in

(an e-store for women’s accessories) as well as www.getsetshaadi.com (a supreme wedding sourcebook website).

The designer has been inspired by her Mother ‘Maleni Israani’. Tania loves to explore the wonders of nature while travelling virgin destinations and swimming gives her a soothing experience after a hectic business schedule.

About TI Couture
Young, Free Spirited, Trendy and Non- conventional that is what defines TI Couture. Incepted in 2014, the concept of TI Couture is to embrace the paradigm shift in the Indian women’s taste today. TI Couture is a refreshing new luxury brand. The brands statement jewels vary between contemporary and Indo-western designs. The designer usually includes semi-precious stones, pearls, and crystal embellishments in her designs on metal, silver & rose gold base; thus ensuring there is something in store for everyone.

Tania M Kathuria is currently in talks to tie up with renowned multi-designer stores across India. Her future plan is to take TI Couture to an International platform.

The company was established by owner Jeremy Berruel in November 2014, making huge progress with the help of his loving wife, family and friends. They all offered plenty of feedback where and when needed. Jeremy is inspired by his love for sculpting together with his previous experience in visual effects and design for film companies. During his spare time he began designing and making jewellery that he soon realised, after receiving much interest from the people he knew, that with enough determination he could create inspiring jewellery that people would wish to own. Soon after, Something Orginal was born.

Jeremy is motivated by the challenge to produce something that people will like and ultimately enjoy enough to want to purchase them. There is something magical and highly self-fulfilling about producing a product that a total stranger will fall in love with for their own unique reasons, and also there is a huge sense of achievement in that knowledge.

Something Original has a range of interesting and unusual pieces to choose from, all of which are eye-catching and wonderous.

Offering sterling silver and brass, or bronze with a gold plated finish, Jeremy will ensure that he has discussed all details with the client such as materials or maybe the use of gems for custom made orders.

Something Orginal is now looking to the future and is keen to develop and grow a larger team with its recent success. The company also hopes to plan events in order to meet new people, which will help with feedback for new designs that capture a larger audience. This will allow Something Orginal to introduce new creations to individuals that would be made exclusively. The products available can currently be accessed through the website however, Something Orginal has plans to explore the idea of working with a few stockists to make his products even more accessible and visual to the public.

Jewellery designer Jeremy has a lovely sentiment behind his creations and in his inspiration which shows in every piece he delivers.

” I see Jewellery like tattoos they show you who you are. You send a message you don’t wish to tell but want people to see. It may remind you of a moment, motivate you, or simply, make you happy. They will always, make you Original!!”

(Jeremy Berruel)

I love that Something Original stands out from the excessive crowd of repetitive jewellery designs and has taken a chance by trusting that people do desire to be different and are intrigued by something new and original. For handmade, unique designs, prices range from a very reasonable £90 – £300 This ultimately depends on the material used and the complexity of the design.

The Interview

Owner & Designer – Jeremy Berruel

Tell us a little About yourself?

My name is Jeremy Berruel. I am French and grew up in a small town in Normandy. At thew age of 20, I went to Brittany to study in a cinema school. Further to that, I obtained my degree and I started my career as a 3D artist for a company not too far from Bordeaux which is a beautiful city. In 2007, I came in London where I started to work as a Digital sculptor for Visual Effect Companies on award winning movies. I am currently working on a big film while I am running Something Original. I am married and I have a beautiful baby daughter of 21 months old.

What is your favourite quote?

I see jewellery like tattoos showing you who you are. You send a message you don’t want to tell but want people to see. They can remind you of a moment, motivate you, make you happy. They will always make you Original.

What inspired you to go into the jewellery business?

I have been sculpting and designing for several years for Visual Effects and during my spare time I was designing jewellery. I think it is when my wife and friends told me that they were interested in my creations and eager to buy them that I decided to create a business. As I am running Something Original alone, the process for me took some time but it’s rewarding and it’s a great challenge to design jewellery and I hope that people will like them enough to buy them.

Where do you get inspiration from?

My inspiration comes from everywhere. I am working in an environment full of artists from different countries and backgrounds who inspire me a lot. For almost 10 years, I worked for Visual Effect Companies as a digital sculptor on films so I can say that a part of my inspiration came from there.

What are your favourite designs?

I love all my designs but I would say the Lion pendant and the Spine ring are my favourites so far.
I love the Lions gaze and the way the fur creates the shape of the pendant which gives a noble look to it. It will definitely stand up on anybody.

The Spine ring has a really interesting organic and complex shape which makes me think of a spine or a bone structure. It definitely makes you look twice at the hand when you wear it. I designed the earrings and pendants as well.

Do you use and specific metal or gemstones?

The Something Original website offers Sterling Silver and Brass or bronze with gold plated finishes. This makes easier for me because it’s simpler for me to manage. But as pieces are made on order, the clients can contact me if they wish for different materials. The casting company who I work with offer a wide range of materials. I can do stones but only on custom pieces for the moment.

Do you have a particular theme or style?

I don’t have a particular theme or style, I want to be flexible and let my imagination guide my designs.

Do you target a specific trend?

I think it’s the first thing people ask me about, what is my target market? I don’t really like to put people in categories. Everybody is different from the way they live, dress and work. So I would say that I target people who don’t like to be put into categories. I want people to be unique, original, live their lives and enjoy it.

What are your aspirations for the future of the company?

I think the first thing is to have enough success to allow the company to grow and have more artists.
I would like to organise events in order to meet people, have their direct feedback and to introduce new creations to them with a little exclusivity.

How do you market your products?

For the moment, I market my products on my website www.somethingoriginaldesign.co.uk but I intend on working with a few stockists this year.

What type of price ranges can a customer expect to pay?

Prices start from £90 to £300 depending of size and materials.