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.

We were shortlisted for this years Retail Jeweller UK Jewellery Awards in the category of boutique retailer of the year.  The awards dinner took place in the magical surroundings of the Natural History Museum right underneath the Tyrannosaurus last Thursday evening.  Unfortunately we didn't win the main prize but in a tough category with 8 worthy candidates it feels like a great achievement just to be nominated!  Congratulations to all those involved, organisers, candidates and judges alike, I think it's fair to say it was a fabulous night out.

We have a winner! 

Thank you to all those who took part in our Graduates in the Spotlight competition, from those who entered submissions, everyone who took the time to vote and our finalists, Sally-Anne Fenton and Jessica Nam.  Here's the interview that we carried out with Elise Goldin earlier this week.

Designer Interview  - Elise Goldin

What inspired you to become a jewellery designer?

From a young age I enjoyed doing anything creative. I grew up watching Art Attack, Smart Art and Blue Peter, always trying to recreate what they made on the shows!

Although I studied Art & Design at university, I wasn’t sure which speciality I was going to choose upon graduation.

I was encouraged to show a concept jewellery collection at New Designers 2012, which gained a fair amount of attention. I realised that I had side-lined what came naturally to me, and what I got pure enjoyment out of, which was designing and making jewellery.

What is your favourite piece of jewellery? (Either made or purchased)

Whenever I make a new piece for the Facet collection, I always say, “Ooh, this is my favourite”! But overall, I would have to say it would be a pair of engraved feather earrings I made for my mum’s birthday. They were the first things I made when I moved into Flux studios, so they have sentimental value. I get real enjoyment out of seeing my friends and family wearing my jewellery. 

Which celebrity would you love to wear your jewellery and why?

Currently it’s Solange Knowles. She’s got a very unique and brave sense of style, that is cutting-edge and she never shies away from colour! 

I can envisage my ‘Facet’ collection enhancing almost any of her outfit choices.

Out-with jewellery is there any other career that you would love to try?

If I hadn’t chosen jewellery as a path, I would have probably have gone down the route of Set-Design. I love the idea of creating a world from your imagination and turning it into a reality.

What can we expect to see from you in the future?

I will be releasing some Facet sub-collections; limited edition, couture, and adding new earthy colours for an autumn/winter collection.