Tanzanite, rubelite etc ... what are they?

[nkf]

Am idly watching some shopping channel and these gemstones keep coming up. Are they rare? Are they crap? Have they always been around but people have just started buying them? Also, does anyone seriously buy jewellery from the TV?

I been offered 80quid off and free postage. If I avoid all work/pub dinners and take a packed lunch every day for the next month, sell my old gold, and stay in a couple of nights, then I have enough money.

Mumsnet making me buy things again... it's this forums fault!

Well I'm glad they offered you a half decent discount delilah. I fund my habits by selling stuff on ebay (some clever trading on ebay paid for my wedding and now I use my paypal funds to buy weekends away via groupon vouchers - all by getting rid of old boots I don't wear etc).

To be fair - it stops me using DH's cards too...I got kind of sick of hearing 'what is this payment to qvc for' (I hasten to add that I do pay him back for these things btw). So Ebay is definately the way forward if you have stuff around the house that you don't use anymore - also great for the spring cleaning.

Ahh! Jewellery is everywhere. I didn't used to think about it and now I see jewellery shops everywhere. Lots of amber in a shop near me. It's pretty I think. Though I worry it's a bit like jet and I will look like a mad old lady.

I don't know my own taste. That's the problem. But I am enjoying looking.

I like the pretty pastel shades of kunzite, morganite, aquamarine etc and then rich gems like deep green and pink tourmalines. I don't like metallic pieces like marcasite or haematite and I don't like the coated gems like mystic topaz etc. I like quite old fashioned, classic settings and hate bezel settings with a passion. I just go with what I think suits me and what feels comfortable - it is just like any other aspect of your style, as in fashion, hair, make-up etc.

I love amber. One of my first ever pieces of jewellery was a solid amber heart pendant which dd now wears.

It can look a bit rustic and earthy which isn't everyone's taste. I love modern pieces like <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=silver+amber+ring+contemporary&um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1858&bih=1075&tbm=isch&tbnid=mRt7TdsuAaM52M:&imgrefurl=jewelry.hsn.com/age-of-amber-modern-oval-honey-amber-ring_p-6460884_xp.aspx&docid=sIbpO6ECO0DC_M&imgurl=dyn-images.hsni.com/is/image/HomeShoppingNetwork/136175%253F%2524pd300%2524&w=300&h=300&ei=bjM0T5iPMKKn0QWOg7CmAg&zoom=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">super modern ring

Also one of my favourite designers Georj Jensen does pieces in Amber. My favourite that i own is <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=georj+jensen+amber&um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1858&bih=1075&tbm=isch&tbnid=tEP5fXLUG48lZM:&imgrefurl=www.liveauctioneers.com/item/7495579&docid=gHQiJ-8jAfNNgM&imgurl=p2.la-img.com/359/21758/7495579_1_l.jpg&w=600&h=491&ei=1jM0T-L-KMel0QWa0_2vAg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=363&sig=110301854846680453589&page=1&tbnh=159&tbnw=211&start=0&ndsp=45&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:0&tx=147&ty=118" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this set although I'm lucky enough to have the bracelet too!

Amber= goes with everything. Is casual and dressy all at the same time!

I don't have a particular taste or style, I like bold pieces.
Whether it's victoriana marcasite and onyx for a sophisticated evening or a big chunky agate ring for coffee with friends.

If you love it enough, it becomes part of your style.

That Georj Jensen set is lovely. I think what I like is the way the amber is often set in silver. And the amber seems to warm up the cold silver. Not sure if that makes sense. It's the mix of warm and cold/fine and chunky that is pleasing.

Fascinating thread. I know a tiny bit about gems because FIL owns a chain of gemstone shops but MrsC's posts have been amazing! In the shops we always used to tell confused looking men buying jewellery for their wives to go for amber because it was normally returned less than anything else. I have quite a bit of amber and love wearing it.

Thankyou nkf, I love it too! I think that's what i like about amber too. That and the fact that it can be immensely modern and immensely old at the same time!

Given the fact that most gemstones will, in theory, be older or as old as amber for some reason I never think of the years that went into their making as I do with amber.

AlmaMartyr...it's not Tevendales is it? I'd probably chew off both my hands to go play with their stock lol.

And good call on amber- it works for me too. Never gets returned!

MrsC - no, it's called Crystals, shops across the South/South West. I used to work in the stores in the summer holidays and it was fantastic. Lots of minerals as well, and big crystal geodes etc. They used to have a jeweller in house but don't think they do any more although he made my lovely engagement ring (big blue sapphire with two blue-green tourmalines and two small diamonds) for me. One of the stones has fallen out though :(

Ahh, totally out of my region but still jealous

If you've still got the stone it won't be extortionate to repair!! Get it done and post pictures

Don't have the stone sadly :( It fell out once on holiday and got lost. FIL kindly found a replacement stone, I had it fitted and then that fell out gardening so it's still stoneless. I must try and find another stone really and go to a different jeweller to get it fixed this time round.

I was just having a look to see if I could find any pictures but don't have any. I do love having something unusual though, DH designed it with the jeweller and chose the stones so it's very personal.

I'm very jealous of you working in the field though, I did briefly think about going into jewellery but don't think I'd be very good at it (not very creative!).

It really shouldn't be coming loose so easily. I'd get them to repoint the claws. Also if something I repair happens again within a short period of time for no good reason then I know i haven't done it right and fix it for free!

(If the ring has design flaws though, it could be easier just making it a going out ring!)

It's not so much about being creative, but understanding the pros and cons of each setting, or if something you have designed is wearable. Yes it looks pretty but is it going to ruin their clothes/break after one wear etc.

Also understanding the fact that most people don't know what they want, and that they're unbelievably hard to please.

It's a great trade to be in. I have entire families as customers as word of mouth recommendation is great.

I can't remember who said it, but there's a quote along the lines of "Every woman needs her own hairdresser,tailor and jeweller."
Quite well put I think. Given that all of them could cost you a fortune and you need to trust all of them to make you look faaaaahbulous darling

MrsC simple question this time and hopefully useful to everyone.

Can we go into any independent jewellers and ask them to find stones? How would we identify a jewellers that could do this?

My town has two very well thought of 'non chain' jewellery shops plus the usual.
Should they be the first port of call or the more artisnal type?

Any jewellers with a functioning workshop will be able to help.
Just as an aside, I tend to steer away from the arty fartsy designy places because I find that they are overly expensive and you pay more for the name etc.

(for example well recognised brands like the ringmaker- you'll pay OTT for the name but get the same piece of jewellery that could have been made anywhere)

Go in and have a chat. Only do business with places you actually enjoy being in. And often the less pretentious looking the better!

Ta,MrsC

I went into a vveeery fancy jewellers once (you had to buzz to get let in) and the girl serving us was wearing the most unbelievable dress necklace, diamonds and pearls. When I commented on it she said they got to choose a piece to wear at work. I still think about that, having the vault at your disposal

thanks for the information about stones with special properties, we've had chickenpox-ageddon here so pretty things have been the last thing on my mind.

I am really inspired to actually commission jewellery now ...

AlmaMartyr I've been to some Crystals branches!

Coldcomfort-not just at work- nights out too!

And don't get worried if you have to buzz in. It's not so much a sign that it's posh but a sign of trying to keep their insurance premiums down!! (Have worked for 3 of such establishments!) Although some places have started putting it in to be 'elite' as it harkens back to the olden days where every jewellers was a bell entry system.

very envious of the raiding of vaults for nights out (swoons).

MrsC could we have a few photos of your favourite personal items?

I just saw a makeup tutorial with Lisa Eldridge who has a lovely green stone (green amethyst/sapphire or similar) ring. It looks very organic and has an amazing clarity.

In terms of cut for earrings (eg studs) what would you recommend as being sparkliest? I've seen some emerald cut - would they be flattering?

I've just emailed gems TV to ask for their best price on a pair of blue topaz and zircon earrings.

And there is a silver and amber pair in a shop near me. Which would be more versatile. Or shall I buy both?

This could be a very dangerous new interest.