History of Christmas Gifts
The history of Christmas gifts goes back long before Christmas even existed. In a pre-Christian Britain, Paganism was the predominant religion. Pagan festivals during the winter solstice included Saturnalia –a celebration originating in Pagan Rome of the god, Saturn. These festivals often involved activities we now see as hallmarks of a traditional Christmas, such as […] ...Read More...
Christmas Luxury
Photo by Roberto Nickson on Unsplash Christmas brings with it many connotations, but something that really springs to mind when I think of Christmas is one word: luxuy. It is the time of year when a lot of people go all-out. We all dream of the perfect Christmas, and there are so many little luxuries […] ...Read More...
Different Sapphire Cuts
A rough sapphire can be cut into many different shapes. Most of it is dependent on the quality of the sapphire, and also its colour. There are, in fact, many different factors to take into consideration when deciding how to create a polished sapphire out of a rough one. We’re going to explore some of […] ...Read More...
From Christmas Past
“Nephew” returned the Uncle sternly, “keep Christmas in your own way, and let me keep it in mine.” – A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens How do you keep Christmas? Do you have any festive traditions? More specifically, do you know where these traditions might originate from? Although simply doing something because it’s what you usually […] ...Read More...
Symbolism of the Twist Ring
When it comes to jewellery, particularly rings, there are a few styles that are enduringly popular. Classic styles include diamond solitaires, gemstone trilogy rings and chunky gold signets. However, one of the most symbolic styles of ring is the twist ring. This iconic style comes in many forms, however traditionally it features a shank that […] ...Read More...
The Best Sapphire Colour
If you’re looking for a gemstone that is as unique as it is beautiful, then sapphire is the one for you. Sapphires are one of the ‘big three’ gemstones, alongside emeralds and rubies. They’re pretty tough wearing too, being the third hardest mineral around (after diamond and moissanite). Perhaps most importantly, sapphires can be found […] ...Read More...
How to Clean a Hip Flask
As with most things, it is always a good idea to give your hip flask a clean. You might have used it recently, or it might have been stored, unused for a while. Either way, it might seem like a bit of a daunting task. It is, after all, something you intend to drink out […] ...Read More...
What are Salvers? The Difference Between Salvers and Trays
Silver salvers were once to be found in the home of any respectable host or hostess. They are flat, handle-less platters which appear in a variety of forms and styles. These range from circular to rectangular, to the less common octagonal shape. Salvers may feature one to four ‘feet’ that are used for support. They […] ...Read More...
Famous Fictional Jewellery
I am a big fan of fiction. The fictional worlds we can visit through film, books, even video games, are absolutely magical. The attention to detail in fiction is breath-taking, and today I’d like to focus on some of the most famous fictional jewellery. The Heart of the Ocean Perhaps the most famous piece of […] ...Read More...
Traditional English Country House Interiors
‘The stately homes of England How beautiful they stand! Amidst their tall ancestral trees, O’er all the pleasant land.’ (Felicia Hemans, 1827) Of all the styles of decoration that have flourished over the past 50 years, none have been as enduring as that associated with the English country house. An icon of British culture, it […] ...Read More...
