A Legacy to Be Proud of Since 1909
This month I focus my attention on the much loved precious white metal we know as silver. I have always admired silver for its beauty and having started my career as a silversmith, I learnt to appreciate the skills and techniques required. Silver is a malleable and ductile metal and has excellent working qualities, great reflecting power and an ideal material for a young aspiring jewellery student like myself to work with. I admit that my early attempts were at best mediocre but I still look at my first creation with pride! My admiration of silver was not diminished and when early in my career I was offered a job with the Danish silver company Georg Jensen I did not hesitate. After all, Jensen was acclaimed to be the greatest silversmith of his time and helped transform jewellery design in the early twentieth century. When interviewed he once said “that silver is the best material we have; it has this wonderful moonlight lustre, something of the light of a Danish summer night.”
Summer is the most popular time to get married with one in five being held in August so as we approach this busy season I hope to inspire and guide those of you to plan to tie the knot or perhaps renew your vows. When it comes to finding the perfect wedding ring, the journey can feel both exciting and overwhelming. Understanding the latest trends, your personal style, materials, metals, gemstones and of course budget; it can feel never ending. Some styles have stood the test of time and remain eternally in vogue. The best examples of these are plain wedding rings which are timeless choices but there are interesting alternatives to consider. So why not look for a ring that not only represents your love, but also fits your unique personality and lifestyle.
I can remember when I was just a little girl, I would delve into my grandma’s jewellery box trying on her rings on all my fingers! I am pretty sure that I am not alone with this as I think many of us have similar fond memories of a cherished family piece. So, this month I am going to focus on rings. These continue to be a favourite part of our jewellery collection as they are considered to be the most evocative and hold a multitude of meanings. Whether worn as a sign of love or fashion accessory, rings can make your heart sing!
The heart symbol is one we all recognize, from the little sketched hearts we drew as children, this beautiful icon represents the love between two people dates back centuries and still continues today. One thing for sure there is love in this ‘Valentines’ month of February! Whenever Cupid comes calling, love can be many things from infatuation, passion to deep eternal love. When King Edward VII wanted to show his love Wallis Simpson the depth of his feelings for the woman who would motivate him to abdicate the British Crown, he gave her a heart charm which opened to reveal the words ‘The Heart Has Its Reasons’.
With the arrival of a new year, I thought I would touch on a subject that always lifts my spirits. The night sky, with all its twinkling lights and bright beams of moonlight is quite magical and is surely a jeweller’s dream. I am not alone taking inspiration from the celestial night sky - these cosmic motifs have enthralled stargazers and jewellers alike throughout history. The phenomena of Halley’s Comet in 1758 created a legacy of comet inspired jewellery and during the Victorian period the author Jules Verne released a novel called ‘From the Earth to the Moon’ which further captured the Victorians fascination with stars and moons. This was a time for sentimentality and meaningful symbolism which was almost like a second language where love, friendship, loyalty could be silently communicated through specific styles and motifs.
