Historically, in England and elsewhere, silver was and still is a precious metal that only the very rich could afford. Since most of the land’s wealth belonged to the monarchy prior to more egalitarian spread, silver objects were made by monarchs, noblemen and some traders as gifts for services rendered, marriages or as trading gifts.… Read More »
English silver has been subject to the rigours of hallmarking as far back as 1300 when the leopard’s head was introduced, the King’s Mark, to show that the silver was of the required legal standard. This mark was to be followed 63 years later by the goldsmith’s mark, which, at this time, was a symbol… Read More »
Apart from jewellery, domestic silverware is a handsome addition to any home and necessarily hideously expensive. A pair of candelabra, however simple or inexpensive, will enhance any table setting. A set of flatware, a centrepiece, wine coolers, all add cachet to your reputation as a host. There is nothing like the gleam of silver juxtaposed… Read More »
The beauty of gemstones hold certain fascinations for man, whether in raw form or faceted. In order to improve and reveal the best of a gemstone, man has gone a step further by cutting or faceting it. Although there is no actual record on who first started gem-cutting, it certainly took many years to perfect… Read More »
Nature has her way of leaving her fingerprints on everything she creates, thereby making everything unique in their own way and value. So when one evaluates a natural gemstone, it is ideal to know the characteristics of each. Amethyst, part of the quartz family, is highly sensitive to heat and exposing the gem to high… Read More »
I don’t normally read a series out of cycle, but my daughter picked up this book for me from the library, not knowing that it’s book 3 of 6. Not wanting to waste her good intention, I decided to read it nonetheless. However, it was an unfortunate coincidence that when I started reading this book,… Read More »