
January Birthstone - Garnets
January birthstone - Garnet The birthstone for January is a garnet. The word ‘garnet’ comes from the latin word ‘granatum’ which means seed or seed-like referring to the form of the pomegranate. The reference is understandable, as the small garnets look a lot like the red seeds found inside of a pomegranate. Garnets are usually recognised as a dark red colour (Almandine and Pyrope), coming from a rich palate of oranges, pinks, deep purplish-reds. However, some garnets come in

Rose Gold
Rose Gold Over recent years we have found rose gold making a comeback and have been creating with it more often. It originally turned fashionable around the 19th century, especially in Russia. It is a striking metal that oozes a more vintage and romantic appeal. To create the ‘rosy’ effect copper is added into the mix, the more copper added, the redder the metal will be. On the same note, a higher carat will contain more pure gold so there will be less copper added, makin

What is Keum Boo?
Keum-boo (also spelt Kum-boo or kum-bu) is an ancient gilding technique originating from Korea. This is created by applying sheets of 24 carat gold to pure fine silver, using heat and pressure causing a silver-gilt. During the fusion bonding of the two metals, atoms will exchange in a collision combining them permanently into one. #ancient #jewellery #whitleybay #whitley #whitleybay #engagement #jewelry #making #maker #art #artist #artists #arts #fineart #metal #metals #metal

What is Palladium? - in the goldsmith industry
Discovered in 1803 by William Hyde Wollaston, palladium is becoming increasingly popular within the jewellery industry. This chemical element is a rare, natural, lustrous silver-white metal and does not need to be plated. As palladium is a part of the platinum group of metals, it shares many of the same chemical properties as platinum, one of them being they are both naturally hypoallergenic materials. It is a hard-wearing metal and does not tarnish. However unlike platinum