Moonstone

Did you watch the documentary about Elizabeth Taylor and her jewellery? I adored every minute of it- and rewatched some of it this weekend. If I had Elizabeth Taylor's intergalactic star quality I would have been just like her- when it came to beauty- though perhaps not marriage. I cannot resist jewellery, it has fascinated me since I was a tiny girl, not in the way it fascinates all women- it's more than that- I can stand entranced in front of a jewellers window- the Burlington Arcade is my idea of a lost paradise and I could walk up and down happily looking at the diamonds, emeralds and sapphires forever.

I suspect if Elizabeth Taylor hadn't been Elizabeth Taylor she would still have cherished the pieces of jewellery she did have- as do I.

I've long been interested in the lesser known stones, the not so valuable but equally fascinating and captivating stones like turquoise and lapis.

Moonstones too can be quite lovely. I found this ring by Monica Vinader and it just said- I am meant for you. Now a lot of rings do say this to me, it's a problem, I am a kind of Dr Doolittle for precious stones. This seems special though, it's not too expensive but it gleams and sparkles and would go with everything. Moonstones are meant to be comforting to nervous souls, like me and I thought it might protect me from some of the less sensitive people I sometimes come across (make of this what you will, I am being deliberately oblique).

So if I can get through the next few days this ring will be mine. I shall have a gold band because I am over that phase of thinking only white metal is sophisticated and I think gold shines like the sun in bad times.

So next time you are jewellery shopping, think about the unusual stones- they are just as prescious, if not just as valueable.

More on moonstones.

And a a brilliant book called Jewels by Victoria Finlay which teaches everything you could want to know about all kinds of jewel stones- the intergalactic and the not so.

Pretty as a penny

I was quite enchanted by this necklace from Laura Lee Jewellery on Monmouth street.

It is made from a beautiful old British penny dated 1907 and has my initial engraved into the tail side.

Laura Lee's website is currently under reconstruction but you can still scroll through and look at the other items in her collection. There are earrings and bracelets made from old money, lockets and rings engraved with lines from Serge Gainsbourg and many other prescious treasures.

Better still visit the shop because it is quite lovely- I got carried away and had to bring the nekclace home- and it's been on my neck ever since.

Love your ears

Rose earrings (which I own and love) from Pip N Stuff at All Things Original here.



Silver cassette drop earrings from Bianca Jones who also makes the very cool playing card earrings below



Or if you prefer gold I am as in love with the new Alex Monroe collection the Peacock and the Crow as I am with all his work. The Peacock hoops would make me ears feel extra special.



Also taking inspiration from nature are these Japanese Maple seed earrings from Patrick Irla's Jewellery shop on etsy. All of his jewellery is stunning and well worth a look.

Everything I love that lives in my heart

This brooch encapsulates everything I feel about life, love and appreciating it all- and reaffirms my belief that jewellery is about more than just adornment, especially when worn close to the heart.

The brooch of my dreams is a collaboration between Rob Ryan (artist, keeper of Ryantown on Colombia Road and the man who makes the prints my future beloved will hopefully give me) and Tatty Devine (jewellers to the cool and witty).

It is available from the Tatty Devine online boutique here, but please leave one for me!

I dream of jewellery: stolen thunder

balloon girl



skipping girl



kite girl

All from Stolen thunder

I dream of jewellery: Lizzie Fortunato

Pictured: Lizzie Fortunato jewellery from Kabiri- I found these necklaces staring into their Covent Garden window sheltering from the rain- they were like little rainbows in my cold wet day. (Pictures courtesy of Kabiri).

Going gardening

Alex Monroe's new collection The Gardener is finally available online from his shophere (as you probably know if you follow the Alex Monroe blog).

I missed the preview at Penhaligon's after having written about it because of christening and wedding season so I am seeing some of the designs for the first time.

The citrine, the watering can and the twig are top of the wish list- but really I want it all. As always.

I dream of jewellery

Delicious jewellery available from Bimonia on Etsy

Pyrrha jewellery

Of course I don't need jewellery- but I always want it and my latest discovery is Pyrrha jewellery; jewelley made with seals that would have been laid into wax to seal letters many years ago- when people still sent handwritten letters, by courier, a courier on a horse. I love the idea of using the seals, the connection with words and the phrases they have chosen. You know you want something when you can't stop thinking about it don't you?



Leaf necklace: seal reads "I change only in death" (in French)



R necklace: R for Rose of course

The Gardener: Alex Monroe at Penhaligon's

Alex Monroe is my favourite contemporary jewellery designer. I covet all of his work and everyone I have met who is involved with his company has been completely charming.

I received an e-mail earlier this week saying he was collaborating with Penhaligon’s in Covent Garden. He has written a children’s book and designed a new collection of jewellery which is inspired by the tale- you can read more about the exhibition and follow Alex's blog here.

I really enjoy it when complimentary brands link together, often links ups don’t seem to make much sense but this one does- and combines my love of jewellery and scent! These are two companies that are dear to my heart, Alex Monroe because every piece of his/ their jewellery I own is cherished and has good memories- the silver rosebud ring I bought with some Christmas money that would be a final gift from a loved relative, the butterfly ring I stalked for a year and finally bought, the birds on a branch necklace that is so perfectly entwined with family that it could have been made for me.

Penhaligon’s is special to me because they are purveyors of scents not only to the Royal family but to my very own, slightly less illustrious but possibly even more eccentric, family. Their scents fill my memory with wrapping parcels and Christmas shopping trips, of long car journeys filled with their relaxing scents, of bathrooms bursting with the smell of their soaps and of keeping their beautiful boxes to fill with who knows what because they are just too lovely to part with.

The Consolations of Jewellery

I have a cold and therefore cannot smell my perfumes or write the reviews I had planned this weekend.

So I have turned to one of my other loves: jewellery.

Alain De Botton's penguin classic The consolations of philosophy is all very well, a wonderful idea very well executed. It is indeed consoling to an extent, but what do I find truly comforting? Jewellery.

I have loved rings, bracelets, necklaces and any other form of shiny adornment since I was young enough to think these trinkets were so lovely that I must try and taste them. I used to sit in front of my Mother's jewellery box in wonder, as happy gazing at costume bangles as the real gems. Try as I might and often do to embrace a pared down, utilitarian outlook I cannot deny that I adore jewellery despite knowing I don't need it and it won't make a real difference to my life.

I feel very content when I'm looking at jewellery, whether it's in Accessorize or wandering up the Burlington Arcade it makes no difference to me. In fact sometimes the more expensive, the more comforting, because I know I could never afford the art deco diamonds and sapphires it's a bit like looking at a beautiful painting in a gallery.

The jewellery designers whose work I covet most to actually wear are Alex Monroe and Annina Vogel. Luckily both designers have very good websites to help me window shop and feel the consolations of jewellery from under my duvet!

Wear your poppy with pride

For this years Poppy appeal the Royal British Legion have asked three jewellery designers to make pieces based on poppies.

My favourite jewellery designer Alex Monroe has made this lovely gold and jewelled poppy broach, as worn by the fabulous Judi Dench.





Luxury jewellery Theo Fennell has made this piece (as modelled by the also fabulous Dame Helen Mirren)






and Kleshan, loved by the stars, have made this broach, again seen on Dame Judi Dench:





Bids can be made for the jewellery here. I think this is a lovely idea and although these are a little out of my price range I hope they raise lots of money. I will be wearing my normal paper poppy with pride on Remembrance Day.

Alex Monroe broach picture courtesy of www.vogue.co.uk

Theo Fennell and Kleshan Poppy pictures courtesy of: http://www.auctionair.co.uk/britishlegion/High%2DBid%2DAuction/