Category: London Jewellery Boutique

1. Our visit to London Fashion Week

   Posted on 2:30pm Tuesday 18th Feb 2014

    

   Well, as London Fashion Week arrives stealthily upon us once more, (it always seems to come around so quickly!) we decided to sashay on down to Somerset House to get a little peek of what’s in store over the coming seasons. 

    

   After circumnavigating the LFW catwalk tent and wading through a sea of carefully preened fashionistas, we collected our entry passes and headed for the Rock Vault.

    

   The bubbles were obviously flowing freely as we were unable to find a champagne flute for love nor money, luckily we managed to convince the barman to dispense our tipple into a water glass which, judging by his reaction was against the rules but suited us just fine!

    

   The Rock Vault made it’s debut in 2012 and has been going from strength to strength ever since. now entering it’s fourth season, it has become a solid ‘must see’ at LFW. Supported by the British Fashion Council and curated by Stephen Webster, the east corner of Somerset House is commandeered by ten of the newest and coolest UK jewellers showcasing their precious wares to London’s most fashionable.

    

   Rock Vault 2014 certainly did not disappoint. The shortlisted exhibitors have been excellently selected this season. Each designers style was varying and individual, leaving them to shine on their own without being overshadowed by each other. The collections covered a broad spectrum, from the more organic, irregular creations of Imogen Belfield to the crisp, clean, minimalism of Sophie Bille Brahe’s modern take on pearls. Pearls, in fact, seem to have been given a new lease of life. With several of the designers using them in more contemporary and refreshing ways.

    

   Needless to say, our attention was firmly drawn to more than a couple of the designers work. So, watch this space, you never know which of this seasons ‘Rock Vaulter’s’ may make an appearance in the Nude spotlight in the future. Excited? We know we are! 

2. How to Commission a Piece of Jewellery

   Posted on 7:24pm Monday 17th Feb 2014

   As some of you may have noticed, we are currently running an exciting new competition, where we are giving one lucky person the opportunity to win a bespoke engagement ring, designed and handcrafted especially for you. Click here for info.

   For those of you thinking of entering our great competition, or for those considering  commissioning a piece for a loved one or as a treat for yourself. We have put together a concise explanation of how the bespoke process works, just to give you a clearer idea of what to expect and how to get the most out of the experience 

    

   Selecting the Piece

   The first step is to decide on the piece of jewellery. Having an idea of whether you would like a ring, necklace, earrings? etc. is a good place to start. Another thing to consider is if it is an entirely new piece or does it perhaps incorporate an old family ring of sentimental value? Family heirlooms often sit around gathering dust, when they could be converted into something more modern and wearable with a rework!

    

   Selecting a Style

   Everybody has their own preference of style when it comes to jewellery, as it’s a very personal thing. So deciding on something classic and delicate or bold and chunky is an important thing to be taken into consideration to be able to communicate your idea across to your jeweller.

   Collecting images of things you like, can be a very helpful tool to give you and your designer a clearer vision.

    

   Being Clear on Budget

   The sky is the limit when it comes to precious metals and stones, so it is important to be decisive about how much is a realistic spend for you. The budget then decipher what materials and techniques can be drafted into the design and construction of the piece.

    

   A Realistic Timescale for Completion

   Rome wasn’t built in a day as they say, the same goes for precious jewels! 

   Sometimes things need to be sent to engravers, casters etc and it takes time to develop  your dream creation. So, if you need something in a panic for the next day, it’s unlikely that it’s going to happen. 

   The simpler ideas can be quicker but be realistic if you have a special date you need it to be ready for. A little bit of organisation really helps, so get that ball rolling asap!

    

   We hope this sheds a little bit of light on the situation for you. Pop in and see us or give us a call at Nude if you have an idea you would like to run by us. We’ll be waiting at our workbenches to make it a reality!

   Or for more information click here or to read some testimonials click here.

3. The Cheapside Hoard - The Lost Jewels

   Posted on 2:40pm Tuesday 29th Oct 2013

    

   I had the pleasure of visiting the Cheapside Hoard Exhibition at the Museum of London this week and what a treat it was! This is the first time the ‘lost jewels’ have been shown in their entirety for nearly a century and it still remains a complete enigma as to whom these treasures belonged. The hoard of Elizabethan and Jacobean jewellery was unearthed by workmen in the cellar of a Cheapside house in 1912. It was then handed over to a character known as Stoney Jack Lawrence. Lawrence was an antiques dealer who also held a job as Inspector of Acquisitions at the then London Museum. He was well known to the navvies working in London at the time, as he would exchange any trinkets and ‘old rubbish’ unearthed during house demolitions for the price of half a beer.

   So, it was in this manner that this find of incalculable value was discovered.  For me to try and describe some of the craftsmanship in this breathtaking collection would do it an injustice. It really does have to be seen with your own eyes. The sheer beauty of the long hidden pieces, combined with the mystery of it’s original owner and how it came to be lost/hidden, all makes for an enchanting tale. The curators of the exhibition have done a fantastic job of setting the scene for the period in during which the jewellery would have been crafted. Allowing you to imagine what London would have been like at this time, as well as learning about the gemstones the construction of the adornments and who would have worn them. Magical and educational, this really shouldn’t be missed. It has something for everyone whether you’re a jewellery diehard or not!  The Cheapside Hoard at the Museum of London runs until 27th April 2014.