Archive for the ‘Hallmark’ Category
Be inspired by the finest in Jewellery
Don’t you just think the above is a great slogan?
This was the slogan that International Jewellery Show in London chose to promote to the jeweelery trade earlier this week
The show has been running for 56 years so I guess they must be doing something right, you think?
Well this year I decided that I would spend a couple of days roaming around to be inspired, as the slogan suggested. I have to say I have come away terribly disappointed,
My personal objectives in finding new boxes and bags as well as meeting up with the software company that developed the cad software was fun and a learning curb for me, however “inspired” was not the word I would use when I left, disheartened and upset to see the trade show presenting the same old goods, a walk back 50 years ago, no new trends, innovations and absolutely nothing to hit the up and coming Autumn Winter Season. It’s like attending a Fashion Show and not seeing the next trend
Even visiting retailers stuck to the same tried and tested suppliers scarred to try and offer their clients something imaginative and creative for the upcoming season and “yes I know” it’s a difficult time right now, but it’s also the time to offer clients choice. These decisions were not based on the economic climate we face now, they have been doing this for years, ignoring new ideas and concepts for so many years.
So in truth if your hoping to see something new and exciting in fine jewellery from your local jeweller any time soon, don't be surprised if you see nothing, and to be honest you will as disappointed as I was.
The reason my business bucks the trend and continues to grow is a simple one, I have embraced and in many cases led change in the way jewellery is both designed made and sold.
I continue to offer my clients an unrivalled personal service, create and design jewellery that fits their aspirations life style and even skin tones and go the extra mile whatever the size of the budget I add value to every sale that you just can't put a financial figure on
So if you are looking for inspirational fine jewellery for that special occasion or for the upcoming season as well as a fantastic personal jewellery shopping experience why not get in touch for a free no obligation consultation
I would love to hear from you and let me Inspire you
What’s in a hallmark?
A hallmark is an official seal or series of marks placed on items made of precious metals — platinum, gold, silver and in some nations, palladium. In a more general sense, the term hallmark can also be used to refer to any distinguishing characteristic or trait. The hallmark in the UK has been around since the 1300's and the Goldsmith Company guardian of the British Hallmark have been in existence since 1327.
For most, the hallmark is similar to a diamond certificate in the sense that the metal of you chosen piece has been tested for authenticity by an independent third party, but that is where the similarity ends.
In essence a diamond is a diamond where ever you might buy it in the world but if you bought a platinum ring, say in Germany. It’s likely it would not be of the same quality as a platinum piece bought in the UK.
To clarify, I’m not saying that the quality of the workmanship is substandard it just means that they may well have added alloys to their platinum that is not acceptable in the UK, the best example of this is that in Germany they can produce a true tension set diamond ring that we just cannot do here because their metal is like steel, so in truth the UK is one of only a few countries that can sell Palladium with a 95o mark.
So other than establishing the substance of the metal what else can a hallmark tell you, this part I love. Did you know that from the mark you can tell the year of manufacture, it can even tell who the manufacturer is and if you commissioned your piece from a bespoke jeweller you will even be able to discover the name of designer. Now that’s cool.
On Valentine’s day of all days when clients were picking up their wedding rings it got me thinking that I was in a very privileged position, I was about to play a major part in their future lives together and that the engagement and wedding rings had not only a hallmark but my on unique personal mark that would be there forever and would allow someone in many years to come to look back through the records to see who the stamp belonged to and who the designer was, something truly unique to the jewellery industry.
So if you want create your own unique ring with a unique Golden Jubilee hallmark that is only available during 2012 and a designer mark from the actual designer rather than a generic Company why not get in touch I would love to hear from you