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

Jewels of June: A Sparkling Ring Review

    I purchased this multi stone gold plated ring from an Etsy shop, Jewels of  June. The central stone is green agate (5x5mm) and the side stones are Moonstone and Rose Quartz. The ring does not look symmetrical which adds to the unusualness and quirkiness of it. There are 3 (3mm) Rose Quartz stones and 2 (4mm)Moonstones. The ring band is 1.5 MM wide and 1 MM thick. It is 14k gold plated on to sterling silver. It is extremely comfortable to wear as it is extremely light and the band is thin (I have neuropathic pain in my hands and cannot bear the feel of most rings on my fingers but this one doesn't make the pain worse).

As the shop is in New York it took around 2 1/2 weeks to arrive. As I wanted the band to be made smaller she had to cut and re gold the ring which added on a few days. The customer service was good as she kept me informed of where she was up to with my ring and the package was sent track able. It came in a Jiffy bag, a little cardboard box, a card telling me how to care for the ring and a little hessian bag to keep it in. 

I would use this seller again and recommend her to friends. Her customer service is great, the ring is well made and unusual and the price is reasonable.

I purchased the item myself (£51 inc shipping & 12.31 customs)

The Etsy shop and ring can be found here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/294764829/multistone-ring-agate-ring-rose-quartz?ref=cat_gallery_15

#EarthyJewel Pink Chalcedony Pendant

  I  decided to widen my gemstone jewellery collection as, after careful consideration, the majority of my jewellery is either labradorite or moonstone. After perusing Etsy I thought this pendant would be a pretty and cheap (£10.27 inc postage) way of venturing into a paler more summer colour palate. 

                                                     

The stone is natural pink chalcedony and is 12mm. The stone is faceted on one side so the light bounces off it and the other side is flat so rests comfortably against the chest area. It is made of 18k gold plate and looks a very bright gold which sets the pink off perfectly. There was a choice in necklace length - 16, 18 or 20". The only problem I have with it is the clasp. It is S shaped and as I have grip/ coordination problems I have difficulty forcing the jump ring into position through the S. As it is a S clasp I cannot fasten my magnetic fasteners to the necklace without it being obvious and the S dangling down. 

The seller, based in India, was very helpful and the postage was around £3. My necklace came in a plastic box so was very well protected. I would buy from this seller again. The price of the item was reasonable, the design is unusual and the stone cut and setting looks more expensive than it actually was. The only downside is the clasp for wonky hands like mine! 

                                                     

                                               

                                                  

I purchased this item myself. 

Earthy Jewels: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/218876749/natural-pink-chalcedony-necklace-pink?ref=hp_rv

The Lion King Simba Silhouette Necklace: A Roaring Review

I bought my Simba pendant several years ago from Disney Couture UK and he gets lots of admiring comments whenever I wear him! 

The necklace is 14k gold plated and has quite a short chain (14-16") depending upon whether you use the extender. The clasp is large so easy to grip so it is easier to fasten as there is more to hold. It is easy to open and connect as it is or connect a magnetic closure. The necklace comes in a little purple silk pouch with Disney Couture embossed on it which is really cute and ensures that the heck lace doesn't get scratched when not being worn.

                                                                

All Disney Couture jewellery is well made (I also have a bambi necklace) and the enamelled work on some of the pieces is very detailed. The pieces are not childish or twee but aimed at adults who still  love Disney. The most recent pieces are Alice in Wonderland items and whilst they are not my cup of tea, they are cute.

                                                              

Disney Couture UK's customer service is fab and they are always very active on their social media channels and often run competitions and giveaways. 

I think my next Disney Couture purchase will continue with the Lion King theme and I will save up for the Lion King  Hakuna Matata Simba gold plated locket style necklace as it looks very tactile and cute! (and Timon is on it).

                                                             

I bought the item myself and views expressed in this post are my own.

Links

Disney Couture Simba necklace http://www.disneycouture.co.uk/disney-couture-lion-king-gold-plated-simba-silhouette-necklace.html

Disney Couture Social Media:

Instagram: http://instagram.com/disneycoutureuk

Twitter: @UKDisneyCouture

Facebook:https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1434435170142831&tsid=0.1096628347877413&source=typeahead

Review of Z for Accessorize Constance Semi Precious Pendant

As moonstone is in the same family of stones as labradorite I thought it would be opportune to review the Z for Accessorize Constance Semi Precious Pendant (RRP £17) as the next review my jewellery post. 

The Z for Accessorize range is exclusive to Accessorize and is designed by Zara Simon. The necklace comes on a tag, as does all their jewellery,  and is displayed on a Z for Accessorize  display or rack depending upon the size of the store. It can also be purchased online at their website.

The chain is gold plated and  14" in length without the extender. There is also an extender attached to the chain which is 1.6".  The stone is inlayed in to a substantial setting, is oblong shaped and faceted.  The stone does not "fill" the setting but is a sliver of stone which sits on top of and just inside the setting. The facets make the light bounce off and through the stone so it is a very eyecatching piece to wear. It is a shame the chain is not made out of vermeil as I have noticed that as I have very acidic skin the gold is wearing off and leaving a black mark on my skin. 

Moonstone originates from Sri Lanka and can be also found in Brazil, Germany, India, Mexico, Myanmar, Madagascar, Canada and the US. Moonstone comes from in a variety of colours including colourless, orange, grey brown and pink.    The most popular and easily identifiable is the white stone with blue iridescence. 

  

Rainbow moonstone was discovered 15 years ago in India and is often referred to as white labradorite as it gets its blue sheen the same way light refracts through traditional labradorite.  Moonstone is thought to bring good fortune, help in foretelling the future, enhance intuition, promote inspiration and bring success in both love and business. Moonstone's healing ability is said to  align  your  vertebrae,  be  a  good  digestive  aid  and  also  regulate  emotions.  Moonstone is associated with those travelling at night or by water and is a stone of inner growth and strength. As moonstone is traditionally associated with the moon, the most powerful time to use this stone is when there is a full moon. 

Acessorize is based around self service which can be a bit of a pain if you are a shortie (like me) as their displays go up to the ceiling and so some items can be difficult to reach. The staff, however, are always helpful seem knowledgable about and interested in their stock. The website is easy to navigate and Acessorize  have a loyalty card which is great for jewellery nuts like me! 

Like all socially responsible jewellery stores/ designers Accessorize have an established environmental and sustainability programme and are a founder of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI). Accessorize state that they "believe in the positive, empowering, life-changing power of trade rather than aid." They aim to achieve sustainable improvements in working conditions and livelihoods wherever Accesorize/Monsoon do business.  Ever year, the Monsoon Accessorize Trust supports healthcare and educational projects for 15,000 women and children throughout Asia.

I purchased this item myself and all views expressed in my blog/article are my own.

The necklace can be found here: http://uk.accessorize.com/view/product/uk_catalog/acc_14.9/9853291000

Matching ring (£17): http://uk.accessorize.com/view/product/uk_catalog/acc_14.12/9811021053

Accessorize ethical statement: http://uk.accessorize.com/uk/content/heritage#sustainability

Rainbow Moonstone as white labradorite: http://www.jckonline.com/2016/02/19/labradorites-blue-rainbow-moonstone