Some girls love Gucci

I don't normally like it, but some of the jewellery really surprised me.

Pink sapphires, yes please.

This is a terrible picture, the necklace is much nicer in real life, i am quite attached to it in work, if only i didn't have to leave it behind me when i go. And it's a lovely warm yellow as well.

We had this ring in amethyst too and it's even nicer than this yellow quartz. Lovely.

They also used to do a collection of coloured stones as little insects - there is a picture here from a piece on sale on ebay, that was amazing but as far as i know it's been discontinued. What a pity.

-Catherine

New Favourites

Lately I am all about new favourites-new favourite people, music, pubs and as of yesterday my new favourite jeweller. I was down in Kilkenny visiting a friend and popped into the Castlecomer Craft Centre just outside the city. It's a really nice little place where the workshops are combined with a small front of house shop where you can have a browse but chat away to the different jewellers while they are making their pieces.

There was one in particular that really stood out. I have a weakness for pearls, i find them endlessly fascinating and pretty so when i saw that Carl Parker specialises in tahitian (black) pearls i got very excited indeed. He has one a number of competitions, one of which being the Tahitian Pearl Trophy by Perles de Tahiti in 2006 and 2008. His style is quite modern while also maintaining a classical edge, so it's just modern enough. Many of the pieces are also very affordable as he uses 9ct gold to keep the price down.

-Catherine