Some of our favourite things

Here is the october edition of some of our favourite things. 

This is a post I make once month, showing some of my favourite jewellery pieces .

Enjoy!

Tibetan gemstones with turquoise courtesy Bijoux HQ

Ombre brown/white resin with silver charms  courtesy Bijoux HQ

Mocha colours glass beads with coffee hardware courtesy Bijoux HQ

White pearls with multicoloured crystals courtesy Bijoux HQ

white pearls in a a wavy pattern with chandelier pendants courtesy Bijoux HQ

Ivory pearls with pearl/silver double brooch courtesy Bijoux HQ

What are Different Types of Semi-Precious Stones?

Image courtesy of  pinterest

A lot of my first-time customers find it hard to understand my pricing, especially when it comes to the value of the semi-precious gemstones I use in the construction of some of my pieces.

This post is to help shed some light on gemstones, because being able to identify a gemstone is important as it gives useful insight into their value.

But first, what are semi-precious gemstones?

According to wisegeek.com, 

Semi-precious gemstones are minerals or organic compounds used in jewelry and adornment. They differ from the four cardinal gems, diamond, sapphire, ruby and emerald , because they are more plentiful and therefore, are usually less expensive. Amethyst  was once considered the fifth cardinal gem, but recent discoveries of extensive South American deposits have led to its re-classification as a semi-precious gem.

Semi-precious stone varieties do not end with their similarities to the cardinal gems. Moonstones, a gem from Sri Lanka, can appear almost colourless, and Opals,  from Australian and New Zealand , are a pearl-grey or blue.  

Semi-precious stones are really not stones at all, rather they are organic compounds usually made up of tiny fossils. 
Coral, a pinkish-red gem, is cleaned and polished material from the coral rubrum and corallium japonicum species of coral tree in the coral reefs of the sea. Also from the sea is the pearl, a highly prized stone harvested from Oysters and noted for its sheen.

Semi-precious stones range in price based on size, quality and authenticity. Many semi-precious stones are lab treated to enhance color and remove flaws, and these are correspondingly less expensive. For loose semi-precious stones, prices can range from a few US Dollars to several hundred depending on the size and quality.  

I love semi-precious gemstones and one of my favourite pastimes is hunting for them, be it from Chinese or indian merchants , from the alleyways of the jewellery district in Los Angeles or from reputable online merchants.

So there you have it! My little insight into the world of semi precious gemstones. I hope I have been able to shed some light on the matter. 

In the meantime, whats your favourite colour ? This colour often times reflects our personality type and in some spooky cases reflects our natural birth stone(more on birthstones in our next post). 

So tell me guys, whats your favourite colour? what gemstone do you own or which would you love to own? 

My favourite colour right now is tanzanite-blue.

Tanzanite is an extraordinary gemstone. Its blue, surrounded by a fine hint of purple - a rich, wonderful colour! It is named after the East African state of Tanzania, the only place in the world where it has been found.  Isn't Africa awesome?

Tanzanite gemstone courtesy gemologyonline.com

If you found this post useful, Kindly drop a comment and share with friends.

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Here are some useful links to read up more on the subject:

http://www.makermends.com/gemstones.html

http://www.gemstone.org/index.php

Some of our favourite things

My creative juices are usually influenced by my personal style, taste, as well as my perception of the world around me.
If I had to categorise my style sense, I would say it is sophisticated elegance, with a hint of flamboyance.

For those who are familiar with my work, This certainly carries over into my design choices.
Nevertheless, as a business woman, I realise that sometimes its not all about what I want to create, but what the clients want.  To this end my collections are very dynamic and versatile.

Here are some of our favourite things at bijoux HQ.
Enjoy!

WELCOME!

Welcome to the wonderful world of Bijoux HQ.

This is a happy space for all lovers of the finer things in life, jewellery definitely being one of them!
First, allow me to introduce myself.
My name is Daisy Usman, I am a wife, a mom , designer and creative director of Bijoux HQ - a bespoke jewellery brand that was birthed in the pearl of Africa- Uganda.

My love for Jewellery and all things fashion -related, began at a very young age.  I have always had a passion for jewellery . So in 2013 , after an MBA , and stints as an international Business developer and a radio show producer, I decided it was time to key into my passion on a full time basis.

Leaving the security of a good job was easy for me because I had a clarity of mind which can  only be described as gutsy. With a solid business plan, razor sharp focus and a determination to weather any storm that may come my way, Bijoux HQ was born!

Join me as we go on a journey of a lifetime, to the land of dreams and visions and to a world where all our imaginations become crystal clear realities.
Welcome to Bijoux HQ!