The world tends to be designed around someone’s idea of an “average” person. Be that size 5 shoes or size 12 clothes or the family hatchback designed for mum, dad & 2.4 children. However how many of us actually are average? I certainly hope I’m not! And how many retailers cater for both ends of the spectrum as well as the middle?

When I created the Corazon Latino range, I was fortunate enough to be working with my sister who rather handily is at the Petite end of the scale at a lithe size 8-10, whilst I, at the time, was at the plus end of the scale at a size 16. This allowed us to make a number of interesting discoveries.

Firstly, dress size has no bearing whatsoever on wrist or neck size until you get to the very far ends of the spectrum and even then, only marginally. My sister and I despite being 3-4 dress sizes apart have wrists and necks only 2cm different in circumference. However we have friends who are in between us in dress size with wrists up to 5 cm bigger. So if you are buying jewellery for yourself or for someone else, find out what size their wrist or neck is before making your choice. If you can, measure it. If they won’t stand still long enough, measure something they already own as a reference.

Secondly, scale is far more important than size. Bangles and chokers can always be squeezed slightly to fit (although only do this once of you risk fracturing the metal), many necklaces are adjustable and most bracelets and necklaces have a degree of flexibility in them in terms of a tight or loose fit still looking good. Scale on the other hand can not be changed and is far more important in getting a piece that suits an individual person.

To that end, we created a range that has specific pieces ideally suited for the Petite frame, and those that look best on a bigger build. Now nothing is set in stone, if you are tiny but love big bold jewellery, good for you. Personal style is what Corazon is all about, and we made sure every piece is flexible enough to look good on anyone. However, if you want some hints as to what might work best, here are our Top 5 pieces for each build:

Top 5 Petite Pieces

1.      Cressida Silver Bangle – A simple silver bangle with a twist at the centre. Plain, understated and elegant.

2.      Helene Silver Bracelet – A dainty, elasticated bracelet. Only 1.5cm wide. Designed to fit wrist from 15 to 20cm around.

3.      Larissa Crystal Leaf – A dainty Swarovski crystal leaf with a single silver bead on black suede.

4.      Phoebe Silver Bangle – A heavyweight piece but with a small diameter that works best on wrists under 16cm. Dainty enough to look good on the most petite figure.

5.      Mercury Silver Necklace – A silver droplet on a simple black suede cord. Dainty enough not to overpower, but big enough to make an impact.

Top 5 Plus Pieces

1.      Jupiter Silver Necklace – A big bold beaten silver disc on black leather with unusual oval shaped beads.

2.      Pandora Silver Bangle – A big silver cuff with a twisting almost organic shape. This works for wrists from 15-20cm around, and is big enough to look good on bigger boned frames.

3.      Himalia Elasticated Silver Bracelet – Ideal for all wrists sizes with its strong elasticated base. The Himalia will stretch to fit wrists from 15 to 20cm around. If you want a really big impact wear 2 together to create a 5cm wide cuff

4.      Galatea Silver Choker & Bracelet. The choker is big enough to sit on the collarbones of the petite, but form a lovely choker on bigger frames. The bracelet has been specifically designed for a bigger wrist, looking best on 16-20cm wrists.

5.      Thalassa Silver Bracelet – Big bold retro squares. Designed to make a real statement. This works on 15-19cm wrists.

The new range is coming soon, with more dainty and unusual bracelets and some fabulous big impact silver and Baltic amber pendants. Watch this space for more news in the coming weeks.

For some great retailers of petite and plus size lingerie and clothing, take a look at our links page.

Hi,

I thought it would be useful to know how; having bought your lovely silver jewellery; you keep it in pristine condition.

First of all, it’s important to understand that whatever you do, silver will tarnish. Silver reacts with sulphur or hydrogen sulphide in the air and becomes dull and eventually blackens. There is nothing you can do to stop it. However, you can delay the process, and it is simple enough to restore your silver jewellery back to it’s original brilliant shine.

Here are the key rules for keeping you jewellery in top condition:

1. Avoid contact with perfumes, hairspray, chlorinated or salt water and household cleaning products as they will all speed up the tarnishing or “blackening” process.

2. Don’t bathe or shower in your silver jewellery. Not only will it tarnish the silver but it will also weaken any suede or leather and cause it to break.

Put your jewellery on last, AFTER your hair & make up are done.

3. Keep your jewellery away from direct sunlight or strong artificial light for long periods of time. It is always better to keep it in a drawer or cupboard.

4. NEVER keep loose pieces together (I learned this the hard way with my own) – silver is a relatively soft metal (like gold) and the jewellery will scratch if it rubs together. The best option is to store your silver jewellery separately in its original pouches or boxes. If this takes up too much space, wrap the pieces in tissue to protect them.

Once the silver starts to get dull, there are several ways to restore its shine, depending on the level of tarnish and the type of piece it is.

Cleaning

There are 3 main products for polishing silver.

Firstly, a polishing cloth, which is a soft cloth impregnated with a light polishing solution. This is the best option for all but the most awkward of heavily tarnished pieces as it is the most gentle. You can buy these cloths online, from jewellers and from most good supermarkets.

Secondly, polishing creams/Pastes. These are put onto a cloth or duster and rubbed on the silver. They work well on heavy tarnish, but they are less gentle and they will get stuck in settings and other nooks and crannies and if they are not thoroughly cleaned off they will leave a dusty residue.

Finally there are dips. These are liquids, usually with a basket in the pot for the jewellery. They work by stripping the tarnish from the jewellery. They work incredibly well BUT they are a strong chemical, and will wreck stones, crystals etc that are set in the silver. They will also destroy leather or suede, so they should really only be used as a last resort and only for pure silver.

The best thing to do is to remove the tarnish regularly so it doesn’t build up. If the tarnish is light (just a dullness), then a quick buff with a silver polishing cloth every few weeks is ideal. If you don’t have a polishing cloth, a dilute solution of washing up liquid and water will also work. Do make sure you dry the jewellery thoroughly before putting it away, and don’t use this option on jewellery with leather or suede which will deteriorate if it gets wet.

Depending on your jewellery, we would recommend different techniques for cleaning:

For flat smooth surfaces, always use a polishing cloth, which will not scratch the surface of the jewellery.

For very heavy tarnish, we recommend using a silver polishing cream, BUT don’t use a cream on pieces with intricate detail where the paste can become stuck and leave a dusty residue.

You should only use sterling silver dips, for pure silver pieces with very complex designs with lots of nooks and crannies which make them difficult to clean with a cloth and almost impossible with a paste.

Never use a household cleaner as many contain Ammonia, which will turn Silver black. If this happens, a quick dip or rub with vinegar will reverse the effects of the Ammonia.

Silver necklaces add sparkle to any outfit. They looks fabulous against any skin tone, and can be worn by anyone from teenagers to grandmothers. Whether you are dressing up for a job interview, a hot date or an evening out with the girls, the right necklace can make an outfit.

For a classic look, go for a simple silver choker or chain; perhaps with matching bracelets and earrings if the event is formal.

For something a bit more casual, add one of our mix & match with interchangeable chunky silver pendants to a simple choker to change your look and match your mood.

For a more contemporary, cutting edge look try a big silver pendant on leather or suede.

When buying any necklace, first think about the length that suits you best. Our silver necklaces come in a variety of lengths and by special request we will tailor any of the suede ones to your specific requirements. Wear it up against your collarbone for a sophisticated look, or low on the breastbone for something more traditional.

Then think about scale. Silver necklaces come in an almost unlimited number of designs. If you are a dainty size 8, stick to dainty pieces that won’t swamp you. If you are taller or bigger boned, you can get away with a bolder silver necklace with more detail, and heavier silver pendants. 

Whatever you shape, size or age, there IS a silver necklace out there for you.

Until I started Corazon Latino, I never thought about wearing pendants. I had a selection of necklaces, some of which were pendants on a simple cord, but the concept of a separate pendant hadn’t really occurred to me. Then one of my artisans showed me what was to become our original Chunky Charms.

These chunky silver charms really got me hooked. They are beautifully made using a special technique whereby each one is handmade as a tiny silver box with top, bottom and a curved side between them. This means we can offer a really thick, chunky charm without it weighing a ton. It also means every one is a little bit different. Because they are not too heavy they can even be adapted into a high impact charm for a chunky bracelet (my thanks to Barb in Wisconsin for that idea). From this set of 4, we have developed a full range of interesting and unusual pendants.

New for Summer 2008, I am about to introduce some stunning handmade pendants with Baltic amber encased in silver. Watch this space for more about them…

All of our Silver Pendants are incredibly versatile. Not only can you wear them on our silver chokers, or Juno cords but you can also mix and match them with any ribbon, chain or cord you happen to have handy, allowing you to create your own perfectly coordinated look (we did it with our stunning crystal cross and a lovely green ribbon). Make sure you check the size of the aperture on the pendant and compare that to the biggest part of your chains clasp to be sure it will fit.

By changing what you hang our lovely silver pendants on; from thick to thin chokers, silver simple chains, leather laces or even different coloured ribbons, you can create an endless variety of jewellery that can be redesigned every time to match your outfit. hand one of our pendants on a choker length velvet ribbon for a sexy, feminine look. Swap to a solid silver choker for a much more contemporary feel. Several of our pieces are unisex and look fantastic on guys on a simple leather thong. The Chameleon and Vela crosses look fantastic on men, as does the Eclipse chunky crescent moon charm. Mix and match your silver pendants with other pieces of jewellery to create your own unique look.