Bad marks

The hallmark office has been getting in a bit of a lather lately over the fact that traders on certain social auction sites (hmm, I wonder who they're talking about?) are selling jewellery without proper hallmarks.
Michael Allchin (yes, that is his real name and no, I don't know what he looks like) is the big cheese at the Birmingham Assay Office (hallmarking office, in other words). Lately he's been having a go at people who sell jewellery brought in from other countries – where they probably don't need a hallmark – and selling them via internet auction sites in the UK, where they do need a hallmark to be legally sold as gold, silver or platinum.
"The hallmarking regulations mean that whether you are selling via the internet or mail order, the goods are supposed to be hallmarked," he says.
So would you know what a hallmark looks like and when a piece of jewellery should have one?
It made me think – most people probably don't. So here's a quick lowdown on the rules.
In order to legally sell an item of jewellery as silver – rather than a metal that just looks like silver – those items where the total weight of silver is more than 7.78g must have an official hallmark. (Incase you're interested, the hallmark-requiring weight for gold is anything over 1g and for platinum, 0.5g.)
You'll be glad to know that all Rok Chix jewellery where the silver content weighs more (or, in many cases, less) than 7.78g is officially hallmarked. That means it's been sent to the London hallmarking office and analysed to determine if it is really silver, then marked with a series of hallmarks including the halllmark office's own mark, a metal and fineness (purity) mark and a sponsor's mark – that's the mark of the person or company making and selling the jewellery (in the case of Rok Chix, our sponsor's mark is RC).
You can find out more about hallmarks if you're really interested (including what they look like) at the London hallmark office's website.
The process of hallmarking isn't free – well, come on, what were you thinking? So where appropriate – usually in the case of earrings (many of which are difficult to hallmark anyway) and very small items that come well under the 7.78g weight – we try to keep the cost of Rok Chix jewellery down by not hallmarking items that don't require them for legal purposes. But many of our necklaces, bracelets and rings with a total silver content that weighs less than 7.78g are hallmarked because I know many people like to see a hallmark (well, I do anyway). The problem is, how many of us know the difference between a proper hallmark and, let's say, a 925 stamp, for instance? (FYI, much of the jewellery that has been imported from places like India and Mexico has a 925 stamp, but in the eyes of the UK law, that stamp is meaningless – besides which, anyone can buy a 925 stamp and use it themselves.)
So why is it important to make sure you buy jewellery that's been hallmarked? Well, if you want reassurance that you're getting real silver (or gold, platinum), then it's the only guarantee - though you can, of course, get precious metals tested, but that can be costly.
Here's another reason. If you suffer from a nickel allergy, you may want to only wear properly hallmarked silver since some non-hallmarked silver (usually coming from overseas) has a high nickel content. So that might explain why that ring you bought online – you know, the one you thought was a total bargain – has brought you out in a horrible rash (sure it was marked 925, but as I've already explained, 925 is essentially meaningless).
Even more seriously, if you're ever threatened by a werewolf and need to melt your silver down to make silver bullets, make sure you use properly hallmarked silver - or the bullet won't work, you'll get a nasty bite and turn into a werewolf yourself and spend all your full moons howling and biting anyone you can get your hands on (okay, blame Benicio del Toro and my mate Joolz for that one).
Well, I just thought you'd like to know...

Passion for purple

Continuing my admittedly ad hoc series on birthstones, here's the lowdown on the gemstone for February. Amethyst – who doesn't love it? It's got to be one of the most popular semi-precious gems...think of those gorgeous purple hues from the lightest of lilacs to deepest, darkest purple that's just a shade off black. Mmmmm.
So what can I tell you about amethyst?
Well, amethyst is usually a transparent type of quartz – purple quartz, naturally. It's also found in opaque forms, sometimes tinged with white patches or areas. Most of it comes from Brazil these days, but back in her day Catherine the Great was rather fond of the amethysts found in Russia's Ural mountains. Some also comes from India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Mexico and even parts of Canada.
 In terms of hardness, amethyst scores a seven (on the Mohs hardness scale, incase you were wondering) – that compares with a perfect 10 score for diamond, the hardest gemstone. So it's reasonably hard-wearing – again, another reason it's so popular.
Okay, enough with the educational stuff. The colour purple, as you may already know, is associated with royalty (perhaps because purple dye used to be incredibly rare, with only very rich people being able to afford purple clothing). Well amethyst also has a history of being used in royal jewellery such as crowns – apparently there's a huge one in the British Crown Jewels.

The Ancient Greeks, bless them, thought amethyst had special powers, including the ability to protect them against getting drunk (word has it that they used to drink alcohol from amethyst goblets, and that used to stop them getting drunk – yeah, right, that's going to work!). In fact, the name amethyst comes from the Greek 'amethystos', which means sober.

So for all you lovely New Agey people out there, amethyst has various properties. It's thought to help soothe the person wearing it and help balance your emotions (or should that be help you balance when you've had too much to drink?). Some crystal therapy devotees also say it has protective powers and that it strengthens love bonds (so give some to your sweetheart).
Want to know what I think? Wearing amethyst makes you feel great in the way that wearing a fabulous shade of lipstick does – well, that's my take on the matter anyway.

Next month: aquamarine (one of my all-time favourites).

Going for gold (or, er, not...)

If you've been tempted by one of those 'we give you the highest price for your gold' TV ads, think very carefully before you send off your valuables.
In a recent report by the consumer watchdog Which?, companies such as Cash4Gold and CashMyGold are offering around just six percent of the retail value for new gold jewellery – yes, SIX percent. Hardly a good deal.
Read the Which? report yourself, which also reveals that you'd get a better deal by taking your jewellery to a pawn shop (though high-street jewellers give the best prices, the Which? researchers claim).
And yes, I know times are tough, and we could all do with a bit of a cash injection, especially at this time of year. So I'm not at all surprised that these cash-for-gold companies are doing massive business.
But the truth is, you'll lose out big time if you do sell to a cash-for-gold firm. Not only do you get a rubbish deal (despite the ads making you think you'll be wadded), but think of it this way - it's like taking a perfectly good car, maybe a few years old, and selling it for scrap. Cash-for-gold companies only offer you the scrap value of your jewellery - that's because they melt it down. So all that skill and craftsmanship that was involved in making your jewellery counts for nothing in the end. And that's tragic, if you ask me.
So if you do need some fast money, sell to a high-street jeweller – at least they're more likely to sell your lovely jewellery as second-hand, rather than have it melted down (ooh, the thought of it brings tears to my eyes).

The Lincs connection

Good news if you're based in Lincolnshire. Rok Chix has a new stockist in Sleaford:
Wilkinson's Jewellers
The Little Time House
13 Southgate
Sleaford
Lincs NG34 7SU
There's a selection of Rok Chix pieces in store already, so if you're in the area do go and have a butchers (and say 'hi' to the lovely Peta Wilkinson, the store's owner).
And for those who are nowhere near Sleaford, there's always the good old online option (rokchix.com).

Sapphires and Soul Mates for Valentine's Day

This year, delicious handmade silver and gemstone jewellery designer Rok Chix has something a little different for hopeless romantics and passion addicts on Valentine's Day. Instead of the usual heart-shaped tokens of affection, our Silver Soul Mate Necklace is a simple statement of true love. 

Our unique and seriously funky necklace features a simple sterling silver tag emblazoned with the world Soul Mate along with two fabulous twinkling little sapphire gems – one pink and one blue (or two of each colour if you prefer) – all hanging from a classic 50cm sterling silver chain.

It's the perfect way to show how much you adore the object of your affection (and to show the world you're adored, too). Price: £55

There again, for old-fashioned girls who like the romance of the conventional hearts and flower approach, the Rok Chix Silver Rose Heart Necklace is a charming take on an old favourite. It features a large, sterling silver heart pendant with vintage rose pattern and a mouthwatering pink ruby gemstone as a symbol of love and passion, again  hanging from a classic 50cm sterling silver chain. Price: £65

Alternatively, for that flush of first love, our Silver Sweet Necklace is designed for little girls (and big ones) who are made of sugar and spice and all things nice. A sterling silver tag declares your sweetness to the world, stamped as it is with the word Sweet, while a cute little pink rose quartz heart charm piles on the romance. It's enough to make you go ahhhhhh. Price: £40

All are made right here in the UK by designer/maker Christine Morgan in  her Brighton studio and available from rokchix.com (see Smitten collection for these and other seriously romantic baubles).

All I want for Christmas (last shout)

Whoah. It's been a hectic couple of weeks at Rok Chix mansions, with Christmas orders coming in thick and fast. I've been working my tiny fingers to the bone (okay, slight exaggeration, but I do have tiny little fingers...) and will most likely continue to do so for another week. Then it's Chriiiiiiiiiistmaaaas.
Talking of which, time is running out for the all-important Chrissie pressie shopping, so to make up for the past two blog-free weeks here are a few more gems of inspiration, should you still be looking for gift ideas. And to give credit where credit's due, some have come courtesy of Grazia (thanks ladies), which published a fab gift guide last week.
So first up, Barbie by Louboutin. I know. What a fabulous idea. Net-a-porter.com is selling the iconic dollies all togged up by Mr L, but the first one in the collection of three - the carburglar Barbie (think Emma Peel from The Avengers, all black and leather-clad) is already sold out. In other words, if this is the perfect present for someone you know, you're too late. But check in with the website for the next two Barbies (and for some new stock of the first, with any luck).
Next – and this one is in stock (well, at least it is while I write) – is something all girls need, a Womder Woman lunch box. I'd use this as a handbag, it's so cute. Buy it from amazon.co.uk for a recession-Christmas-friendly £7.79.
If it's cute you're after, you'll love the Bambi-themed hot water bottle from coxandcox.co.uk – perfect for a snuggle on a cold January night (£6 - bargain). And for the man in your life, a great, quirky stocking filler is this soldiers egg cup from pedlars.co.uk (£9.95).
Finally, what girl doesn't need a pair of cashmere slippers? After all that present hunting, you deserve a treat, and these are just perfect. Purple ballet pumps in 100 percent pure cashmere with little pink drawstrings and insoles (from oliverbonas.com, priced £59). To die for.
Of course there's still time to buy some of my own lovely baubles – last ordering day at rokchix.com is Saturday 19th. And don't worry about my fingers, they can rest up on Christmas Day.

All I want for Christmas #3

Now the temperature has dropped (well finally... I was beginning to wonder if we'd ever get a proper winter), it's time to dig out those big thick gloves and furry boots that you stashed at the back of your wardrobe last spring. And of course no Christmas would be complete without unwrapping the odd scarf or woolie hat under the tree on Christmas morning (it's what grannies are for, after all).
But this year, I'm dreaming of getting a pair of earmuffs. Yes, earmuffs. They keep your ears lovely and warm – and they don't give you nasty helmet hair (I mean, just how cold does it have to get before looking like a nit with stick-to-your-head hair is okay?).
This winter, Monsoon has a fab range of earmuffs which I'm rather loving a lot. Forget your expensive quilted sheepskin earmuffs (yes, I know Uggs are desirable, but have you seen the price of them???). These babies come in different colours and textures (including faux leopardskin) and cost just £16. I'm torn between the hearts and stripes earmuffs, the knitted Fairisle earmuffs and this rather luxurious looking lurex cross hatch tonal pair...

They're perfect for keeping your ears warm and toasty, especially during the obligatory Christmas Day post-lunch walk (and you won't look like a flat head afterwards). Check them out at http://www.monsoon.co.uk/icat/acczearmuffs Better than a boring old beanie any day.