Citrine for November

Citrine is a birthstone for the month of November. The name is from the French 'citron' meaning lemon. Natural Citrine is very rare and is usually a pale yellow colour. Amethysts can be heat treated to produce the yellow colour and this is widely accepted. Citrine has a hardness of 7 on the Moh's scale.Citrine occurs in igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, and is found in Brazil, Spain, France, Russia, Scotland and the USA.
For a very long time Citrine has been thought to have magical powers. it was thought to protect against the plague, snake and spider bites and evil people. It was also thought to improve the functioning of some organs such as the liver, heart, kidneys and digestive system. Given as a present Citrine is a symbol of hope and strength.
If you want to give Citrine to somebody special this November take a look at our mixed stone Iris pendant (above). Available on the website, it combines Citrine with a collection of other semi-precious beauties-a perfect pendant for the party season. Citrine is an increasingly popular stone...the Duchess of Cambridge is a fan.

One For the Boys....

How to Pick an Engagement Ring.

Once you have decided to pop the question the next big question is how to choose a ring.This can seem a bit daunting so here's our handy guide on where to start!

 If you are confident you know her style you can go ahead and pick one

 These are the things you definitely need to know before you go shopping…

·         Her ring size

·         Does she want a diamond (people are becoming increasingly conscious about diamonds being mined in less than satisfactory conditions and their sale funding the arms trade so trends are moving toward other coloured stones such as sapphires or aquamarines. She may prefer a diamond from an ethically secure source. We use diamonds from Canada which as well as being recognised as some of the purest diamonds in the world are competitively priced and entirely conflict free. 

·         Then there is style.

Does she prefer

Simple

Traditonal

Modern

Asymmetric

Super Sparkly

Geometric

Neat

Coloured Stones

·         What colour metal does she prefer Yellow Gold or Platinum

Once you are armed with the above info you can pick a design prêt-à-porter from our website

If she is the kind of lady who has very specific tastes or likes to be unique (and most of us are!) you might want to choose one of our proposal rings to ask the big question and book her in for a bespoke engagement design experience. You can choose her a diamond in advance and present her with its certification and we can base her design around the stone you have chosen for her. We can also incorporate heirloom stones into a design, so the ring can be infused with family history.

So no excuses! pop in and see us or give one of our engagement advisers a call in Farnham on 01252 724825. We will me more than happy to help...and girls forward this blog on to any boys who you think may need a nudge in the right direction! We are ALWAYS happy to help, advise with no bias and no pushiness  We will even produce a no obligation bespoke design and email it to you so you can see what we can do just for you. 

A Special Earlybird Offer

We know its a little too early to be mentioning the 'C' word but with less than 100 shopping days to go till the big day and lots of our customers looking to spread the cost of their festive shopping we thought you might like a tempting little offer to tickle those little grey cells.

Our exclusive handmade sterling silver charm beads have been popular as gifts all year so why not get in early for some fab stocking fillers or winter birthday gifts and grab a boxed coordinating Charm Trio. With lots of colour combos to choose from we guarantee to have the perfect selection for everyone, but only while stocks last. So if you want to grab a bargain get in quick. Offer in store only!

Giftwrapped, Boxed Charm Trio Set Only £29!

Autumn Winter Fashion Trends

It's that time of year when the sun is low in the sky, the leaves are turning beautiful shades of red and gold and we inevitably start thinking ahead to our autumn/winter wardrobe choices.
There are several trend colours around this year, with the shops crammed full of key pieces you're certainly spoiled for choice! But how often do you unpack your purchases and realise you haven't got the right accessories to match?
At zigzag we have a huge choice of jewellery in a dazzling array of colours and styles to suit all budgets. Below are three key trend colours of the season with suggestions of stones and styles to match.

Camel is bang on trend this year, as it was last autumn/winter. Natural coloured accessories are key to complimenting this look, browns (smokey quartz), golds (citrine) and oranges (carnelian) are perfect. Hobbs have a great selection in camel like the Austin jacket which
goes perfectly with our range of citrine jewellery

Jewel Colours are huge and make a welcome change to the usual blacks and greys of the season. Of course, as the name suggests almost any gemstone would be a suitable match, depending on how brave you want to be with colour! Purples (amethyst), blues (turquoise) and greens (labradorite) are all suitable. Reiss is leading the way in beautifully structured pieces in jewel colours like the Harmony ruched dress in magenta perfect with our amethyst and vermeil madrid earrings and our statement ring Tilda, also in amethyst.

Prints carry on from spring/summer but are seen in more muted feminine colours like pale pinks (rose quartz), pale blues (aqua chalcedony) and white, cream and nudes (moonstone). French Connection has a stunning collection of prints including the whimsically named morning song peter pan top, understated and elegant, just like our lacey earrings.

Sapphires for September

Sapphire, the birthstone for September, is a Gem Variety of the Mineral Corundum. It comes in a range of colours, not just blue. The most valuable is Kashmir Sapphire or Cornflower Blue Sapphire. Another extremely valuable form is the very rare, orange-pink Padparadschah. which displays a different color depending on its lighting. Yellow and pink Sapphire have recently become very popular, and are now often seen in jewellery. Sapphire is found in Kashmir, Madgascar, Australia, Ceylon and Brazil.

Sapphire often contains minor inclusions of tiny slender Rutile needles. When present, these inclusions decrease the transparency of a stone and are known as silk. When in dense, parallel groupings, these inclusions can actually enhance by allowing polished Sapphires to exhibit asterism. Sapphire gems displaying asterism are known as "Star Sapphire", and these can be highly prized. Star Sapphire exists in six ray stars, though twelve ray stars are also known.

Sapphire is a tough and durable gem, and the only natural gemstone harder than Sapphire is Diamond so it is ideal for jewellery. Despite this, care should still be taken to prevent fractures or chips from rough handling.

People once believed the core of the earth was a huge sapphire crystal, and along with fire the Ancient Greeks thought Prometheus stole a Sapphire from the Gods. It is said to promote forgiveness and a happy marriage so has traditionally been a popular choice for an engagement stone. I has been particularly fashionable since Prince Charles and Prince William used the same 18ct Sapphire for their proposals.

We have some extra special Sapphires for birthday presents this month. You can give a pair of lovely hand made 0.6 carat Sapphire studs for £49. We only have a limited range of stones so get in quickly. Only available instore.

As an alternative have a look at our lovely Iolite pendants too. Often mistaken for Sapphire, Iolite is a Clear fresh blue gemstone. Popular with the Vikings because of its clear colour at night it was often referred to as Water Sapphire because of its similarity with the Corundum.

Rises in Jewellery Theft and Avoiding the Gold Scrap Trap

Gold and Silver prices have reached record levels (Gold has risen by over 14% and Silver more than doubled in the last year), but unfortunately this has gone hand-in-hand with a rise in theft. and we felt it is important our customers are aware of this.

Statistics from the British Crime Survey 2010/11 show a rise in theft, ranging from railway line cables, to lead from church roofs. Police are also noticing an increase in robberies of gold and silver jewellery, and have highlighted several instances of women being targeted by thieves who are going stealing these items directly from ladies necks!

We want you to love wearing your jewellery, but you may want to have an extra think about covering it up when you are out and about.

It has been suggested that the ease with which thieves can offload your precious things for instant cash makes this type of crime all the more tempting. Currently, legislation surrounding the buying and selling of precious metals is limited to hallmarking, how to cost the items and consumer rights. There are no enforced regulations requiring gold retailers to register their business with the local authority, or to record details of the items being bought, or those selling them. As a result, thieves can steal jewellery and sell it to a retailer without having to produce much, if any, identification. Items are melted down for a profit. Within a matter of days, the items have disappeared without a trace.

So, if you are thinking about cashing in your gold, please be aware of unscrupulous traders. As well as being quite happy to exchange stolen goods, they are likely to give you way under the true value for your pieces.

A reputable retailer will ask for identification, keep a record of your items and be transparent about the amount they are charging for processing. Before you package your pieces up and take advantage of high metal prices think about whether you would prefer to keep the stones, especially ones you are sentimentally attached to. There is no point in hanging on to broken and outdated styles you will never wear but we can restyle your heirloom stones into fresh modern designs if you wish.

For more info on staying safe check out Metropolitan Police's personal safety tips here.

Making Gifts Easier...

Sometimes its hard thinking of something new to get that special person....and very often finding time to surf endless websites or spend afternoons browsing the high street is impossible. So, here is the zigzag top 10 Most Popular Gifts. They are all lovely, beautifully hand crafted, and individual-you can't fail to fall a little bit in love with something!

1. Your BFF

The Sylvia Bracelet is a perfect choice. A classic silver bracelet she will wear very day. You can also personalise with charms if you wish.

2. A 50th Brthday

You need to choose something special for a very special birthday, and traditionally nothing says 50th like gold. Our one of a kind Julie Peel Design Earrings are unique and stunning. She will definitely steal the show at her party in these.

3. An 18th Birthday

For an 18th you should choose something timeless that she will wear again and again. We like this Wishbone Bangle. Adjustable to fit any wrist size. Simple, Elegant and very pretty.

4. A Gift for the Host

Whether its a dinner party or a weekend visit a thoughtful gift for the host is always well received (and will ensure you get invited again!). The Lacey Earrings are the perfect token to recognise her hard work. The stones are lovely and the design really pretty and not too heavy to wear all day.

5. If She has Everything

We all have a friend who always has everything first. They can be the hardest to buy for, trying to think of something they don't have. This is where you need the Julie Peel collection. The pieces are all extra special one offs with the very best and most unusual gemstones. We love the Oslo Ring, and we know she doesn't have one already.

6. A Little Thank You

Perhaps your neighbour has kept your plants green while you have been on holiday or a friend has stepped in for a last minute babysitting nightmare. Whatever the reason is, it's just nice to be nice, and a little something will make her day. We all need a great pair of pearl earrings, and these Simple Studs are incredibly popular.

7. The Fashionista

The most stylish of our customers go mad for the Curl Earrings. They are a bit of a zigzag design classic and we always sell out when we have a new batch. We have a slightly smaller size which are so neat and lovely we wanted to tell you about them again.

8. A 21st Birthday

Give a piece of history with a Carl Faberge DesignPpendant. These enamel eggs are the real deal, made in St Petersberg and using the original designs you can have the eggs in Sterling Silver with Zircon or in Gold with Diamonds. All the designs are beautiful but I like the idea of this one based on the Tsarina's wallpaper.

9. When you need to impress

Sometimes you want a gift on a budget that exemplifies your good taste and judgement. Pick a pair of the Simple Pearl Drops. A modern, simple and elegant take on pearls. They will wow.

10. A VERY special anniversary.

For very special occasions for loved ones let them have a whole bespoke design experience. Choose their anniversary stone and we will design their perfect piece of jewellery, with them, in three dedicated design meetings. We then create the piece and set your stones. We can do something very modern or keep it simple. ANYTHING is possible. Ask us for a demo and we will be more than happy to show off our CAD skills....and, what's even better we can incorporate heirloom stones too. For more info on these give us a call on 01252 724815

Peridot For August....

A Little Bit of Information on Peridot. Peridot is our favourite birthstone for August.

Peridot is a gem form of the mineral olivine and ranges in colour from bright lime to olive green. The Romans had a particular liking for peridot calling it ‘evening emerald’ as the colour remained bright and light at night-perfect for summer garden parties and evenings out!

The best peridots are found on the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The name comes from the Greek ‘peridona’ meaning ‘to give richness’-particularly suitable for special birthdays!

Used as a gemstone for thousands of years, it has been found in Egyptian jewellery. Legend has it that it was Cleopatra’s favourite stone. Very large peridots are set in a shrine in Cologne Cathedral. It is also, particularly sacred in Hawaii as it is believed to be the goddess Pele’s tears.

More detailed information is on our website.

pictures:

1. Peridot 18ct Gold and Sterling Silver Ring £595

2. Peridot Solitaire Set, Earrings £20 Pendant £35

Onyx is an alternative birthstone for the month-ideal for those who don't like green! For more info have a look on www.zigzagjewels.com

Lovely pretty new things...

We have been working out socks off and are now ready to show some extra EXTRA special pieces in stock and online now so I thought I'd like to give you a bit of a preview to our new designs.

we have worked extra hard to ensure the finishes are better, stones are shinier and the designs our best yet to keep you at the head of the jewellery style pack. So have little look and tell us what you think!

Staff Picks!

Everyone is feeling a little more summery at zigzag hq and all our lovely customers are popping in to revamp those summer clothes...So, this week I have been asking the gorgeous zigzag ladies to pick their favourite pieces of zigzag jewellery to inspire you.

Jemma-St Albans Manager: I love the pringle bangle, so much so I actually had one bought for me recently as a gift, and it's never off my wrist. It's so stylish and versatile not to mention comfortable. I have no doubt I'll be wearing it for years to come. jem

Hannah-Product Manager: Statement Earrings are really THE THING for this season, I love the Sterling Curls, they are a really striking modern design-perfect if you like things that are a bit different from the usual. (and they are mega comfortable too-being on trend doesn't always have to be a chore!) Hannah

Lucy-Farnham Manager and our Gemmologist: My absolute favourite piece is the Eugenie necklace – pearls are so flattering on the skin – and the heart is detachable so it can be worn two ways plus the necklace has the same name as my daughter – what could be better! Lucy

Tell us what your pick for this season would be?

Why We Can't Get Enough of Silver...

Its no secret that the silver market is RED HOT at the moment. The official silver 1oz bullion coin of the USA the 'American Eagle' has been sold out at its mint as has the Canadian equivalent the 'Maple Leaf'.

You are probably aware that the silver and gold prices have been steadily rising, but even we were surprised when we sat down and worked out just how much. When the first zigzag shop opened on 2004 silver bullion was around £119 per kg, its now tipping £778 per kg! Quite the rise, but perhaps even more shocking is the more recent rise over only the last 8 months it has doubled.

At this point you may be wondering how this may be affecting you. Well. you will be pleased to hear all those silver bits of jewellery are suddenly worth a LOT more. Silver can no longer be seen as a cheap metal, it really is super precious now, so we thought you might like to see out top tips for keeping it in fab condition:

1. Always rub your jewellery over with a polishing cloth before you put it away.

Greasy build ups all sit on the surface of jewellery and cause it to tarnish quickly, particularly when its sat in a drawer for a while so it is really worth giving it a rub over with a polishing cloth before you put it away. This should mean its always super sparkly.

2. Store jewels away from direct sunlight.

Keeping jewellery out is another quick way to speed up the oxidisation process on silver. Remember to put it away, either in your jewellery box, wrapped in acid free tissue or in one of our jewellery pouches. It’s definitely worth it!

3. Love your stones…

Soapy residues build up behind stones making them look dull, because it happens slowly, over time you often don’t notice. Luckily the solution to this one is easy giving the back a good scrub under warm running water with a soft toothbrush and some fairy liquid will amaze you.

4. Like cats, jewellery hates swimming!

If you are a regular swimmer, well done you for getting enough exercise! But, did you know that gold, silver, and gemstones can all be damaged by the chemicals in salt or chlorinated water? It is easy to forget to take your jewellery before bathing, but do try, it will definitely thank you for it!

5. Don’t get caught wearing nothing but pearls…

As pearls are an organic gem, some care is needed to keep the beauties in optimum condition. The surface of a pearl can be damaged and dulled by perfume, hairspray, cosmetics, hand and face creams, and a person’s natural skin oil. To minimize contact with any potential irritant, pearls should be the last accessory you put on and the first one to be taken off. As pearls like a little moisture, being worn regularly is good for them as it gives them a chance to breathe.

Occasionally, your pearls can be buffed with a silk cloth to enhance their lustre.

AND AN EXTRA ONE...did you know that we offer a cleaning service. Bring any of your zigzag jewellery back to us and we will polish it up, clean it up, restring it, refresh it whatever it needs. Pop it into a shop and let us surprise you with how fab it can look again.

Inevitably there will be a rise in our silver prices...we have tried to keep these to a minimum but the best thing about zigzag jewellery is that we will not compromise on the quality. We will always have well made, beautiful design led pieces, fairly priced based on the intrinsic precious value. We want to reassure you that we will continue to have a range of reasonably priced pieces for little gifts and thank yous. zigzag jewellery is built to last, its stylish, well made and always uses the best quality gemstones and designs. Its special enough to wear again and again....unfortunately we cant promise all your friends wont be pestering you to borrow it!

The ULTIMATE Easter Egg!

Open publication - Free publishing - More carl faberge

New Arrivals!

We have had something very exciting arriving in Farnham today....a very special batch of beautiful enameled Carl Faberge design pendants.

From the Alfa workshop in St Petersberg and exclusively featuring designs based on Carl Faberge drawings from the Russian archives these exquisite little eggs come in sterling silver or 18ct Gold set with white zircon or diamonds for something extra special.

The finish on the enamelling is beautiful and they are the perfect easter gift. pop in the shop today and have a look at them hanging on a spectacular minature tree! And for those of you not near our farnham shop click on the website and get one delivered free directly to you, or giftwapped and sent to your very favorite person.

This one is a particular favourite as the design was based on the Tsarina Alexandria's bedroom wallpaper.

an invite just for you!