Jewellery Essentials

Over the years whilst styling ladies and helping them revamp their wardrobes, I’ve discovered that having the right pieces of jewellery can make a wardrobe stretch so much further. Costume jewellery can instantly change the personality of an outfit in a simple flourish. What’s more, I’ve also found that there are certain, key pieces of jewellery that will work well with an entire wardrobe of clothes, no matter what colours or styles it consists of. 

 

So I’m going to share with what these little treasures are and why they are so important.

A long string of pearls

Whether you can afford the real thing or prefer to wear faux pearls, a long pearl necklace will add elegance to any outfit. Team pearls with a business suit for a touch of Coco Chanel or dress up jeans, a plain white tee-shirt and blazer.

If you have a pink or rose skin tone opt for white pearls, warmer skin tones look best with creamy coloured pearls.

Try layering several strings of pearls for a very up-to-the minute look a la Sarah Jessica Parker.

Long black glossy beads

There is nothing more chic than black glossy beads. They will go well with everything but I love putting black on black. The shiny beads contrast beautifully with the matt black fabric.

A cocktail ring

A cocktail ring is one that is eye catching and large scale. Big rings have been fashionable for quite a few seasons and the trend shows no sign of slowing down. The X Factor made most interesting viewing for the simple fact that Danni Minogue and Cheryl Cole appeared on screen each week wearing the most beautiful cocktail rings. Don’t let the name fool you, cocktail rings are no longer reserved for wearing in the evening. A statement piece ring will help you stand out from the crowd and draw admiring glances.

Brooches

Brooch are the fashion stylist’s secret weapon and the most versatile piece of jewellery you will ever own. Thread one onto a choker necklace to create a stunning pendant. Pin one onto the back of an ill-fitting sweater or jacket to add shape. Pin brooches to hats or even onto two necklace strands. Michelle Obama has turned brooch wearing into an art form and often wears two or three together. However you wear your brooch, you can rest assured that it will always add style and glamour to any outfit.

Online Shop

Our very own online shop is now close to launch.  We are delighted to be working in partnership with Beate Pohl who was born in Germany and has travelled extensively internationally.  Her pieces are all handmade and she uses a variety of different materials including Mallorca pearls, Swarowski, Flourides, Amethysts, Murano and Rose Quarz stones.

Beate is now based in Mallorca and from this wonderful location she produces high quality jewellery which is unique and simply stunning to wear.  Her jewellery will soon be for sale exclusively through our website and we are delighted to have attracted such an exciting original designer and we look forward to seeing her collection.

Jewellery Trends for Spring/Summer 2010

Jewellery goes in and out of fashion just like clothes. Whilst I have a strong rebellious streak and hate being dictated to by the designers and the high street, if certain style of jewellery aren’t in fashion then they become quite difficult to get hold of.

So for Spring/Summer 2010 I’m so glad to see some traditional pieces alongside some really adventurous designs. My advice is to stock up on some fabulous jewels whilst you can and don’t worry, they’re so adorable you’ll be wearing them forever!

Pearls
Pearls add glamour to any outfit and are timeless classics. Don’t worry about looking like your grandma as pearls or faux pearls now come in so many different colours. A real wardrobe must-have.

Statement Necklaces

Collars, bibs and stunning tribal style layered necklaces are all the rage. Emma Bunton looked breathtaking in her first judging appearance on Dancing on Ice recently with a plain black dress and the biggest diamante bib necklace you’ve ever seen. A triumph in accessorising.

Floral Pieces

It’s flower power all the way this season with floral print jewellery and flower rings, brooches earrings and pendants. Whether it’s high end or high street, wearing a flower inspired creation will help you sail stylishly into spring.

Bangles

The hottest jewellery trend this season is the bangle. Wood, perspex and metals, slave bangles, stretchy ones for a snug fit or cuffs you name it whatever bangle you prefer you’ll find one this season. Where the bangle is concerned this season you can’t wear too many. The fashion is to stack as many of them as you can for a very up-to-the-minute look. 

Natalia Colman 

Automatic Updates to Twitter and Facebook

The Jewellery Guide Blog should now be updated with automatic feeds to both Facebook and Twitter for all future blog postings.

Why We Love Shopping for Jewellery

I just read an interesting article this morning that says 80% of us have over £200 worth of clothes languishing in the wardrobe that we never wear. It seems that these poor items of clothing no longer fit us but we don’t want to throw them away, just in case we can slim back into them in the future.

As a person whose weight has fluctuated over the years, I can empathise completely. That’s why I’ve always loved jewellery. No matter how much extra weight you’re carrying your necklace, bracelet or earrings will always fit you a treat.

In fact, unlike clothes shopping, searching out new jewellery is a wonderful and very therapeutic experience. You get to stand in front of the mirror admiring the way the colours of the beads or the metal flatters your skin tone. You can slip one item on after another with ease whilst standing fully clothed on the shop floor, rather than having to squeeze yourself into a changing room the size of a broom cupboard. Buying jewellery in a jewellers shop is an even more luxurious experience. Plush carpets, a calm and restful environment, beautiful displays, mirrors everywhere and attentive staff, all make it shopping heaven.

So before you buy that bargain jacket that will take up squatter’s rights in your wardrobe for the next 5 years and never earn its keep. You might want to reconsider investing in a fabulous necklace, cocktail ring or statement piece bracelet that will always flatter you and will soon become vintage and exclusive. Jewellery will help you change the personality of a neutral outfit and help you create a look that is totally unique to you. 

Natalia Colman 

Magic Metal

Being a jewellery lover, I have a vast collection of jewellery in all kinds of metals. I’ve often wondered what special qualities or properties those metals might have, as some days I reach for cooler metals such as silver or pewter and other days I just want to wear rich warm coloured metals such as gold or copper.

So I went on a mission to discover what the different metals mean and here are some of the fascinating facts I found.

Silver Metals
Silver is said to help the body to eliminate toxins, in fact silver is used in the medical field to alleviate healing. Silvery metals such as silver, pewter and platinum are also said to mirror the soul and help you connect with your intuition and higher self.

Golden Metals
Gold is to said to balance our energy fields. It’s also claimed that gold allows us to experience and become connected with our inner beauty. Physically gold metals and colours are supposed to aid in the regeneration of the heart, improve digestion and assist the body in the absorption of all vitamins and minerals.

Emotionally if you want to attract wealth and happiness into your life, then wear warm metals such as bronze, gold and copper. It’s also claimed that these metals enhance mental clarity and help clear negativity.

So there’s no excuse not to invest in beautiful precious metals. As well as looking gorgeous, they will last a lifetime and they may well enhance your well-being with their magical properties.

Natalia Colman

Natalia Colman joins Our Blog

We are pleased to announce that Natalia Colman will soon be writing for our blog. Natalia will be contributing to The Jewellery Guide Blog on a regular basis.

She is a personal stylist and also makes jewllery using silver clay and resin. Here's a link to her website www.silverclaycreations.co.uk. She has just recently produced a DVD ('Silver Clay Made Simple) and she does a lot of writing, including having written for style magazines and newspapers.

Natalia's silver clay designs have been featured in Beads & Beyond Magazine.

You can also watch Natalia as she demonstrates some fabulous and unique silver clay projects on her guest spot on Create and Craft TV (SKY 671 FREEVIEW 36 FREESAT 813).

We look forward to reading what Natalia has to say and keeping us all informed on what's stylish, trendy and interesting.