Well today it’s identical high streets that are making my blood boil! Why is every single British town now just a repository for all the usual high street names? Where is all the interesting and individual jewellery? What can we do to get everyone investing their hard-earned money in well-designed, quality products?

As a designer, this subject is of particular interest to me, but particularly now due to comments from a number of retailers in the last few days. The poor, British, jewellery-buying public have been described politely as ‘conservative’ and less politely as ‘boring with no interest in anything but the traditional’. Can this really be true? Are there really so few people left out there who appreciate good design? Or do retailers just not want to take that risk? I guess we have to take some responsibility for this ourselves; I’m as guilty as anyone else of getting a cheap bargain on the high street, but it’s time we searched out the more unique and individual. I also suspect that the cost of premises prices new businesses out of prominant positions. Set in our routines as most of us are, it takes something really extraordinary to make us go out of our way and try something new. So again I sense a mission on the horizon: To try something new every day and to get everyone else to join me!

I know, I know – yet more on gold, but I really do think this information from the World Gold Council is  interesting and worth knowing!

Gold jewellery is an investment. When you buy gold jewellery you aquiring an adornment that not only looks beautiful, but which can also preserve the value of your wealth. It is estimated that all the gold ever mined equates to a cube which could fit beneath the first stage of the Eiffel Tower. The amount of gold to be mined is finite and it requires considerable effort to find and produce fine gold. Gold is therefore relatively rare – a fact that increases its mystique and hightens its desirability.

In the UK, 18ct gold is hallmarked with a fineness number of 750 contained in an octagonal shield shape. This number means that 750 parts of every 1000 or 75% of the alloy is pure gold. 9ct is actually only 37.5% gold!

What is the most interesting proposal you have heard of?

Craig organised a photo shoot for their 2nd anniversary from when they first met and surprised Ugne with a ring that he had commissioned from Nest Creates. He selected two diamonds to be set in white gold, one fancy oval cut and the other was an enhanced blue oval. We fashioned the settings into the letters U & C (the initials of their names) in a calligraphic rub over.

The hardest part of keeping the secret was how we kept in contact throughout the designing and making of the ring without Ugne suspecting something. We discussed everything on Facebook so that even my number didn’t appear on his phone! The ring was delivered on the morning of the proposal, the postman came but Craig did not hear him so he had to chase the postman down the street on his bike to retrieve the parcel! Phew.

She said yes of course and Craig messaged me to say:

“Hey she loves it! It’s beautiful. Nearly put it on the wrong hand oops. She says, thank you for all your amazing work. X”  Another great testimonial from a happy client.

More info on gold for you today. Why should you choose it for your jewellery?

Gold does not erode over time. It cannot be tarnished or oxidised.

Gold, because it is a softer metal in its pure form, is beautifully malleable and can therefore be shaped into almost any design.

Gold is usually alloyed with other metals including zinc, copper and platinum in order to make it hard and durable enough for use in jewellery. 18ct gold is 75% gold, but the UK’s minimum gold standard for jewellery is 9ct, which is only 37.5% gold.

Gold is naturally a deep, rich yellow colour, but the alloying with other metals creates a subtle pallette of different colours for you to choose from.

Visit www.nestcreates.co.uk for more examples.

Identifying trends recently, the one that interested me most is the new need for social engagement. With the crash of the economy people are realising where their priorities should lie – with their family, friends and communities. I therefore find it very odd that one of the biggest areas to be hit by the cuts made by this coalition government is the Arts (see the Guardian’s cutswatch) It has been proven time and time again that art and craft can bridge huge divisions, bringing communities together and allowing people a way to express themselves that they might not otherwise have. A shining example of this theory in action is the Bromley-By-Bow Centre in London and I defy anyone to read The Social Entrepreneur by Andrew Mawson and to not agree. People at all levels of society deserve access to quality, beauty, inspiration and aspiration so now I have a new challenge: how do we at Nest Creates begin to deliver this?

I was doing some free association thinking this weekend, trying to come up with some new jewellery concepts, when I realised how much we need our jewellery to be like our dogs. What do we want from our furry friends? We love the look and feel of them. We like the comfort they give us and the trust they inspire. They come in a wide range of sizes and a beautiful pallette of classic colours to suit everyone (from whites and neutrals through tan to deep rich browns and inky blacks). Best of all, they inspire feelings of love.

This is exactly what Nest Creates offers with it’s jewellery. We design individual pieces especially for you so that you love the look of it and the way it makes you feel when you wear it. We keep in touch with you all the way through the design and making process so that you know exactly what is happening to your jewellery and when it will be ready for you. We use a beautiful pallette of precious metals highlighted with stones of different sizes to suit every budget. Finally, buy a bespoke piece as a gift for your partner to celebrate your relationship and the memories of your special experience will certainly inspire feelings of love. Man’s best friend or what?

An interesting fact for you about gold this morning: In the Middle Ages, alchemists attempted to use a combination of science, magic and philosophy to make gold from other metals. They believed that gold was a source of immortality, and so it was used in medicines to fight old age and prolong life. I still think I prefer wearing it to ingesting it!

At Nest Creates we are very keen on being as ethical and environmentally friendly as possible, however I’m not usually a fan of recycled jewellery owing to it’s lack of finess. That my have changed with the appearance in my inbox of this constructed tea set by Harriette Estel Berman. This is the third time I have been inspired by a bright, colourful and beautifully patterned piece of jewellery or metalwork and found this Californian artist at the bottom of it so I feel fully justified in recommending her to you. Enjoy!

I came across this great piece of advice from the Platinum Guild International this morning. Hope this makes your purchase a little easier!

A piece of platinum jewellery is an investment that can be passed from generation to generation.

Your platinum engagement and wedding rings will evoke memories of the most important day of your life forever – remember to leave enough time to plan their purchase.

• When budgeting for engagement rings, a rule of thumb is two months’ salary, but it comes down to what you are comfortable with. Bear in mind that most men do end up spending a little more than they originally intended.
• Although both will be equally as precious, the man’s platinum wedding band often has a higher value than her wedding band. This is simply because his ring tends to be larger and will require more platinum.
• We recommend leaving at least four months to plan for your wedding rings, allowing sufficient time and budget for any personalisation or adjustments to create your perfect rings.

We were really pleased to get confirmation late last night that after a rigourous selection process, we’ve been accepted into the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths online directory: Who’s Who is Gold and Silver. Hopefully we’ll be added shortly and we’ll announce it here when we’re live or alternatively, visit www.nestcreates.co.uk for more information.

Hurrah!