Category: Designer Jewellery

1. What you need to know about the Mohs scale of hardness...

   Posted on 10:59am Tuesday 13th Aug 2013

   Invented by Friedrich Mohs, a German mineralogist, in 1812, the mohs scale of hardness is primarily used to assist in the identification of minerals. Offering a scale of 10 minerals varying from the very soft (talc) to the very hard (diamond), the scale can be useful within jewellery to determine what the gemstone can be used for:

   ie is a certain gemstone too soft for everyday wear in a ring?

   Can two gemstones be set next to each other without damaging the other?

   The idea is that each mineral listed on the scale has the ability to scratch the stones poistioned below it, or to be scratched by the stone in the position above.

   So, diamond can scratch all stones positioned 1-9 as diamond is the hardest mineral. Topaz will not scratch corundum or diamond but it will scratch any stone positioned between 1 and 7.

   Below is a table breaking down the 10 minerals and the common substances that they are similar to with regards to hardness.

    

   Position	Mineral	Similar to
   1	Talc	Fingernail
   2	Gypsum (amber)
   3	Calcite (ivory)	Copper Coin
   4	Fluorite (pearl)
   5	Apatite (obsidian)	Glass
   6	Feldspar (labradorite)	Steel File
   7	Quartz (amethyst, citrine)
   8	Topaz
   9	Corundum (ruby, sapphire)
   10	Diamond

    

   It is worth noting that this scale of hardness is not linear. The difference in hardness between corundum and diamond is not the same as the difference between talc and gypsum. Also, minerals within the same position can still scratch each other.

   For further information or for advice on gemstones please call our customer service team on 07957 371 254

2. Nude Loves.... Rose Gold

   Posted on 1:27pm Tuesday 6th Aug 2013

   .....Rose gold has become increasingly popular in the past year, not only is it a big trend in fashion jewellery but it's also the gold of choice for fine jewellery and was a central theme in watches at Baselworld 2013.

    

   	3 Reasons to love rose gold!
   1.It has a luxurious vintage feel		2.The warmth of the rose suits most skin tones bringing out the pink hues
   	3.The tone compliments a wide range of coloured gemstones

    

    

    

3. Summer Survival for Jewellery

   Posted on 3:27pm Monday 22nd Jul 2013

   Keep your Jewellery Cool this Summer....

   If you've fallen in love with your jewellery and don't want to take it off beware! The summer might be good for our vitmain D intake but it's not always great for our precious jewels.

   With the arrival of summer also comes the arrival of new dangers to precious metal and gemstones and here is a little list of the worst offenders.

   Swimming

   Chemicals can damage and discolour precious metals so be sure to remove these items before taking a dip in a chlorinated pool. The same applies when using a hot tub, the rule of thumb is chemicals = bad.

   But the sea is natural right? So if I'm on the beach and want to jump in the ocean it's fine. Wrong. Salt water can be equally as damaging and can dull metals and cause unnecessary stress to gemstone facets and appearance, it can also degrade the mounts the gems are set in which weakens them and can cause them to loosen.

   Sunbathing

   Lying by the pool on a luxury day bed with a brand new bikini and the amazing gemstone jewellery that you cherish and would never remove can be fatal....to your gemstones. The suns harmful rays can fade and weaken gemstones such as amethyst and topaz. Excessive heat can also fracture gems, it removes the natural moisture within the stone and pearls and opals in particular can suffer with cracks and discolouration. And while you may be conscious of lathering up on factor 30 so that you don't burn just remember that gemstones and precious metals really don't like chemicals, especially those found in make-up, hairspray and perfume.

   Activities

   Bored of sunbathing and want to try some adrenalin rushing experiences? Good for you but we recommend taking off your jewellery. Whether you're windsurfing or scuba diving, if one of your diamond stud earrings shimmies out of your ear you will have difficulty finding it again.

   If you go for the 'relaxing' summer option of gardening then again, the recommendation is to remove all jewellery first as knocks and bangs will do permanent damage. Or at least wear gloves!

   We're not saying that if you wear your jewellery in the sun it will fall apart, it really shouldn't but it can cause long lasting damage that can cause future problems, and surprising as it seems, some people don't realise just how damaging it can be. So, even though jewellery is made to be worn, if you are taking it off for safety then make sure to store it in a resealable plastic bag, unless its pearls and then it's best to keep them in a silk pouch or a compartment of a jewellery box where they won't get scratched against other items.

   Keep in a cool place and make sure that your favourite pieces can really be treasured forever.