What's got the Fashionista's buzzing?

Recently I briefly touched upon one of the key jewellery trends for autumn/winter and after meticulously wading through no less than five heavy-duty fashion publications another common theme quickly became apparent. The consensus of the fashpack is clear; there is a real buzz about jewellery this season. Literally. Insects are in! From dragonflies to spiders, bees to butterflies, these little critters will be adorning wrists and necklines throughout the fashion world.

One thing I must make clear is that these are not the gothic styles usually associated with this organic theme, these jewellery pieces feature creepy crawlies: the pretty version. Perhaps a slight oxymoron in the way that some of the worlds most ostracised creatures are metamorphosed into glamorous accessories.

From Alex Monroe’s delicate bumble bees crafted from the worlds most precious metals to Stephen Webster’s heavily embellished statement pieces designers have taken inspiration from the natural world and created some beautiful little beasties.

Wonderfully Wild Jewellery from AC Silver...

W3758: An antique Victorian diamond, pearl and ruby, 15 Carat yellow gold brooch in the form of a hornet

W3803: A vintage diamond, opal, ruby and sapphire 18 carat white gold brooch

Born with a Silver Spoon

Before I get underway with this blog, I have to give credit to its inspiration! Earlier this week a beautiful little girl was born to two very proud parents. Probably not too far out of the ordinary. But the parents of this lovely little girl are two of my good friends and its fair to say upon first meeting, she is a perfect little bundle of joy.

I think it goes without saying that any new arrival is cause for excitement and of course, celebration to mark the occasion. In the Christian faith, as with many religions, a ceremony is held to welcome to newborn into the faith. It has become tradition in order to emphasise the importance of the birth those close to the child would present him or her with gifts. This practise is believed to derive from the wise men presenting their gifts to the baby Jesus, and in a similar notion in modern society these presents are supposed to represent an initial investment for the child’s future.

Over the years the type of gift offered has altered from that of purely monetary value to material presents with an intrinsic value. Perhaps not surprising that it was the ever-elaborate Victorians who first popularised the notion of gifting sterling silver.

The kind of items traditionally presented as Christening presents can range from cutlery and napkin rings to egg cups and mugs, but as ever AC Silver has simplified the process of choosing the perfect gift by offering a comprehensive selection of fine quality examples, making the job of Grandparents, Godparents, Aunties and Uncles just that teeny bit easier…However, I’m afraid we are leaving the nappies up to you….

W4158: A Fine and Impressive Antique George IV Sterling Silver Rattle


W3793:A Fine Antique George V English Sterling Silver Christening Porringer and Spoon

W1106:A Fine Antique George IV Sterling Silver Gilt Christening Set

W4212: A Fine Antique Victorian English Sterling Silver Christening Mug

How to care for these rocks that you’ve got…

There are very few things better than owning a beautiful piece of jewellery, especially if that item is one you have lusted over before making the purchase (or better still being presented with in a gift box!!). So it goes without saying that once you have these jewels in your possession you will want to wear them whilst they look at their gleaming best. Gemstones can be a teeny bit tricky to keep in perfect condition, especially with regular wear and dirt can soon build up causing your stones to lose their shine and appear dull- definitely not the desired effect! So here are a few hints for maintaining your treasured pieces…

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Diamonds

Diamonds are pretty tough (one of the many reasons why they are so popular) and can either be cleaned professionally in an Ultrasonic cleaner or at home using a soft bristled brush, warm water and fairy liquid. Simple, but the difference it makes is incredible!

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Rubies & Sapphires

Whilst these stones are still fairly durable it is best to avoid using a brush when cleaning and opt for a soft cloth to wipe over.

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Emeralds

As with Rubies and Sapphires it is advised with Emeralds to wipe the stone with a cloth however, only cool/room temperature water should be used as any detergents can damage the oils inside the stone.

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Pearls and Opals

As these are so soft and delicate, they require very careful cleaning. It is advised not to use any cleaning products and simply wipe over pearls with a damp or dry cloth to maintain their lustre.

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If you have any queries about how to care for any item purchased from the AC Silver jewellery collection please do not hesitate to contact us. All of our Diamond jewellery is accompanied with a Diamond privilege card, which covers complimentary biannual cleaning of the piece at AC Silver for 10 years so your rocks always look in sparking condition.

Happy Birthday September Babies!

Happy Birthday Virgo’s!

Not only are you lucky lot known to be the most intellectual of all the zodiac signs, to possess excellent artistic qualities and demonstrate compassion and understanding but you have the privilege of claiming Sapphire as your birthstone.

As one of the most popular Gemstones used in Jewellery, Sapphires are renowned for their deep intense blue colour but can pretty much be found in any hue dependent on the intensity of iron, titanium and chromium levels present. The only exception being red, which would be considered a Ruby.

Sapphires can be formed both naturally and synthetically, the natural sapphire sediments can be found in Eastern Australia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, East Africa and areas of North America including Montana. Synthetic Sapphires are often frowned upon and rejected by jewellers however, the remarkable strength of this gemstone means it can be utilised in scientific instruments and movement bearings in wristwatches!

PS. If you, like myself, are particularly fond of sapphires, but find yourself lumbered with a Birthday in the other eleven months, never fear, Sapphires are also the stone traditionally used in engagement rings and in celebrating 45th wedding anniversaries…

W3925: Antique Victorian 2.38 Carat Old Round Cut Sapphire and Diamond, 18 Carat Yellow Gold Ring

W4360: A Vintage Diamond and Sapphire, 18 Carat Yellow Gold Target Bracelet in an Antique Victorian Style

W4256: A Pair of Antique Diamond, Sapphire and Platinum, Art Deco Style Earrings

W2324: A 0.40 Carat Diamond and Sapphire, Art Nouveau Style, Platinum Dress Ring