FEBRUARY BIRTHSTONE: AMETHYST

Amethyst is a type of quartz and is suitable for everyday wear. Available in a wide range of purples from the palest pastel lavender to the deepest seductive purple they are available in many sizes.

COLOUR: Pale lilac to deep purple.

GEMSTONE FAMILY: Quartz.

MOHS HARDNESS: 7

LOCATION: Mainly in Russia, Brazil and African countries such as Namibia and Zambia.

A BRIEF HISTORY: With its association with the god Bacchus amethyst has long been associated with drink and is believed to help prevent drunkenness.

FAMOUS GEMSTONES: Known as the purple sapphire, the amethyst below was looted during the Indian mutiny in 1855. Everyone who owned it since has suffered disaster and misfortune. When Edward Heron-Allen, owner of the stone from 1890, discovered its sinister history, he declared it 'cursed and stained with blood' and locked it in a bank vault with instructions that it not be opened until 33 years after his death. Heron-Allen's daughter donated the stone to the Museum with a letter he wrote warning anyone against handling it. (Source: The Natural History Museum).

CRYSTAL DICTIONARY: Amethyst is believed to calm the emotions, create clarity of thought and assist in attaining wisdom.

IMPORTANT: Be careful heating an amethyst - high temperatures can cause an irreversible change in the stone and can cause the colour to fade or change.

 www.catherinebuddjewellery.co.uk

Have you ever thought about having a piece of jewellery commissioned?

There is something so romantic and utterly special about a piece of beautiful jewellery that has been designed especially for you....

This year has been so exciting with the launch of the 'Crown Collection' but I also have a growing number of clients for whom I have designed unique and one-off pieces of bespoke jewellery - engagement rings, wedding rings, wedding rings to curve and shape around irregular shaped engagement rings, eternity rings, earrings, pendants....

Being a jewellery designer, I love working on commissioned pieces. To me, it is all about understanding you and your individuality, so that together we create a piece of jewellery to match your style, personality and your budget. Classic or contemporary, bold or understated, it is all about designing a piece which is right for you.

A selection of one-off creations 

Typically I visit each of my clients for a design consultation in the comfort of their own home - alleviating the need to trudge up and down a high street from one jeweller to another. There is no charge for a design consultation, and if you decide my service is not right for you it's fine to just walk away.

Commissioning a piece of fine jewellery is about having fun and enjoying the process. 

Every person is different. Some people have quite clear ideas about what they want and if this is the case I will work with you to bring your ideas to life as a practical design. If you haven't decided on exactly what you would like, or have absolutely no idea at all I will talk about jewellery styles, perhaps draw inspiration from things you are passionate about, favourite colours, family heirlooms, or aspects of your life to find a design that is right. However much or little creative input you would like to have, I always make sure that through my knowledge and understanding of both the aesthetics of design and the practical limitations of jewellery construction, that the piece is not only beautiful but that it actually works from a technical point of view. This is important. Some ideas look great in your head but won't work when translated into a 3-dimensional structure!

2D technical drawing of a bezel set engagement ring 

As the design develops, I will explain all that there is to know about different metals, diamonds and precious gemstones, so that you can make decisions and choose what is right for you, with confidence and at a price that suits you, your lifestyle and your budget.

You may worry that you can't picture what the finished piece will look like. Don't fear. With the help of design sketches and particularly with the use of CAD software, it's possible to actually see a 3D render of your finished piece before it is actually made - which is a fantastic option if you aren't very good at imagining what the finished piece will look like. I also have a collection of jewellery which whilst not intended as a 'catalogue' for clients to choose from, are to give a taste of the jewellery I create, the quality of workmanship, and to also serve as points of reference when discussing what you really want.

3D CAD images of a bezel set engagement ring

Many people think that bespoke jewellery will cost the earth. Think again..... I always strive to give the best possible value for money, regardless of how much you decide to spend - part of the meaning of good design is knowing how to produce beautiful results within a specified budget. And if a particular design is going to cost more than your budget allows, it is more than likely that I can find a way of doing a very similar design, that is to your budget. This is the beauty of bespoke design - changing the quality or type of stone, or perhaps a simple design change could considerably alter the time it takes to make, the materials, and hence the price.

The finished piece - made with white gold and set with a 0.50ct diamond 

Bespoke jewellery and good design should be accessible to everyone.

So next time you are thinking about buying a piece of jewellery....why not consider commissioning a bespoke piece and create something as beautiful and unique as you are?

If you have any questions or would like to arrange a design consultation, please contact me.

Much love

Cat ♥

www.catherinebuddjewellery.co.uk

A Jewel in the Crown: The Crown Collection

Spring 2012 has been really exciting for me with the launch of my fine jewellery range ...the 'Crown Collection'.  This is the first collection for Catherine Budd Jewellery and I have been thrilled with the response so far.   

Made from 18 carat gold with delicate accents of diamonds, The Crown Collection is a classic and elegant range which was inspired by the shape and form of the vintage tiara, and marks the celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.  The collection features an engagement ring, a choice of wedding rings and an eternity ring, which fit together perfectly, creating a stylish and intricate look.

Dating back centuries and reflecting eras of fashion decadence, some of the most stunning tiara's have been worn by Royal Queens and Princesses.  Queen Elizabeth II is said to have the largest collection of these fascinating jewelled headpieces in the world, which have been passed down from generation to generation as treasured and precious heirlooms.

Considered by many to be one of the most important pieces of jewellery worn on the most important of occasions, the tiara is often associated with weddings and believed to symbolise the loss of innocence and the triumph of love.  Each ring is available in 18 carat white, rose or yellow gold and can be set with white diamonds, coloured diamonds or precious gemstones.

For details, visit www.catherinebuddjewellery.co.uk, contact info@catherinebuddjewellery.co.uk or call 07701 080 615.

Much love

Cat x