What is Sterling Silver?

Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% by mass of pure silver and 7.5% by mass of other metals, usually copper, nickel is no longer allowed to be used in jewellery. The sterling silver standard has a minimum fineness of 925. Over the years, some countries developed different systems of hallmarking silver.

One of the most carefully regulated hallmarking systems is in the United Kingdom. Hallmarking was originally introduced in 1300 by a Statute of Edward I and is one of the earliest forms of consumer protection. 

A silver hallmark from England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland will contain;

1. A stamp indicating the purity of the article. (925 for sterling silver, 375 for 9ct gold, 750 for 18ct gold, 916 for 22ct gold).

2. A date mark, indicated by a letter which represents a specific year, the typeface, border, upper or lower case are used to indicate the year of hallmarking.

3. Assay office mark, which indicates the hallmarking office which the article was hallmarked, currently London (Lion passant), Sheffield (Yorkshire Rose), Birmingham (Anchor) & Edinburgh (A castle with three turrets) are in use.

Assay offices are independant institutions set up to test the purity of (Assay) precious metals, in order to protect customers. Upon successful completion of an assay the offices typically stamp a hallmark on the item to certify its metal content.

Historically there were also assay offices in Dublin (Now Eire), Exeter (Closed 1883), Chester (Closed 1962), Galsgow (Closed 1964), Newcastle (Closed 1884), Norwich (Closed 1702) and York (Closed 1857).

4. Makers mark, a stamp which is unique to the jeweller who created the article (Or who submitted the item to the Assay Office to be tested and marked.)

5. Special Marks to commemorate significant national  events may also be added if a sponsor chooses. The Millenium Mark to celebrate the year 2000 was very popular and was applied to over 5 million articles of jewellery and silverware. The most recent commemorative mark is to honour the Queens Jubilee in 2012.

The purpose of hallmark application is manifold: To indicate the purity of the silver alloy used in the manufacture or hand-crafting of the piece, to identify the silversmith or company that made the piece (Or who submitted the item to the Assay Office to be tested and marked.) and to note the date and/or location of the manufacture or tradesman. Silver jewellery under 7.78 grams does not legally need to be hallmarked.

All silver sold at Equinox is Sterling silver. All silver jewellery sold in the UK should now be nickel free.

Best of British Contemporary Jewellery Interview Tara Kirkpatrick

Tara Kirkpatrick's latest collection is her Droplets Twist Collection. You can see her amazing collection at The Best of British Jewellery Exhibition which is being held at Equinox Jewellery in Fleet Hampshire.

1. How did you become involved in jewellery design?

Wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life and was doing A-levels and then passing a jewellers one day I thought, it would be nice to make jewellery.  Gave up A-levels and enrolled on a jewellery course, the rest is history!

2. How would you describe your jewellery?

Anytime jewellery that be be worn on special occasions and everyday.

3. Whose jewellery do you admire?

Gerda Flockinger is the first designer jewellery I saw that I thought was marvellous.  She has been making jewellery since the 1940’s and still makes.  I do prefer wearable jewellery but I admire all sorts even if I wouldn’t wear it myself.

4. Which of your designs/collections are you most proud?

I like a bangle I made for someone’s wedding as it was a collaboration between me and the customer and it resulted in something very much in my style and matched her brief and wedding ring, which I’d also made.  As she was very pleased it was an added bonus.

5. What advice would you give to aspiring jewellery designers?

The more you make the more skilled you’ll become, so keep on going, who needs sleep!

6. What does the future hold for your company?

I am happy where it is at, keep making a variety of things and when time allows develop new designs.  I’ve just ordered a new magnetic polisher so more new machines are very exciting, more machines the better!!  So if anyone has some unused ones I’ll happily give them a new home!

7. Do you undertake commission's, what sort of thing have you been commissioned to make?

I do a lot of commissions, especially melting down peoples old gold and re-modelling it into something more contemporary.

8. Has your jewellery won any awards?

Sadly it hasn’t.  Equally I’ve never entered any awards!

Tara's collection can be seen at Equinox Until mid April 2012.

Best Of British Contemporary Jewellery Interview with Jessica Sherriff

Jessica Sherriff (Jessica Jewellery) creates an original range of stunning contemporary acrylic jewellery which is all individually designed and handmade in North Yorkshire. Jessica is taking part in Equinox's Best of British Jewellery Exhibition.

1. How did you become involved in jewellery design?

Always loved jewellery and accessories but I really got thinking about jewellery design on my foundation course at York College.  From there I looked to do a degree in jewellery, studying at Middlesex University gave me the opportunity to make jewellery from a wide variety of materials and acrylic was a material I particularly enjoyed so continued with it. 

2. How would you describe your jewellery? 

Contemporary, designed and handmade jewellery 

3. Whose jewellery do you admire?

I admire other jewellers who work in alternative materials such as Sarah Packington, Lesley Strickland, Kathie Murphy 

4. Which of your designs/collections are you most proud?

(A picture would be good if possible.)

 I always seem to be most proud of my newest designs as I've pushed myself and created something I didn't know I had in me to make.....My most recent range Optical is an example of this image DSCF2621 - double pendant from the optical range.

5. What advice would you give to aspiring jewellery designers?

Don't be put off if you are trying something different, listen to all feedback and learn from that, and just try and get your work seen. 

6. What does the future hold for your company?

I hope to continue to supply shops and galleries across the uk, and continue taking part in relevant exhibitions and to keep producing new work.

7. Do you undertake commission's, what sort of thing have you been commissioned to make?

I do make custom pieces and have made items to order using customers own photographs.

8. Has your jewellery won any awards? 

Yes I won the International Jewellery London, Editors Choice award for technical excellence in 2010 

You can see Jessica's jewellery at Equinox, Fleet, Hampshire, until Mid April or visit her website: http://www.jessicajewellerydesign.co.uk/

Jewellery Repairs at Equinox Jewellery, Fleet, Hampshire

Jewellery Repairs at Equinox Jewellery, Fleet, Hampshire.

On-Site Jewellery Repairs.

On-site Jewellery repairs in Fleet, Hampshire, we undertake a range of jewellery repairs in our workshop which is located above the shop, all items are fully insured while they are in our care. 

Our on-site repair services include:

• All repairs carried out by a trained jeweller with 25 years experience
• Most repairs are completed within a week, a priority service is available.
• Gold and silver Charms soldered onto Charm bracelets
• Gold and silver bracelet and necklace repair
• New gold and silver clasps fitted
• Repairs to gold and silver necklaces and bracelets
• Gold and silver bracelet and necklace shortening
• Gold and silver ring sizing; ring repair; reshaping
• Jewellery refurbishment
• Bangle repairs and reshaping
• Earrings repaired
• Stones reset, stones supplied
• Pearls and beads restrung
• Estimates free of charge
• Fully insured

For more details visit: www.equinoxsilver.co.uk

Best Of British Contemporary Jewellery Competition.

Best Of British Contemporary Jewellery Competition.


During our Best of British Exhibition we are running a fantastic competition to win £100 worth of Equinox vouchers (Which can be spent online.). You just need to guess how many balloons it took to fill our lovely big red phone box.
Just email your guess to tim.cockram@equinoxsilver.co.uk. Best of British luck to you all!!!!!!

Designed and made near Loch Lomond in Scotland, Linda MacDonalds whimsical award winning silver collections capture the essence of the British countryside and romance. Linda Macdonald has become one of the leading jewellery designers in the UK, Linda will be exhibiting at Equinox's Best of British Jewellery Exhibition.

1. How did you become involved in jewellery design?

I initailly started out in illustration at Glasgow School of Art. Having always enjoyed working with small detail, such as tapestry and model making, I tried the jewellery course and changed my main study to Jewellery and Silversmithing! 

2. How would you describe your jewellery?

Romantic and Fun!  I am a romantic at heart and love working with little natural symbols of romance like the Butterflies and Birds...

3. Whose jewellery do you admire?

I particularly love jewellery that has little messages and meaning such as Nick Hubbard, I admire his beautiful miniature scenes and detailed pieces that have romantic phrases/sayings....

4. Which of your designs/collections are you most proud?

 I am very proud of our stripey bird, these have been hugely successful and collectable as sets that can be added to with elements from other collections.

5. What advice would you give to aspiring jewellery designers?

To make designs that "make you happy" and your natural enthusiasm will show in your work!  and to stay true to what insprires you.....

6. What does the future hold for your company?

I hope we will continue to design and produce collections that will inspire romance and fun!  We are a fairly small company and although the jewellery collections are becoming more and more collectable and popular, our dedication to a delivering personal touch is very important to us.  There are many exciting ventures on the horizon, our main business is UK based, we hope to export to other countries in the future... 

7. Do you undertake commission's, what sort of thing have you been commissioned to make?

Yes, the main commission work we do is engagement rings and wedding rings.  But we have been asked to do anything from commemorative brooches for an individual to an exclusive range for John Lewis that will be launched this year.

8. Has your jewellery won any awards?
Yes, over the years we have been very fortunate to have picked up some awards over the years incuding .....

 

Editors' choice award for commercial vision at the International Jewellery fair London
A 'Walk in the Park' inspires competition piece. Reaching the final 5 of the Charles & Colvard's Moissanite Design Competition.
Nominated for the Giftware Associations Gift of the Year 2004 awards 
Precious Nugget Range was one of three products to be nominated for the Gift of the Year 2003 Awards and was Highly Commended by the judges in the competition run by The Giftware Association.
Scottish Gift of the Year.


You can see more Linda MacDonald Jewellery at Equinox Contemporary Jewellery.

Best of British Contemporary Jewellery Interview Alice Gow

Alice studied at Birmingham’s School of Jewellery, and continued working in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter, creating bold and beautiful jewellery, featuring coloured aluminium, silver, and wood. Alice describes her work as being bold and beautiful jewellery featuring beautifully textured coloured aluminium, silver and wood. Alice’s designs display movement and interchangeability, simplicity and elegance.

1. How did you become involved in jewellery design?

After studying art at A-level, I went on to Art College and did a foundation art course, where I specialised in 3d, and developed a taste for jewellery.  I continued to develop my jewellery skills, studying Jewellery and Silversmithing at Birmingham's prestigious School of Jewellery.  After my degree I extended those skills with a graduate apprenticeship before setting up my own business, Alice Gow Designs.  

2. How would you describe your jewellery?

Bold, bright and beautiful! 

3. Whose jewellery do you admire?

I love Georg Jensen's flowing forms, has work straddles the discipline's of jewellery and silversmithing, and excels at both. 

4. Which of your designs/collections are you most proud?

(A picture would be good if possible.)

It's tricky to pick a favourite collection, but I would have to choose 'Revolve' .  It's a range that began in my final year at university, which has been developed and refined into a collection which embodies my design ethos: simple forms, carefully composed to create an elegant yet interesting finished product.

5. What advice would you give to aspiring jewellery designers?

Work hard, it's the only way!  But hopefully you'll love your work, so it shouldn't be a chore. 

6. What does the future hold for your company?

I've recently brought out a new range of jewellery that was made possible using CAD (computer aided design).   I'm currently working on new pieces for this range,and am hoping to work more with CAD in the future, to develop work that would be impossible to create using traditional techniques. 

7. Do you undertake commission's, what sort of thing have you been commissioned to make?

I've just completed my first ever Wedding Ring commission, two rings in 18ct Gold.  The customers loved the work I already make, but I was able to tweak the designs to make their perfect rings.

You can see Alice's work at The Best of British Contemporary Jewellery Exhibition or you can visit her website: www.alicegowdesigns.com