The History Of Time

February 26th, 2010

When we come to purchase watches, it is often a rarity that we think about the sheer brilliance of the invention of the watch. At Rox, we believe that a time before designer watchmakers is a time hard to imagine, however, there is a very interesting history behind the little bit of timekeeping and modern watches we now adorn our wrists with.

The history of watches began with cavemen, a group that had to observe the sun and shifting of shadows throughout the day in order to determine a good time for doing particular things. Hunting was a pursuit especially determined by the position of the sun in the sky. Longines-HydroConquest-Chronograph-Watch.jpgAround 4000 B.C., knowledge of astronomy began to develop and people began to use the sun, moon and the stars to form a calendar system. When the word Zodiac is mentioned these days, many people initially think of horoscopes and personality profiles, however, before this, the Zodiac was a chief aspect in the creation of timekeeping.

In terms of the first actual watch as we would refer to it today, it is believed that it was developed in approximately the year 1500. Enormous clock towers evolved into smaller, more portable devices over time; however the first watch faces were actually attached to belts or necklaces. These first inventions were also very heavy and egg-shaped, which shows just how much of a change the watch market has undergone.

Nowadays, designer watches are a device that we often take for granted. However, next time you check the time, it is worth considering their deep history and thanking our cavemen ancestors for their fascination with time!

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A Brief History Of Jewellery

February 24th, 2010

It is estimated that men and women have been adorning their bodies with jewellery since about 75,000 years ago, which makes the art of jewellery something that has always been a huge cultural aspect to many countries. The first ‘types’ of jewellery as such, were objects such as animal teeth, garlands of flowers, bracelets of woven grass, shells, and stone. It is believed that people were exchanging these as gifts in eras long before our time.

Initially, jewellery started off as a simple adornment to the body. However, even thousands of years ago, meanings began to arise in association with jewellery. Such connotations include love, religion, wealth, prestige, rank, class, and sometimes authority, traditions that sill continue today, where diamond rings may be representational of romance and eternity and other diamond jewellery may be considered to represent prestige or wealth.Swarovski-Pink-Heart-Lock-Pendant.jpg

In the very first century, rings of thin iron were given to brides-to-be in Rome. It is estimated that the diamond ring tradition in relation to marriage began in approximately 1475 in Italy, however in many cultures rings have been used as signifiers in marriage for centuries to due their ‘never-ending’ shape.

Today, the diamond jewellery market is vast, with many precious stones having been discovered over time and adopted their own meanings. Today, jewellery is apparent in thousands of styles, ranging from boho to elegant to retro and has become an important embellishment to any outfit. At Rox, we have a wide array of charming products that meet these modern jewellery needs.

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It’s All About The Hands

February 22nd, 2010

Believe it or not, your hands are one of the most important aspects on your wedding day. Although you may have heavily considered your hair, make-up, dress, jewellery, shoes and underwear, you may not have given a thought to your hands, but if not it’s time to do so!


Diamond rings
are truly beautiful and at Rox, we know that your engagement party and wedding will be complemented by many eager guests wanting to see your diamond jewellery. Alongside the signing of the vows and the cutting of your cake, your hands really are going to be on show for much of the day, so it’s important that they’re in top condition.18ct-White-Gold-Diamond-Set-Trilogy-Ring.jpgYour best bet is to invest in a good quality hand moisturiser to keep your hands soft, supple and smooth. Having nice skin will boost your confidence. You can get many scented moisturisers too which add a little bit of femininity to the busiest part of your body.

It is also worth getting a manicure in the days leading up to your big day. However, carefully consider nail length. If you’re not used to long nails, it may be worth choosing a shorter design so that they do not get in the way or get tangled in your dress.

Wedding manicures also offer hundreds of different designs and embellishments so be sure to choose something that matches your desired look. Getting a manicure will leave you looking and feeling gorgeous and ready for all those close-ups of your diamond engagement rings in the photographs.

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How To Be The Most Beautiful Bride

February 19th, 2010

For months all your time has been taken up by beautiful diamond rings, extravagant dresses, complementary diamond jewellery, venues, invite lists and wedding organising. Finally, your big day is here and it can, at times, be a moment of panic. You suddenly start to think about wedding photos and walking down the aisle and realise that all eyes will be on you. Here at ROX we not only deal with jewellery, we deal with brides and grooms all the time and understand this can be daunting, but don’t panic. In the week leading up to your wedding, there are a few things you can do to ensure you are looking your best:

- Practise your whole look beforehand! Don’t leave anything to chance. Experiment with various make-ups, diamond jewellery and hairstyles and choose the one that you love the most

- Get all the girlies together a few days before the wedding for a spa day. The pampering will relax you and leave you looking and feeling gorgeous

- Take dummy photos – there’s no harm in a bit of practice18ct-White-Gold-Diamond-Eternity-Ring- Make sure you’re wearing waterproof mascara as you are guaranteed to cry!

- If you can, take advantage of a professional make-up artist and hair stylist. This way you’re a lot less likely to have a sudden morning mishap

- Wear a gorgeous underwear set. It will leave you feeling sexy underneath your dress and this confident will radiate when walking down the aisle

- Purchase toiletries such as Vaseline in the weeks leading up to the wedding. Small differences such as the smoothness of your lips will make every difference in the photographs.

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Wedding morning gift ideas

February 16th, 2010

Your wedding day can be one of the most nerve-wracking, yet happiest days of your life. Embarking on a vow of eternal love with the woman of your dreams is a truly beautiful experience and as the gorgeous groom, you wish to fulfil your role and make your future wife feel like a princess. The ceremony, service and post-wedding celebrations are of course all crucial in this, but how about a little wedding gift in the morning to start her day with a smile?

At ROX, we offer diamond jewellery to suit every occasion.  We love the tradition that the bride and groom must not see each other the night before the wedding, because this means you can get a courier to deliver a gift to your bride to be!18ct-White-Gold-Diamond-Drop-Earrings.jpgAs the diamond engagement ring has already been taken care of, you could opt for a simple handwritten letter in which you discuss your love for her and what she means to you. This is guaranteed to have her thrilled to be walking up the aisle with you.

If you’re feeling extra generous, a piece of diamond jewellery may just do the trick. Diamond jewellery is the perfect accessory for any bride and will add to the sparkle that will be already gleaming on her finger. A necklace with a heart cut diamond presented in a romantic cushioned red box will definitely make your bride smile and keep the mother in law on side!

Underwear is also a popular wedding morning gift idea; and if you’re cheeky and loved enough to pull it off and get away with it, then why not!

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Choosing an Engagement Ring

February 11th, 2010

Choosing diamond rings to present your loved one with during a marriage proposal can often be a daunting task. With her acceptance and the future wedding playing on your mind for many months before the proposal, it can be a scary thought, so here are a few ideas to get your started on picking out the perfect diamond engagement ring for your future wife:

•    Keep to quite a generous budget, but allow enough spare cash to pay for the engagement party when your girlfriend accepts your proposal.

•    Make the whole shopping trip about her, considering what aspects of diamond jewellery she will like, and whether it lives up to her dream of the perfect diamond.

•    Listen to the opinion of her mum and her best friends to ensure that you get an accurate idea of the details she likes and dislikes in a ring.18ct-White-Gold-Diamond-Trilogy-Ring.jpg

•    Research the 4 C’s of diamonds and consider which element is most important to your future wife, while still ensuring the other elements are well accounted for.

•    Open your ears to any hints your future wife may have previously made in regard to diamonds.

•    Keep the whole pursuit a secret until the moment of proposal. You may at times be tempted to spill the beans, but do try to undertake this mission alone.

At ROX we completely understand that choosing the art of choosing gorgeous diamond rings is tough, particularly with a proposal to go alongside it! However, just stick to the simple vows and the task will be slightly easier.

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Choosing the perfect Watch for your girlfriend

February 10th, 2010

When shopping for the special lady in your life, watches make a lovely gift representational of her and your relationship. At ROX we realise that sometimes gentlemen don’t have a clue where to begin when choosing such a gift, however there are just a few things to consider.

Your budget is important, as it is easy to get carried away when thinking about someone you care about. Set yourself a realistic budget and be sure to stick to it whilst shopping. This way you won’t find yourself gazing in disappointment at extravagant watches that you may not be able to afford.

Consider the lifestyle of your loved one. If she’s an adrenaline junkie and lives her life enjoying outdoor pursuits, a watch with sports facilities may be a thoughtful and practical option. If she’s something of a fashionista, large faced designer watches may be perfect.D&G-Flock-Black-Dial-Black-Strap-Watch.jpgTake a sneaky peek through her wardrobe and have a look at the type of accessories she usually wears. If her wardrobe is loud, colourful and statement making, then watches needs to do the same thing. If it’s dainty, pretty and girly, a simplistic, elegant watch may just do the trick.

It is also worth considering some kind of engraving when making your watch purchase for the lady in your life. You can add engraving on the back of the face or inside of the strap, which is a thought that will have your girlfriend absolutely thrilled and will personalise the gift to remind her of the lovely man that bought it for her.

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Taking care of your Diamond

February 9th, 2010

We are all aware that diamonds are tough, however diamond jewellery isn’t indestructible. At ROX we believe that the diamond is a timeless classic that you may wish to pass down and keep in your family for many years to come. Hence, it is important to keep something so fine looking as beautiful as it did when you first purchased it. Here are some simple steps on how to clean and care for your diamond jewellery:

•    Soak your diamond rings in a warm solution of liquid detergent and water. The key aspect to remember here is that the detergent must be very mild, as strong chemicals can be hazardous to diamonds.

•    When removing dirt from any piece of diamond jewellery, always use a soft brush, so as not to scratch the stone or any of its metal setting.18ct-Two-Tone-Gold-Diamond-Ring.jpg•    When cleaning a diamond ring over the sink, it is best to put it in a strainer. Losing your precious stone to the plughole could potentially ruin your day! Always keep their worth in mind when cleaning.

•    Dry diamond jewellery with a lint-free cloth.

•    To push dirt away from the diamond, a toothpick is always a handy tool. However, take great care in doing this as you don’t want to scratch the diamond.

•    Chemicals such as chlorine can affect fine jewellery. When in touch with anything like this, be sure to remove any rings or necklaces that you may be wearing. If you simply don’t want to take off your ring, then wear gloves!

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The Four C’s of Diamonds

February 4th, 2010

When considering purchasing a diamond, whether it is diamond rings for the woman you wish to marry or another form of diamond jewellery, you may have heard the term ‘the 4 C’s of diamonds.’ This refer to various criteria that you should consider when purchasing; carat, cut, colour and clarity. However, many customers are unsure of what this all means.

A diamond’s size is measured in carat weight; each diamond carat is also equal to 100 points. However, do not make the mistake of assuming that a bigger rock is always better, as it is dependent on the three remaining Cs.9ct-White-Gold-Diamond-Rubover-Bracelet.jpgThe second characteristic is the ‘cut’; simply the shape of the diamond. The cut is important as the quality of this affects the light that escapes from the diamond. A good quality cut will really keep the diamond sparkling, which is the ideal look for diamond engagement rings. At ROX we believe that the cut is the most important thing to consider, as a well cut diamond really affects its value.

Colour is the natural body colour visible in a diamond and is purely down to nature. As a rule, the closer a diamond is to colourless, the more valuable and beautiful it is deemed to be, which is something to keep in mind.

Clarity is an indication of a diamond’s purity. Tiny traces of natural elements are always trapped inside diamonds due to the way they are cut. These are often referred to as birthmarks, because they are formed naturally and are unique to each stone, making each piece of jewellery different to the next.

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God’s Gift To Women

February 2nd, 2010

Diamond jewellery has been a winner in the femininity stakes for many years now. From the glam of Marilyn to the red carpet in today’s decade, the precious jewellery trend has never faltered and many girls enjoy dreams of having their own. Diamonds really are a girl’s best friend and at ROX we completely understand why, yet many girls often want to know a little bit more about this precious stone.

•    The trend for diamond rings started when the Archduke of Austria proposed to Mary of Burgundy in 1477. Evidently, the tradition has held out for many centuries.

•    Diamond engagement rings are traditionally worn on the third finger of the left hand in terms of engagement. This is because of an Egyptian belief that a vein of love ran directly from there to the heart. How romantic!

•    Diamonds come in pretty much any colour you could think of.18ct-White-Gold-Diamond-Ring.jpg•    The link between diamonds and romance was strengthened when the advertising slogan ‘Diamonds are forever’ came to light in 1947, one that we still hear of today!

•    The first diamond to sell at more than $1m dollars at auction was one that Elizabeth Taylor received as a birthday gift from her husband.

•    Diamonds are tough – they can only be cut with other diamonds.

•    Diamonds are available in various styles, including antique, classic, ethical and colourful.

•    For the best value in choosing a diamond, customers are recommended to always consider cut, clarity, carat weight and colour.

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