The drawback of buying cheap jewellery

Rok Chix jewellery is nickel-free

If you've ever suffered a nasty rash after wearing jewellery, you're not alone. Millions of people worldwide have an allergy to a metal called nickel, which, when it comes into contact with skin, results in itching, burning, redness and even swelling and blisters if you're particularly allergic.

Nickel is commonly found in cheaper jewellery – that is, jewellery that's not made from a precious metal such as silver or gold (if it was cheap and doesn't have an official hallmarked, it's probably made from a metal alloy containing nickel) – as well as coins, belt buckles and even some mobile phones.

The reason I'm talking about this now is that scientists from Germany think they've discovered why nickel triggers a reaction in some people. Nickel, say the researchers, binds to a protein (TLR4, incase you wanted to know) that is involved in the immune system. When nickel binds to TLR4, the immune system believes it's a threat and fights back by triggering inflammation. The report has just been published in the medical journal Nature Immunology (again, just incase you wanted to know).

What they don't say however, is why some people react to nickel while others don't. But bearing in mind that anyone can develop an allergy to anything at any time, it's best – whether you're allergic to nickel or not – to stick to silver, gold and platinum where jewellery is concerned (unless you like the red raw look, that is).


Having said that, some unfortunate people are also allergic to precious metals, though it is fairly rare.

Rok Chix jewellery is guaranteed nickel-free (apart from the slight trace of nickel that may be present in some sterling silver, that is – though this shouldn't be anything like enough to trigger an allergy in even the most sensitive allergy sufferer).  We only ever use sterling and fine silver, never any other metals. Our gemstones are all genuine too - we don't use man-made crystals such as Swarovski (not that I've ever heard of an allergy to manufactured crystals or glass, that is).

Rok Chix jewellery is hallmarked according to UK legal requirements, which means some of our lighter jewellery – earrings, for instance – don't have hallmarks as, by law, only items where the total silver content weighs more than 7.78g have to be hallmarked. There again, many of our items that weigh less than 7.78g are hallmarked (because we know people like to see a hallmark). Usually it's just the earrings and tiny little charms, where there's no room for a hallmark anyway, that aren't.

So remember, cheap jewellery may seem like an irresistable bargain, but you could end up paying for it through your skin.

Check out our review

Our Rok Chix Chunky Silver and Gemstone Charm Bracelet has just been reviewed on YouTube by the lovely Kelsey Simpson.

It's well worth taking a look. 

Kelsey has her own tube channel, where she reviews a range of fashion and beauty products. It's a really refreshing change from the reviews you read by professional fashion and beauty editors (who receive so much stuff for free, they have to have entire rooms in their magazine's offices to accommodate it all).

Nice one, Kelsey.

New baubles for summer 2010

Summer is well and truly under way already – with schools breaking up at the end of this week, that's always a sign that the holiday season is upon us. And here at Rok Chix we've been beavering away with some lovely new bits and pieces to celebrate the long, sunny days (fingers crossed, that is).

First up, our fabulous rough diamond range kicks off with some gorgeous Black Diamond Hoop Earrings, £95; delicate little silver hoops that have been carefully wrapped with twinkly little black diamond nuggets. As you'd expect from Rok Chix, they're simple but stunning, and quite unique. And they go with absolutely everything. Perfect for adding a touch of raw, unspoilt glamour to your look.

Then there's our first diamond ring – made with a rough diamond, of course (£145).  Now these are totally unique, because each diamond is different as it's natural and uncut. The one on our website is a champagne-coloured rough diamond (each stone is around one carat in weight), but we have other colours available, including silver and brown diamonds. So if you want to make buying a diamond ring a truly one-off experience, you can pick your stone – just email us at info@rokchix.com, and we'll send you a snap of the stones we have in stock.
Normally a one-carat diamond ring would set you back a great heap of cash, but because we're setting the diamonds in silver rather than gold or platinum – and because we're using natural rather than cut diamonds – they're much more affordable (so go on, splurge). We think the natural diamonds look much more interesting anyway.

If you like your stones precious but you prefer more colour than diamonds, how about our Silver and Emerald Bird of Joy Necklace, £45.  This features a lovely little silver bird stamped with the word JOY, and hung on a delicate silver chain with a single, twinkly emerald bead. Very pretty it is too.

We've also got some lovely pieces that, well in our opinion at least, contain the essence of summer. For instance, our Silver Seahorse Necklace, £55, is bursting with sunshine and that feeling you get when you're by the ocean. It features a solid silver seahorse charm - quite a chunky one, none of your flimsy stuff here – and a bright peach/pink coral gem to add a pop of colour.

Then for jangly earrings fans, our Silver Leaves and Rose Quartz Earrings, £35, are perfect for long, hot summer nights when you feel like dressing up (but you don't want to go over the top). And finally, a friendship bracelet with a difference: our Silver and Leather Weave Bracelets, £35, feature coloured leather thong woven with sterling silver chain – the effect is quite special, even if we say so ourselves.

Available in pink, royal blue or black leather, these bracelets are so adorable (and highly wearable too, you won't be able to take them off. In fact, we've been wearing ours non-stop for the last few months (well, we've got to test their durability – it's a tough job, but someone's got to do it).

We hope you find something you like – most items are dispatched within two to three days of ordering (and there's free p&p), so there's time to get that new piece you've been looking for to complete your summer holiday wardrobe.
Whatever you do and wherever you spend your summer, have a truly great one.

Everything comes to she who waits...

It's the day – or rather the night – that SATC fans in the UK have been waiting for: the movie sequel premiere. Cue huge sigh of relief. I couldn't take too many more of those teaser photos in the glossies. At last we girls can experience the entire movie ourselves – only one day to wait. Start saving your calories for the popcorn...
I couldn't resist including this photo of Carrie and Co, taken at the New York premiere the other night (source: marieclaire.co.uk). They look A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. How do they do it? Kim Cattrall will be 54 in August, you know. Talk about an inspiration.
Of course it helps that the movie is released just at the right time, when we're all fed up with politics, the economy (or lack of it), stop-start summer and general absence of fun and glamour in our lives. Hurrah.
Jewellery-wise there are some serious sparklers on display in the NYC premiere photos too – mostly some very fine, classy pieces on show that scream 'super expensive'. Can't wait to see what the girls will be wearing at the London premiere tonight.

Competition winner and new stockist

While everyone else is fed up with the election fall-out, the lack of sunshine and the continuing volcanic dust cloud that's messing up holidays and airline schedules throughout Europe, here at Rok Chix we have at least been able to make one person happy.
That person is Courtney from Doddington, who is the winner of our April competition to win our Chunky Silver and Gemstone Charm Bracelet - woo hoo!
Courtney's name was picked at random from our database of mailing list members, so well done to her. To everyone else who didn't win, there will be more chances to bag a Rok Chix competition prize in due course – and for those who haven't signed up to our mailing list yet, get cracking now if you want to be in with a chance yourself.
Meanwhile, the latest stockist of Rok Chix jewellery is Charlie, a fab little boutique at 746 Ecclesall Road in Sheffield. Owner Ruth Charles is stocking a selection of Rok Chix pieces, so pop in if you're in the area.
As for me, I'm putting the finishing touches to some new designs – including our first pieces featuring rough diamonds (I know, too exciting!) – so look out for more news soon.

It's competition time...

Well there's something about spring being in the air that makes us feel like giving stuff away, so welcome to the first Rok Chix competition. Not a competition as such, if we're going to be precise about it. It's more of a lottery really, but without having to buy a ticket. All you have to do is sign up to our mailing list before the end of April (which, by the way, you can unsubscribe yourself from at any time - but you probably won't anyway, as we don't send out ridiculous amounts of irritating newsletters) and you'll be automatically entered into a draw to win one of our fabulous Chunky Silver and Gemstone Charm Bracelets – which is worth a none-too-paltry £150.

And for those who haven't clicked on the link yet, here it is...

If you've already signed up to our mailing list don't worry, you'll be automatically entered into the draw too. Then, on May 1st, a winner will be chosen at random (if you're lucky, we'll be in touch by email). Fingers crossed it'll be you!

So here's what you need to know about this fabulous piece of jewellery. Well it's pretty substantial, weight-wise, with a chunky sterling silver chain and hand-made toggle clasp. The handmade charms are also silver (and chunky), with a gold accent here and there, while the gemstone charms come in turquoise, rose quartz, jade and fluorite.

It's a serious charm bracelet, that's for sure.

Look out for more opportunities coming up to win free Rok Chix jewellery – at least while the weather's nice (and we're in a generous mood).

(No purchase necessary and all that other legal stuff... Oh, and really sorry, the competition is only open to UK residents.)

Mad about aquamarine

Ah, you lucky people born in the month of March. Not only does your birthday see nature bursting back into life after the winter, but you also have the honour of saying your birth stone is aquamarine.

 I adore aquamarine, can't get enough of it. I've even devoted almost an entire collection to the gem's bluey-greeney gorgeousness.Natural, uncut aquamarine is by far my favourite – as anyone who has seen some of the pieces in the Pure collection knows. But being an aquamarine addict, I'll take it any way I can get it.
But enough of my gushing tribute, here are some fascinating facts about aquamarine that any March baby might want to know...

 Aquamarine is a variety of a mineral called Beryl (no, not your aunty Beryl, but Beryl the gemstone family). As such, it is related to other fab gems such as emerald, morganite (which is pink) and helidor (golden). Aquamarine comes in various shades of blue and blue-green, ranging from the palest baby blue to a yellowy blue-green. Perfectly transparent aquamarine is understandably the most prized – and highly expensive – but the opaque (or cloudy) stones are just as beautiful, if you ask me. I especially like ones that have inclusions – that is, little fragments of other stones, typically haematite (black) and mica (silver).

In terms of hardness, aquamarine notches up a 7.5-8 – fairly hard, then, but not as hard as diamond (which scores 10) or ruby/sapphire (both a 9). Just incase you needed to know.
And because it grows in long hexagonal crystals, it's often used to make wands for crystal healing - talking of which, its healing properties include soothing sore throats and swollen glands and, according to some crystal healers, it's also good for hayfever and short sightedness!

Most of the aquamarine used in Rok Chix jewellery comes from Afghanistan, though you can also find aquamarine in Brazil, Mozambique, Nigeria, Russia, Sri Lanka and Madagascar.
Well then, why do I adore aquamarine? Well because it's fabulous, of course. But also because it's the closest thing I've found that matches the colour of my Siamese cat's eyes. She's no longer with me, I'm afraid, but whenever I see aquamarine or wear some aquamarine jewellery, I think of her. Awwww.
Next month: April's birthstone is diamond (and my birthstone, wouldn't you know!)