Say it with sapphires

Sapphires have long been considered the stone of new love and commitment.  Sapphire jewellery symbolises faithfulness and loyalty, so it’s a wonderful choice to show how much you care.

If your beloved takes a more minimal approach to jewellery, gift her these sweet Sapphire Teardrop Stud Earrings (above) which showcase a delicate teardrop-shaped sapphire set amongst golden granules. 

Necklaces are a lovely choice for Valentine’s as they are worn close to the heart.  Our Necklace with Oval Beads in Sapphire and Gold Vermeil features tactile smooth oval sapphire beads and is easy to wear casually or for a more dressed up look.

The pearl is the queen of gems and the gem of queens

So said Grace Kelly, and who am I to argue? Pearl jewellery is a timeless and versatile choice that also happens to be bang on trend right now.

These Beaded Hoop Earrings in Pearl and Gold Vermeil are a great option for the earring lover in your life. The intricate beading adds a touch of sophistication, making these pearl hoop earrings a thoughtful choice for someone who appreciates handcrafted elegance. 

Or try this classic Pearl Row Bracelet or delicate Pearl Crescent Necklace.

Green shoots         

Valentine’s Day coincides with the first stirrings of spring as bulbs nudge their way out of the cold earth.  Emeralds, and the colour green in general, symbolise rebirth, so they make a lovely, meaningful gift to symbolise a fresh start after challenging times.

For a show-stopping gift, wow her with this Emerald Ombre Full-Row Necklace, crafted in verdant green emerald beads.  Or you really can’t go wrong with these best-selling Emerald Grape Earrings.

I hope this has helped if you are looking for a thoughtful jewellery gift for your Valentine.  Whether you a choose a dainty pair of earrings or a statement beaded gemstone necklace, remember that what really matters is the thought behind your gift.

Happy Valentine’s!

Kate xxx

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Myth and Symbolism of Pearl Jewellery

Pearl jewellery is surrounded by myth and symbolism in many civilisations.

In Hindu folklore, dewdrops fell from the moon into the sea, turned into pearls, and Krishna picked one out of the water as a gift for his daughter on her wedding day.

Legend has it that Cleopatra crushed a pearl into a glass of wine to prove to Marc Antony that she could give the most expensive dinner in history, proving to him the superior wealth of Egypt.

Seed Pearl Jewellery

Traditionally, the value of pearls for use in jewellery is determined by their lustre, colour, size, lack of surface flaw and symmetry.

Large pearls may be valuable, but I really love the range of sizes and shapes available with freshwater pearls. This allows me to play with texture and form and create barnacle-like clusters.

I particularly love tiny freshwater seed pearls. These are tiny pearls of less than 2mm in diameter, created from freshwater mussels, mainly off the coast of China.

Seed pearls were widely used in pearl jewellery in the 18th and 19th centuries. Georgian jewellers created elaborate floral designs by threading seed pearls onto horsehair on a mother of pearl base. Queen Victoria popularised the use of seed pearls in mourning jewellery, with pearls representing tears for the departed loved one.

Pearls in Wedding Jewellery

Pearls are a classic and elegant choice for bridal jewellery and complement a wide range of bridal looks. Their natural, ethereal aesthetic and association with purity and fertility make them a popular choice.

Try small pearl stud earrings and a pearl pendant chain necklace, an ethereal pair of seed pearl drop earrings with an up-do, or a pearl necklace with a strapless wedding dress or an open neckline.

Whatever you choose, pearls reflect light in the most flattering way. Bask in that moon-like glow.

The post Pearl jewellery – adorn yourself with the most ancient of gems appeared first on Kate Wood Jewellery.

When you’re planning your wedding, jewellery and accessories are often the last thing you’ll choose. But’s it’s really worth putting some thought in to what jewellery you’ll be wearing on your wedding day.

Make sure you love it!

The most important thing is, do you love it and feel great in it? It’s your wedding after all! It’s also much more sustainable (for the environment as well as your finances) to buy something that you will want to wear again after your wedding day – it might even become a special family heirloom one day.

Match your metal with your outfit

Silver and platinum jewellery goes really well with a pure white dress, and if you’re wearing cream or ivory then yellow gold or gold vermeil will complement the warm tones of your dress or suit. Blush tones look pretty and romantic with rose gold or rose gold gold vermeil.

Gemstones and Pearls

Pearls are a popular and traditional choice with brides and can suit so many different styles. This sautoir-length necklace, also available in silver and gold vermeil, features tiny seed pearls and can be worn doubled, or long.

A longer length necklace is a great choice with a silk shirt or a simple shift dress. It would also work so well with a vintage 1920’s drop-waist dress. After your wedding you can wear it with a plain tee or cosy sweater.

Pearl earrings will bring out the glow in your skin and look super flattering in photographs. If you’re wearing a dress with a high neckline or an elaborate necklace, try some little stud earrings. Long cascade drop earrings are wonderfully romantic – keep it simple and pair them with a small pendant, or keep your neckline jewelly free and wear a simple bracelet.

Something blue

The colour blue is a sign of purity and fidelity and your jewellery is the perfect way to wear your ‘something blue’.

These sapphire drop earrings would look gorgeous with a messy up-do.

You could also choose a simple sapphire chain necklace or bracelet. A delicate bracelet is also lovely as a bridemaids’ gift.

The post Find the right jewellery for your wedding dress appeared first on Kate Wood Jewellery.

The good news is it’s really easy to clean even the most delicate jewellery at home using just a few household items! This method is gentle on your jewellery so you can use it on even the most intricate beaded pieces. It doesn’t involve any toxic chemicals, so it’s kind to the environment too.

You will need:

• A bowl
• Warm water
• Mild washing up liquid – preferably a natural brand with no added colouring
• A soft toothbrush
• A towel or kitchen roll/ paper towel
• Warm water

First, soak your piece of jewellery for 5-10 minutes in warm water with a little dish washing liquid added. I prefer to use distilled water because it’s free of the mineral deposits which can dull your jewellery, but tap water is absolutely fine.

Then take your soft toothbrush and give the piece a gentle scrub. I like to hold the beads firmly and give the wire-wrapped parts a good scrub, as that’s where the grime (and lint, hand cream, you name it!) tends to build up.

Tip your soapy water away and dunk your jewellery in fresh, clean water. Give it a good rinse (you might need to change the water a couple of times to remove all the soap).

Set your clean, sparkly jewellery on a towel to dry thoroughly before wearing it or storing it away. Storing silver or gold-plated jewellery when it’s damp can cause it to oxidise, or blacken, so do make sure it’s dry – use a hairdryer on a low setting if you’re in a hurry.

Your jewellery will look good as new – wear it with pride!

If you found this tip useful, why not save it to Pinterest?

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Emeralds are part of the beryl family of gemstones, which also includes aquamarine and morganite.  Its colour, hardness, slow growth and rarity make it one of the world’s most desirable stones.  Despite their hardness, emeralds can crack under pressure or if give a harsh blow, so be careful not to knock your emerald jewellery.  These stunning gemstones are almost always found with inclusions, which tell the story of their growth.  These ‘birthmarks’ have their own beauty do not detract from the stone’s value.

Emeralds are the birthstone for May, and symbolise rebirth – reminiscent of the the green shoots of spring – and love.

Shop emerald pieces here or get in touch to discuss commissioning something using these gorgeous stones.

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