A little birdy told me recently of a fabulous guilt free, jewellery website called made. All their products are designed by influential designers, then sourced and created within disadvantaged communities across East Africa. They train local artisans in new skills and provide fair wages and support. The powerful concept is the brainchild of Cristina Cisilino, an ex Fashion buyer. Her job took her to Africa and coupled with her belief in fair trade, led her to join forces with partner Gerson Barnett. They now have a successful business that is as their strap lines says, made by the people for the people. Already picked up by Topshop you can now shop to your hearts content knowing that you’re doing your bit.

Artistic jewels

Diamonds are a girls best friend. They are something you cherish and keep forever. And as for jewellery itself, the kind you wear most certainly says a thing or two about your personality and lifestyle.

Jessica McCormacks jewellery however is inspired by her surroundings, simulating the objects and landmarks that intrigue her. To her, jewellery design is more of an art, about “creating miniature sculptures”. She has created jewel encrusted pieces which substitute the real world from her own power of invention with a whimsical vision to make precious objects accessible and wearable. Her diamonds simulate landmarks like the skyscaper’s rooftops of the city skyline (New York Night necklace), The London Eye earrings or The Cog braclet which looks like the driving mechanism of a watch’s movement.

McCormack speaks of her jewellery as ‘the end result of her desire to turn what she perceives to be beautiful into a tiny piece of art.’ Her jewellery is not only elegant and stylish but versatile making it very easily adaptable into any wardrobe and can be worn with jeans or that favourite little black number. Her pieces are as enduring and as timeless as the symbols they represent - never overpowering proving diamonds really are forever!

To find out more about the ‘Lucky strike’ earrings or any other Jessica McCormack products, you can e-mail enquiries@jessicamccormack.com/visit her website or simply visit the ‘Iconic shop’ - Liv

Luxury fashion is about sending a message of confidence, ease, tastefulness and pride and a recent collaboration between the very well known bespoke ‘House of Boucheron’ and luxury mobile phone company ‘Vertu’ proves just that bringing about the result of a collection of seven magnificent mobile phones. This creative co-existence also marks and celebrates Boucheron’s 150th anniversary and in the maisons own words ” combines its luxury savoir-faire with Vertu’s modern technology”.

The collection consists of a set of unique mobile phone designs in accordance with the aesthetics of both Boucheron and Vertu, adorned with gold, rubies, sapphires and other precious stones with elaborate, complicated designs. Each individually named Audacious, Voluptuous, Curious, Gourmand, Magic, Dangerous and Mysterious the designs of these seven signature phones are inspired by the “Seven Muses” of the Enchanting Boucheron collection. And should you find the adornments a bit too much for a certain occasion, Boucheron has had the insight to make the pieces of jewellery that adorn the phones detachable and thus able to be worn separately as a pendant.

Elegant, sleek and stylish, this mobile phone collection is one of a kind. And with the design and luxury of the mobile phone fast becoming a must for the devoted and in some cases “very rich fashionista”, you wouldn’t want to pass up an opportunity to get one of these crazy beautiful phones. Above all, a mobile phone is one of the most important accessories you take around so don’t let your fashion fall short where it’s most important. Bearing all of that in mind, it’s safe to say these aren’t going cheap, unless your earnings fall into the disposable category of course. Visit www.boucheron.com - Liv

Save the Children ring by Bulgari

With wealthy nations tightening their belts and busy saving their own economies, now more than ever, do the poorest people in the world need our help. So a big applause to Bulgari that has just announced an ambitious project to help the charity Save the Children as part of its 125th anniversary celebrations. Bulgari has chosen to support the Rewrite the Future campaign of Save the Children, the largest independent international organisation for the defence and championing of childrens rights.Through Rewrite the Future campaign Save the Children is committed to providing within 2010 quality education to 8 million children living in conflict-affected areas. Bulgari has decided to make its own contribution to Save the Children with the objective of raising 10 million by the end of 2009, of which 1 million will be donated by Bulgari to the organisation in advance, while the remaining figure will be raised during the next year.

A silver ring specially created for the campaign and featuring the Save the Children logo engraved inside will be on sale from 1 February to 31 December 2009 at the price of 290/$290 (including VAT) of which 50/$60 will be donated to the campaign. Bulgari will also develop a collection of 15 pieces of high jewellery and 8 high-end timepieces, of an estimated total value of 3 million and auctioned on 7 December 2009 in New York. Proceeds will be totally donated to Save the Children and all the initiatives connected with the operation will be totally non-profit for the Bulgari Group. We will keep you informed of the project and look out for the Bulgari silver ring and wear it with pride. - Maria Doulton

Marc Newson

If any item of interior décor needed a rethink it had to be the almost defunct mantelpiece clock. Usually given as a retirement gift to help you watch your last years slip away, suddenly this forgotten item is hot again. With Marc Newson unveiling his new design for the 80 year old Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos the trendiest mantelpieces around the world are going to be seen gracing this über cool clock. Floating in a Baccarat lead glass cube, this clock never needs winding as it lives on air.

Miracca David pendant

Josef Koppann ring

Sarah Parker Eton pendant necklace

Sarah Stafford pendant

Goldsmiths’ Fair is the place to buy jewellery from the most creative and talented individual jewellers and silversmiths in the UK. Fizzing with creativity, 160 of the UK’s top jewellery designers will be showing over a two-week stretch in London’s grand Goldsmiths’ Hall.
Take your time and don’t be overwhelmed by the amount and variety of jewels on display. Even if you only see a few stands at a time, it is worth the effort as this is where you will find the most original jewels as well as having the chance to talk to the very person who made them. It might not be as luxurious as gliding into a big name boutique on Bond Street but it is so much more rewarding to walk away with a jewel that is bursting with individuality and personality.
And even better, prices reflect the fact that at Goldsmiths’ you are paying for the jewellery, not a large advertising campaign, swanky boutiques or red carpet sponsorship so you will be surprised how far your money will go. If you love jewellery, do not miss this event. I challenge you to leave empty handed, something I have never managed. — Maria Doulton

Jewellery by Kathy Vones, courtesy of The Goldsmiths' Fair

Goldsmiths' Fair, London

“At the Van Cleef & Arpels launch party for their stunning Les Jardins high jewellery collection, Christian Louboutin was spotted amongst the great and the mighty of the world of jewellery collectors. Does this mean that we are going to see diamonds on the soles of his shoes or is he also a lover of the art of the jeweller?

Isabelle Huppert and Christian Louboutin

Another observation from a few days in Paris visiting the top jewellers at the Biennale des Antiquaires is the rise of stealth wealth. Top of the list of anti-bling style is the old-fashioned rose cut diamond. This traditional diamond cut has less facets and bigger planes, giving a softer glow than the clever modern, multi-faceted cuts that throw about more light. Often lower value diamonds were employed for this cut but today top grade rocks are being used to great effect as we appreciate their age-worn allure over the brighter bling of the perfect brilliant cut. Very Keira Knightley in The Duchess and one way to make your jewels look like Granny left them to you, rather than fresh out of the workshop.

Keira Knightley, The Duchess poster