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Sophie Sampson
19th December 2008 16:58

Palladium

 

We've started using palladium in the workshop, and I just wanted to share a beautiful engagement and wedding ring set that Alice has designed, which has recently been completed.

Sue and her partner came to us with two lovely gemstones, an aquamarine they had bought on holiday and the diamond that was her graduation present. Together with Alice they had the idea of this sinuous set of rings which fit together snugly - you can wear the engagement ring on its own or together with the wedding ring.

Palladium is a great choice for such a chunky ring - while it has the bright white appearance of platinum it's much lighter, so it doesn't feel like such a knuckle duster.

Tracy has also designed a simple and delicate solitaire engagement ring in Palladium, which is much more affordable than the equivalent in platinum would be.

Sophie Sampson
 
Harriet Kelsall
19th December 2008 16:12

St Alban

 

People sometimes come to us asking what would be a perfect present for a Christening, Confirmation or Ordination. This cross is an important symbol for people in the diocese of St Alban but also for many other Christians because Alban is widely believed to be the first Christian martyr and he was the first British Christian martyr.

For many years, I have been designing and making jewellery bearing the cross of St Alban symbol. My design is based on the distinctively shaped 3rd Century Cross of St Alban. A slightly different design of the symbol was originally designed and made into silver pendants by my father, David Kelsall and these were sold in the St Albans Cathedral shop years ago. I took over doing this from him and about 12 years ago and I reworked this shape into the design seen today and carried on this family tradition of supplying the Abbey shop with these pendants.

My mum, Jane Kelsall, is a prominent Art historian and NADFAS lecturer whose specialist subjects include St Albans Cathedral and my dad is now the archivist at the Abbey and also a photographer of the Cathedral. I was born in St Albans and married in St Albans cathedral and so there is a strong family link with it and also a personal attachment to the cross and the Cathedral. This is the reason that I decided to continue making the crosses. http://www.stalbanscathedral.org.uk/

This distinctive cross was brought to St Albans in England by Amphibalus, a fugitive Christian priest. Alban, a prominent citizen, sheltered the priest, who gave him the cross. The two exchanged clothes as disguise but both men were eventually caught by the Roman soldiers and Alban was executed on the site of the present Abbey church of St Albans in England, where his cross may be seen in sculpture, stained glass, needlework and silver.

More about the story of Alban here:- http://www.stalbanscathedral.org.uk/index1.htm

The silver cross pendants designed by Harriet are on sale in the Cathedral shop and also online via http://www.purple-label.com

Each cross is supplied on a 16 inch chain and is handmade in solid Sterling silver or 9ct gold, hallmarked in London. We can dispatch them to anywhere in the world and they make ideal Christening or Confirmation gifts.

We have also made many bespoke and ready to wear other pieces of jewellery so do call if you are looking for something other than the simple pendants. For example we currently have in stock a one-off cross set with Garnets, various interesting sand blasted designs, this silver tie pin.

This large ornate version of the Cross of St Alban (the pendant part here designed by David Kelsall) ...to name but a few.

Over the years we have been commissioned to make many versions for the clergy of this diocese too - everything from large pectoral crosses to earrings!

A bit more info on this link:- http://www.hkjewellery.co.uk/web/page/crossofstalban

Harriet Kelsall
 

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  • Harriet Kelsall Jewellery Design, North Barn, Fairclough Hall Farm, Halls Green, Weston, Hertfordshire, SG4 7DP, England
    Phone: +44 (0)1462 790565 Fax: +44 (0)1462 790140 enquiries@hkjewellery.co.uk
  • Harriet Kelsall Jewellery Design, 6/7 Green Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 3JU, England.
    Phone: +44 (0)1223 461333 Fax: +44 (0)1223 365269 cambridge@hkjewellery.co.uk

Our designs are legally protected by design right and copyright law and cannot be copied.