Ti Sento is coming to de Marsac!

We are very excited to announce that we are soon to be the newest stockist of the stunning Ti Sento range of silver jewellery.

Ti Sento jewellery is designed with the wearer in mind - not just in its stylish design (much of which is inter-changeable, allowing you to alter your style day to day), but also when it comes to their patented fastenings. 

Overall, it was the combination of fashion-led design, and excellent hand-finished quality which won us over - and we look forward to introducing it to you from the end of September!

A 're-blog' from the US' National Jeweler: 'The Adjustment Question'

Back in May, in our jewellery valuations post, we spoke of how the prices of gold and small diamonds are increasing so rapidly that client's insurance valuations are quickly becoming outdated.

But what about the impact this increases are having on us, the retailer (and in turn, of course, the buyer) when it comes to replacing sold stock?  This article by Michelle Graff of the US Magazine 'National Jeweler' sums up the current trends perfectly and is well worth a read.

Tricky times - but it is all part of the fun.

The price of gold – a great time to scrap, but a bad time to sell!

Gold prices have gone through the roof.  I know we have already said this recently, but we REALLY mean it!  In recent weeks, the price of gold reached an all-time high – costing over $1,800.00 per ounce.

What this means for the consumer is that it is a great time to sweep up all those little bits of gold that are lurking at the bottom of drawers, or gathering dust in the back of your jewellery box.  Unworn pieces, broken or knotted chains or single earrings can soon add up in weight and be ‘scrapped’ for a great cash price that can be put towards some better purpose (like a lovely new diamond!).

It is worth noting though, that whilst it is a great time to be rid of your useless plain gold, stone set jewellery in good condition might be better sold as an item to be worn, rather than scrapped, since you will get more of the value of the stones back.  However, the economic climate not having been too warm of late, the market has recently been flooded with second hand jewellery, sold more out of necessity than choice.  As we know, when supply exceeds demand in this way, the buyer holds all the cards when it comes to the sale price.

Our advice therefore, is to hold on to any stone-set jewellery that remains in good condition until the economic climate returns to normal, but take your scrap pieces to 3 local jewellers to get the best price you can and take advantage of the high gold price.

Seeing red

Following from the very popular Feeling blue post last month, we thought we would cover another colour – this time focusing on the shades of red available to jewellery buyers.

Whilst RUBIES haven’t enjoyed quite as much popularity in recent years as in the past, the fabulous range of reds available, both from stone to stone but also as the light catches within one individual stone, mean that they will never be completely out of favour.  Having the same chemical composition as sapphires, pale colours with a pink hue are actually known as pink sapphires, with only those with truly red colouring called rubies.  The truest red rubies come from Burma, but many on the market these days come from Thailand since they often have fewer inclusions.

18 carat white gold and diamond pendant set with an oval cushion cut ruby (with chain) - £2,450.00

18 carat white gold and diamond drop earrings set with marquise cut rubies - £3,450.00

18 carat white and yellow gold bracelet, set with oval cushion cut rubies totalling 8.08 carats, and round brilliant cut diamonds totalling 2.89 carats - £11,250.00

18 carat white gold butterfly brooch set with rubies and diamonds - £1,650.00

18 carat white gold 9 rubies x .49 rubies + .14 diamonds - £975.00 + 18ctw chain - £185.00   (£1,160.00)

Often thought of as the semi-precious alternative to the ruby, GARNETS do actually come in almost every colour, just often known by other names.  However, the most commonly used colour within the jewellery trade remains the pleasing wine to brownish-red.  Mined in many locations, including Africa, South-East Asia, North America, Thailand and India, garnets remain readily available and therefore do offer a less expensive option for the red stone shopper.

9 carat yellow gold bracelet set with cabochon cut round garnets - £1,275.00

18 carat white gold stud earrings set with garnet and 0.10 carat diamond - £550.00

18 carat white gold ring with cushion cut garnet in a rubbed over setting - £895.00

CORAL is also most commonly found and used in its tomato-red colour, but can be found in pink and white, or very occasionally in black and blue.  Formed from the calcified skeletons of sea creatures, red coral has been used for ornamental purposes since 3000bc, however it is a more controversial substance these days since the commercial harvesting of it can cause significant damage to the environment, even in areas where it is in abundance such as the Western Mediterranean, the seas surrounding Japan, Northern Australia and the Red Sea.

8mm coral bead stud earrings set into 9 carat yellow gold - £235.00

Uniform red coral bead necklace - £140.00

9 carat yellow gold drop earrings set with red coral and cultured pearls - £180.00

Found in a rather orange-y shade, FIRE OPALS are the less valuable cousin of what the consumer would normally think of as an opal.  However, they can be found both perfectly transparent, and pleasingly clouded so they do have some commercial appeal to jewellers and consumer’s alike.

9 carat yellow gold earrings with fire opals in a rubbed over setting - £295.00

When a pink tourmaline is found in a deeper red, it is known as a RUBELITE.  All the stones within the tourmaline family offer excellent colour reflection so they prove fairly popular as a semi-precious gem. Large stones without any inclusions are tricky to find, but smaller stones are mined in Siberia, Burma, Sri Lanka, Brazil, the US and Madagasgar.

18 carat white gold cocktail ring set with an octagonal cut rubelite and 0.41 carat of diamonds   - £2,550.00

Ask The Experts: Wedding Jewellery

Whilst the internet offers brides a great choice when shopping for ‘on-the-day’ jewellery to suit their chosen look, we feel that there really is no substitute for being able to come into a shop, try some things on and speak some experts about how far your budget can go/how you can keep your special day jewels in tip top condition/what we might be able to design or order in for you to match your style.

So, we invited local wedding planner Isabel Smith of Isabel Smith Wedding Design to take a look around the shop and pick her favourite pieces for brides on almost any budget:

UNDER £100

Silver and cubic zirconia multi-circles collar necklace – was £125.00, NOW £62.50

Silver and cubic zirconia hexagonal hoop earrings with a brushed finish – was £35.00, NOW £17.50

ISABEL SAYS:  “Silver and cubic zirconia is a great combination for a bride on a budget since CZ offers a lot of sparkle for your spending, and they come in every colour under the sun.  I was particularly taken with this set, not just because it is currently in the sale so is an amazing bargain, but since geometric shapes are so popular at the moment.  In fact, I think I’ll feature these on the upcoming ‘bubbles’ design board on my own blog.”

Freshwater pearl long necklace with multi-string tassel end – £49.50

Freshwater pearl and cubic zirconia drop earrings – £30.00

ISABEL SAYS:  “Pearls remain a popular choice for brides and I just couldn’t resist this longer necklace which would go perfectly with a sleek Jenny Packham gown, or any of the stunning vintage-inspired backless dresses that are on the market at the moment.  The sparkly earrings would add interest to the front view, but remain small so as not to overpower the necklace.”

UNDER £250

Silver and cubic zirconia ‘pave diamond effect’ pear drop necklace –£44.00

Matching earrings – £58.50

ISABEL SAYS:  “Now this is something really special.  Everything by the company The Real Effect is designed to imitate diamonds as closely as possible – and they really do!  I picked this particular set since it is so Kate Middtleon-esque but there is something in this range for everyone – and such a bargain too!’

White chalcedony pear shaped pendant set in silver with cubic zirconia – £130.00

Matching earrings – £82.50

ISABEL SAYS: “This set would suit a church wedding so well – simple and chaste, but elegant with just that hint of sparkle.  Since it can be ordered in a range of colours, it could have a very wide appeal; The pretty sky shade set I see here at the shop could be the perfect ‘something blue’.”

UNDER £500

Twisted freshwater pearl necklace – £440.00

Freshwater pearl stud earrings – £37.50

ISABEL SAYS:  “I’ve come back to pearls since this chunky twisted necklace would look so effective paired with a sleek, shorter dress – maybe something prom shaped with some fabulous coloured shoes?  The simple stud earrings leave the necklace (and shoes!) to speak for themselves.”

Diamond set yellow and white gold circles pendant with yellow gold chain – £395.00

Yellow and white gold disc stud earrings – £95.00

ISABEL SAYS: “Yellow gold isn’t nearly as popular with brides as it used to be, but it is enjoying such a revival outside of the wedding industry, I was really keen to select at least one yellow gold option.  If you’re wearing a coloured dress, and the tones suit, yellow gold can be so effective.  This necklace ticks all the boxes – yellow gold in a modern setting, white gold AND diamonds – what more could you want?”

UNDER £850

Black and white diamond set necklace in white gold – £395.00

Matching earrings – £425.00

ISABEL SAYS: “Black and white diamonds are so cool – I love the combination.  This set is such a good price and would add a really contemporary feel to any bride’s outfit.”

White gold butterfly necklace set with diamonds – £625.00

0.10 carat rubbed over setting solitaire diamond earrings – £175.00

ISABEL SAYS: “Butterflies still feature at a lot of weddings since they tie in with the ‘country garden meets vintage chic’ trend that is so popular.  This little butterfly is so so pretty, and the solitaire earrings make a fantastic wedding day gift for the groom to buy the bride since they can then be worn every day.”

Under £1500

White gold circles collar - £1,250.00

White gold hoop earrings - £89.50

ISABEL SAYS: “I love the delicacy of this collar – it is so pretty on!  And the simple hoop earrings make a great match.   With two such wearable pieces, you can re-capture your wedding day magic every day.”

White gold heart-shaped ring with floating diamond - £925.00

White gold and diamond heart stud earrings - £465.00

ISABEL SAYS:  “Hearts are always a classic choice – and very appropriate for a wedding!  Avoid things taking a tacky turn by keeping things very clean and simple, like these earrings, and avoiding any large hearts around your neck.”

Blow the budget

White gold and diamond crossover pendant with chain - £1,825.00

Matching earrings - £1,775.00

Pave set diamond double disc pendant set in white gold - £3,750.00

Pave set diamond 'falling curtain' earrings - £3,750.00

Solitaire diamond with a baguette and princess cut diamond surround - £10,625.00

Matching earrings - £11,950.00

ISABEL SAYS: “Now I’m having some real fun!  De Marsac has so many stunning statement pieces alongside their matching sets, I have found it literally impossible to choose.  The crossover set is so pretty when against the skin, whilst the ‘curtain effec’t drop earrings are just pure artwork!  You can’t beat the overall quality of the glacier clear diamonds in the square set though – that’s a serious investment set.”

Not forgetting the little extras

Starburst brooch in silver with cubic zirconia - £97.50

Butterfly brooch in silver with cubic zirconia - £75.00

ISABEL SAYS: “Brooches should never be overlooked when it comes to your wedding style – these beauties could be used to trim the sash on your dress, the silk wrapping your bouquet, or even in your hair.”