Z for Accessorize: Slinky Semi Precious Stone Earrings

                                 

These Z for Accessorize Slinky Semi Precious Earrings (£17) caught my eye as the stone is laboradite, which is one of my favourites. The earrings are very minimalistic,  simple and elegant. The stones, which measure approx 1cmx1cm, are on a gold plated chain and sit in a gold plated wire setting which brings out the smokey brown/grey of the stones. The drop of the earrings is around 6cm and the are gold plated.  The earrings will look great with both formal and every day wear. The stones seem to change colour depending upon the light and can go from grey to a glossy brown/black. They are extremely light to wear and as they are a fish hook fastening they were easy to put on.

                                                   

I purchased these earrings myself and the views expressed in this blog are my own.
 Available from Accessorize both instore and online.

Pippa Small Jewellery: Khusha Ring

I have bought and reviewed several pieces of Pippa Small Jewellery.  I have reviewed Lapis studs from the Turquoise Mountain intituative, the lapis bracelet sold on eBay UK in aid of Children in Crisis and reviewed and given away a Monsoon/PippaSmall  aquamarine pendant. I love the charitable/ giving back element that forms the basis that drives Pippa Small to design and make beautiful, unusual and unique pieces of jewellery that helps others in parts of the world that desperately need it.

I purchased this Khusha ring size J via Amazon UK (RRP £160 but it was reduced to £35.54).  It came in a colourful little silk bag, which is also made by local artisans, and I love it.  The ring is made of gold vermeil and there is an intricate inlayed star design across it.  The inlay is jasper and Turquoise.  The length of the star design is 2.8cm. He ring band is a comfortable size but as the gold circle slightly overlaps the finger at either side I would not wear it as an every day ring but keep it for special occasions as I have a habit of scratching my eye and scratching the lense when I wear larger statement rings! The ring is currently available in size R and the matching earrings are too (£160).

I purchased this item myself and the thoughts expressed in this blog are my own.

There is currently a ring in size R available from

Amazon UK

Z for Accessorize: Santorini Collection

The Z for Accessorize Santorini collection has very summery, warm vibes.  I have already  blogged about the pendant here and I still wear it all the time.  I have since purchased the matching bracelet and stud earrings.  These are also gold plated and have cubic zirconia stones as part of the design as well as the blue semi precious stone.

The studs are small and elegant, fitting comfortably against the ear lobe. They measure 1cm lengthways and fasten with butterfly backings. The bracelet has a built in extender and measures 19cm with the extender which is 3cm and 16cm without.  The stone measures 2x2.5cm.  I like the contrast between the gold chain aand the vibrant blue stone, which looks like the sea.  They make an eye catching and unusual combination which looks equally great against black and dark winter clothing, giving a pop of warm colour and will also go with more summery colours.  There is also a matching ring available.  

I purchased these items myself and the views expressed in this blog are my own.
Available here:
Earrings (£15)
Bracelet (£15)
Necklace (£17)
Ring (£15)

Z for Accessorize: Santorini Semi Precious Pendant

The Santorini semi precious necklace/ pendant is part of Accessorize's winter 2017 range. It costs £17  and the semi precious stone is blue agate.  The chain and setting are gold plated and it has an attached link xtender chain and the closure is a lobster clasp.  The chain measures 14" (16" with the extender).  The stone measures 2cm (L) 1.75cm (W).  The setting is elegant and secure.  The stone looks very unusual and elegant and contrasts fabulously against darker, winter colours.

I purchased my necklace from Accessorize.com and it can be found here

Z for Accessorize Carina Stars Ring

The Z for Accessorize Carina Stars gold plated ring looks like a mini crystal ball surrounded by 2 cubic zircon stars.  The focal point of the ring is the moonstone which is eye catching and cut so you can see flashes of  iridescent blues and white,   I don't particularity like the stars and cubic zircon on either side of the ring, but I can look past that as otherwise the ring is a great statement piece.

I purchased this item myself and the views expressed in this blog are my own. 

Available from:

Accessorize Website

Z for Accessorize Adeline Semi Precious Hoop Pendant Necklace

The Z for Accessorize semi precious hoop pendant necklace (£17) matches the hoop earrings.  It is gold plated, has a lobster clasp, the z logo disc and extender chain.  Despite having several stones in the hoop it is a light necklace. Due to the pastel colours of the semi precious stones this necklace will look great ith either a winter or summer wardrobe.

I purchased this necklace myself and the views expressed in my blog are my own.
Available from:
Accessorize Website

Z for Accessorize Halle Semi Precious Lariat Necklace

I have not bought any Z for Accessorize jewellery since March, but this necklace really caught my eye. The Halle semi precious pendant (£19) is a gold plated lariat style necklace.  The semi precious green stone at the top of the necklace is quite substantial and eye catching.  There are several cubic zircon stones in a drop at the bottom.  It has a built in chain extender.  It is a piece of jewellery that can be worn in summer but also looks great with a winter polo neck jumper.  As I am short it looks a lot longer on m than the model on the Accessorize website.  

I purchased this item myself and the views expressed in my blog are my own.  

Available from:

Accessorize Website

Bacoca Boutique Bee Earrings: Review

 Bacoca Boutique are a online jewellery store that specialises in  "beautiful celebrity inspired jewellery with luxury, glamour and style.   I was lucky enough to win a pair of their bee earrings in a recent Twitter competition. They arrived today and they are gorgeous. They came well packaged in a Jiffy bag and wrapped in a little gift pouch, accompanied by a little jewellery care card.

The earrings are £18, gold plated and measure 1cm. They are fastened with butterfly backs.  They lay flat across my ear so there is no danger that they will get tangled in my hair or I will knock them out.

They look understated and elegant and bee jewellery is still very much on trend. There are also matching items available.

They run regular Twitter competitions so it is well worth following them!


Available from here
Twitter: BacocaBoutique

British Museum: Egyptian Cat Pendant

This is a novelty cat pendant for children available from the British Museum (£2.99).  The cat is based upon the famous Gayer-Anderson Egyptian sculpture in the British Museum.  This sculpture is most probably an interpretation of the cat-goddess Bastest.  

The necklace and pendant are made out of gold plated pewter.  The chain measures 16",  the pendant 1.3cm x 0.3cm.  It comes attached to an informative little card that explains what the necklace represents and is attractively packaged.  This pendant is very good value, it would make a great bring home gift from someone visiting the museum.  It is within most children's pocket money price range, isn't gimmicky and would provide  great reminder of an interesting day out at the museum.

Available from: British Museum

Z for Accessorize Zodiac Pendant

Z for Accessorize have brought out a Zodiac range of pendants that are gold plated and studded with cubic zirconia (12.99). The gold appears brushed matte or shiny, depending upon the light. The design feature I like most about this range (apart from the price) is the fact that it doesn't matter which side is on show as both are equally pretty and eyecatching. 

The pendant is well thought out with a design on both sides and is reasonably priced considering zodiac jewellery is here to stay for 2017. As with all Z jewellery the necklace has a built in extender, the little Z tag and comes on a swing tag. It is tactile and one of my friends who is partially sighted enjoyed the feel of the pendant as she could imagine what the Capricorn star constellation would look like once she had felt it.  The chain is easy to fasten as the jump rings are quite large and the clasp is sturdy and easy to grip.  This range hasn't appeared online yet (I got mine instore in Accessorize Piccadilly Train Station Manchester. It's a shame that matching earrings, ear crawlers, rings etc haven't been brought out but generally it appears the Z for Accessorize range doesn't stand out any more as an upmarket, higher end Accessorize range. Online it's section has merged with the sterling silver range and there is very little semi prescious stone jewellery available, which was what made it stand out, as it looked expensive and lux but at an affordable price point. 

 

I purchased this item instore and the Zodiac pendants are available at Accesorize stores that stock Z for Accessorize jewellery.

#Ottoman Hands Symbol Scorpio Semi Precious Rings: A Review

Today I am going to be reviewing a set of gold plated semi precious (opal) rings by Ottoman Hands. I purchased mine from Asos and the link can be found at the bottom of the page.

Ottoman Hands were established in 2009 by Deniz Gurdal and is a British based company heavily influenced by Turkish design. Working closely with Turkish gem cutters and artisans they create unusual distinctive pieces that are eyecatching but affordable. Starting off in Portobello Road Market Ottoman Hands are now stocked at Asos, House of Fraser, John Lewis and they also have their own website and online store. 

The rings are made from brass have a gold plated finish. It looks quite a refined muted gold not fake and brassy as some gold plate appears. One ring is embellished with tiny semi precious stone and the shanks for both rings are slim and comfortable to wear even if you have arthritis or neuropathic pain in your hands. The rings come just in one size and in the model picture are midi rings. As my fingers are thin I wear them as normal rings. They can be worn several ways, together or separately. The rings come in a little velveteen bag stamped with the Ottoman Hands logo and as they are on £8 would make a great Christmas stocking gift or gift for a friend. 

I purchased my rings through Asos so got them within 2 days of ordering them. Asos often have discounted Ottoman and other named jewellery items on sale so it is well worth keeping an eye on their site for a jewellery bargain. 

http://m.asos.com/ottoman-hands/ottoman-hands-symbol-semi-precious-scorpio-ring/prd/4444331?iid=4444331&clr=Opal&SearchQuery=ottoman%20hands&pgesize=34&pge=0&totalstyles=34&gridsize=2&gridrow=17&gridcolumn=1

Z for Accesorize: Review Part 2 Suri necklace and Bracelet

The pendant is cut in a teardrop shape as is the rest of the Suri collection and set in gold plated metal. The pendant looks classic and elegant and is small but eye catching. It is semi transparent so can take on colours which are behind the stone. It has a built in extender and a little z charm to show it is part of the Z for Accessorize range. 

The bracelet, again, is cut into the shape of a teardrop and is the smallest stone of the collection. As with the other items it is set on gold plated metal. The bracelet has an extender built in so larger wrists can also wear this bracelet. 

I bough these items myself and they are currently £7.50 each in the Accessorize sale. 

http://uk.accessorize.com/view/product/uk_catalog/acc_2.2/1842867000


http://uk.accessorize.com/view/product/uk_catalog/acc_2.3/1825177000

Z by Accesorize Suri Rose Quartz Jewellery Collection: Review Part 1

The Pantone colour for 2016 was rose quartz so rose quartz would be a natural choice for the Z for Accessorize range to use as one of the stones for their a/w collection. Zara Simmons included it in her Z for Accessorize range combining it with gold plate. This brings out the pink of the rose Quartz and in my opinion is a more complimentary pairing than silver and rose quartz. 

The band of the ring is very thin so is comfortable to wear. The stone roses just above the setting and is faceted so can look almost frosted in some lights. 

The stone is 1/2 cm in length so even though it is eye catching it is not a knuckle grazer and looks very elegant, costing much more than £15. 

The earrings are based around fish hook wires, so just slide in to place. From the tip of the hook to base of the stone is 2cm so they are quite small and discrete, a miniature version of the other pieces in the Suri collection. The stones can look quite frosted in some lights due to the face ting and cut of the stones. All pieces of the Z for Accessorize jewellery come on hang tags and can be found at selected Accessorize and Accessorize.com.

I purchased these items myself and they can be found here: they are now £7.50 each in the sale section 

http://uk.accessorize.com/view/product/uk_catalog/acc_2,acc_2.5/1943087050

http://uk.accessorize.com/view/product/uk_catalog/acc_2,acc_2.4/1815097000   

Z for Accessorize: Aura, aventurine, semi precious pendant #win

Designed by Zara Simon for her Z for Accessorize range, this pendant is gold plated and has a semi precious stone, aventurine as its pendant.  The stone is a deep forest green, one of 2016 A/W colours.  The stone measures 1cm and can look quite dull and uninspiring until the light hits it then the light bounces off showing different green hues,   The stone's cut is almost like a checkerboard giving lots of opportunity for the stone to be brigthened up when the light hits it.

The necklace is extendable from 20cm to 23.5 cm including the stone and bale. The setting is very sturdy and simple and it has a little "z" tag to show it belongs to the Z for Accessorize range.  The necklace, like all Accessorize jewellery comes on a little swing tag and can be found in selected stores and online.

To win this necklace please follow my IG page and comment under the post and / or reframe https://instagram.com/p/BKWfLB1gWbf/  for extra entries please follow my blog either via email or bloglovin.



I purchased this item and the one I am using as a prize myself and all views are my own. The item can be found here: http://uk.accessorize.com/view/product/uk_catalog/acc_2,acc_2.3/1825343000
The matching earrings: http://uk.accessorize.com/view/product/uk_catalog/acc_2,acc_2.4/1815213000