If Gold is yellow, then what is white Gold?

Many of my clients are confused by the term white gold. All real gold is yellow, isn't it? So how can it be white?—is it an imitation? The answer is no, it isn’t an imitation at all. It is an alloy, a new metal created by combining two or more different metals.

When we think of gold we usually think of yellow gold. But there are other colours of gold available, of which white gold is one of the most popular and fashionable. Pure gold is generally too soft to be used for jewellery, so other metals are added to it. Creating gold in different colours is done by mixing gold with other metals thus creating an alloy. White gold alloys are just as "real" as their yellow gold counterparts.

If you look at a piece of your own jewellery, it’s highly likely to be hallmarked either 18ct, 14ct or 9ct to indicate how much pure gold is present in the mix.
White gold is an alloy of gold and some white metals such as silver and palladium. White gold can be 18ct, 14ct, 9ct or any carat. For example, 18ct yellow gold is made by mixing 75% gold (750 parts per thousand) with 25% (250 parts per thousand) other metals such as copper and zinc. 18ct white gold is made by mixing 75% gold with 25% other metals such as silver and palladium. So the amount of gold is the same but the alloy is different.

Traditionally nickel was used in white gold; however nickel is no longer used in most white gold made today as it can cause reactions with some people.

When white gold jewellery is made it is coated with another white metal called Rhodium. Rhodium is a metal very similar to platinum and Rhodium shares many of the properties of platinum including its white colour.


The rhodium plating is used to make the white gold look whiter. The natural colour of white gold is actually a light grey colour. The Rhodium is very white and very hard, but it does wear away eventually. To keep a white gold ring looking its best it should be re-rhodium plated approximately each 12 to 18 months. Most local jewellers are able to rhodium plate jewellery for a cost effective price.

White Gold jewellery has seen its popularity rise greatly over the last decade and is firmly established as THE metal of choice for today’s image conscious consumer.

Beautiful Pearls enjoy a Renaissance

2010 has seen a long overdue return to high fashion of pearl jewellery. From ageless classics to stylish contemporary designs, June's birthstone is enjoying a real renaissance. And here's why.

Pearls are organic gems, created when an oyster covers a foreign object with beautiful layers of nacre. Long ago, pearls were important financial assets, comparable in price to real estate, as thousands of oysters had to be searched for just one pearl. They were rare because they were created only by chance.

Today pearls are cultured by Man. Shell beads are placed inside an oyster and the oyster is returned to the water. When the pearls are later harvested, the oyster has covered the bead with layers of nacre. Most cultured pearls are produced in Japan. In the warmer waters of the South Pacific, larger oysters produce South Sea cultured pearls and Tahitian black cultured pearls, which are larger in size. Freshwater pearls are cultured in mussels, mostly in China.

The quality of pearls is judged by the orient, which is the soft iridescence caused by the refraction of light by the layers of nacre, and lustre, the reflectivity and shine of the surface. Fine pearls do not have any flaws or spots in the nacre: it has an even, smooth texture. Other factors which affect value are the regularity of the shape, size, and colour: rose tints are the most favoured.

The natural range of colours in freshwater pearls is from white to tan to gray, depending primarily on the species that is used in production. Enhancements are so common that unless it is specifically stated by the seller, you should assume a pearl has been at least bleached to remove dark spots of conchiolin that show through the nacre. More dramatic techniques, such as dying or irradiation, produce pearls with exotic colours such as green, rose and lavender.

Although pearls are delicate, they have been successfully used in jewellery for thousands of years. As they are sensitive to heat, chemicals and abrasion, they should be stored in a cloth bag or their own box away from contact with other materials. They should be protected from chemicals such as hairspray and perfume. Wiping them with a damp cloth after wearing and occasional cleaning in mild soapy water is all that's required. Under no circumstances should they be placed in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner. Jewellery settings in rings and bracelets should be protective, or if not, (as in many pearl rings,) the piece should be considered for occasional use only, rather than daily wear.

Faux pearls have been around for a long time and can consist of a variety of materials such as glass, plastic or shell with various surface treatments meant to simulate the pearls lustre. A rule of thumb when testing a suspect pearl is to rub it across the surface of your teeth. Real pearls will feel slightly gritty, most imitations will feel smooth.

The Saviour of Stylish Jewellery

Anyone looking for a super stylish, luxury piece of jewellery with an affordable price tag need look no further than my pick of the week. This diamond set pendant by ‘So Jewellery’ is from the ‘Symphony’ collection and, just like every piece from ‘So Jewellery’, it exudes class.

Made entirely from solid 925 Sterling Silver the pendant features a half satin, half 18ct Gold plate finish and shaped to resemble a flickering flame. The delightful design is completed with a single diamond set centrally in the open ‘flame’ and is hung from a smooth snake chain. To give the piece maximum versatility, the chain is adjustable to either 16 & 18 inch lengths.

As with all pieces from ‘So Jewellery’, this pendant is part of a three piece collection with matching ring and earrings completing the suite. The ‘piece de resistance’ comes with the packaging- a detail sadly overlooked by many jewellery brands. The box is simple and understated with central ribbon detail but again shows a classy touch with a concealed magnetic clasp to close.

This attention to detail is evident throughout ‘So Jewellery’s’ entire collection. The concept behind So Jewellery is to give customers a focused choice of designs which are made to exceptionally high standards. So Jewellery’s ranges currently include three distinct collections: So Forever diamonds, So Classic pearls and semi-precious stones and So Male men’s jewellery. Across the ranges there are currently over 300 designs of earrings, pendants, rings, bracelets and cufflinks which is ever-evolving.

In a world where ‘bling’ is king, it’s refreshing to find that style & class have not been totally lost.

What is Todays Hottest Jewellery???

Undoubtedly the hottest products in jewellery today are charm beads. The success of this product over the past four years has been simply staggering. Such has been the impact of charm beads that no serious jewellery retailer can be without them. And yet the whole phenomena still seems to have by-passed a large number of people. How can this be?? Lack of information? Too much information?

The concept really is very straightforward. Here is my no-nonsense guide to charm beads & to starting your own charm bead collection.

So, what is a charm bead bracelet? Quite simply, a charm bead bracelet is a unique jewellery system allowing wearers to change and customise their bracelet. These modular bracelets consist of a thick chain onto which different charm beads can be put. These charm beads are made from gold, silver or Murano glass, and are interchangeable, allowing the wearer to create their own look and tell their own story. The charm beads can also be worn on necklaces.

Founded in Denmark in 1976, Trollbeads developed the original charm bead bracelet jewellery concept. Charm bead fans had to wait until 1999 for the launch of Pandora’s ever popular charm bead bracelet on the Danish market. Since 2000 numerous charm bead brands have emerged, each one offering their own particular slant on the charm bead bracelet. At the forefront of the newer brands are Tedora, Truth, Chamilia & Lovelinks.

Possibly the greatest area of confusion that arises when selecting a charm bead bracelet is the subject of compatibility. Will other beads fit onto the bracelet you are about to buy?? Of all the 'major' charm bead systems on the market today, the vast majority are universal and will accommodate beads from other brands. The two exceptions to this are Lovelinks and Truth. Both Lovelinks & Truth charm bead bracelets will only hold their own collection of beads. That said, Truth do have over 450 charm beads in their range so you will not be short of designs to choose from.


On a personal note, I adore the quality and Italian styling of Tedora charm beads. Beautifully crafted from sterling silver, these charm beads simply ooze class. From simple, understated beads to elaborate filigree caged glass, Tedora charm bead bracelets are definately a statement of style.

So there it is. A whistle stop "everything you need to know" tour of charm beads. Now all you need to do is get started and begin your charm bead bracelet adventure today.

So, How Do I Clean & Care for my Silver Jewellery??

Over the past twenty years, one of the most frequently discussed subjects with my customers is how to care and clean silver jewellery. As a natural material, silver reacts with its environment, especially the chemicals in the air and, over time, silver does become tarnished. This doesn’t mean that your fabulous new piece of jewellery is defective, far from it; it just proves that your beautiful accessory is good quality silver.

Many people also encounter tarnishing or discolouring to silver jewellery caused by oils & acids from the skin or perfume and hairspray. It’s very simple to get your silver jewellery back to its former glory and, like most things, the earlier you catch the tarnish the easier it is to get rid of it. My advice falls simply into these few steps.

1. You can clean your mildly tarnished silver at home with Sterling Silver dips - but be warned, you do need to be careful! Jewellery dips, while very effective at removing tarnish, are equally as effective at removing the colour and polish off some gemstones. It’s a good habit to try not to dip any jewellery with stones, but the gemstones that are particularly affected are pearls, sodalite, malachite, lapis lazuli, white opals, turquoise or any soft or porous stones. Remember not to leave your jewellery in the dip too long and don’t rinse it off with cold water otherwise you could find your jewellery gets a white residue which can be as hard to remove as the tarnish. To make sure your jewellery stays perfect, always read the manufacturer’s instructions.

2. To clean untarnished silver (and keep it that way), use a phosphate-free detergent or non-abrasive cloth made for cleaning jewellery - these cloths should come with a built in jewellery cleaner.

3. Try to keep your silver jewellery away from chemicals, in particular strong detergents. I would always strongly suggest removing your silver jewellery before swimming or bathing. Chlorine in swimming pools, salt in the sea & soaps at bathtime don’t react favourably with your silver jewellery.

4. I would also recommend that your silver jewellery is stored in a self seal bag. This isolates the piece from air conditions that may contain sulphides. Also try and store it a dry and cool environment. The hotter the environment the greater the chance of more sulphides which cause more tarnish.

Following these simple guidelines will ensure your silver remains beautiful and sparkling. Above all, make sure to wear and enjoy your jewellery. That’s what it was designed for after all.

Ice Jewellery- How did it all start?

Ok, let’s start right at the beginning. Ice Jewellery was founded in September 2003 by me, Tony Mutch, & my wife Clare. We had both been in the ‘trade’ for many years (too many some would say) working for one of the big UK multiples but had grown weary of the ‘same old product’, ‘same old routine’ treadmill.

So, within the space of a month we had waved goodbye to our comfy, regular monthly salary and plunged head first into the world of the start-up business as Ice Jewellery was born. Our ethos in business always has been & always will be the desire to provide our customers with a product that we have great pride in and service that is truly exceptional.

From humble beginnings selling silver jewellery from a shopping centre mall cart, Ice Jewellery has flourished and is now celebrating seven years of successful trading. Currently based in beautiful Devon, our product range has certainly come a long way from those early days.

Stylish silver jewellery from a variety of destinations forms the bedrock of our jewellery range. We hand pick all the pieces to ensure they ‘fit’ our customers’ requirements & tastes. We have a careful blend of our own selections and leading brand names such as ‘So Jewellery’ & ‘Hot Diamonds’.
No contemporary jeweller today would be without a show of silver charm beads and Ice Jewellery is no exception. Our Truth & Tedora ranges provide us with the perfect mix of modern and classic charm beads.

Never ones to be shy of taking on more challenges, we decided in 2006 to take the ‘Ice Jewellery’ experience direct into the homes of our customers by launching our party plan business. Initially Clare carried out the parties herself but we soon realised the potential of party plan as she was inundated with bookings and had to turn customers away. In 2008 (after the birth in 2006 and 2007 of our sons Joshua & Jolyon) we started to recruit consultants in our local area. Since then we have had 2 fabulous years of planning and producing our party plan model ready to launch this year (2010) recruit consultants across the UK.

Our move into online trading began in January 2009 with the launch of IceJewellery.com. This proved to be a huge challenge but one we relished. It proved to be a very exciting time and mirrored the feelings we had when originally starting the business. Getting the products online & marketing the website proved to be very challenging but greatly rewarding. With over 1100 products online, we now find it a totally invaluable part of Ice Jewellery and can’t imagine running a successful business without it.

And so to now. What’s happening in the business today? In-store and online we continue to develop, blossom, improve and remain true to our original ethos. We are now one of the fastest growing jewellery party plan businesses in the UK with our team of party consultants expanding on a weekly basis. Our aim is to become the UK's biggest Jewellery party plan company and then to expand overseas. Follow our journey through our blog or join our team to be part of it. Ice Jewellery is definitely on the map!