November 11th, 2009
Did you know that Jelly Babies were launched in Sheffield by Bassett’s in 1919, and were called ‘Peace Babies’ to mark the end of World War 1 – The Great War.
Armistice Day, or as some call it poppy day, the 11th of November, is the day we remember all who have fallen in all conflicts. Armistice actually means to stand at arms – a cease fire – a truce. The term and the date relates to the ending of the First World War in 1918. As we know the truce in 1918 lasted 21 years.
It’s 12 years since I started my own business and 12 years since I waged war on some in the jewellery trade. War is by definition a series of smaller battles. I have been battling for 12 years, have won a few smaller skirmishes, but as yet, made no real impact! In fact, at times, I feel like Britain did in 1940, during the Second World War in the midst of the Battle of Britain with Hitler knocking on our door step.
What is my war ?
Well, initially 12 years ago it was battling against the wrong and inaccurate information given by those, mainly in the retail side of the jewellery trade, partly due to ignorance and partly due to a sales pitch. This is still ongoing. I also was concerned with the drop in standards and general quality of manufacture of products within the jewellery industry. In this ever increasing disposable society, when quality and standards seem to be dropping even further, I am trying to let the country and the world know that as I do not compromise the quality of my jewellery, there is someone in the jewellery industry hand crafting top quality products, in traditional ways, and not letting standards fall.
No one has died in my war – but the public are, I feel quite often, getting ripped off or at best, short changed.
My war goes on and to me they will always be Jelly Babies.
Alan
Tags: armistice, jelly babies, peace babies
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October 27th, 2009
I would like to congratulate Alexander Stoddart (possibly better known as Sandy Stoddart) the Paisley Sculptor and Sculptor in Ordinary to the Queen in Scotland, on receiving the Honorary Freeman of Renfrewshire, the first to receive this accolade in nearly fifty years.
Alexander Stoddart with Alan P. Fulton
Sandy and I go way back to Glasgow School of Art days – both graduating in 1980 – and I was honoured and privileged to be asked by Provost Celia Lawson and the councillors of Renfrewshire if I could design and make a sterling silver scroll holder to be presented to Sandy.
Sterling silver scroll holder with Paisley design
With Sandy’s love of classical styles I tried to design a piece that would reflect this yet have some form that represented Paisley – the Paisley pattern logo of Renfrewshire applied to silver rings forming a water mill wheel.
Tags: alexander stoddart, glasgow school of art, honorary freeman of renfrewshire, paisley pattern, sculptor, sculptor in ordinary to the queen in scotland
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October 2nd, 2009
Vows Awards Nomination
This year’s Vows Awards Nominees (Voted Outstanding Wedding Supplier) have just been announced, and for the fifth year in a row we have been nominated. This prestigious award is sponsored by the Scottish Wedding Directory and voted for by blushing brides and grooms who have been impressed with our quality of service, quality of bespoke wedding rings, and the overall value for money we offer.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who voted for us.
Alan
Tags: bespoke wedding rings, Scottish Wedding Directory, Vows Awards
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September 21st, 2009
I would like thank all the brides and bridegrooms-to-be, in fact all who visited our stand (No. 404b) at the Scottish Wedding Show held at Glasgow’s S.E.C.C. over the weekend.
It was a great success again and in particular the fantastic response and interest shown to my new and unique concept of a “floating diamond” ring. Those who were lucky enough to view the ring and try it on were truly amazed!
For those who missed the opportunity to see and try on the ring it can be seen in our studio at 14 Montgomery Street, Eaglesham.
I look forward to meeting and greeting those who have already booked appointments.
Tags: brides, floating diamond, scottish wedding show, wedding
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June 30th, 2009
Mrs Firestone came into the studio the other day asking if I would have a look at her single stone marquise cut diamond ring as the diamond seemed to feel rough. I informed her that the diamond had been chipped.
” How could that be !! ” she exclaimed, ” I thought that diamonds were supposed to be really hard ”
I then went on to explain that yes, diamond is the hardest substance that occurs in nature - it is in fact ten times harder than the second hardest which is corundom - the family name for ruby and sapphire. Diamond is also impervious to all acids and alkalines and has an extremely high resistance to the conductivity of electricity. In short, diamond is virtually - but not totally - indestructable.
It is a common misconception, with the lay person, the thought that diamonds are indestructable.
Diamond has a grain running through it like wood, and just like wood, to cut across the the grain you need to saw it, with a diamond tipped saw of course. But to split it down the grain you can use a blunt tool, like splitting wood with an axe.
It is a lot easier to damage a diamond than a lot of people appreciate and is therefore, very important when mounting and setting a diamond, to protect it’s vulnarable areas.
When I am asked to design and create a peice of jewellery, and in particularly a diamond engagement ring which gets a lot of wear and tear, I advise my clients of the best ways of setting the stones so as to maximise their safety with the minimum compromise to the style.
With gem set rings, and in particular diamond engagement rings, which are to be worn daily, it is important that the stones are protected and secured properly.
Regards
Alan
Tags: Add new tag, chipped diamond, diamond engagement ring, marquise cut diamond, ruby and sapphire
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June 30th, 2009
Last week I had a Mrs. Doubtfire ( name changed ) come into the studio enquiring about having her diamond set wedding ring re-modeled. It transpired that the jeweller she usually used had had two attempts at creating the ring, but on both occassions the quality and design fell short of her expectations. When asked why she didn’t go back to the jeweller she said although she had used the jeweller for years she had lost confidence as she never knew the quality of work see was going to get. It seemed to oscillate from good to mediocre to bad.
I have heard similar stories on a number of occassions.
Usually the reason for this is that the workshop being used has a number of jewellers with differing standards and it will be just luck if your job is done by a decent craftsman.
As all my bespoke jewellery is hand crafted by me personally, and my standards are very high, you can be confident that all my hand made commissions are of a consistantly high standard.
Regards
Alan
Tags: bespoke jewellery, diamond set wedding ring, hand crafted, hand made commissions, wedding ring re-modeled
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June 16th, 2009
I am often asked by couples whether their wedding rings should match or not. The answer is, there is no hard and fast rule and is down to personal preference. Broadly speaking there are three options open to couples; perfectly matched wedding rings, being individual and choosing a style you like or that suits you best, or the styles chosen by Claire and George a couple who picked up their wedding rings yesterday.
The ladies’ wedding ring is a broadish platinum band with a row of channel set diamonds off-set along one edge so they are fully visible when the wedding ring is worn along with her platinum 3 stone sapphire and diamond engagement ring I hand crafted for her 18 months ago. As the centre round sapphire in the three stone engagement ring is larger, and protrudes, a slightly broader wedding ring had to be used so as to allow the line of channel set diamonds to be fully visible.
The gent’s wedding ring was a broad flat platinum band with an 18ct. yellow gold wire applied across the top of the wedding ring, off-set along one edge, which ties it in style to the lady’s diamond set wedding ring and compliments it perfectly.
Sometimes it just needs something subtle in the design to link them together.
Alan
Tags: gents wedding rings, ladies wedding rings, matching wedding rings, platinum wedding rings, Wedding Rings
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June 15th, 2009
What’s the difference between Al Jolson or The Proclaimers, and Natalie Smith or Brendan O‘Connell, clients of mine .
Well Al Jolson and the Proclaimers are prepared to go to great lengths to get what they want.
Al Jolson would ‘ walk a million miles for one of your smiles’
The Proclaimers would ‘ walk 500 miles and then would walk 500 more just to be that man that walked a 1000 miles to fall down at your door’
Natalie Smith and Brendan O’Connell have travelled in recent weeks, from Dublin and London respectively by car - plane - and taxi to arrive at my door to see me about creating engagement rings, because they couldn’t get the quality and finesse of design and craftsmanship in Dublin or London.
So if you require the quality of my services and craftsmanship then distance need not be a problem !
Alan
Going that extra mile
To bring you a smile !!
Tags: Al Jolson, Dublin, Engagement rings, London, The Proclaimers
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June 8th, 2009
Welcome to my blog. My name is Alan P Fulton and I am an Award winning creative master craftsman jeweller and designer goldsmith. Each post will be published to excite and inform you about the wonderful world that I live in - Jewellery.
My job is to make dreams come true and that I do. From what comes out of a clients head to what comes out of the ground - fired by my imagination and skills I have developed, bring together a magical finish that will stand the test of time.
Keep following me and pass my blog details on to friends, family and colleagues. Let me help educate them about the differences between low quality mass produced jewellery and that which is crafted by hand by people like myself.
I look forward to your comments and any subjects you wish me to talk about I would be delighted to put fingers to keyboard.
regards
Alan P Fulton
Tags: Alan P Fulton, creative jeweller, designer goldsmith, mass produced jewellery, master craftsman
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