Z for Accessorize: Opal Hoop Earrings

These hoop earrings (£15) are from the Z for Accessorize Winter 2017 collection. They are gold plated and are studded with an opal and a cubic zirconia stone on either side. They are hoop earrings and the addition of the stones takes them to the level in terms of elegance and a luxe look.  They feel light to wear and as they are quite small hoop earrings could be worn as either elegant office wear or popped on for a night out in either jeans and a snuggly sweater or as part of a black tie outfit. 

They come fastened on a Z for Accessorize swing tag.  I bought mine from Accessorize.com.  I paid £2 postage and they arrived within 3 working days, carefully packaged in Accessorize branded packages and box. I love that this range uses semi precious stones and their designs are unusual but at the same time timeless. I have noticed, however, fewer and fewer of the designs incorporate them and I do wish they would use sterling silver or vermeil as the gold eventually rubs off and I would love some of the designs all the time. 

Available here

Ethiopian Opal Gold Ear Crawlers

I purchased these ear crawlers from thejewelsstore via Etsy UK when I also bought my rutilated Quartz ring and tourmaline ear crawlers. The crawlers cost £52.62 as I went for the 14k gold over sterling silver as I thought the gold set the opals off to their best advantage. They are also available in sterling silver. 

The setting is the same as the tourmaline ear crawlers that I have blogged about previously but this time they are covered in 14k gold.  There are 4 graduated opals in each crawler. They are comfortable to wear and sit nicely on my ear. They are easy to fasten as I just put the back though my pierced ear and squeeze. No need to struggle with butterfly backs! 

The customer service is good and delivery from Japuir to the UK took about 2 weeks (I had forgotten there were national holidays the postal service had closed during this time but he kept me updated as to where they were. I have bought before from this store and would recommend it as the pieces are unusual with good quality stones and settings. The customer service is excellent as well. 

The crawlers are available from here:  Here

#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

#October Birthstones: #Tourmaline & #Opal

October birthdays have a choice of two gemstones: tourmaline and opal.  Tourmaline is a bi or tri colour gemstone as they display several colours - watermelon tourmaline for example has bands of green, pink and white. Tourmaline is found in Brazil, Afghanistan, East Africa and the USA.  Tourmaline helps to maintain calm, negate jealousy and anger whilst promoting peace and tranquillity for the wearer.  

                                                            

Opal is taken from the Greek Opallos - to see a change of colours.  Opals range from milky white to black with flashes of colour - orange, green red and blue. Opal is supposed to have healing properties, will calm the wearer's nerves and improve their memory.