Jane Austen's turquoise ring stays where it belongs

A ring once belonging to author Jane Austen and recently purchased by American singer Kelly Clarkson will remain in the UK following a successful bid to keep it in the country.

Last year the turquoise and gold ring was bought by Kelly for more than £150,000 (NZ$300,000). She outbid the Jane Austen’s House Museum in Hampshire. 

An export ban was then placed on the ring, which expired on 30 September.  Alternative buyers were asked to match the price set by Clarkson. After worldwide donations, including one from the Jane Austen Society of Australia, enough money was raised and an offer has been accepted that will give the museum ownership of the ring.

According to the BBC, Clarkson responded to the news by saying: "The ring is a beautiful national treasure and I am happy to know that so many Jane Austen fans will get to see it at Jane Austen's House Museum."

The museum already has a turquoise bracelet and a topaz cross once owned by the writer. 

(exert from an item in Jeweller Magazine)

Helping hand

Ever since we lost the shop on Victoria Street in the February 2011 earthquake I have been working from my new studio, and have had a constant companion who many of you have met.  He was actually with me when the quake hit and he's seldom very far away.  My constant helper, though he's not too hot on the advice front I must say.

But come coffee time he's always only too eager to lead the way to the biscuit tin. A chocolate digestive for me and a doggie biscuit for him.

Remodelling for Rachel

One Friday afternoon Rachel turned up with a fist full of old rings and a request, "You can use any of the stones in these, add some more if you fancy, and design something beautiful for me as a dress ring..... surprise me!"

I've designed and made several pieces for this particular client in the past so I set to and measured up the stones that I now had to work with.

Breaking up is never hard to do !

Now I already knew that Rachel has a real liking for green and blue stones to go with the diamonds and mixing yellow and white metals.  I had just found some nice 5x3mm pear shaped sapphires so I came up with the idea of going for an Art Deco style with a few little twists in the detailing.

Design for the ring seen from different angles

Rachel loved the design, and so I was given the green light.

The finished piece

If you follow our FaceBook page you will have seen Rachel's reaction!  Let's just say it was well received by everyone!

Old pieces of jewellery can often be remodelled in to something that matches your style, so give us a call to arrange a time to discuss your next piece.

Strange but true...

A friend of mine sent me a link to this blog the other day and I just felt it so visually amazing that I just had to share it with you.

Beneath the streets of Rome passageways and catacombs were discovered in the 16th century which housed some fantastically adorned skeletons. A book "Heavenly Bodies" has now been written by Paul Koudounaris and published by Thames and Hudson documenting the relics which ended up all over europe.

Repurposing: One day, two very different styles.

It's what keeps my days interesting and varied.

Two very different clients to design for, two very different styles of work produced.  

The black opal is from Lightening Ridge, Australia.  I combined it with the client's old family wedding rings to create a completely new ring.

The tanzanite ring was remodeled from a number of existing pieces of jewellery to create this impressive dress ring.

The Ark

The Ark was made as an exhibition piece,

but it was a poem Trevor had written a long time ago 
that was the initial inspiration. 

We have just posted a whole new page dedicated 
to this mammoth body of whimsy.

The Ark

Noah built an ark of wood, 

and filled it up as best he could.

The animals marched in two by two,

"Form a line there, an orderly queue!"

Noah counted them all aboard,

he didn't know his list was flawed.

Lions, tigers, hippos and cats

zebras, pythons, chickens and bats

rabbits, squirrels, rhinos and bees

all came aboard including their fleas!

The rains had started pouring down

and Mrs Noah started to frown,

as four by four the muddy paws

completely ruined her gleaming floors!

They lifted the ramp and closed all the doors

somehow forgetting the dinosaurs!

by Trevor

There's no school like The Old School...and I'm the Headmaster!

No matter how jewellery technology has evolved over recent years sometimes it's necessary to go 'old school'.

With commissions such as turning an old nail into a pair of wedding rings...

 

(process described here)

...and then to design a medieval inspired man's wedding ring for a local farmer.

This one required the alloying of gold and copper to achieve the right tone of rose gold to add detail to the silver base.

These commissions always prove interesting bringing with them challenges that are always unique.

This year men have started to become more adventurous with their requests for designs for their wedding rings.  Rugged and chunky, yet remaining refined and practical.

Green and Purple

Our lovely friends commissioned this emerald and diamond ring

made in 18k yellow and white gold for their engagement.  
A bold statement for a bold lady.

Their wedding was fabulous.  

We hadn't been to a wedding for a few years and then just like buses three came along in as many months.

It meant the chance for Trevor to get his morning suit out and empty the pockets of monogrammed golf tees from the last wedding!

His new purple suede Paul Smith brogues set off the suit a treat. 

Two garden weddings and the third at the lovely Otahuna Lodge 

which dates from 1895.

Trevor has just completed an animated illustration for one of our clients, how times have changed from the presentation of the coloured pencil drawing!

Just passed 1000 pins on Pinterest.  Follow me at Pinterest

Big Pink

A beautiful pink sapphire and white diamond engagement ring designed and made 

in rose gold and platinum for one of our clients just before Christmas.

On a larger scale....

The largest fancy pink Golconda diamond ever to be offered at auction has sold for 

US$39.3 million that's $10 million more than its estimated price, setting a new record.  

The 34.65-carat Princie Diamond sold at a Christie’s auction in New York last Tuesday. The sale price achieved a new record for the most valuable diamond ever sold at Christie’s, surpassing the previous house record set in December 2008 with the sale of the Wittelsbach Diamond. 

It is also now the most valuable Golconda diamond to ever sell at auction.