Repairs at Gatwards of Hitchin

We are often asked if we handle jewellery & watch repairs and, of course, repairs form a large part of our business. People have trusted Gatwards to repair their precious items for over 250 years! Although we used to be clock & watch makers, we no longer have our own workshops and as so many different skills are required today, we prefer to send our repairs to the appropriate specialist.   

Most of our repairs are collected and delivered by hand twice a week, so a simple soldering job or replacing & re-sealing a watch battery will usually be returned to us in 10-14 days. All jewellery repairs are returned cleaned & polished.

Something more complex such as completely remodelling a ring or finding a matching stone will take considerably longer. We can always obtain an estimate for you.

Most watches are repaired by qualified watchmakers in our local workshop. If we have to return a watch to the manufacturer, the repair can take much longer.

If you are unsure of what needs to be done to a piece of jewellery or a watch, bring it in to let us see it and we will be able to advise you on the appropriate course of action.

Antique and Vintage Pieces

The Gatwards Hoard!

The story reads like a Hollywood plot line- workers find a chest in the foundations of a building they were sent to demolish- filled with over 500 pieces of jewellery. The collection, now known as the Cheapside Hoard, contained pieces that spanned history.  From Byzantine amethyst cameos to Carnelian intaglio belonging to William Howard, First Viscount Stafford* the Cheapside Hoard is a remarkable collection and well worth a visit. All known pieces of the collection are exhibiting now for the first time.

*William Howard assumed his title on his marriage in 1640 and was executed for treason in 1680- and as the only Viscount Stafford so the Carnelian really has to be his! It clearly shows the date of the Hoard. When the Hoard was hidden for whatever reason, and there has been great discussion on this point- the Great Fire of London had not ripped through London and America was still a British Colony. A very different world!

It is on display at the Museum of London from 11^th October to 27^th April 2014.

If you want a piece of history - one way to do this is to purchase piece of Vintage or Antique jewellery. We have pocket watches that were being hallmarked when Europe was on the brink of World War Two to Victorian brooches.

This is an unusual piece it is turquoise and pearls set in the design of three swallows – means ‘I shall return’; a beautiful thought. Items depicting swallows were given to people knew they were going to be parted. This was a popular practice at the out-break of the both World Wars.

This Emerald and Diamond bar brooch is made in 15ct yellow gold and platinum. 15ct gold was only used in the UK between 1854 and 1931 and has given us a very accurate time span for the brooch.  This is a real statement piece; with a total diamond weight of 0.91pts and 0.71pts being the centre stone and 1ct of Emeralds set around the centre diamond.

The wonderful thing about purchasing Vintage and Antique jewellery is you never know what is going to come through the door. Some pieces come with a full history while others don’t. This necklace, we believe, is circa 1850. It is made from 15ct yellow gold set with seed pearl and a diamond. The graduated pearl set flower design draws the eye down to the pearl and diamond pendant. The Victorians were skilful designers and this necklace is a good example of their engineering talents. The pendant at the bottom is detachable making the piece much more versatile.

Do you love the Art Deco style of the current series of Downton Abbey? The ‘Roaring 1920s’, as History has called them, was the pinnacle of Art Deco design and style and this ruby and diamond brooch highlights this to perfection. 18ct yellow gold and platinum has been set with a carat of diamond and a carat of ruby -this sparkly brooch perfectly completes any outfit and is a fine example of the Art Deco period.

All weights in Antique and Vintage jewellery and estimated and we have many more Vintage and Antique jewellery than then pieces mentioned here.

A Little Gatwards Update

 A Little Gatwards Update

It has been a busy few weeks at Gatwards so apologies for not blogging for a while. We thought that we would take this opportunity to update you one everything that we have been doing.

Firstly congratulations to Elizabeth who has passed her exams and received a Certificate in Gemmology. The next level has started in earnest so she is now a step closer to achieving her Fellowship in Gemmology.  We are all very proud of her and wish her the best of luck for the next stage.

Sarah has also passed her Jewellery Education Training level 2. This is known in the industry as the JET 2 with the award being a Professional Jewellery Diploma.  Well done to her. Sarah has also just won first prize in the Hitchin Counter Skills Competition! She was chosen as the overall winner from over 30 contestants for her product expertise, customer service and local knowledge.

We are very lucky at Gatwards to have such talented members of staff between them, we have two Fellows of Gemmological Association, one with a Certificate in Gemmology, two Professional Jewellery Diplomas, and one JET 1.  Phew!

We have more to come. Our Harvest window display is in (looking lovely I have to say). There are a few more window changes we are hoping to squeeze in before Christmas! There are always new products going in the windows every week, from new Nicole Barr and Links of London, to stunning diamond pieces. Our Vintage and Antique window is also constantly changing. New Secondhand watches are arriving (and leaving with happy customers) and stunning a Aquamarine and Diamond pendants has just arrived. It is always worth a look.

Launching Juno Lucina- the Original Push Present.

Gatwards of Hitchin are pleased to announce the arrival of Juno Lucina- the original Push Present which has become so popular in the USA. Push Presents are yet to take off in the UK market, but they are a latest symbol of love and appreciation for new mothers. While traditionally a diamond set eternity ring was presented to a lady on the birth of a child, Juno Lucina diamond earrings and pendants bring another option into to the mix. They are available in 18ct white, rose or yellow gold in a variety of sizes to suit all budgets.

Birthdays come and go and so do anniversaries, however the birth of a child is a uniquely special time and happens only a few times in a woman’s life. The gift of a Juno Lucina pendant or earrings or even both will be an item of jewellery that she will treasure for a lifetime.


Juno Lucina- the original Push Presents- now available at Gatwards of Hitchin in store and online.

Prince of Cambridge Special; Spotlight on Royal Jewels

To celebrate the birth of a new Prince of Cambridge, we are having a look at some of the Royal jewellery and some of the stories behind it.

Diana’s Sapphire Ring

The world waited with baited breath for the announcement of the engagement to then Kate Middleton to His Royal Highness Prince William and the jewellery world waited to see what sort of ring she was presented with...

Would she be presented with the classic Brilliant cut single Diamond on a Platinum band? Or would she get something more modern like a Princess Cut on Platinum. However we were all wrong. Kate Middleton was presented with Diana, Princess of Wales’ Sapphire and Diamond cluster.

It was reported at the time (and we can’t vouch for the authenticity) that William took the ring from the safe at Kensington Palace and placed it in his rucksack for their three week holiday around Kenya.  Good job he didn’t lose it!

Lady Diana Spencer, as she was then, chose a 12ct Oval Ceylon Sapphire surrounding by 14 Brilliant cut Diamonds. This ring was unique as a Royal Engagement ring, it wasn’t a bespoke ring. It had been featured in Garrard’s collections for that year. It was worth then, £28,000. It is thought to be worth now about £90,000 however, the connection to Diana, Princess of Wales makes it priceless. 

The Cullinan Diamond

This incredible stone was found in South Africa in 1905 and it was twice the size of any other stone previous found. Clearly it was going to take some cutting to turn this rough diamond into something fit for a King. It was presented to King Edward VII and he was so fascinated by the 3106 metric carat stone, that he took a personal interest in it. 

When a rough diamond is found, there is a long process of cutting and shaping to create the works of art that you see in jewellers windows.  There was much debate in the jewellery community how the stone should be cut and who should be trusted to do it. It was decided that Joseph  Asscher (known for creating the Asscher Cut) would cut and polish the stone. 

After examining the stone for months on the 10^th February 1908 he was ready. The blade was placed in the kerf and he stuck the cleaving blade with a small hammer. Disaster! The cleaving blade broke! The stone cleaved in to 9 separate stones... Joseph Asscher fainted.. There are now 9 Cullinan diamonds are set in the crown jewels.

The Queen wore Cullinan Diamonds 3 and 4- which were set into a brooch at the Jubilee Service 5th June 2012.

Rubies

The summer is here and the weather is getting hotter- July’s birthstone is Ruby. This blood red stone reminds us of stunning holiday sunsets.

Last year we looked at the folklore and mysteries behind Rubies (http://www.gatwardsofhitchin.co.uk/blog/) this year we thought that we would do something different- what to look for when you are buying a ruby.

Rubies are not like Diamonds that have an internationally accepted colour and clarity grading system. The colours are more personal – the best colour is a deep pigeon’s blood red. These are the stones that demand the highest prices. However, Rubies come in all shades of red from the very pale to very dark.

When viewing Rubies with a loupe there might be a few marks within the stone. Perfectly clean stones are very rare and very expensive. Try and go for the stone with the deepest and richest colour and fewer inclusions within it that you can. A good stone will hold its value and will always look stunning. A smaller ruby of better quality is often the better buy than something larger and more included or very pale.

Rubies, as with all gemstones have a mineral base, in the case of Rubies it is the mineral corundum and when found in gem stone quality it is referred to as Ruby or Sapphire (red corundum is always referred to as ruby). The various impurities within the corundum give the colour spectrum from a red-pink to a brownish red. Rubies that are very brown, in colour, have a higher iron content.

Rubies are also very well known as being the traditional gift for 40^th Wedding Anniversaries.  Stereotypically it is the lady who receives a Ruby set piece of jewellery, however we have a range of ruby set jewellery for men.

Have a look at our website (www.gatwardsofhitchin.co.uk)  or visit us in person!

Our Top Tips for Choosing your Wedding Band

We see people stopping to look in our windows every day- but now I will let you in on a little secret- if you see us looking out from our windows on a Saturday afternoon, we are having a sneaky peak at the Brides and Grooms as they pass our windows after their wedding at St Mary's Church. We are a bunch of romantics, and love watching weddings. However, before you can achieve a wonderful wedding at a Church or the venue of your choice, you need to do some wedding ring homework- here are a few of our top tips for choosing the right ring; 

The Budget

As any couple who are planning , or have planned, a wedding will tell you, Weddings are expensive so you need to decide how much you want to spend on your wedding ring. Don't forget your wedding ring will be worn every day 'until death do us part' so make sure you don't leave too little in the budget.


Remember if you have purchased an engagement ring from Gatwards of Hitchin you will be entitled to a 20% discount on your wedding rings- something well worth having.

Practicality 
This is a ring you will wear daily, through gym workouts and household chores, so it is better to choose something durable; here is a quick guide to metal choices;

White Gold
All gold is yellow and is is the manufacturing process which makes it bright white colour you see in our windows. 18ct White Gold is 75% Yellow Gold with other metals alloys added to achieve this colour, it is them Rhodium plated. Over time this will wear, and to keep your rings pristine you will need to have re-rhodiumed- the thickness of the plating and your treatment of your rings will be a factor in how long they last.

Yellow Gold 
Gold is a noble metal - it doesn't react with the air. gold will dull and scratch but it will remain it's rich yellow colour.

Platinum and Palladium 
These are metals within the same family and therefore have similar qualities. They are both naturally white in colour, so although they will scratch and wear over time they won't change their colour, unlike White Gold, While 18ct Gold is 75% Gold and 9ct Gold is 37.5%, Platinum and Palladium are both sold at 95% pure making them a good choice for durability.

Rings are sold by weight. Palladium is less dense than Platinum making it a great choice for a wedding band if the budget is being squeezed.

Other important point- we strongly recommend that the wedding ring metal is the same is the engagement ring metal because metals wear at different rates, having two different wear tolerances. For example White Gold engagement ring worse against a Platinum wedding band would cause more wear and tear on the engagement ring than a White Gold wedding band.

Sizing 
Lastly, make sure the ring is a good fit. Many men do not often wear rings, and the wedding band is probably their first significant piece of jewellery. Fingers swell as the day progresses, and if a ring becomes too tight it comes uncomfortable and, in worse case scenarios  has to be cut off; rings that is, not fingers!  If a ring is too loose however you could lose it washing your hands or if the weather is cold- not an endearment to your partner!


Happy wedding planning and if you need any more help and advice please feel free to see any member of the  team at Gatwards of Hitchin, who will be happy to help. 

Longines Watch and Royal Ascot

Longines Watches

Always synonymous with style and elegance, it is no surprise to find that Longines is the official timekeeper at Royal Ascot this week.

To celebrate this, we thought that we would focus on the brand and highlighting a few little known facts about this watch brand.

Longines is still based in St. Imier where it has been since 1832 (they are nearly as old as us!). In 1832, under the horological vision of Auguste Agassiz, the principles of Longines watches were founded on the cornerstones of tradition, elegance and performance, principles to which Longines still adhere today.

In 1867, Agassiz’s nephew, purchased a piece of land in Switzerland known locally as ‘Les Longines’ for his factory, the Longines watch brand was born and Longines winged hourglass’s logo was registered. A logo now famous in over 130 counties. 

A random nugget of information - the Longines logo is the oldest logo or trademark registered with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and what’s more, it is still in the original form! That is quite impressive!

There are four main collections within the Longines family; Elegance, Sport, Heritage and Tradition. Each collection focuses on a different aspect of watch making. Heritage and the Tradition collections look to the past to draw on historical influences for modern watches. The watches which form a part of the Elegance collection have one point in common; style! While the Sport collection focuses on sport and sporting events and produce a variety of timepieces supporting this.

Come into Gatwards of  Hitchin for a look at our extensive Longines collections- there is something for everyone- also check out our Longines online at www.gatwardsofhitchin.co.uk


Gents Longines Watches

Ladies Longines Watches   

Father's Day 16th June 2013

Father’s Day

It is hard to escape the fact that with modern technology our lives are getting busier and more demanding.. The third Sunday in June is a special day for Fathers, Fathers in Law, Grandfathers – their special place in our lives is celebrated to the full! Pause a minute and remember that special Father or Father figure in your life. One of our unique gifts will make Sunday even more special.

We have a wide selection of ideas for your Dad. Do you want something traditional? How about a set of cufflinks or a tankard? Do you want something a little more unusual? What about a silver photoframe with a picture of you and your Dad? Or silver bottle coaster and a bottle of his favourite tipple?  Dads aren’t limited to mugs and socks- they can have Richard Cooper Bronzes or Montblanc pens too!

Need some more ideas? Why not pop down to Gatwards and have a look at our new window display- dedicated to chaps especially for Father’s Day! Fathers are wonderful and whether you believe that Father’s Day was an American invention in the 1930s or has it’s roots in pagan times; it is a day to celebrate that special Dad in your life- spend Sunday 16^th June with yours to remind them of how special they are.

Pearls

The sun is shining and the temperature is starting to rise- it must be June!

June is the start of the summer and the start of the wedding season- so it seems very appropriate that the birthstone for the month is Pearl. This beautiful gem is unique in so many ways;  Diamonds, Emeralds and  every other stone that you see in our Gem window- have all been enhanced in some way, mainly by cutting and polishing the gemstone to  make sure that the beauty of the stone is shown off. Pearls are not like that, they are not crystalline, they are organic. We open a mollusc and there they are- beautiful and unique. Of course, this refers to natural pearls which are rare and expensive. Most pearls in jewellers windows are either cultured or cultured freshwater – still natural, but helped along by man’s ingenuity………..

A natural pearl is made when some grit or an irritant gets into an oyster or mussel. To protect itself the mollusc coats the irritant with nacre (a beautiful substance with a unique lustre). 

A cultured pearl is produced when a mother of pearl bead & a piece of mantle tissue is inserted into the mantle tissue of another oyster. This stimulates the host oyster into covering it with pearly nacre and the resultant pearl is usually perfectly round. The quality of the pearl is judged by the depth of nacre which depends how on long it is left inside the mollusc, and the colour, which can vary from white, through slightly rose or greenish tints to creamy yellow.

In the case of a cultured freshwater pearl, only a piece of mantle tissue is inserted into the host oyster, which is of a different species of mollusc. The resultant pearl is often less spherical and somewhat ‘potato’ shaped and also tends to be less lustrous than a cultured pearl.

Sales of pearl jewellery are often targeted at women, however there is a wide range of Mother of Pearl set jewellery available for men; from cufflinks, to tie pins and pens set with Mother of Pearl detailing.  Why not browse our online store at www.gatwardsofhitchin.co.uk or pop in to Gatwards of Hitchin to see our collection of pearl jewellery. 

It Is The Wedding Season!

Wedding Season!

Sounds like an ingredient in a foreign dish doesn’t it! All joking aside there are certain key ingredients which make a wedding run smoothly and here at W. B. Gatwards we can help with a few of them.  For the many lucky ladies wearing a Gatwards engagement ring, don’t forget to claim your special 20% discount off your wedding rings! 

If you have already booked your wedding date, you are eligible to receive a Wedding Loyalty Card (no purchase necessary) (http://www.weddingloyalty.co.uk/). This a loyalty card with a difference designed specifically for brides & grooms to help you keep your special day within budget. From jewellery to limousines, from venues to flowers & photography etc; it features a host of businesses offering holders of the card special discounts and deals. Claim yours today and make the most of it as it automatically expires when the wedding day is passed! The Loyalty card can also help with gifts for bridesmaids, best man, ushers, friends and family.

One thing that we have come to understand over 250years is that weddings are personal and the presents need to reflect this- so here a few of our ideas.

• 1.       A photo frame is always an acceptable gift - weddings these days always have a photographer around, so why not use their expertise and get them to take a beautiful photo of you with that special person for them to put into the frame?
• 2.       Gifts for bridesmaids need to be something that they can wear on the day and that they will treasure afterwards. Pearl pendants work well or something fairly classical that will stand the test of time and provide a lasting memory.
• 3.       Now for the chaps! Men are notoriously difficult to please and it helps if you know a bit about the man in question, but there are of lots of possibilities here! Cufflinks or tie accessories often fit the bill, but hip flasks, key rings, pens, watches or leather accessories are all acceptable. Any member of our team can help you find the perfect gift. 
• 4.       Want something a little different and a little less predictable? Why not a bottle coaster- it can be engraved with the date of the wedding and you can save a bottle of wine from the wedding reception for them?

Why not pop in & speak to a member of our team for more details?  

Birthstone of the Month: Emerald

Birthstone of the Month: Emerald

Signs of Spring are certainly appearing everywhere- with all the fresh green about it is appropriate that the birthstone for May is a green stone; Emerald. Unlike Diamond (April’s birthstone) Emeralds only come in one colour – green. Their depth of colour will vary as fine Emeralds owe their stunning, vibrant green colour to the presence of chromium and vanadium. Emeralds are rarely flawless and most have inclusions known as a “garden” so that every stone is slightly different. A flawless bright green Emerald is worth more in carat weight than some diamonds. To reduce the ‘waste’ while cutting a good Emerald- they are often cut into step cuts also know as Emerald cuts.

The folklore surrounding Emeralds is wide and varied; with some people believing that it would help their clairvoyance readings. The traditional view is that Emeralds can be worn to promote healing and contentment, making us, here at Gatwards, think again of Spring sunshine, especially after the Bank Holiday Weekend (wasn’t it lovely?!).

Emeralds come from the same family as Aquamarines- they are a part of the Beryl family, so like Aquamarines they have a hardness of 7 ½ on the Mohs scale. Emeralds should be treated with care as they are not as hard as Diamond, Ruby or Sapphire and can chip relatively easily. Most Emeralds are oiled to enhance their clarity and for this reason should never be subjected to ultrasonic cleaning or harsh chemicals as this could strip away the oil.

Gatwards of Hitchin's Sale is BACK!

                                            



The sale is back and bigger and better than ever before!!

It is that time of year again. Spring is in the air, the days are getting warmer and Gatward's sale is back even bigger and better than before. For the first time ever we have some silver jewellery in our sale up to 70% off- a bargain, but when they are gone, they are gone! 

With big watch brand names like OMEGA, EBEL and LONGINES, it is time to grab a bargain, especially with offers to up to 25% off the recommended retail prices.

Do you need that special gift for someone? Have a look at the giftware we have on offer. We have LLADRO with up to 50% off, and silver items, all heavily discounted, so now is the opportunity for a good deal.

There are pieces by ROBERTO COIN, and STEPHEN WEBSTER (Jeweller to the stars such as, Pink and Berenice Marlohe, who have worn his creations when hitting the red carpet), and these stunning pieces are available at 50% off.

Treat yourself to a pair of gold earrings, or a necklace, or some cuff-links all of which are discounted at up to 50% off. There are, of course, some traditional gem set items in the sale.

Prices and items were correct at the time of publishing online, but please accept that items are selling fast; however, we are adding more things every day, so don't miss out as the sale ends on 18th May. 

Birthstone of the Month: Diamond

April- Diamond

Lucky is the person who is born in April- their birthstone is diamond! One of the most desired stones; nearly every girl dreams of owning a diamond. The worldwide demand for diamonds fuels the enormous volume of information on the internet. You only have to type the word diamond into Google (or any other leading search engine) and you get approximately 913,000,000 results ranging from diamond set jewellery to car insurance (surprising I know!) Here is a quick guide to diamonds. If you want more information about buying diamonds then please take advantage of a free appointment with one of our diamond specialists. (http://www.gatwardsofhitchin.co.uk/engagement-service/)

There are four key terms that you have to remember; Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat. With everything, you get what you pay for so try and buy the best you can -  it will pay off in the end. A good smaller diamond will hold it’s value and it’s appeal far more than a poor larger stone. Size isn’t everything!

Diamonds have a rating of 10 on Moh’s scale and are the hardest natural gem stone. The hardness & durability of diamonds was even noted by the ancient Greeks- our modern word for diamond come from “adamas” meaning the unconquerable. This accolade has come to symbolise a lifelong commitment and everlasting love, hence a diamond being the classic engagement ring.

Though diamonds are the hardest gemstone don’t be fooled, diamonds can still chip and suffer damage and need to be looked after carefully as diamond set jewellery can also mark and damage other gem set jewellery. Take your diamonds off when you are busy with your hands. Diamonds have an affinity to grease and therefore doing the washing up in your diamond ring won’t do the sparkle any favours.

Gatwards of Hitchin have a wide range of diamond set jewellery at prices to suit most pockets. Pop in and see if we can find something special for the special person in your life. We also have a range of diamond set jewellery for gentlemen. Diamonds aren’t the preserve of ladies!

Signature for Good

MONTBLANC Signature for Good

Unicef is committed to give every child the opportunity to read and write and Mont Blanc is proud to support this. During 2013 there is a range of very special range of pens, leather goods and jewellery available, enabling you to do your bit for children who currently do not have access to a basic education. 

Gatwards now has the full range of the Mont Blanc's Signature for Good in stock. These items are only going to be available for a year. During 2013 Mont Blanc aim to raise $1.5million to for Unicef to improve access to education for some of the poorest children in the world. Each piece has its own unique code allowing the purchaser to access more information about money which they have donated. Mont Blanc will give 10% of the purchase price to Unicef for each piece sold. 

Birthstone for March: Aquamarine

Aquamarine

The name Aquamarine in Latin literally means ‘sea water’. Imagine the intense turquoise blue of a tropical sea and you have it. This is the most sought after and most expensive colour, but like the water after which it is named, aquamarine comes in many shades and is often a much paler greeny blue, sometimes they can be so pale as to be almost colourless. Aquamarines can be facetted, cut en cabochon or polished into beads and are reasonably hard being 7.5 on Moh’s scale.

Aquamarine is a beryl and belongs to the same crystal system as emerald, but tends to be slightly more durable and have fewer inclusions. The blue colour in aquamarine is due to the presence of iron, whereas the best emeralds owe their colour to chromium.

Aquamarines were thought to be the treasures of mermaids - an easy connection to make. Legend also has it that they were worn by sailors to prevent sea-sickness.  However much we love our aquamarines though, we do recommend that you still take your sea-sickness tablets if you need them!

Aquamarine is the birth stone for March and their soft turquoise green/blue tones suit any skin tone making them the ideal gift for anyone born this month. Gatwards have a lovely selection of rings, pendants & earrings, so pop in and our team will help you find something suitable.

Gift Ideas

Need a Gift Idea?

Looking for something different and more personal for someone? Then consider  commissioning a Staffordshire Enamel box with a personal, hand painted image. Your home, a beloved pet or a special inscription can all be done to order from a photograph.

In this age of machines and mechanical processes, Staffordshire Enamels are still painting each box by hand, making them a truly personal gift.  With their feet firmly rooted in History- they started in 1741 - they have honed their techniques to incorporate modern developments, but each box is still hand painted by an artist, unlike many other brands who use transfers.

Commissioning your own piece does take time – 6 weeks or so - (but it is worth it!). If you don’t have time to have one designed for you, then come into Gatwards and browse the collection of these delightful pieces.  Many of them already have special messages on them which will suit most occasions – birthdays, anniversaries, seasonal, Valentines etc. or even an egg box for Easter. 

Spot light on designers:

LALIQUE

Often called the sculptor of light, Rene Lalique and the brand that bears his name still aheres to the qualities in which he believed; creativity, emotion and above all excellence.  Every piece of Lalique is sculpted with care and dedication by master craftsmen who still blow glass in the traditional manner.

Rene Lalique started working and exhibiting under his own name in the early 1900s. The combined influences of the Art Nouveau & Art Deco periods are still seen in the clean lines and feminine angles of both the glassware and jewellery collections.

Though Lalique is traditionally known as a glassware designer, the brand also produces a range of crystal jewellery. The inspiration for Lalique’s  glassware was the natural world; earth, air, fire and water and these elements are still reflected in the crystal jewellery. 

Picture of Dragon fly

Modern Lalique has drawn on inspiration from the past and brought back the perfume bottles which originally made Rene Lalique the household name that he is today.  A more recent introduction is the delightful range of Lalique fragrances which can be tested at Gatwards.

Selection of Lalique

Birthstone for February: Amethyst

Birthstone of Month: Amethyst

Amethyst, a member of the Quartz family, is a beautiful purple stone which can range from a very pale lavender to a deep rich purple with flashes of red. The deep purple stones are the stones which command the highest prices. Amethyst is the most sought after and highly valued of all the stones in the Quartz family.

The stone can either be cut and facetted into many different shapes or it can be polished into beads for use in necklaces.  Amethysts have a hardness of 7 on Moh’s Scale which means it is suitable for everyday wear, but can still chip if knocked.

Amethysts have a deep rich, almost royal colour. In Roman times, deep purple was the colour reserved for the Emperor, but today it is available to all making this purple stone a great piece to wear as a statement piece or to highlight colours in an outfit. As Amethyst is a mineral (quartz) it can be cleaned either ultrasonically or with warm water and a soft brush.  Avoid storing Amethysts in direct sunlight as this can fade the colour. 

The word amethyst in Greek means ‘not drunk’ and it was believed that Amethysts would prevent the wearer from getting drunk. In the times of the Ancient Greeks and Romans people would have drinking vessels and amethyst amulets made to stop them getting drunk. However today, it is just a versatile stone that is very popular. Check out some of our beautiful Amethyst pieces.

Selection of Amethyst Jewellery

Gatwards guide to buying watches

A watch is the most complex piece of jewellery you can buy. It is also one of the most varied, with the vast choice making it difficult to discern the right one for you.

We break down some of the key terms you will come across when shopping for a watch and the things to consider before you buy.

Movement

The ‘movement’ of a watch is the mechanism that measures and displays the in a watch.

Mechanical watches are powered by an array or springs, gears and cogs. It is the oldest type of watch movement and is still prized today for its complexity and artistry. Many watches even make the mechanics of the watch visible from the outside.

It remains popular because of the skill require to create it, the beauty of it and the romanticism associated with this traditional form of movement. Some models, referred to as automatic watches, are self-winding. They use a mechanism that responds to the movement of the wearers arm.

Quartz watches are powered by a tiny, vibrating quartz crystal; which oscillates at a specific frequency that is used to pace a time keeping mechanism.

Quartz watches are accurate to within half a second, making them extremely reliable. A very wide spectrum of watches use a quartz movement, from high-end designs to exceptionally affordable models. Quartz watches require an electrical power source in the form of a small battery.

Some quartz watches use a radio time signals to synchronise the watch to the exact time and, in some cases, the date and year. This is done through a radio receiver that tracks signals from GPS navigation satellites.

Citizen Eco-Drive

Citizen watches created their own, patented movement called Eco-Drive. Eco-Drive movements are powered by light – be it from a natural or artificial source - that charges a permanently rechargeable battery. The battery never needs to be replaced and can store enough energy to power the watch for up to five years, depending on the model.

Complications

Complications essentially means features, and refers to additional functionality a watch has. There are three classic complications, often referred to as ‘grandes complications’. These complications in particular are highly complex and require a great deal of craftsmanship.

The ‘grandes complications’

Perpetual calendar – A mechanism that displays the date, taking into account the number of days in a month and leap years. Many also have a moon phase function, which shows the waxing and waning of the moon. This is a highly intricate and challenging mechanism for the watchmaker.

Tourbillon – This a mechanism which was said to improve the accuracy of mechanical watches (although there is some debate as to whether it ever did at all). Today, it is used in watches for its beauty and to show the skill of the watchmaker. The tourbillon mechanism is usually visible through the watches face to show it off.

Minute repeater - This is a feature that chimes the hours, quarter hours and minutes of the time at the press of a button or pull of a lever or switch. It uses three different tones to differentiate the hours, quarters hours and minutes. It was conceived to allow people to tell the time in the dark. Other repeaters also exist, such as the hour repeater which just gives the hour, the quarter hour repeater which gives the hour and every quarter hour and so on. Generally, if a watch is said to have a ‘repeater’ without any further specification, it is an hour repeater.

Other complications

Chronograph

A Chronograph is essentially a stopwatch function. It usually has a series of subdials that indicate the elapsed time. This is not to be confused with a chronometer, which is a term for a very fine watch that has been certified by the watch manufacturer or an independent body.

Tachymeter

This is scaled used to measure units per hour and is usually found on the bezel of a chronograph watch.

Dual time or Multi-time

A watch that keeps two or more separate times. This is usually indicated in the main dial and separate subdials.

Water Resistance

You don’t have to be a diver to care about water resistance. A good level of resistance can be handy when showering, exposed to heavy rain, washing up or cleaning the car.

A watch should only be considered water-resistant if it is stated on the dial or case back. Water resistance is stated in depth (BAR, ATM, meters or feet).  However, this should not be taken literally. Water resistance is determined in laboratory conditions, where the watch is static (not moving) and only in the water for a short period of time. This means movement, prolonged exposure or added pressure cause through, for example, jumping into a pool, have not been taken into account.

Here’s a look at the different depths and what they allow you to do.

Depth	Usage
30 metres/100 ft/ 3 ATM	Suitable for use in the rain, car washing and showering. Should not be worn swimming.
50 meters/165 ft/ 5 ATM	Suitable for swimming and skiing but should not be warn for diving into a pool of snorkelling.
100 metres/330 ft/ 10 ATM	Suitable for snorkelling and swimming
200 metres/660 ft/ 20 ATM	Suitable for all high impact water sports and scuba diving at depth not requiring helium gas.
300 metres/990 ft/ 30 ATM	Suitable for scuba diving to 30 metres for up to 2 hours
500 metres/1650 ft/ 50 ATM	Suitable for scuba diving to 50 metres for up to 2 hours

This should just be considered a guide. We highly recommend if you intend to do any diving of any kind to specifically buy a professional diver’s watch.

How to choose

There a number of things to consider and question to ask yourself that will help you narrow your search significantly.

Why do you want a watch?

It seems a silly question, but it can really help you discern the best type of watch for you. For example, if you are a collector or an afficionado, a classic, timeless design rather than a practical or durable model.

Equally, if you are looking for a watch suitable for everyday use, a combination of great design and durability will probably trump flashier models.

Simple or complicated?

Even if you don’t use the tachymeter, complications reflect the talent and artistry of the watchmaker and can add an attractive dimension. However, you might also prefer a cleaner, simpler look that prioritises good design over extras you don’t need.

What is your budget?

The finest examples of watchmaking will rightly fetch a high price, but there are a vast amount of affordable models that look good and offer durability.

Gatwards recommends….

For the aficionado…

The OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch

The OMEGA Speedmaster really is a classic, offering unparalleled accuracy and precision engineering. It has been a reliable companion to astronauts on all 6 lunar landings, including Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong. It even helped Armstrong and crew keep time when the on-board electric timer broke down.

Quite simply it is a classic. The Speedmaster Moonwatch makes a great start to any collection, a must have for any watch aficionado or simply a powerful and reliable watch for anyone looking for a timepiece they can truly count on.

For the gadget lover…

Citizen Mens Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Watch

No watch celebrates its gadgetry like the Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Watch. Water resistant to 200 metres, radio controlled accuracy, dual time, a perpetual calendar, stopwatch and alarms. What’s more, it’s powered by Citizen’s innovative Eco-Drive Movement.

For fans of mechanical watches…

Raymond Weil Maestro Automatic MensWatch

The simple, beautiful watch has an aperture exposing the balance wheel of the watch, which is often referred to as the heart of the watch movement. A simple, chic design makes this a great choice of watch for anyone interested in the mechanics of watch making, but still want to look stylish.

For those that like to keep it simple…

Longines Le Grande Classique Elegance Gents watch

A simple black leather strap, white face and Roman numeral markers. A simple, elegant design beautifully made. What more could you want from a watch?