Different Stones to Incorporate Into Your Jewelry Collection*

While the majority of us focus on our actual clothing when it comes to developing and portraying a personal style, it’s also extremely important to remember that accessories can add a touch of character to our ensemble too! Jewelry is a great way to start experimenting with accessories and a lot of jewelry incorporates some kind of gem, so, here are just a few different types of stones that you might want to consider investing in!

Diamonds

Of course we’re going to have to start with what is perhaps the world’s most desired stone – the diamond. Diamonds are extremely popular for several reasons- first, this stone has long been associated with wealth, power, and status. Second, there is huge market demand for this stone as the standard stone for engagement rings, after an aggressive marketing campaign carried out by jewellers De Beers. Finally (for now), diamonds have a stunning clear colour and great clarity, meaning that they are complementary to almost any skin tone, hair colour, eye colour, or favoured colour of clothing. Altogether, diamonds are extremely desirable stones that are perhaps most commonly incorporated into rings and earrings, but can also take various other forms. If this sounds like the stone for you, you can find some beautiful diamond pieces at 77 Diamonds.

Semi-Precious Stones

Semi-precious stones are classified by their chemical arrangement and generally tend to be more commonly found than precious stones (these include diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and rubies). However, it is important to remember that some semi-precious stones can prove more valuable than some precious stones. For example, a Tsavorite green garnet can hold a higher market value than a mid-quality Sapphire. There are all sorts of semi-precious stones on the market, each with their own distinct colouring, different types of clarity or marbling, and can be put into a wide variety of shapes. Perhaps one of the most fun aspects of semi-precious stones is that many are attributed different values. You can seek out stones that are representative of the value you want your jewellery to embrace or that you feel will best represent you. Amethyst is supposed to be representative of intuition, protection, and cleansing. Larimar is representative of peace, relaxation, and communication. Tiger’s eye is for balancing, grounding, and discernment. There are, of course, plenty more semi-precious stones with attributed meanings out there. You can find a comprehensive list of semi-precious stone meanings here.

These are just a few stones to consider. There are plenty more that are widely available on the marketplace. So, start doing your research and browse the different options that are available to you!

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The quest for the perfect dress: How to find the best fit for your shape and complexion*

If you’ve ever tried to find the perfect dress for that big event or special occasion, you’ll know how frustrating it can be to choose the right one – especially when there are so many options out there. The colour, style and shape of the gown should all work in your favour, complementing your own shape and skin tone. For those of you wondering where on earth to start, we’ve got you covered – high street dress experts River Island are here to help you on your shopping journey:
Womenswear - Dress for your shape & complexion - Infographic (1)-output

Hidden Fashion

It feels like an absolute age since I last did an outfit post on the blog, it’s something I really want to get back to as once upon a time it was primarily what my blog was about, and I miss that. These days it’s lack of time that holds me back more than anything- house hunting and working full time mean I have very little time to grab photos, but hopefully that will change once I’ve moved, for once I even have a backlog of clothes and outfits I want to document.

Anyway, the point of that inane ramble was to really announce “TA-DA, an outfit post!”. I was recently contacted by a company called Hidden Fashion who very kindly offered to send out a couple of items. The brand are new to me, and I was impressed by how much selection they have at insanely good prices. I picked out a couple of items, one from both ends of the style spectrum and coerced Bob in to taking some photos for me over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Dress: c/o Hidden Fashion (£10!) | Shoes: Shellys London (super old)

This dress is an absolute steal at £10 – it was cheap even at it’s full price of £20! It’s a bold move away from my usual style and one I’m glad I made. I love the draped fit and cheeky split and collar details. It’s elegant whilst remaining edgy and has a touch of luxury about it thanks to the satin feel fabric. This is the perfect evening socialising dress now Autumn is creeping it’s way in, and I predict a lot of wear out of it over the coming months.

Jacket: c/o Hidden Fashion (£16) | Jeans: Waven | Trainers: Adidas at ASOS

This jacket is exactly what my casual wardrobe needed now that the heatwave has broken and there is an Autumnal nip in the air. Again it’s a crazy bargain at £16 (down from £32) and it’s quality far exceeds it’s price tag (and to be honest, expectations). This has quickly become my go-to jacket for when the skies look decidedly grey and on a cost-per-wear basis it’s essentially free already.
Have you found any hidden treasures or bargain buys lately? I’m really pleased I was introduced to Hidden Fashion and will be regularly checking the website for more pieces like these. Let me know what’s caught your eye in the comments.

3 different applications of synthetic diamonds*

When we think of diamonds the first thing often that pops into our minds is jewellery. However, did you know that they can be used for a variety of different applications?

With their many different uses Diamonds are the most wanted material in the world. As pointed out by element six in their latest eBook ‘Ultimate Super material: The Diversity of Diamonds’, diamonds hold a variety of uses due to their “ultimate super material” that makes them very adaptable.

The benefits of synthetic diamonds are that they allow operations to be performed in shorter times- they can be used to make speakers, tablets, and computers, and they can also cut through different materials at a faster speed. They can be used for reliable production and cause lower labor costs. For more information about synthetic diamond’s you can visit element six’s website www.e6.com or continue reading for 3 examples of the different uses of synthetic diamonds.

Construction
Homes and building have to be made from hard, resilient materials in order to withstand extreme weather conditions. The tools we need to cut these materials into different shapes are often made from synthetic diamonds. It can cut, polish and drill different materials therefore they are very versatile in the construction industry. Examples of materials that would be needed to be cut by a synthetic diamond saw include granites and slate which can both be cut in the same way.

Airplanes
Most planes are made from carbon fiber reinforced plastic composites. However, due to their strong and durable strength, it is very hard to cut through them, so it is the work of a synthetic diamond tool to do the job. They can cut through carbon fiber reinforced plastic with ease so drills made from diamonds are an essential part of the manufacturing process of aircraft.

Healthcare
Synthetic diamond components can be used to replace traditional surgery. This is because they can deliver laser beams that transmit high power. This method of surgery is known as non-invasive therefore, no skin needs to be broken. This can be more beneficial to patients because the operation can be performed in a much shorter time and the recovery time is hugely lessened.

The Weekly Wish List #4

I really don’t know why I keep torturing myself by online browsing and compiling these posts, I really don’t! Shopping is 100% off the cards for me at the moment having paid for all of the car purchase related necessities this week as well as getting my hair done. Bob and I have also started looking at rental properties, with a view to move at the end of the month so I really do need to reign things in…and yet still, I browse.

Shirt Dress: Monki | Check Trousers: New Look | Lurex Skirt (and top): Thunder Egg | Duvet Set and Blanket: George at Asda | Tweed Collar Bow: Hooby Noo | Chenille Jumper: New Look

As you’d expect, there are picks from my usual favourite haunts- Thunder Egg and Monki both regularly feature in my wish lists and you can probably see exactly why I’m drawn to these items; I am a creature of habit after all. New Look has recently crept back on to my radar too, I walked in to my local store on my lunch break the other day and was taken with just about everything they had in stock…I had to make a hasty retreat before some purchases were made.

It’s also inevitable that homewares would feature on these posts, and they probably will crop up more regularly from here on out. It’s so exciting to be setting up home with Bob, we’re both like kids in the proverbial sweet store; even our mundane Saturday food shop has become all about the homeware aisles, never have tea spoons and fitted sheets been more exciting.

I also thought I’d pop in something I am coveting for Pablo right now. He’s a dapper little chap, and appreciate of the finer things (unlike Mae!) and I’m obsessed with all of the pet accessories that Hooby Noo– not to mention the human range! We bought Pablo’s collar tag from the shop when we first got him, and now they’ve bought out these adorable tweed bow ties I think another order can soon be justified.

What’s caught your eye this week?