Month: December 2016

Categories
Diamonds Engagement rings Platinum engagement rings Wedding and partnership rings

Bespoke Engagement Rings

Bespoke engagement rings handmade in Ditchling Sussex. Pruden and Smith combine the best in craft skills with design excellence. Choose your diamond size and shape to fit your budget then have a contemporary or traditional ring designed to display it.

Bespoke engagement rings and wedding bands

 A platinum “flat twist” 0.5ct diamond engagement ring with made to fit wedding band £4400

Choosing your diamond can be confusing. There are many certifying bodies for diamonds and the colour and clarity grades that they award to the diamonds they grade are not comparable across the board. This means you can appear to have found a bargain yet when you receive the diamond it is disappointing. At Pruden and Smith we can guide you though the buying process. By explaining the colour grades and clarity grades to you and demonstrating the difference in the grading of the different certifying bodies you can make an informed choice about what diamond you are buying. As a naturally occurring gemstone each diamond has it’s own unique inclusions and shape. Some of these can detract from a diamonds brilliance depending on their position within the diamond, yet you pay no more for either. The polish and symmetry of the cutting is also an aspect that you pay no more for. We can advise you on all of these crucial aspects to diamond buying.

bespoke platinum engagement rings and made to fit wedding rings

1ct diamond and platinum engagement ring with fitted diamond set wedding ring £10,800

We recommend platinum for the setting of your bespoke diamond ring. this is because platinum is way harder and denser than any of the other precious metals. It will keep your diamond safe for many years without any need for attention especially if you are commissioning a claw set engagement ring. If you would like to introduce coloured metals into your ring then 18ct rose gold or 18ct yellow gold are ideal both supplying a rich colour. There are many types of special finish which you can incorporate into your engagement ring design such as the hammered finish below.

Hammered engagement ring with round diamond handmade in platinum

                                                                      Hammered finish platinum engagement ring with fitted wedding band set with a 0.6ct round brilliant cut diamond £2800

Ethical engagement rings: Ethically sourced metals and diamonds are very important to some clients. At Pruden and Smith each item is handmade and they are constantly looking to see how they can be more environmentally friendly and ethical. Mining is of itself damaging so they recycle metals as much as they can. The choice currently is Ecosilver, recycled 18ct white or yellow gold or recycled platinum. If you like yellow gold we can also supply FairTrade 18ct yellow gold. When it comes to the diamond all diamonds in the UK have to comply with the Kimberly process. We use a UK supplier so all our diamonds are traceable back to the mine through them. Here is a critique of the Kimberly Process, not all good but it’s currently all we have as a system. If you have your own older or inherited diamond jewellery then this can be redesigned for you, reusing all the materials. See our “precious legacy service”.

 

handmade engagement ring sussex                                                                                               Rough diamond engagement ring set in hammered platinum with a matching wedding ring £749

Pruden and Smith use many unusual materials to create truly contemporary engagement rings. This ring utilises an uncut diamond. For anyone not wanting the brilliance of a cut diamond this is a great way to give your engagement ring a different look.

double claw Engagement ring double claw

                                                                                                                      Claw set platinum engagement ring with o.5ct diamond £3800

 Bespoke Engagement Rings: Make an appointment today to discuss your dream ring. Call our designer Rebecca Smith on 01273 846338

Categories
Gemstone jewellery Gold Jewellery Necklaces and pendants Silver Jewellery Stacking rings

Boho Chic Jewellery For 2017

Silver and silver gilt (gold plated silver) “Boho Chic Jewellery” or “hippy chic” jewellery has never been more popular and is influencing our new jewellery collections. With it’s mix and match, multi coloured vibrancy these pieces are celebratory in nature. Perfect for driving away the Winter blues and spicing up your Christmas Look. The fashion has it’s roots in tribal jewellery both ancient and modern from around the world. Inspired by naturally occurring materials: rough gemstones, shells, seeds, fossils, feathers  combined with manufactured objects: gold and silver beads and found objects: antique greek coins and pieces of roman glass.

My current favourite statement necklaces: Limited edition Emerald Cleopatra Necklace, Roman Glass Necklace, Rough Sapphire Necklace and Bracelet. These striking contemporary necklaces use gemstones in its naturally occurring rough form. The Roman glass has been buried for hundreds of years giving it it’s antique finish.

 

Emerald Tab NecklaceNimroz Glass Pendant Necklacesapphire bracelet

Dangly coin earrings and necklaces: Silver and silver gilt disc necklaces and earrings, peridot hammered heart charm necklace in silver gilt

silver disc necklace with a hammered finishJewellery stocking fillersPeridot heart necklace Planished Heart Necklace

Bead worked silver necklaces, earrings and bracelets: Tourmaline gold plated silver tassle necklaces and earrings, Green garnet beaded disc necklace and earrings

boho chic jewelleryboho chic jewelleryGreen Garnet Earrings with silver Beaded Chainsilver disc necklace with beaded chain

 

Luscious Stacking rings: rough diamond and rough ruby stacking rings in silver and 18ct yellow gold, Citrine and green amethyst stacking rings in silver, Amethyst stacking ring in 18ct yellow gold

Stacking rings in silver and gold set with rough diamondsRough Ruby and Diamond Stacking RingsGiant stacking ringsunusual stacking ring

Large sterling silver rings and bracelets: Baroque pearl and diamond cuff, large silver mabe pearl ring, giant aquamarine and tanzanite rings, silver and rough cut aquamarine rings

Pearl bracelet with diamonds in 9ct white goldmabe pearl ring in silverGiant silver ringsaquamarine stacking rings using rough cut crystals and hammered silver

 

Vintage style diamond rings: opal cocktail ring and a platinum and diamond old cut diamond cluster ring

Vintage style Ring in white gold with old cut diamondsVintage ring in diamond and platinumvintage opal ringPlatinum and diamond cluster ring

Categories
Bespoke rings Eternity rings

Unusual Eternity Rings 2016

unusual eternity rings 2016 Handmade in the UK Diamond set gold flower eternity ring

Traditionally an eternity ring, also known as an infinity ring, is comprised of a band of precious metal, usually gold or platinum, set with a continuous line of identically cut diamonds. An eternity ring is given to symbolise never-ending love. It is usually given on the occasion of a significant anniversary. Pruden and Smith specialise in both traditional eternity rings and in bringing that extra special touch of contemporary designer flare to create a collection of more unusual eternity rings.

unusual eternity ringsunusual eternity ringruby eternity ring

Unusual alternating princess cut and round brilliant cut diamond half eternity ring in platinum, an 18ct yellow gold half eternity ring set with marquise diamonds and an unusual baguette diamond full eternity ring and a ruby eternity ring set with a clients own recycled jewellery.

Spinning eternity ring in 18ct yellow gold set with staggered baguette diamondsUnusual emerald eternity ringemerald ruby sapphire diamond ring in 18ct yellow goldfitted eternity ring or wedding band

 

These unusual engagements rings have all been individually designed. The first ring has a revolving centre band set with baguette diamonds. A fun emerald half eternity ring in platinum redesigned from a clients old but treasured ring. “scatter” eternity rings. An eternity ring can also be made to fit around an existing shaped ring like the ring pictured on the end which was made to fit an engagement ring.

unusual diamond eternity ringunusual diamond eternity ringunusual eternity ringEternity Ring Princess Cut Diamond

A traditional pave set 2ct diamond eternity ring with an elegant 2ct diamond and platinum claw set eternity ring with a flush set diamond eternity band.

Unusual diamond eternity ringplatinum diamond eternity ringChannel Set Diamond Ring

Unusual scalloped edge eternity rings pictured in two carat and one carat diamond handmade in platinum and a channel set full eternity ring.

Order your unusual eternity ring today and have it handmade and delivered in four weeks.

diamond set partnetship ringMixed Gold Diamond Wave Ringunusual gold eternity ringEternity Ring Diamond Scatter Court

 

 

Categories
Uncategorised

Jewellery Stocking Fillers

Here is a selection of jewellery stocking fillers and small silver gifts for Christmas 2016.

A fun and glamorous pair of earrings that you can pop straight on on Christmas morning to enjoy all day are perfect jewellery stocking fillers or Christmas tree gifts.

Jewellery stocking fillerskeshi pearl earringsjewellery stocking fillersRandom Silver and Gold Nugget Earrings

Silver gilt disc earrings £45                              Keshi pearl stacking earrings £99             Garnet multi facet earrings £75                Gold and silver random earrings £120

 

Round Silver Earstuds With Gold Beadsilver heart earstudsCard charm earrings silverhammered silver teardrop earrings

Silver earstuds with gold bead      £60                     Silver nugget heart earstuds    £60                Silver card charm earrings £99                             Silver teardrop earrings £60

 

A small engraved silver gift is great fun to receive at Christmas

Silver letter knife with a hammered handlesilver torcssilver nightlight holderDouble Shanked Oval Signet Ring by Pruden and Smith, Sussex

Silver letter knife £72                                                    Silver torcs hammered or plain £120          Silver nightlights £120 each                                          Signet rings from £120

silver necklacesilver banglessilver cufflinks

Silver squares necklace £120                                      Silver bangles from £99                                   Silver cufflinks form £99

 

Click the image to order your Christmas gifts and stocking fillers for next day delivery

 

Categories
Bespoke Services Christmas gifts Special events

Christmas Decorations

Our Christmas decorations this year were made by Rebecca Smith in a workshop facilitated by Mark Anthony Haden Ford and Rebecca Ford of Two Circles Design. We also have some strings of silver bells by Anton Pruden adorning the gallery. Come and join us for mulled wine and a mince pie at Ditchling late night Christmas Shopping on Friday the 9th of December 6pm – 8pm and see our handmade chrstmas decorations for 2016 .

Christmas Decorations 2016 at Pruden and Smith

Ditchling Christmas lightsPruden and Smith Ditchlingtwo circles design

About Two Circles Design:

Exhibiting since 1990, Mark Ford graduated from his sculpture degree at Sunderland in 1996. As a Land Artist he is inspired and informed by the natural world. Growing up immersed in the Sussex Downland, he has developed a strong interest in the archaeology, geography and mystery of the area, also drawing on rural and ancient traditions of willow working, which, in a pre-plastic world was seen as an essential product.

Rebecca Ford, an English and creative writing degree graduate and trained secondary school teacher began working with Mark and in 2004 they formed Two Circles Design. A creative duo making work to commission ranging from distinctive garden design projects, festivals, sculptural installations in galleries and outdoor classrooms for Schools. Their work is flexible and from locally sourced materials. The pieces can be allowed to take root and form permanent living environments,

‘As Land artists making small and large scale structures, we feel that creating ephemeral woven forms is a process of discovery. When we manipulate our own experiences of the universe the potential of using plant forms are metamorphosed by the human hand into a new life form.

It is this transformation that makes the work so powerfully alluring. The unusual forms surprise and challenge, yet the origin of the work is always present, the fact that the materials are plant based, pulses through every form.

windfall-postcard-jpg-opt413x288o00s413x288

Having restored local ‘over-stood’ willow stools back into rotation for harvesting themselves, through to the physical demands of manipulating the material, Mark and Rebecca Ford’s work reflects a renewed interest in returning to a slower pace of life, to the art of making something that takes time and effort to produce. The Sculptures final forms take time to evolve, the nature of the material dictating in part, the direction and shape. As the willow criss-crosses and interweaves, it creates fluid lines, drawings on a grand scale, a flowing story that stimulates and exhilarates the senses.

Based in Slindon, within the South Downs National Park, they live in a National Trust cottage with their daughter Florence and a mischievous Jack Russell dog called Fedge. The garden and house are used to experiment and explore new techniques and ideas. Among the gorgeous sculptures, arbours and seats that scatter across their garden, they are experimenting with freeweaving and ‘bendernomics’, an ancient architectural technique adapted to create extensions to country cottages and wedding reception venues. When covered, the structures mould around the woven walls and emanates a pod-like glow when lit up at night, Snug and cosy, yet still rooted in the outdoors, it connects the inside to the out seamlessly.

A fun day learning the techniques in the “woven explorations” workshop run by Two Circles Design.

Christmas Shop DecorationsChristmas Lights Pruden and SmithChristmas DecorationsGreen Willow RingTwo Cirles Design, Mark Anthony Haden Ford

Categories
Uncategorised

Christmas Open Houses Brighton 2016

The 2016 Artists Christmas Open Houses Festival runs for three weekends, starting Saturday November 26th, and running until  Sunday 11th December. Take a look at the online listings by clicking the link here or pick up a festival brochure at Pruden and Smith.

 

Artists Open Houses Xmas 2016

Artists Christmas Open Houses Festival 2016 Brighton & Hove

VENUE 54: Pruden and Smith are designers and craftsmen in precious metals whose passion for contemporary design shows in everything they do. Their gallery and new display area within their adjoining workshops on Ditchling Crossroads showcases their work in gold, platinum, and silver incorporating diamonds and unusual gemstones from all over the world. This year look out for new designs featuring 2000 year old Roman glass from Afghanistan.

 

Nimroz Glass Necklace

They offer a complete design to make service for any item in precious metal from engagement rings to chalices. They can also incorporate or redesign your existing jewellery in a process they call ‘A Precious Legacy’.

lapis lazuli pendant Diamond and sapphire ring in 18ct goldlapis lazuli drop earrings set with a 15mm pear shaped stone in gold plated silver

Designer Rebecca Smith takes inspiration and materials from your existing jewellery collection to generate designs for new pieces. It ensures that your jewellery is out of your jewellery box and worn whilst maintaining the sentimental connection to past pieces. Many of the designs on display are to generate ideas this process.

Take a tour of their workshop, and follow with a look at their history by visiting Ditchling Museum of Art and Craft, which features the work and tools of Anton Pruden’s grandfather, Dunstan, silversmith on The Guild of St Joseph and St. Dominic.

 

silver angel pendantsilver crosshammered silver cross