16th June 2007
Speaking for myself the world of seasonal ‘Haute Couture,’ or high fashion as we know it, is exactly that…High! In fact, in financial and physical terms it’s so high that it’s completely out of my reach! Unfortunately no excuse, financial or oth...
17th November 2006
Reflecting the rainbows of the ocean beds, iridescent Mother of Pearl is the Opal of the sea. Like amber, Mother of Pearl is organic, but unlike any other gemstone it forms locked away within its creator: the mollusk.
Mother of Pearl or Nacre forms in ...
17th November 2006
Mother of Pearl is crystal calcium carbonate and conchiolin, secreted by the living organism within a mollusk, which builds up and solidify coating the inner surface of the shell. Also known as Nacre, from the Arabic word Naqqarah meaning shell.
Moth...
17th November 2006
During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England, Europeans gave Mother of Pearl its name. However the beauty of Mother of Pearl, associated birthstone of June, has been used in the decoration of precious jewels and ornaments as far back as 3000 years bef...
16th November 2006
To receive a hallmark items of precious metal must undergo tests carried out by the Assay office. This is done to ascertain if the object's content of precious metal meets the standard requirements of purity.
Forms of marking precious metal objects we...
26th October 2006
One of the world’s most popular gemstones, Amethyst is classified today as a semi-precious gem. However, from the pre-biblical times of ancient Mesopotamia right up to the European Middle Ages, Amethyst was regarded as a precious gem. During this perio...
03rd October 2006
Filigree Sterling Silver Jewelry History Part 1 – 3000 B.C. To 400 A.D.
Definition
n. Filigree /filligree/:From the Latin 'Filum', meaning 'Thread', and 'Granum' meaning 'Seed'. Filigree is the art of curling, twisting and plaiting fine pliable thr...
03rd October 2006
Filigree Sterling Silver Jewelry History Part II– 1000 A.D. To 1900 A.D.
Definition
n. Filigree /filligree/:From the Latin 'Filum', meaning 'Thread', and 'Granum' meaning 'Seed'. Filigree is the art of curling, twisting and plaiting fine pliable th...
