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Bespoke Tanzanite ring and earrings

Bespoke Tanzanite ring and earrings

In October 2021 we were approached to make a very special set of bespoke jewellery using heirloom diamonds and Tanzanites for a customers golden (that's 50 years!) wedding anniversary. Tanzanites...
Gemstone Earrings

Gemstone Earrings

There are so many different ways gemstones can be incorporated into earrings, whether they be studs, drop earrings, or something more intricate. There are also many considerations regarding cut, clarity, colour, and ethics that we explore in this article.

Rare gems

Rare gems

Gemstones are little miracles of chemistry and nature. We love their colours and their sparkle, as well as the legends and meanings that people have assigned to rare gems for...
Modern wedding jewellery ,yellow gold and pearl ring

Modern wedding jewellery ,yellow gold and pearl ring

Pearls are the classic choice for wedding jewellery, often this means going for pearl studs, a string of pearls around the neck or a bracelet but what if you love...
Freelance jewellery designer uk

Freelance jewellery designer uk

My experience as a freelance jewellery designer in the UK. I have been a part of the jewellery industry in the UK since 2004 in one role or another. Since...
Demantoid garnet earrings

Demantoid garnet earrings

Demantoid garnets are a fascinating green variety if the mineral garnet that sparkle more than diamonds and are found in only a few places around the world. We love making...
Tanzania gem hunting trip part 2

Tanzania gem hunting trip part 2

Again, the expedition started with a trip to the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, where Styve checked with the minister that we had permission to visit the mines he had contacted and that their licenses were up to date.

What are salt and pepper diamonds?

What are salt and pepper diamonds?

The cost of a salt and pepper diamonds depends on its size, its colour, cut and transparency.

A stone that is mostly clear but has a few large visible inclusions will be worth more than a stone which has many tiny inclusions. A stone with multiple small inclusions may appear to be grey or milky white because of the way they affect the light that enters the diamond and is reflected out.

Round v pear cut diamond price comparison

Round v pear cut diamond price comparison

We wanted to know, if you were going to buy a diamond that had exactly the same characteristics other than the cut, would there be a difference in price?

Purple grey spinel

Purple grey spinel

Purple grey Spinel. 1.86ct rectangular cushion cut gemstone.

James Abbott
Blue green shield cut Tourmaline from Namibia

Blue green shield cut Tourmaline from Namibia

This was the first gemstone I bought when I visited Namibia back in January 2015. It was purchased from The House of Gems in Windhoek, which I’m sad to hear...
James Abbott
Faceted and cabochon gemstones

Faceted and cabochon gemstones

 

In very simple terms, a faceted stone has many flat sides and a cabochon is smooth.  Faceted stones are more popular for transparent stones and cabochons are more popular for opaque or translucent stones. Although you can find most stones in both faceted or cabochon shapes.