Archive for July, 2010

Statement Jewellery For Everyone

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Think like Coco Chanel – “Fashion is architecture: It is a matter of proportions!”

Everybody should big it up from time to time! An oversized cluster ring here, a bulky gent’s watch there; this can go a long way to making a huge statement effortlessly.

Men

One of the best for quirky, male-orientated statement jewellery options is Stephen Webster jewellery. As a partner of ROX, Stephen Webster jewellery is fast becoming one of the most popular contemporary designers around. His unusual, chunky pieces will soon become a mainstay of any gentleman’s wardrobe.

The most popular “mancessories” to super-size are cufflinks and watches. Remember to choose one and stick to it – a smart designer watch makes its loudest statement alone. Cufflinks can give scope to be seriously creative – take a look a Stephen Webster’s gargoyles, talons and thorns for inspiration! Make sure they’re teamed with a simple, well-fitting shirt.

18ct white gold diamond cluster ring 0.50ctsWomen

Ladies have a little more free-reign when it comes to super-sizing.  Make it big, keep it simple. If in doubt, take off the last thing you put on! And don’t forget about colossal diamond earrings, all-engulfing neck pieces and attention-grabbing rings – cocktail-style rings are perfect!

Along with Pandora jewellery, Links of London jewellery is a leading partner with ROX. Links of London’s signature charm bracelet is a key piece to be creative with – add a silver dragonfly, take away a silver mitten – it’s up to you!

Well-chosen statement jewellery should be timeless and chic, although the real key is to have fun and be brave!

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Pointing The Conventional Finger

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

To German or Spanish couples, the traditional wedding finger is fourth on the right hand. The Japanese rarely choose to wear a wedding ring at all. So what makes western culture desire so fervently to adorn the fourth finger on the left hand with nuptial jewellery?

A glittering diamond cluster ring or sparkling trilogy ring is a wonderful symbol of engagement. The way diamond engagement rings of any style rests on that significant fourth finger on the left hand is truly an emblem of love. But how has so much meaning become attached to that particular finger?

To think about love and marriage symbolically is imperative. Think about love and one of the first symbols encountered is… the heart. An ancient western-based belief developed that the fourth finger was directly linked to the heart, thus making it the most meaningful finger in matters of the heart.

18ct white gold brilliant cut diamond ring 0.33ctsAn ancient Chinese explanation for the fourth finger rule is this – when you place your palms together and fold in your two middle fingers (keep all of your other fingers touching their counterpart), try to separate the two ring fingers… it can’t be done! This is symbolic of husband and wife being bound together, inseparable through life.

Hand preference seems to be just that – personal preference, be it religious, cultural or practical. Furthermore, and in the spirit of bending tradition, why not indulge the recent fashion for “mengagement” rings (diamond engagement rings for men) – there’s no tradition yet so be as creative as you like!

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Timeless Gift

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

It’s a fact of life that some people are notoriously difficult to buy presents for. Eventually you whittle down the options and are usually left with tedious practical items like socks, wooden pasta spoons or those little foam pads to kneel on when gardening! Such a troubled mind is unlikely to think the answer lies in jewellery, but here it is – watches.

They say “time waits for no man” (or woman), so the best we can do is keep track of it. Mobile timepieces have become a mainstay of our culture. The first “clock-watches” to be worn were around in the 1500’s, though these were magnificently heavy and inaccurate, and tended to serve more as ornamental jewellery than anything – very different to the range ROX can offer you online!

Juicy Couture HRH Black Strap Watch 1900418Gents Watches

The wristwatch holds court as the most commonplace item of everyday jewellery for many men. Covering the bases of fashion and practicality, classic designer watches can last a lifetime. One of the main decisions you make will be strap material. Most popular are leather, stainless steel, canvas or rubber.

Ladies Watches

A woman may own thirty eight pairs of shoes, but she probably only wears one watch regularly. A well-chosen watch by one of our partners, for example, Armani jewellery, is a beautiful symbol to enjoy every day. Think carefully about her lifestyle and taste before you buy, and if in doubt go for something classic.

After all, who wouldn’t like to keep a favourite present in sight round the clock!

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Put It In Writing

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

Wedding jewellery is for life, and as such a great deal of meaning is attached to first – the diamond engagement ring, and second – the wedding ring itself. Why not include an evocative secret message to your future spouse in an intimate place – the inside of the wedding bands. The wedding ring shape signifies un-ending love and devotion.

The intimacy of secret messages is an age-old stroke of ingenuity between lovers. Furtively passed notes, hidden scribblings of love, clandestine meetings and proposals are as practiced and valuable now as in the days of Shakespeare. Secret messages have been etched onto jewellery of all kinds for thousands of years. Alternatively, the Victorians enjoyed attaching meanings to particular stones in order to spell out messages to a lover.

9ct white gold gents med D wedding ring 4mmThink carefully about your message – do you want it to be a classic like “My love, my one, my only”, maybe the more contemporary “All you need is love”, the comical “Put me back on!”, or perhaps the very sweet “I see your halo.”

Here are a few more ideas – the date of a significant anniversary, wedding date, your names or nicknames, a poignant song lyric or poem, part of your wedding vows, a symbol (perhaps a heart or star), or even a word or phrase in another language that’s significant to you both.

Your engraving is for life, so try to steer away from gimmick-like messages – it may seem fun at the present but it might not always suit your relationship!

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Rules Of Engagement

Monday, July 19th, 2010

The modern man and woman have blurred the boundaries between genders in certain areas – everybody holds the door for…everybody! Equal rights in society, at work and in a relationship are a given. So is there still a place for male chivalry when it comes to that most precious, symbolic of gestures – the engagement?

Choosing the Ring

For a start, the right diamond engagement rings don’t have to be a total surprise. This is something a woman will wear for her lifetime – slipping it on and off to take a shower, retelling the story of how you became engaged while she gently spins the sentimental jewellery on her finger.

Many couples find choosing diamond engagement rings together to be an affirmation of why they’re choosing to marry one another.

Platinum brilliant certified diamond ring 1.07cts The Price of True Love

The question of who pays for this epic diamond jewellery is, in this day and age, one for discussion. The common opinion seems to be that a real gentleman would (at least offer to) foot the bill.

Father Knows Best

The notion of asking parental “permission” is nowadays one of respect rather than authorisation. This tradition finds its historical roots in an accord being reached between father and suitor, but the more modern approach is simply about a future son-in-law displaying good manners. Remember, these people will be family soon so do everything you can to make the right impression!

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Time To Invest?

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

For women, investment in jewellery presents an eclectic treasure hunt through bracelets, necklaces, broaches, diamond earrings and so on. But for a gentleman the variety can seem a little scarce (unless you favour the B.A.Baracus-in-the -A-Team look) and perhaps you’ve written-off the notion of a jewellery investment. Well stop the clock because it could be time for you to invest in a quality designer watch.

A stylish gent’s watch is a good investment and statement of style, whilst essentially being a practical item of jewellery. So how do you choose? Think of the wristwatch as being akin to a brand new car – potentially highly expensive and instantly depreciative in market value. However, buy the right car (this is the key!), care for it, maintain it, invest in it and reap the reward in the future. Similarly, a well-chosen, high quality watch can (with appropriate care and preservation) bring you a tidy return on your investment.

Hugo Boss automatic silver dial strap watch 151233Watches are not commonly bought for their immediate return on market value. A good men’s watch from one of our partners, Armani jewellery for example, will commonly be passed on down the family line or worn for a lifetime before a sale is considered.

A universal issue of reduction in value is supplying a watch without its original box and papers, so take care to store them carefully.

Be patient. Where investment is concerned, timing is key, so above all enjoy a lifetime of wear out of your classic timepiece.

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5 Reasons Why We Love Diamond Jewellery

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

1. The unmatchable twinkle! The ancient Greeks loved diamonds and interpreted them rather poetically – they enjoyed the notion that each diamond was a speck of shattered starlight. How beautiful and magnificent does that sound! We have more to thank them for too – the word “diamond” evolved from the Greek word “adamas” meaning “invincible”. Remember you’re wearing invincible starlight next time you catch the glint of diamond rings in your eye!

2. The symbiosis between the meaning of love and the meaning of diamonds is a well documented one. There can’t be any greater show of love than imparting a ring made using the hardest, most coveted substance on earth as a token of indomitable, indestructible, unending love.

18ct yellow gold diamond set trilogy ring 0.75cts3. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend! Investment, be it financial or emotional, doesn’t usually come cheap. There are always stakes to consider, circumstances to asses, and any number of other potentials to speculate on. Diamonds can be considered somewhat of a bought investment. Be it diamond engagement rings, diamond bracelet, diamond-set designer watch, or any other items of diamond jewellery, the diamond itself will only depreciate in value if damaged.

4. The phrase “timeless” is uttered in soft, breathy tones to describe such fashion idols as the Channel suit, Holly Go-Lightly’s black Dior dress and… diamonds! Never out of fashion, always chic, always desired.

5.  They’re inspirational, with ownership holding formidable esteem and status. Diamonds are rare, desirable, treasured, and rife with meaning and symbology. Everyone aspires to own a diamond!

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Where Does The Sparkle Come From?

Friday, July 9th, 2010

The UK is not exactly known as the epicentre of diamond-mine country. So where do the diamonds for our fabulous ROX jewellery come from and how are they mined? The short answer is far away and ethically.

Pure carbon + colossal pressure + millions of years = rough diamonds (which can lose 50% of their weight once cut) for export. Sounds simple doesn’t it? In reality this equation is exceptionally rare. Once a potential site is identified there are three factors to consider when judging the merits of moving forward – how stable is the land around the site? How environmentally damaging would it be to mine the area? And finally, what type of terrain must actually be mined?

Platinum emerald certified diamond ring 0.50ctsIn 1867 diamonds were unearthed in the Cape Colony of South Africa, drastically altering the global diamond market forever. South Africa is, to this day, the largest exporter of diamonds in the world. Prolific diamond mining nations are Angola, Australia, Borneo, Botswana, Canada, Congo, India (where diamonds have been mined for over 2,800 years), Lesotho, Namibia, Russia, Siberia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

An industry concern amongst diamond jewellery producers is the ever-present issue of conflict diamonds. Here at ROX we’ve included a special webpage to help explain a) the nature and origins of conflict diamonds, and b) a written promise to you that all our diamonds are sourced ethically. You can also be sure that diamonds from our partners like Pandora jewellery, Links jewellery and Stephen Webster jewellery carry the same promise.

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Graduate In Style

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

Have no doubt about it – Graduation Day is nerve-wracking! Of course there is the wondrous state of delirium that exams are over (hopefully) for the rest of their life, but that is of course mixed with a foreboding fear. The training for transition into the adult-life is over and finally it’s time to hop, skip and jump out into the big, bad world.

A thoughtful piece of jewellery to wear forever will serve as a reminder to your loved one that all the blood, sweat and tears were worth it! Common Graduation gifts include watches, necklaces, bracelets and diamond earrings for the truly deserved.

Links of London Links of London Silver Quilted Clutch Bag CharmBy far the most popular gift for boys are designer watches. A thoughtful engraving seals the deal. Here are some popular messages – “Faith in you all the way”, “Congratulations Kid!”, “You did us proud” or simply “Knew you could do it!” Be sure to include the Graduation date to mark the auspicious occasion.

Of the beauteous plethora Links of London jewellery, one of the most famous and poignant gifts for women is the charm bracelet. Renowned for originality and variety, the Links charm bracelet itself is a symbol of the beginning of something new. A piece for her to maintain, evolve and treasure as she herself progresses through life. It makes the perfect gift, and who can resist the little silver cowboy boot charm or silver quilted clutch bag charm?

Be responsive to your loved one’s taste and if in doubt, keep it simple.

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Safe And Sparkling

Monday, July 5th, 2010

Whether you’ve spent a lifetime building your jewellery collection or are just beginning to gather a few key pieces, making sure your treasure is safe and insured should be a key concern.

Simply relying on your homeowner or renter insurance may not be enough to sufficiently cover more valuable pieces adequately. Check your policy thoroughly to clarify the exact parameters of what your current policy will cover.

Taking out a specific insurance policy for your collection need not be complicated. The three most common types of policy are Valued At, Actual Value and Market Value Replacement.

Valued At policies are less common due to their expense. Say your diamond necklace is worth £1000 but of great sentimental value, the insurer will accept your own valuation, for example £1500, to cover the added cost of emotional upset. You can see why these policies are expensive!

9ct yellow gold diamond pendant & chain0.20ctAn Actual Value policy is the most common and economically viable. This policy will reimburse you in cash, however the amount will be the current market value of the piece (which could mean depreciation) rather than its original value.

Market Value Replacement policies are essentially the same as Actual Value, though, as the name suggests, your lovely diamond earrings would be replaced with a pair at the current market value rather than compensating you in cash.

Here are some key points to check:

* What are the terms with regard to storage of your pieces?

* Are basic repairs covered by the policy?

* Is your jewellery covered in transit and abroad?

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