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Mel Williams
8th June 2010 14:56

Tanzanite

 

I have recently been invited into a 'Stone Training' group here at HK, to learn about all the different gemstones and their history, and since doing this, Tanzanite has become one of my favorite stones. They come in such beautiful shades of blue and purple, and can change colour in different lights.

This is our tanzanite engagement ring that we currently have in our ready to wear collection, and it is beautiful. It was designed by Harriet Kelsall, and the centre stone is 0.80cts with 6 brilliant cut shoulder diamonds which accent the blue perfectly.

Platinum and tanzanite engagement ring

Tanzanite is a rare gemstone and is the birthstone for December. It isn't the hardest of stones, so our goldsmiths create a secure setting around the stone to protect its corners and delicate points.

It was first discovered in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, so was named after Tanzania in Africa, and because this is the only place in the world where it can be found, there is probably only enough tanzanite left in the ground to last another 20 years.

Tanzanite has some lovely meanings behind it, and it is said to help one deal with change, and uplift the spirit and open the heart. It is associated with generosity and friendship and it is said to also create confidence and individuality.

Here are two more stunning tanzanite engagement rings that have been previously commissioned for two lucky customers!

White gold and tanzanite engagement ring
White gold and tanzanite engagement ring

Mel x

Mel Williams
 
Jodie Gearing
8th June 2010 11:50

Children's Jewellery Making at our Summer Open Day

 
Children's Making with Harriet and Jodie

Our open day on Saturday was a massive success, raising nearly 400 pounds for the NSPCC - 48 pounds of which came from the children's jewellery making we ran. Harriet and I taught the children how to make a selection of items using brightly coloured beads and retro hair accessories! Harriet donated all the materials and all the money went straight to the charity.

First prize winner

Here is our first prize winner; Melissa aged 12, who made three items - a tiara, a wired bracelet and a pair of hair grips. We were so impressed with her highly developed eye for colour. The tiara is quite a tricky project, keeping the wire taught and the beads tightly twisted onto the base. After initially showing her how the construction worked, she finished it off entirely on her own which is fantastic. She chose pink and purple helicopter beads and elegant pearls for a Lady Gaga inspired design! She also made this pair of hair grips and reinvented the design to create a butterfly shape and the end result was gorgeous! Again, she chose a lovely selection of beads that worked fantastically together. She won a sketchbook and drawing set exactly the same the designers here at Harriet Kelsall Jewellery Design use, so hopefully we'll have a jewellery designer in the making!

We were only going to have one prize winner on the day but both Harriet and I were blown away by the advanced skill of little Livvy, aged 3, so just had to award a second prize too!

Second Prize Winner

She made this lovely 'upsy-daisy' hair band with pale and bright pink beads and also a lilac and orange elastic bracelet. Unlike most children her age, she made conscious decisions about the beads she choose and mostly stuck to one colour in a row – perhaps another future jewellery designer! We were so impressed with her remarkable colour sense and manual dexterity at such a young age, and particularly when she concentrated on these pieces for nearly an hour! She clearly loved it.

We had such a lovely time and the children seemed to really enjoy themselves too. Here are some more of the best pieces and the children hard at work!

Children's Jewellery Making

Jodie

Jodie Gearing
 

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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

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