Wearing Fine Jewellery to Enhance your Personal Style While Wearing Fashion Stripes…
When it comes to the fine jewellery layer of styling your striped fashion you can really choose to either keep your jewellery simple, creating a wonderful touch of harmony or be a little more adventurous and make some bold choices for a creative look. If choosing the latter, think statement jewellery from earrings to oversized necklaces to rings on every finger and bracelets on repeat.
Simple harmony or creative statement…..Which way is more you?
Often when selecting jewellery to work with a great outfit it becomes about mixing the unexpected together, a little like a couple of fashion terms that we refer to often when styling a look, which are “High/Low” and “Day/Night”. Styling a look with “High/Low” or “Day/Night” mixes, feels very satisfying and most of the time we don’t even realise that we are choosing to style that way. So let me just share these fashion terms with you. “High/low” refers to mixing something simple and every day with something dressy and more decadent. Making it easier to wear more luxurious items more often, elevating your everyday style. “Day/night” simply means mixing more casual day wear with something that’s usually reserved for evening wear. Think of wearing your favourite pair of jeans paired with an exquisite sequin evening jacket to lunch with the girls or perhaps reverse the scene, now picture the look on a date night. All this allows us to create unique stylish looks that make others curious.
Jewellery works the same way…let me tell you more.
If selecting jewellery with gemstones to wear with your stripes and harmony is your thing then this can be done effortlessly by selecting gemstones in hues that match the background colour of the stripe. This also applies to the metal colour.
But if you prefer to sprinkle your striped style with jewellery that’s to be the main event then simply challenge the colour way.
This wonderful pattern of lines that work so well on repeat can be worn mixed together or even allowed to clash with opposing lines …vertical, horizontal and diagonal, the same is true when accessorising with jewellery.
When wearing vertical lines you can select jewellery that runs around the wrist or finger on repeat, creating horizontal lines or when wearing horizontal stripes wrap a short chain around your neck with multiply drops draping onto your décolletage creating a wonderful display of vertical lines. Both clashing in a magical way. Fine metal in its solid natural bright hue… can be worn on repeated to accessorise a striped ensemble. Select any one hue or perhaps wear all three together. Bangles are a great accessory choice for this. A bold necklace always makes an interestingly creative choice with stripes but delicate pendants are better left at home… unless worn on repeat.
When dropping those must-haves earrings with your stripes go bold for maximum impact.
A jewellery stylist tip here is… “The bolder the stripe the bolder the jewellery needs to be, especially the earrings”.
Let’s talk about a custom ring…
Recently a client dropped in a ring set with a baguette gemstone…a dark olive green tourmaline to be remodelled. The existing design was not allowing the stone to show it full potential. The gemstones dark hue that nestled in a setting of white gold was not presenting itself true, instead of its captivating moody shade of green it appeared almost black.
By the way for those who are a little curious about a baguette gemstone, let me clarify this for you… most people think emerald cut when they see a rectangle gemstone but there is a difference, simply an emerald cut has cut corners and a baguette cut has “right angled” corners, resulting in a rectangular shape.
So where were we?
The brief for the new design…a ring to showcase the complete stone, to bring out it’s true colour and that it be contemporary with simplicity and elegance.
The gemstone with its straight lines, right angled corners and moody shade of deep green presents itself naturally in a contemporary way and after the stone was removed by the jeweller from the existing setting it’s true colour became evident. To enhance the hue even more the new metal colour needs to add a rosy warmth to the stone rather than throwing yellow into it or drawing colour from it and making it super cool. Rose gold it is… decision made.
As the stone consists of multiple straight lines, the concept of styling with fashion stripes is also conceived. They are contemporary, wearable when off-duty or confidently office appropriate, and if styled correctly they ooze elegance….
With the vision of the stones shape representing vertical lines, which elongates the finger beautifully its now time to add horizontal lines on repeat sitting at slightly different heights to create flow in the design while keeping it mod.
Fashion thoughts…style ideas and colours palettes…
Over to the jeweller.
For every challenging brief there is an equally extraordinary journey into design as with the Law of Prägnanz from Gestalt, “closure seeks simplicity” It follows, this will be no ordinary four claw setting. We can see a white
rectangle despite the fact, the image is comprised of a quartet of letter L shapes.
Bridging panels are slotted to allow maximum light penetration above the finger
and flush through from the moody depths. Bearing rails are lower than the gemstone crown to shout out to the girdle and tease with lateral light. The tilt of each claw is just enough for interest but not too much to intrude on the lower pavilion facets. We now invite nature to expose its green self. For a ring, where there is a setting there is a band, or two, with a space element between. On the upper west side, one band can be deep and the other shallow both “striping” parallel around the finger. On the mid-east side lets overlap
in a change of direction just as “stripes” play in the suppleness of fabric. All shoulders will unite at the bridge of the now themed setting and “stripes” converge on the resize block in the basement.
We now repeat in rose gold.
Thank you, always wonderful to hear the jewellers insight into the creation…
Light and dark…metal and stone… both symbols of contrast, telling the story of dramatic structure. Inspired by the opposing elements. Futuristic and minimal aesthetics, layered textural effects. The lines rotating around the finger creating flow with light between and a stone standing still for structure…delicate-hard juxtapositions. Duality is reflected through structure and flow enhanced by texture and pattern.
A completed look that demonstrates how a mix of approaches to styling stripes with jewellery can work beautifully together to create a cohesive and compelling look.
Now lets go back to the beginning and take a trip down ‘stripes’ past with Forge Chiffon, to discover how the line on repeat made its relentless mark in fashion…
Stone to Style...Parti Sapphires
Today we are sitting down with Rob, UMUN Jewellery Studio’s resident gemmologist and Clarisse, Forge Chiffon’s jewellery stylist, to explore the ever-so-fascinating world of sapphires.
Rob and Clarisse, we have previously chatted about classic blue sapphires, but today I am interested in an extraordinary type of sapphire… the parti sapphire.
So let’s begin with the stone…
What is a parti sapphire and where are they mined?
A parti sapphire is a unique gemstone, perfect for those looking for something highly individual. It’s a sapphire that has two or three colours present within the one stone ie. partially coloured. Usually blue, green and yellow due to traces of iron and titanium oxide. Each one totally unique, just like a finger print. Parti sapphires are mainly mined in Australia, However they can also be found in Nigeria, Madagascar and Tanzania.
Which array of colours do they come in?
Usually blue, green and yellow. We also see brownish shades and golden tones.
Are parti sapphires natural or lab produced?
Natural, they are impossible to replicate via lab procedures.
How are they graded and what is their hardness?
Parti sapphires are graded like all other sapphires in terms of carat, cut and clarity, but it is the colour that sets them apart.
All sapphires are part of the corundum family, rating 9 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, second to diamonds…so a hard gemstone and suitable for everyday wear.
Which cut best showcases the colour?
When selecting a parti sapphire you should choose it on its unique colour pattern rather than shape.
A parti sapphire needs to be cut by a experienced cutter who knows how to get the best out of the stone.
With their unusual colour zones, the gem cutter needs to be able to enhance the colours rather than worry about the carat weight so often we see them in unusual cuts compared to more typical sapphires.
Now onto style….
Which complexions would a parti sapphire best enhance and which metal would you set them in?
There are parti sapphires to suit every complexion.
They can be set in white, rose and yellow metal. Each stone has its own unique colour way so best to consider each one individually.
Which personal aesthetic do they suit and are there any particular colours you would suggest styling them with?
They are a great stone for nature lovers and individuals who like to be unique.
Muted hues and any natural hue will look the best.
With this said, which piece of jewellery would you set a parti sapphire in?
Because the parti sapphire is a hard gemstone, it’s very wearable for rings, earrings, pendants and bracelets.
I think a ring would be a great choice either dress ring or engagement ring. It’s also a great gemstone for the men!
From a style perspective would you suggest a solitaire setting or multi-stone setting for a parti sapphire?
Most of the time I would suggest a solitaire given that each stone is unique in its own right. Making them more challenging to mix together. However, if you are looking for something out of this world and you have the time to wait for the right stones to be found they can look truly amazing set together.
Also parti sapphires look great with pearls.
And lastly to wrap up today’s interview… I am now loving parti sapphires and would like to get something made! Where do I begin?
Book in an appointment, try to make it at around 2pm….this is the best time to view sapphires and let me show you the magic that these beautiful, unique gemstones hold.
Your Look Complete... Colour Your Way : Blue Topaz
Every woman needs a dress ring…
While all jewellery elevates, often the wearer will only see glimpses of her precious pieces throughout the day… as for a ring, it’s a piece that can be adored by others, but also the wearer herself by simply glancing down throughout the day/evening and capturing its beauty.
Our blue topaz ring is a statement that simultaneously evokes an overwhelming feeling of tranquillity and calmness through its serene blue hue, enhanced by the flowing movement of the band…. reminiscent of watching the ocean waves gently roll into the shore.
When designing this ring we developed the line of beauty. A centre line that softly curves, creating the infinity band, signifying liveliness and activity. Exciting the viewer and wearer… the eye can’t help but trace the white gold path, delightfully interrupted by the vessel that gently cradles the vibrant blue gem.
Infinity band side relief
The colour, size and shape of this design captures the attention of all… from the most feminine of romantics to the most modern of contemporaries… even having the ability to captivate our oh-so-extravagant dramatics.
This ring effortlessly elevates ones style… from the most casual of looks to evening wear, or why not pair with one’s sartorial workwear style? Amongst the chaos of the office, a simple glance at this tranquil beauty will allow the mind to wander… with the peaceful blue and streaming contours taking you to a special place or a time, bringing boundless bliss.
Effortlessly elevating work wear style
Come and adorn your finger… with a sparkle that is creative in colour, complementing all and allowing infinite styling potential….
YOUR LOOK COMPLETE WITH COLOUR YOUR WAY
Contact us and book an extraordinary appointment today.
Which Sparkle Are YOU?
Everyday jewellery needs to elevate all looks while working with any style, personality or colourway we choose to wear.
Therefore, a simplistic, elegant design that enhances without dominating is the perfect piece to reach for day in and day out… cue Qualia!
Let us introduce you to our latest addition to the range…
This exquisite pendant is part of a signature collection designed and inspired by a recent trip to Japan…the people, their fashion and “Sakura”.
Simultaneously embracing structure and flow, minimal yet creative. A design transcending all personalities while adding perfection to all occasions.
This latest addition was designed with structure for elegance and wearability while the unique metal contours of the fistula form create movement, adding the essential flow to the design.
As a jeweller I’m captivated by the beauty of sparkle and as a stylist I’m in awe of the power gained by wearing sparkle. From how an individual is elevated in their style to the confidence that is reflected when the wearer adds their best colour, whether this is a neutral, bright or pastel…
Sapphires that dance… there is a colour for all
Our latest pendant and innovative concept allows you to choose your perfect sparkle with a stylist guidance. As we work through a selection of diamonds and sapphires we will share knowledge about gemstones, their colours and how best to select the one that works the best for you.
It’s also about how and where you would like to wear the piece, to the shades that complement your complexion, your hair and your unique eye colour, with all elements coming together ensuring that this design is set with your best sparkle. Having you looking and feeling the best version of yourself every day.
So which is your sparkle of choice…a diamond, from white to champagne, even black or perhaps it’s a sapphire in a soft delicate lavender, bright sunshine yellow or a shade of blue?
Whichever way you choose to go we have you covered…
Book an extraordinary appointment today and together let’s explore and choose your SPARKLE to make our latest design uniquely YOU!
Our fistula pendant awaits a diamond or sapphire that complements YOU!
Preface... Where a Curated Jewellery Collection Begins...
Every jewellery collection should be curated to effortlessly elevate you from every day to occasion wear… beginning with the essentials.
Whether you are just beginning your fine jewellery collection or have a well-established collection that lacks simple designs to pair with your more casual looks… every collection must have basics..
Basics are simply timeless pieces that focus on a single element... pearls, gemstones or metal alone... matched perfectly to your unique complexion allowing you to glow.
Beginning with huggies, moving to pearls and finishing with coloured gemstones. They are tireless members of a well-edited wardrobe, working to complete your style, whichever style that may be.
Basic are a must, for every woman… no matter their age or personality… with polish, lustre and sparkle to match all skin tones… making them the perfect gift this season, with the help of our stylist of course.
Contact our stylist today and make an extraordinary appointment to begin your journey of fine jewellery that matches your complexion allowing you to radiate!
Preface… Jewellery basics to elevate every day casual wear