Jewellery Odyssey:
Bold, bright and big jewels were en vogue, throughout the modern era, of the 60’s and 70’s. It was an experimental period, where gemstone grew larger and yellow gold took centre stage once more. This time the metal was confidently married with diamonds, for a less opulent approach and targeted a wider audience, other than the wealthy. Jewellery would be worn during the day as a statement, to break away from the conventions, of exclusively being worn in the evening. These decades saw the first hybrid collection, of fine and costume jewellery being crafted together, widening the audience for everyone to wear jewellery. The rapid mass productions of artificial gemstones and plastic jewellery, gained momentum and popularity, for it affordability. The iconoclasm mood, inspired splinters shapes, jagged, spiky contours which substituted the smooth, linear outlines of the preceding decades. The space race and the catalysts of rock and pop music, influenced recurring satellite motifs and sharp colour contrasts, resulting in loud, energetic jewels being created.
Gem Lore:
Bloodstone - also known as Heliotrope, derives from the greek words ‘helios’, which translates to ‘sun’ and ‘trepein’, which means ‘to turn’. This meaning somewhat alludes to the red glimmer seen, when the gemstone is facing the sun. The opaque mineral is dark green with scattered red spots of iron oxide. The gemstone belongs to the polycrystalline family of Quartz, otherwise known as ‘Chalcedony’ and possesses an opaque transparency, which is referred to as ‘Jasper’. In medieval times, Christians would use bloodstone for sculptures of saints and Christ’s crucifixion. The gemstone was often called ‘martyr’s stone’, based on the legend that when Jesus was crucified, his drops of blood stained jasper, forming bloodstone. Today, bloodstone it thought to symbolise motivation and strength.
Request Current Ring Size To Be Altered:
If the current ring size listed, is not the ring size you require. Please fill out the form below, requesting the size you need and we will respond within 2 working days. We will answer any question you may have, estimate lead times and let you know you how much this alteration will cost.
Please note, that whilst ring sizes (depending on the setting and style of ring) can safely and easily be sized up or down, one to four sizes. Rings were generally made to the scale of their current size. Requesting a ring size a lot smaller in size then the current size, can make the bottom band of the ring become oval in shape. When making rings larger in size, our highly skilled workshop will seamlessly add a piece of metal, into the bottom of the ring. If a size is requested that will impede the structural durability of the ring, than depending on the setting and style, alternative options such as: half shank or soldered beads, can be suggested.
Remember there is only about a 1mm difference between each whole ring size. For more information on what to consider when finding your size, read our blog: "The Factors Affecting Ring Size”.
Jewellery Care Precautions:
Avoid direct contact with: perfume, lotions, skincare, hairspray / other chemicals. Remove, your jewellery: when showering, swimming (as both chlorine and saltwater will react with metals), washing your hands / using hand sanitisers, before going to bed or when participating in physical activities (going to the gym, exercising, gardening, housework etc….).
Beware, metals may tarnish over time due to oxygen contact and natural body oils. Prevent items from being exposed to moisture and direct sunlight, for long periods. Store jewellery in a dry place away from humidity, in a pouch/jewellery box and keep each piece separated from each other. Care, for your jewellery by cleaning with a soft dry cloth.
Yellow Gold:
Gold as an element, in its purest form will not tarnish, but gold used in jewellery has been alloyed with other metals, to increase durability. These metals have properties that when in contact with oxygen, chemicals, oils or other substances - will result in a surface tarnish or damage and corrosion. Even the pH level of you skin and the natural oils it produces, can tarnish your gold jewellery.
To prevent your gold jewellery from tarnishing or even disintegrating, avoid exposure to household chemicals, bleaches, toothpaste, baking soda and other cleaning abrasives. Wearing jewellery in places where perfumes, hairsprays, body lotions have been applied on your body, will increase tarnishing. Wear your jewellery after the products have been applied. To clean your gold jewellery, use a mild soap with warm water and dry with a soft cloth. For professional cleaning, our workshop can polish your jewellery back to life.
Chalcedony, Polycrystalline Quartz:
Hardness: 6 | Toughness: Excellent | Stability: Good
Extreme Caution, Avoid: Light, Extreme Temperature Change (thermal shock), Jewellery Cleaners (steam cleaners).
Mild Caution, Avoid: Heat, Chemicals (acids, detergents, solvents, nail polish remover), Jewellery Cleaners (ultrasonic).
Gemmological Observation: Quartz is pyroelectric, this means that when the gemstone experiences a change in temperature (for instance heat from the sun/lighting) it causes a low-level electrical attraction to fine dust particles. Therefore, you may experience that any quartz-set jewellery may need frequently cleaning.