OPAL - QUALITIES OF OPALS AND SOURCES The different colours that can be seen on an opal stem from the diffraction of light from very small silica spheres within the gemstone. This is the reason the colours change when opal is looked at from different directions.Larger and more ordered silica spheres within the stone  result in a greater range and intensity of colour. This colour p..

PRECIOUS WHITE OPAL White opal has a light base and can have strong colour play. Many white opals can appear rather pale and they need a closed back bezel setting to maximise their iridescence. PRECIOUS BLACK OPAL Black opal has a dark background which can be dark blue, dark grey, dark green or grey-black . The darker the background the greater the value of th..

CABOCHON CUT GEMSTONES In countries such as Great Britain and America,faceted stones are seen as the most desirable type of gem, and less value is attached to cabochons. In Germany however, a strong tradition of producing well-cut cabochons mean that buyers really appreciate the qualities of light, colour and texture.      Left to Right, Labradorite, Blue..

WHAT IS MARCASITE Marcasite  originates from a natural mineral called 'pyrite'. Iron pyrite has a metallic finish and bright sheen. Its innate hardness  allows it to stand up well to scratches and dings over the years, and therefore, vintage marcasite pieces can be found in good condition many years after their creation. Pyrite is found in various parts of the world, but only a s..

  ENAMEL USE IN JEWELLERY DESIGN Enamelling is an old technique in which powdered clear glass, or powdered colour glass that has been mixed with pigments, is applied to a metal object and then fired .The powder then melts, flows, and hardens to a durable, smooth vitreous coating which is in essence a layer of pure pigment on a surface. In jewellery this techn..

  What is Gold Vermeil? We use a lot of gold vermeil in our jewellery collections as it allows up to provide precious gemstone earrings, necklaces and bracelets with a quality finish at affordable prices. But what is gold vermeil?  Above : Gold vermeil and aquamarine Necklace from Modern Vintage Style gemstone necklaces collection ..

Gemstone Guide Agate : Part of the chalcedony quartz group of minerals, most common light gray-blue to beige colour or red to brown layers of colour, however also available dyed green, moss, dark reds, orange and mixed colors, hardness 6.5 - 7, It is the alternative birthstone for May and September Amber : An organic fossil resin from amber pine sap, commonly yellow to red br..

We use lots of different gemstone to make our gemstone earrings, and necklaces at Modern Vintage Style, however one of our particular favourites , and one that never goes out of style is aquamarine. The different colour varieties of aquamarine from green to light blue to stronger blue shades enable us to make different styles  of aquamarine necklaces,..

Origins of Aquamarine Aquamarine is a beautiful stone that is often used to create stunning aquamarine jewellery including necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings.The name aquamarine comes from the Latin word for seawater,its luminous colour conjuring up images of the ocean. As with  many other gemstones, the aquamarine gemstone is surrounded by legends and myths. T..