Blog
My beautiful engagement ring.
Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
Simon and I got engaged last year and I have not been able to stop staring at my left hand and the perfect 11.46-carat, yellow sapphire ring that has adorned it for the past few months.
Working within the jewellery industry, the pressure was on to find the perfect ring. In initial discussions with our chosen designer, Sassalina founder and Creative Director, Sarah Freeman, we were determined to focus on the design of the ring rather than the stone.
Working out a story for the piece, to include romantic notions of my union with Simon, became over-complicated and contrived but Sarah’s patient and supportive approach gave us the opportunity to explore the avenues we needed.
Then one day she rang me to say that she had some stones she had selected with me in mind and would Simon and I like to join her for a glass of champagne at her home in Balham so that she could talk us through them.
We happily obliged and, looking back now, I was in no way prepared for the delightful experience that followed. A confection of precious stones; yellow and blue diamonds, chocolate coloured spinels, mossy sapphires and delicious emeralds awaited us.
Sarah is a fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain, which involves passing rigorous exams and having a very scientific brain. The amazing thing about Sarah though is that despite being able to source the most beautiful stones and having the ability to discuss minutiae of how it came into being, Sarah intuitively understands people, and is quick to associate stones with personalities and desires.
When presented with the beautiful, bold sapphire that now glints happily on my ring finger, my initial reaction was: ‘Am I allowed it?’, quickly followed by: ‘Am I brave enough?’
In order to answer the first question, she assured us that it was within our budget – Sarah never puts us in the position where we feel stretched beyond what we initially discussed. And, in response to the second question, it did take a little soul searching, but in the end I did decide I was brave enough and on the days when I do not feel as brave as I did then, it just takes a quick glance down at my left hand to fill me with the fierce fire that emanates from its yellow centre.
Here she is…
If you would like to get in touch with Sarah her email address is sarah@sassalina.com
Category: Interesting Projects
Model Friday
Tuesday, December 6th, 2011
We love getting feedback and requests from our clients, so took the decision recently to recruit a hand and neck model to work with us every Friday (something you thought, would be very useful).
Model shots compliment your product photography and help customers to understand scale when they purchase online. An opportunity not to be missed once a customer has clicked on an item of jewellery they like but are not sure how it will look against the skin, how to wear it or how big it will be.
We charge these shots at our silver level.
Do get in touch if you would like to book in some time on a Friday.
Claudia Bradby Jewellery worn by model.
Category: What we've been up to
JADA Fine Jewellery’s Mira collection @ Kabiri launch
Monday, November 21st, 2011
We enjoyed visiting the beautiful Kabiri King’s Road store to celebrate the launch of JADA Fine Jewellery’s Mira collection. Ceyda and Nathalie were wonderful hosts and it was great to try on some beautiful pieces.
Simon has been putting together some footage he filmed there, so watch this space for the launch video… a great way of creating interest online.
Category: What we've been up to
Surfing Biarritz
Wednesday, October 26th, 2011
We are back from an amazing weekend of surfing, sangria and sunshine. It was Simon’s 30th while we were away and what better way to celebrate. That’s him surfing on the right.
Category: What we've been up to
Michael Lewis
Wednesday, October 5th, 2011
We have been shooting award-winning shoe designer Michael Lewis’s beautiful creations over the past few years and is always a treat to hang out with him in his studio and catch up on all his exciting projects and news.
Michael has worked for Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs and Burberry. His own label is sold internationally and he was recently made Versace’s design director of shoes. Here are some of his collection mood shots… swoon.
Category: Interesting Projects
