Posted by Kimberley on December 2, 2010
Kate Middleton with her Sapphire Enagagement Ring
With the Royal wedding causing such excitement for the country. William and Kate have great times ahead of them.
Proposing with your mothers ring is such a sentimental and personal thing to do, especially under their circumstances. Having a family heirloom as your engagement ring really is a welcoming gesture into the family.
The Sapphire and Diamond ring that is now proudly worn on Kate Middleton’s finger will almost certainly start a trend for precious gemstone rings; moving away from the solitaire diamond ring. Already replicas of the ring are being made and on QVC they sold hundreds of a similar designed replica ring last week. Having a coloured gemstone as your centre stone allows a little stamp of your personality. It could be your favourite colour, your birthstone or in fact your partners.
When choosing an engagement ring it is important to remember it will be worn everyday on your finger for the rest of your life. A diamond is traditional but this is also because it’s hard wearing. Sapphires and rubies are also fairly robust, but and emerald would need to be in a setting which protects the stone. In a time of rising metal prices it will allow many women to get an engagement ring at more of an affordable price by using a sapphire or ruby instead of a diamond.
Sapphire engagement ring
Also what happens if you are given a ring, which you don’t like. Handle this diplomatically and be honest, you do have to wear it forever. An option is to have it redesigned incorporating the stones. This means you can have the best of both worlds. I have frequently redesigned Jewellery and it makes the Jewellery have a new life and be personal to the wearer with their modern style rather than one from the past. Also this helps keep the cost down as you already have the stones and then only have to pay for metal and design time.
I’m looking forward to creating some new designs for customers inspired by the Prince and future Princess!
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Posted by Kimberley on November 23, 2010
Having been running my own business for the last 5 years I have found it at times an uphill struggle and at others the most rewarding thing I have ever achieved.
Designing and making my own jewellery is incredibly satisfying and I have now really developed my own style and enjoy the process of developing.
I have also found other avenues to create and design especially in this difficult time. With steadily increasing metal prices, inflated rent and trying to prove that handmade British items are the best! Its becoming a harder to grow a business. Earlier this year I had a great opportunity to design for a large company, QVC.
Designing for QVC is a terrific job. I have been making jewellery for 9 years and now been in business for 5. Designing is my favourite side of my work, and QVC allows me to indulge my passion. Due to the large quantities that they require to sell to their customers I cannot make them myself. This means that the manufacturing costs are much lower. But as I oversee each product I can still make sure they are of the quality I expect from my own work.
All my designs are inspired by organic forms and natural elements. For my QVC designs I like to have an integral theme of floral elements and romantic sentiment. I start by taking visits to inspirational places, such as a walk in the woods, museums like the V&A, or looking back to holidays in foreign places. I take photos and my sketchbooks and document all I can. After taking a break I find ideas flow more quickly. Not seeing the images for a while gives me a fresh perspective and a new set of ideas. Another element I always find helpful is to create a mood board, where I take images, colours, and textures, from magazines, wallpapers, and other printed material, and select elements that inspire me.
I am also working with a very new and emerging brand to make their ideas of how their jewellery should look come to life. I am always looking for more freelance design projects to broaden my horizons.
With my own handmade jewellery I create each piece using the best quality metals and my years of trained experience. I try and create a couple of new ranges each year; and continually look at new ways to keep building my brand.
In January I will be exhibiting in New York, at the New York International Gift Fair, trying to grow my jewellery brand Internationally! Wish me Luck!! I hope the Americans love my style!!
My next QVC show will be this Friday 26th November at 10am and 6pm so tune in!
Keep Me Safe Pendant
Garland Earrings
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Posted by Kimberley on October 4, 2010
For all brides to be and those who like exquisite jewellery, Now it is your chance to be enticed by the alluring beauty of Kimberley’s intricate collections by visiting her as she exhibits at the Designer Wedding Show; Battersea 8-10th October. Only a few free tickets are left.
Kimberley’s newest range, Baroque Dreams, influenced by the romantic culture and the elaborate architecture of Barcelona and Havana, combined with ornately embossed textures, pearls and gold flower accents. Ideal for the modern day contemporary bride.
Perfect for a Butterfly themed wedding; the Butterfly Effect Collection. The curvature of each butterfly and the detailed pattern on the butterfly wing makes the range irresistible and forever enticing. Also adding to their charm is the sentiment that if a butterfly should land on you on your wedding day you shall have good luck and fortune.
The Castaway Collection, ideal for honeymoon jewellery, was inspired by travels abroad, with natural elements in its beautifully crafted sea-shells, starfish and naturally-occurring freshwater twig pearls. Delicate pieces which work singularly or placed together, each piece is detailed beautifully and shimmers as though it were on the sea shore.
With her experienced knowledge in both designing and making jewellery, Kimberley is also able to design and create your perfect engagement and wedding rings. From sourcing diamonds and gemstones to creating the design in Platinum, Palladium and Gold you can have your hearts desire.
All perfect for wearing on your wedding day and for gifts for bridesmaids and groomsmen.
Please arrange an appointment with Kimberley and to see her at the Designer Wedding Show. For tickets and further information, contact Kimberley direct on 07879 690 112 or email studio@kimberleydesigns.co.uk
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Posted by Kimberley on August 9, 2010
Kimberley Selwood has captured the attention of many professionals ever since she was awarded the prestigious Goldsmith Award for Jewellery well as a Finalist in the UK Jewellery Awards. Now it is your chance to be enticed by the alluring beauty of Kimberley’s intricate collections by visiting her as she exhibits at stand D29 at International Jewellery London in September.
Kimberley’s newest range, Baroque Dreams, is striking and unique in its collaboration of traditional elements and contemporary design. Influenced by the romantic culture and the elaborate architecture of Barcelona and Havana.
This range creates a statement in combining strong contours, reminiscent of ironwork, combined with ornately embossed textures and gold flower accents.
The Castaway Collection is also a new range, and it too was inspired by her travels abroad, although evidently highlights the more natural elements in its beautifully crafted sea-shells, starfish and naturally-occurring freshwater twig pearls. Delicate pieces which work singularly or placed together, each piece is detailed beautifully and shimmers as though it were on the sea shore
Its also a chance to see the ever popular Plume collection; Kimberley maintains the delicate weightlessness of the feather in the curves of the silver and gold. The embossed texture adds depth to emulate the delicate fragility of a feather.
The Butterfly Effect Collection shows butterflies gracefully placed as though they are a statuette of a real butterfly. The curvature of each butterfly and the cut out pattern on the butterfly wing add to the beauty and the detail of the piece, making the range irresistible and forever enticing.
Please arrange an appointment with Kimberley and see her at stand D29. For tickets and further information, contact Kimberley direct on 07879 690 112 or email studio@kimberleydesigns.co.uk
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Posted by Kimberley on July 24, 2010
As many of you know I’m now a blushing bride to be! I was so excited when my gorgeous boyfriend proposed after 5 and a half years. Down on one knee in the stunning setting of the Lake District, he presented me with the most beautiful handmade wooden box, containing a Haribo ring! (in orange- his favourite flavour!!). Then it was up to me to choose the diamond and design the ring.
Everyone I know thought I must have had the design done for years. But actually I suddenly had no idea what I wanted; I panicked! I had seen so many different styles, shapes and designs; I was so confused. What did I want?! I’m so used to helping others I had to do it for myself.
So here’s my advice of how to find the perfect engagement ring:
- Look around and choose the style of diamond you like. I went for a cushion cut, it’s perfect for me, different but with a classic look. But go for what suits you. I first thought I wanted a radiant cut but actually it was too square and hard looking for my hand. I needed a softer look.
- Try ring on. Look at the thickness and see if you want white or yellow metal, set with diamonds or plain.
- Think if you want Classic or Modern or someone to combine elements of designs you like
- See what you don’t like, this can be as helpful as knowing what you do like.
- Size doesn’t always matter! You may want a rock of a diamond, but it’s important to make sure you get a beautiful stone with the right colour and clarity. It’s better to have a slightly smaller stone with a great sparkle, than have a larger one which is more yellowy and flat looking.
- Always bare in mind how the wedding band will sit with it. If you need a shaped band or will a plain band do. There might be times when you will want to wear the band on it’s own, so make sure this looks beautiful on it’s own too.
- If you want something truly beautiful, see somebody like me who can show you a range of diamonds that you can choose from and will do sketches of designs that will suit you. And will get all elements of the design of both rings perfect for you.
- Go to someone you trust. Getting a cheap deal usually means something is not quite right. You want a certified conflict free diamond. There’s no such thing as a free lunch!
- My last bit of advice is about budget. I have been Reading many bridal magazines where the budget for both rings is about £450! This is so minimal you won’t be able to get beautifully designed rings, just plain gold thin bands. No platinum and certainly no diamonds. But remember after the day the rings will be with you for the rest of your life. These are the only things left from the day. So leave a bit more for the perfect rings. Budget by getting flowers in season, loosing the canapés, forgetting the chair covers (who really notices them anyway?) and having sparkling wine instead of champagne. Then you can have the ring of your dreams forever that truly sparkles.
I have designed my ring and I’m making it as we speak. I will show you the finished item, when I’m back from holiday at the end of August – so stay tuned!!
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