What’s Siam Red Crystal?

We’re often asked to explain the differences between various Swarovski

Swarovski Siam Red Crystal Heart From Whitewolf

crystal colours  that we use in our jewellery. And often simply ‘what is..’ a particular colour name. None more so than the range of crystal colours known as Siam red. Some of Swarovski crystal’s nomenclature is less than descriptive, so the confusion is not that surprising. We’re always happy to help:

What is Siam Red?

‘Muse Me’ Right Here. Right Now!

Bubbles Necklace:

I love this idea. But more accurately, I love the type of thought that must have taken place to come up with this design.

Take something ‘everyday’, the shapes, forms and images that become so commonplace we don’t even notice them anymore and slap them straight back there in focus, as something special, desirable and attractive.

So, I’m taking ‘objects from a 70′s childhood’ as my muse. Designs so familiar they were part of the backdrop of each and everyday.

Hmm…I wonder who hold’s the rights to the original ring-pull?

Better Get It Right 1st Time?

Titanium Rings. If for some unfortunate reason the need arises, can they be resized?

Many jewellers (and ring manufacturers come to that), will tell you outright, “NO..nope..noo can do (sucks air in through teeth), nah mate, ya see it’s yer ductile thingmy, yer tensile strength whatchit, nah, it’ll destroy it better to buy a new one and forget about it”

Is this necessarily correct though? What’s the true position. Can titanium rings be resized.

Well, whilst it’s not something your high street jeweller would probably want to touch, as it turns out the answer is Yes…er and no.

The important determining factors are these;

• What Grade of Titanium is the ring made of?
•  Is the ring gem set?
•  Does the ring have a precious metal inlay design?
•  Is the ring too big or too small?
• Does the ring have sentimental value?

If the titanium in question is grade 2 commercially pure titanium then you’re in with a chance. Higher grades of titanium such as aircraft grade, grade 5, have a high tensile strength and will not budge in compression or stretch. Rings of this grade of titanium may be rebored/remachined but it may not make much sense to do when considering the necessary refinish etc

Grade 2 titanium on the other hand, will stretch and compress to some extent, without damage or catastrophic failure – to ‘some extent’ (Maybe a ring size or two).

So if it’s a plain grade 2 titanium ring then you can compress to reduce the size and you can stretch to increase the size.

However, if  the ring is gemset or set with a precious metal inlay, then neither of these is a good idea. The ring will not fare well and might suffer damage at its weakest points. ie the gem setting holes or inlay. The only option for gemset and inlaid rings is to rebore the interior and then refinish.

Bearing in the work required to do this, it may not be the most economical option – whisper it - it may make far more sense to order a new ring in the required size. Unless, the ring in question has some sentimental value or a special engraving etc.

So, what have we learnt here? Titanium rings can be resized in some circumstances but you’re going to need to send them back to the manufacturer and it may be expensive.

Actually, it’s probably way better to concentrate one’s effort on getting the required size right in the first place. Try lots of ring sizers and make several visits to the jewellers for measurement before deciding on your ring size.

Really Stoooopid Jewellery Ideas!

Hmm...Nice. Please help me!

You’ve got earrings, rings, bracelets and necklaces: so that’s ear lobes, fingers, wrists and neck. Doesn’t seem like much of a choice really, does it? The idea of sticking something on a body part to enhance its appearance or bestow some sort of status is as old as the hills, so how come there’s been so little development/evolution in the types of jewellery. And why have only these four simple ideas maintained their longevity.

I’m not the first to contemplate this. Take it back to basics. Look at the human body-what other body regions/parts have good potential for a lasting jewellery idea?

• The Foot.  Well yes, toe rings can look good but are awkward to wear and they damage quickly, on account of the fact they are in constant contact with the ground – unless one is lucky enough not to have to walk about much! Ideal, if you spend most of your time on a chaise-lounge then but otherwise, no great.
• The Ankle. Ah, much better and quite an attractive body area to emphasize. Anklets can look great and because we’re basically talking about a smaller version of a bracelet, there’s loads of chain choices with minimal special alterations. But and it’s another big one…how often is the average ankle exposed? The average northern european ankle spends months stuffed up a jean leg and there ain’t much point in beautifying if it’s not gonna get seen! So, ‘ankle jewellery’ jewellery then: fine if you’re lucky enough to live in hot pants and mini’s but a bit of a waste otherwise.
• The Waist: The Waistlet or Waist Chain. Hmm… see ‘The Ankle’. Although, it is quite fun watching someone with a waist chain snagged in her belly bar/belt, trying to untangle without drawing attention to herself.
• The Nose: Hmm. Yes, some success here. Nose studs are almost up there with earstuds in terms of longevity. In my opinion they can look attractive BUT Question: is it wise for some people to draw extra attention to their nose?
• The Eyebrow, Tongue, Cheek, Genitals etc: Now, you see what I mean…We’re bored! Humanity, is crying out for new jewellery ideas. In fact we’re so desperate for new ideas we’re willing to consider whacking a ring through our private parts just on the off-chance it might look good!
• The Head: If you can pull-off  the wearing of a tiara, while slinging a bag of spuds into your trolley, you have evolved beyond the rest of us poor homo-saps!
• The Posterior/Bum: Butt-Jewelry..Er maybe not. I think I misunderstood this one a bit:  http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Butt%20Jewelry
• The Thumb: Thumb rings?? Am I the only one who thinks these things hurt!
• Finger Nails: Seriously, I’m not just making this sh** up. http://www.robotvsbadger.com/images/45-crazy-nail-designs/

So, have I got any answers? Well yes actually…well maybe..perhaps…

Ladies and Gentlemen, please be upstanding for the Semi-Articulated, Multi-Faceted, Cubic Zirconia Gem-Set, Latex Sheathed, Solid 9K Yellow Gold Elbow Torque, with Charm Chain Attachment.

Why are Chokers so damn sexy?

Really, you’d think it would be the other way around: the longer the necklace fall length, the more sex appeal the piece would have.

Afterall, if one of the purposes of wearing a necklace, in fact any piece of jewellery, is to draw the eye through an object of beauty to a certain region of the body then the longer drop would surely be ‘closer’ to a body region of interest!

However, I think the answer here is simply that the neck is without doubt one of the most attractive regions of the body. And as such, a neck closely wrapped in something sparkly or even simple and tasteful, only serves to emphasize it’s inherent attraction.

A simple black velvet choker with a brilliant stone focus, closely hugging the perfect contours of a long pale and slender neckline (phew!):  for me, it says sooo much more than a big flash pendant with a mid length drop.

There’s something timeless about a jewellery piece sitting tight to the neck. An elegance that calls to mind ancient ideas of beauty and attraction. But along with that ‘history’ comes a sense of the ‘formal’ , of confidence exuded on the part of the wearer. What could be more sexy than that combination.

Jewelry? How’d you spell it then?

Jewellery? Jewelery? Jewelry?

There are some words in the English language that everybody seems to have trouble with. Ask 10 people in an English speaking country to spell the word ‘Jewelry’ and you’ll get at least 3 different answers.

Perhaps because of this uncertainly, many would be reluctant to correct another’s’ choice of spelling. Although phonetically there is no difference; jewellery is normally always pronounced with 3 syllables JOO-uhl-ree, irrespective of a double ‘l’ or not.

The word has its origin in a combination of the latin jocale “plaything” and a medieval French word jouel, which later became the anglicised jewel. Following the established British English spelling rule, stating that the final consonant of a word should be doubled when its added

suffix begins with a vowel, we get jewel-lery.This rule usually applies to instances where the final syllable ends with a vowel followed by a single consonant: Jeweller.

UK Correctly Written ‘Jewellery’?

As a consequence, some in the UK, believe the only ‘correct’ variant to be: ‘Jewellery‘. However, although it is little known, the spelling ‘Jewelry’ is also legitimate and contemporarily acceptable, as correctly written UK English.

Jewelry is thought to have had some currency as a preferred ‘poetic’ or ‘rhetorical’ spelling in British English. This uncertainty leads many to select a favourite spelling variant and use it exclusively, comfortable in the knowledge that few would question them.

USA Correctly Written ‘Jewelery’?

In referencing the Oxford English Dictionary, the correct variant in the USA is ‘Jewelery’. This seems at odds with the apparent popularity of the variant ‘Jewelry’, that pervades written USA English.

Why Not ‘Gewelry’?

It seems this is one particular noun, that has ‘mutated’ in its currently favoured spelling, with little concern for established spelling rules, national borders and differences in culture.

The people of all English-speaking nations, appear to have been equally reluctant, to definitively ‘stake their claim’ and ‘own’ a particular spelling variant.

Hence, in the case of jewellery, valid spelling as evidenced in everyday usage, seems to simply be a matter of personal preference and a universal acceptance of conventions established as a direct consequence of the words’ origin: jewelry, jewllery, jewelery is always spelt with a ‘J’!

Jewellery from Whitewolf

Welcome to ‘Adornment Love’ written by the guys @ Whitewolf Jewellery. We have an all engrossing passion for beautifully made  innovative,  shiny things and hope we can inspire you to join us in this pursuit.

There’s a fascinating history in the birth and evolution of adornment and the jewellery items humans have chosen to beautify themselves with throughout the ages.

Every culture on the planet has some form of adornment device and currency. From the birth of what can sensibly be described as ‘civilisation’ (and before), people have chosen to enhance and distinguish themselves and their physical presence through the application and addition of  what can broadly be described as ‘extraneous materials’.