The Jewellery Workshop Christmas Blog
UNWRAP LUXURY
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“Indulge in sparkling treats this Christmas”
01/12/24
Treat yourself to a taste of luxury with The Jewellery Workshop. This festive season we have drawn inspiration from all things sweet and sparkling. Visit us at 1 Market Place diss to see our magical display and explore our delightful assortment of new and pre-loved jewels, just waiting to be discovered.
DIAMOND TRILOGY
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“Dazzle with sweet luxury”
02/12/24
This exquisite trilogy features three brilliant cut diamonds set in a traditional claw mount. The ring boasts an impressive 2.95ct total and is set in luxurious 18ct yellow gold.
This showstopper of a ring is available to purchase in our Norfolk store or online via our website using the link above.
RUB-OVER MULTI STONE
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“Indulge in sparkling treats”
03/12/24
This contemporary besel set ring is an incredibly popular style due to its wearability and bold impact. Featuring 8 sparkling diamonds the ring totals just over 1ct and would be a dazzling addition to any Christmas outfit! Click the link above to shop.
DIAMOND & PEARL SET
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“As sweet as diamonds & pearls”
04/12/24
This pretty set draws inspiration from the beauty of nature, with the diamonds resembling delicate vine leaves. Each piece features an akoya pearl suspended from white gold leaves. This set is available to purchase online via our Christmas Gift Guide or in our Norfolk store. Let us tempt you…this would make a delightful Christmas present!
SWEET INSPIRATION
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“Christmas Confectionery”
06/12/24
At The Jewellery Workshop our team fully embrace the art display.
This year’s Christmas inspiration couldn’t be sweeter and it’s been a joy to see it all come together. A special thanks to James for being the only one of us brave enough to climb up the ladder!
If you’d like to see this display in person visit us at 1 Market Place, Diss for a taste of luxury.
‘TIS THE SEASON FOR EXTRAVAGANT WINDOW DISPLAYS!
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“Treat yourself to a taste of luxury”
09/12/24
This year’s Christmas theme embodies the essence of sweet indulgence and luxury. Our visual marketing is a collaborative effort, with each team member contributing their unique touch to make our windows truly stand out!
If you wish to treat yourself to our sparkling delights visit us at 1 Market Place, Diss to see the display in its full splendour.
The Jewellery Workshop Olympics Blog
GOING FOR GOLD
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“Proudly supporting British athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics & Paralympics”
15/07/24
Join us for the run-up, take off and leap of this years Paris 2024 Olympics. Make sure you’re all warmed up and ready for your weekly updates of everything Olympic and jewellery related. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the competition, bringing you excitement, entertainment and of course, jewels to get your heart racing! In the words of the Olympic games committee, “the Olympics are where the world comes together to compete, feel inspired and be together” however as a British made business, we are maybe a little biased, and will be cheering on our team GB athletes to “Go for Gold!”
THE OLYMPIC RINGS
19/07/24
The Olympic rings were designed in 1913 by Pierre de Coubertin. They consist of interlaced rings in blue, yellow, black, green and red. They symbolise the 5 competing continents; Africa, America, Asia, Europe & Oceania and how the world becomes united for this global event. Coubertin chose these colours as they featured in every competing country’s flag at the time, again symbolising the inclusiveness of the Olympic Games.
From our perspective as jewellers, we can’t help but draw correlations between the colours of the rings and precious gemstones of that same colour. Continue reading for our rundown of some of our favourite stones in these colours…
BLUE FOR TOPAZ
22/07/24
To kick us off we are starting with the blue ring and Topaz.
Topaz is a semi-precious gemstone that is mined all over the world, with Brazil having the largest supply. Although most commonly associated with the colour blue, topaz actually has an exceptionally wide colour range. It can be found in various shades of red, brown, yellow and green, with colourless topaz beings plentiful and often treated to give it a blue colour.
Topaz has a Mohs hardness rating of 8 meaning it is a fairly tough stone with good durability.
BLACK FOR OPAL
23/07/24
Next up we have the black ring and opal.
Opals are one of the most entrancing precious gemstones that come in a vast array of colours and types, they are most famously found in Australia.
Opals have a unique flashing play-of-colour meaning no two stones are exactly alike. Boulder opals, such as the black one featured in this bespoke ring, are often confused for opal doublets (a man made composite stone), this is due to the brown base material looking like it has been attached onto a thin layer of opal. In fact a boulder opal is a completely natural stone and is cut like this to bring stability to the coloured section of opal. Opal has a Mohs hardness rating of 5 – 6.5 meaning it is a fairly soft stone, hence why in this bespoke ring it is set in a rub over style, giving the stone a rim of metal as protection.
RED FOR TOURMALINE
24/07/24
Next up we have the red ring and tourmaline.
Tourmaline is a gemstone most commonly associated with America, this is due to Tiffany gemologist George F. Kunz praising the vibrant stones that came from Maine and California in the late 1800’s. This versatile stone comes in a beautiful array of colours (one of the widest colour ranges of any gem species). The sumptuous red tourmaline featured in this bespoke Roma ring is sometimes referred to as a rubellite a specific name reserved for red hued tourmalines. Tourmaline ranks 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale with its toughness considered Fair. This makes it a suitable stone for day and evening wear by being both durable and exquisite. If you would like to learn more about tourmaline or the bespoke Roma ring featured, please send us a message, or visit our shop or online shop to discover our original Roma Collection.
YELLOW FOR SAPPHIRE
25/07/24
Next up we have the yellow ring and sapphire.
Although most commonly associated with the colour blue, sapphires actually come in a whole range of colours such as the fancy yellow one featured in this bespoke beauty.
Sapphires can be found in many parts of the world including Australia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and the United States. It is an incredibly popular stone due to its link to nobility and the ancient belief that it protects the wearer from harm. Sapphire is often used in engagement rings as it has a very high Mohs hardness rating of 9, making it perfect for everyday wear. The gemstone is also a great way of adding colour and uniqueness to what would normally be a traditional diamond engagement ring.
GREEN FOR TSAVORITE
26/07/24
Next up we have the green ring and tsavorite.
Tsavorite is a green garnet that is mined in Kenya near Tsavo National Park.
Unlike the more common and widespread red garnets, tsavorite is rarer due to needing unique rock chemistries and conditions to form.
Its vibrant colour, clarity and hardness (Ranking 7.5 on the Mohs scale) make it a great, more cost effective alternative to emerald. In this particular case our client opted for emerald-cut tsavorites set either side of a spectacular old cut diamond. This meant that the client got the pop of colour she wanted whilst also making the ring suitable for everyday wear.
OLYMPIC TORCH
vs.
TJW TORCH
29/07/24
Who enjoyed the opening ceremony on Friday night?
We know we did! Something in particular that caught our eye was the elegant design of this year’s Olympic torch.
This year’s Olympic & Paralympic torch was created by French designer Mathieu Lehanner with the rippling symmetry and soft waves embodying peace and unity, two of the main pillars of the Games.
We loved the torches beauty and functionality. In fact, it reminded us of our own jewellery torches which are put to use everyday in our Norfolk workshop to assist with jewellery repairs, restorations and bespoke makes.
SWIMMING IN JEWELLERY
31/07/24
Team GB have been swimming in sparkles in the aquatic events this week, winning us several medals!
However it has reminded us of why it is so important not to wear your jewellery in a swimming pool, instead we would recommend removing all jewellery and leaving it at home just to be on the safe side.
CHOOSING THE PERFECT METAL
02/08/24
With Great Britain winning medals in gold, silver and bronze, we’ve been thinking about the different precious metals used in jewellery making; what makes each of them unique and why we love to work with/wear them.
All the pieces featured are available to purchase via our online shop, details below.
GOLD JEWELLERY
1. 9ct Yellow Gold Satin & Polished Finish Necklace £395
2. 9ct Yellow Gold Satin & Polished Finish Stud Earrings £250
3. 9ct Yellow Gold & Diamond Ring 0.53ct total £1480
SILVER JEWELLERY
1. Silver Enamel & Cubic Zirconia Leaf Earrings £135
2. Silver Enamel, Pearl & Cubic Zirconia Leaf Necklace £185
3. Silver Double Twist Padlock Bangle £160
ROSE GOLD JEWELLERY
1. 18ct Rose Gold Morganite and Diamond Necklace £1315
2. 18ct Rose Gold Morganite and Diamond Drop Earrings £2500
CHOOSING THE PERFECT METAL FOR YOUR COMMISSION
05/08/24
We know that the Olympic athletes are all aiming for gold, however when it comes to jewellery design there are a lot of great qualities to silver and rose gold jewellery also!
From colour, style and durability there is a lot to consider when choosing the right metal for your bespoke commission.
Visit our bespoke portfolio page to gain inspiration or book in for a design consultation and we can talk you through which metal will for you, your budget and your winning lifestyle!
WHERE DREAMS CAN TAKE FLIGHT
07/08/24
We have been avidly watching the Olympic gymnasts reach new heights with their awe inspiring routines. We were blown away by the talent of these contestants but also by the fabulous design of the leotards. All of the detail, colour and sparkle reminds us of what we love and do best… jewellery!
We have picked out some of our favourite outfits worn by winning contestants and matched them up with our bespoke commissions. Click the images above to discover the story behind each piece and let us know when you’re ready to cartwheel into the world of bespoke jewellery.
OVERCOMING
JEWELLERY HURDLES
10/08/24
Read our helpful guide on how to overcome hurdles when purchasing jewellery, our expert advice is guaranteed to give you a golden result!
CELEBRATING BRITISH ACHIEVEMENTS
13/08/24
Having spent the last couple of weeks celebrating Great Britain’s achievements in the Olympic Games we felt it was time to celebrate what we are proud of as a British independent jewellers.
Over the next few days we shall be focusing on some of our favourite bespoke commissions (Ones that we believe are worthy of a gold medal!) These particular pieces are currently featured on the walls of our retail store in Norfolk as part of our Olympic shop display. We believe these pieces demonstrate our varied skillset as a British heritage jewellers, that specialise in bespoke designs.
OLD CUT DIAMOND & TSAVORITE TRILOGY RING
15/08/24
This dazzling ring was inspired by an antique diamond solitaire we had on display at The Jewellery Workshop. The piece boasted a 2.7ct old cut diamond mounted in a traditional scalloped basket, despite loving the look of this ring our client was keen to add a more contemporary edge.
To achieve this our designer goldsmith Laura began to re-design the ring incorporating shoulder stones in our clients favourite colour- green. Originally these shoulder stones were intended to be emeralds, however as the ring was intended to be worn often we opted for vivid green tsavorites, as they are more hard wearing. The end result is a vintage inspired ring that has kept all the charm of the original piece; such as the intricate scalloped basket and dazzling old cut diamond, as well as having the pop of colour and modern edge our client desired.
BESPOKE TOURMALINE & DIAMOND HALO RING
17/08/24
Rich yellow gold, saturated gemstones and a dazzling halo of diamonds are all things that you can find in our Roma Collection. The understated luxury of this handmade range takes its inspiration from beautiful ancient relics and stones that were adorned by many.
Taking inspiration from our original Roma Pendants, this bespoke ring was crafted for our customer using the same feature halo design. The sumptuous red of the rubellite (or red tourmaline) is accented by the halo of surrounding diamonds, whilst the crisp band of yellow gold mirrors the crisp centre rub over setting. These pieces are intended to be both suitable for day and evening wear by being both durable and exquisite much like the original ancient relics.
Our original Roma Collection can be purchased via our Norfolk retail store or online shop.
OPAL & EMERALD DRESS RING
19/08/24
Opals are one of the most entrancing precious gemstones. Their vast array of colours and types make each one unique and special. Our customers boulder opal had a range of blue and green scintillating colours which meant it worked exceptionally well with this rich green octagonal emerald. Brown diamonds were added to bring some sparkle to the natural brown marks of the boulder material. The clever orientation of the gems down the finger create a bold statement, whilst the delicate tapered shank adds the finesse and delicacy of a fine jewellery piece. This ring was made in 18ct white gold to allow those beautiful colours to shine through.
THREE STONE DIAMOND RING
21/08/24
A classic staple in anyone’s jewellery collection, the diamond 3 stone. These three beautiful diamonds are accented by 22ct and 18ct yellow gold in rub over settings. This versatile and timeless design shines in both day and evening wear creating a piece suitable for any occasion.
Notes from the workshop
Did you know that a three stone or trilogy ring stands for past, present and future love, and is a popular choice for both dress and engagement rings alike.
TOPAZ PEAR SHAPED ENGAGEMENT RING
23/08/24
Our customer fell in love with the dark turquoise blue of London topaz and had to have it as the star of her engagement ring. The large pear shaped stone suited her hands, beautifully elongating the fingers with its tapered shape. The stone was large enough to allow for a decorative side halo around the rub over collet, adding a hidden gem (quite literally!) to the side profiles of the ring. Made entirely in platinum and accented with even more brilliant diamonds on the shoulders, this ring reminded us all of alluring, crisp turquoise seas.
THE AGITOS
27/08/24
Did you know… The Paralympic Games have their very own logo?
The Paralympic symbol, known also as the Agitos (from the Latin meaning “I move”) is the visual representation for the Paralympic Movement, encapsulating values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality. The symbol consists of three crescent like shapes in red, blue and green – the three colours that are most widely represented in national flags across the world.
The Paralympic Games first took place in Rome, Italy, in 1960 featuring 400 athletes from 23 countries. Since then they have taken place every four years and we are very excited to cheer on TeamGB this year! The bright colours of the Agitos and Roman history of the Paralympic games evoked memories of our in-house Roma collection. The Roma collection boasts richly toned gemstones surrounded by clean lines and sparkling diamonds. Each piece in the collection is completely unique. Roma is available to shop online or in our retail space based in Norfolk.
RUBY DIAMOND OR SAPPHIRE?
31/08/24
With Great Britain performing so well in the Paralympics, we are excited to celebrate each success! To do this we are looking at the colours represented in the Union Jack and the precious gemstones that shine through.
All of the pieces featured are available to purchase via our online shop, details below.
RUBY JEWELLERY
1. Ruby & Diamond Cluster Ring £4450
2. 9ct White Gold Ruby & Diamond Tear Drop Earrings £720
DIAMOND JEWELLERY
1. Platinum Diamond Halo Ring £4450
2. 18ct White Gold Diamond Necklace £3175
SAPPHIRE JEWELLERY
1. 18ct White Gold Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Ring £4740
2. 18ct White Gold Sapphire & Diamond Cluster Earrings £3450
THE ATHLETICS TRACK REMINDS US OF…BLUE JOHN
02/09/24
With TeamGB shining like precious gemstones on the track, we are investigating another type of British gem…
Blue John is a rare semi-precious gemstone that was discovered over 2000 years ago. It is a stone that can only be found in the UK in a handful of caverns near the village of Castleton in Derbyshire. Blue John is a rare type of fluorite mineral that forms in the veins and cavities of the local limestone, resulting in its beautiful banding patterns in purple, blue, white and yellow.
Each Blue John gemstone is truly unique due to its colouring and geological rarity, meaning it is highly sought after for use in jewellery. At The Jewellery Workshop we have 2 beautiful Blue John cabochons just waiting to be transformed into a unique piece of jewellery.
WHEN WINNING GOLD, ALSO COMES WITH A DIAMOND
07/09/24
With the Olympics and Paralympics being held in the most romantic city in the world, it is no surprise that so many of the athletes are getting engaged. In fact 2024 has broken the record for the most proposals at the games ever!
If you’re feeling inspired by all the love in the air, visit us in person or browse our engagement ring stock online to find the perfect ring, guaranteed to make their heart skip a beat.
Cocktail Jewellery
SHAKEN, STIRRED
& SPARKLING
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“Cocktail jewellery worthy of the moment you wear it”
A cocktail ring is a large, colourful stone ring, sometimes surrounded by a halo of diamonds. They are designed to be worn to special & celebratory occasions.
At The Jewellery Workshop we love cocktail jewellery for its flamboyant & colourful design & have a fantastic selection of stock items for you to browse (click the link above to discover our range).
We also specialise in crafting bespoke cocktail jewellery suitable for all tastes, follow this blog to learn more about the beauty of cocktail jewellery & discover your favourite flavour!
A WINDOW DISPLAY WORTHY OF A TOAST
The team at The Jewellery Workshop worked hard to create a visual merchandising display that celebrated the beauty & fun of cocktail jewellery.
Our creative vision was to have something bold & impactful. By playing with proportions and having giant cocktail glasses, immense hands looming in the shop windows & large scale sparkling gemstones & dress rings we believe we have created that sense of excitement that you get when your about to have a night out with some cocktails.
Visit us at 1 Market Place to discover the display for yourself and follow the link above to see how it was all put together.
THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE PHOTOS
At The Jewellery Workshop we love to photograph our jewels in exciting environments that tell the story of the pieces.
For this campaign our aim was to create an environment that mimicked a luxurious cocktail bar. To achieve this we crafted faux cocktails and poured them into sculptural cocktail glasses, displaying them on golden trays, with colourful cut glass used as glimmering accents in the background. All of this was meticulously displayed in front of jewel toned draped velvet fabrics.
Another aspect that is important to us is authenticity and realism, the ladies that enjoy wearing cocktail jewellery (and also our clientele) tend to be more mature in age, hence why we used our very own member of staff/glamorous hand model Jacqueline. We wanted to show hands that had lived, opposed to the young blemish free hands often seen in jewellery campaigns.
All in all we believe the photographs turned out beautifully and convey our message, if you would like to see some behind the scenes footage or browse the jewellery in the photographs, simply click the links above.
THE ROMA COLLECTION
Fancy an aperitivo in Roma?
Our in house Roma collection is designed and crafted by our designer goldsmith Laura. The vivid precious gemstones and weighty gold silhouettes give the range its signature look. Each piece makes a strong statement, guaranteed to whet your appetite for jewels!
THE ROMA COLLECTION
May I tempt you to try an emerald?
This luxurious Roma Ring is hand crafted in rich 18ct yellow gold with a striking 1.94ct central emerald surrounded by a halo of pavé set diamonds.
Click the images above to shop the range.
ANTIQUE COCKTAIL JEWELLERY
Discover the stories behind the sparkle.
At The Jewellery Workshop we have a curated collection of antique and pre-loved jewellery, each with its own unique history. These emerald and diamond beauties make quite the statement and are sure to start a conversation at cocktail hour!
COCKTAIL JEWELLERY CAMPAIGN SUMMARY
We hope you’ve enjoyed your taste of cocktail jewellery with The Jewellery Workshop.
Over the last few months we’ve explored all flavours of cocktail jewellery, from bold & bright stock pieces, to hand crafted commissions, to sparkling antiques. If you are ever thirsty for more inspiration view our “cocktail” highlight on instagram to relive the campaign.
Engagement Rings
THE PERFECT PROPOSAL
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“Expertly guiding you to your unique engagement ring”
Part 1: STYLE
When choosing your partner’s engagement ring style the first thing to consider is who they are as a person, their lifestyle, passions and tastes. For example, do they prefer the classic, elegant look? the traditional romantic look? or do they prefer bold statements and geometric shapes? Do they have a more contemporary style? or are vintage inspired rings more to their taste? We specialise in unique engagement rings that tell the story of your relationship.
Part 2: STONE
Whilst diamond rings remain the conventional choice, our collection of coloured gemstone engagement rings allows couples to make a more individual statement. Choose a ring that not only symbolises commitment but also encapsulates a unique personal meaning. Are your partners favourite flowers red roses? Then why not let a ruby show how your love has blossomed. Did you take a stroll down by the beach for your first date? Maybe a teal sapphire will remind them of the ocean. It is however important to consider the durability of different gemstones, with some being more suitable for an engagement ring than others ask our team of jewellery professionals for more information on your chosen gemstone.
Part 3: BESPOKE
For those who are seeking a more refined personal ring in line with their partner’s unique personality and style, why not opt for a bespoke engagement ring. During our one-to-one complimentary design consultations our designer goldsmiths Laura or Mark will sit down with you to discuss your ideas & budget. They shall create sketches & help you choose from precious gemstones & metals, all to craft a design that tells the story of your relationship.
Part 4: SHAPE
Every diamond possesses its own unique beauty and individuality. The cut of a diamond determines how the facets interact with light, making it the key element in maximising brilliance. While round brilliant cut diamonds remain the most popular choice for engagement rings, there are diamond shapes to suit a wide range of styles and designs.
Part 5: METAL
Depending on lifestyle & personal taste the metal choice of an engagement ring can be incredibly influential. At The Jewellery Workshop we recommend either gold or platinum to ensure the rings longevity, this includes the durability for daily wear and also allows for the ring to be sized in future. The choice of your metal carat will affect the rings overall colour. The higher purity standard of 18ct gold results in a much richer tone in either yellow or white gold. Platinum is the whitest precious metal and offers excellent strength for smaller more delicate rings.
Part 6: SETTING
When deciding your engagement ring setting you are going to hear a lot of jewellery jargon. Don’t panic! At The Jewellery Workshop we are here to help describe the differences and ensure you choose the right setting style for you. Claw setting is when the stone has prongs of metal pushed over the stone securing it in place. This style of setting is designed to celebrate your gemstones natural beauty by allowing light to enter at every angle, providing maximum radiance. Rub-over or bezel setting is when a stone is enveloped in a surrounding ring of metal. This style of setting is ideal for those with an active lifestyle as the rim of metal offers protection around the edge of the stone. Its practicality & contemporary elegance makes it a very popular choice amongst the The Jewellery Workshop customer.
