Silver Jewellery : The blog of online jeweller Corazon Latino

28 September 2010

Chunky contemporary spinning silver mantra rings from Corazon Latino

We decided to make our range of silver soulmate rings after falling in love with a simple version I picked up in a market in Guanajuato in central Mexico. I've worn mine every day for the past 5 years and I still love it.

For those of you who are not familiar with this style of ring, let me explain...

These rings are made by creating two separate rings, a smooth outer ring which acts like a track and a decorated inner ring which sits and spins freely within the outer track. Not only are they a masterpiece of engineering (they have to fit perfectly to spin smoothly) they are also incredibly soothing to wear. Whenever I feel stressed out, or I'm just thinking hard, I find myself playing with my ring, twisting the inner ring round and round, and it's really very pleasing.

I thought I'd discovered something new with this, but it turns out the Buddhists got there before me! On further investigation, not only do the Mexicans make these lovely rings, but they are also common in Tibet where they are known as Mantra rings, and are decorated with a variety of Buddhist mantras to protect the wearer or to bring them luck. The idea being that you slowly rotate the inner ring while repeating your mantra (no wonder they're soothing!)

Our spinning rings are handmade specifically for us in 4 different designs. They are chunky silver rings, weighing in at between 9 & 10g each and as with all of our silver jewellery, they are hallmarked to guarantee that they are genuine sterling silver.(if you see similar style rings elsewhere, make sure you check for weights and hallmarks as they can be made much lighter to reduce the price)

At the moment we offer our 2 most popular designs Altair and Antiope in 4 sizes from XS to L, while the other 2 Artemis and Amalthea are available in the 2 most common British sizes.

If you like the idea of one of these rings but don't want anything remotely traditional or ethnic, then I suggest Antiope is for you. A shimmering beaten finish that looks fabulous with our Jupiter silver bangle, it has a contemporary look that's perfect with today's pared back look.

If you prefer something a little more delicate, then Altair is for you. A slim line,
subtle design that would look lovely with our simple Tuscana bangle.

For a more Celtic feel, we have the pretty Artemis, with its complex knot-work band. I think it looks fabulous with our Sadira woven cable bracelet or our Columba silver bangle.

Last, but by no means least, for those who do want something a little more ethnic, we have the Amalthea whose central band is decorated with a repeating design of diamonds and dots.

With sizes ranging from a UK L to S, you can wear these fabulous chunky silver rings on anything from your thumb to your pinkie (just check out our size guide and take it from there). At just £50 including free UK delivery, why not get a couple? or combine one with one of our lovely handmade silver bangles.

Posted By Catherine D'Arcy - Founder Corazon Latino At 20:55 • Trackbacks (0)

26 September 2010

The price of silver hits a 30 year high

Times are tough for businesses no matter what they do. At Corazon latino we are truly fortunate to have loyal customers who have stuck with us throughout the recession, and who are kind enough to pass our details along to friends and colleagues so that we continue to grow depite the economic climate.

While we are doing fine, we, and every other jeweller out there are fighting against soaring prices for both gold and silver as a result of investors getting out of stocks and shares in US and UK companies and investing in the more secure commodities like gold and silver. While I'm all for prundent investment, it is a massive pain in the back side, when you are trying to run a business who's products are based on said commodity.

This week, silver reached it's highest price per ounce since September 1980, not because supplies are running low, or even because demand is high, simply because a whole load of people decided to buy it instead of oil company shares, foreign curency, property or pork bellies.

This means that as we all prepare for Christmas and buy the raw silver that our artisans will be turning into silver jewellery for sales in November and December, we will be paying 20% more for it than we did 3 months ago.

Fortunately, when it comes to jewellery, it isn't all about the price of the silver. We also pay our artisans for the time, skill and workmanship that goes into each of our pieces of jewellery, and we have a number of other costs across the business which are not on the rise. However, if I considering buying silver jewellery, I would buy it sooner rather than later, as eventually these rises will have to make their way to the final sales prices, and with UK VAT increasing from January. silver jewellery is only going to get more expensive over the next few months.

Posted By Catherine D'Arcy - Founder Corazon Latino At 18:21 • Trackbacks (0)

21 September 2010

Unusual silver necklaces, new from online jeweller Corazon Latino

If you're looking for a silver necklace that's a little different, then why not take a look at the new range of silver necklaces from online jewellery Corazon Latino. All corazon Latinno's silver jewellery is handmade and hallmarked so you know that every piece is beautiful made and sterling silver, but not only that, it's also different!

If you taste runs to contemporary design, then why not try their lovely Ganymede and Lares necklaces. Handmade using 99% pure Karen hilltribe silver, they have a minimal look, but plenty of style for maximum impact. Or what about the fun and funky take on soldiers dog tags, the lovely Thebe, available with a matching bracelet that updates the now so common charm bracelet.

If you prefer something a little more traditional, but still want to look at little different, then why not try one of their unusual Mexican silver necklace, from the Pegasus to the Rana, Thalia to Rhea, one of these unusual silver ecklaces is sure to appeal. If you want to cpmplete the look (or you're a guy looking for an extravagant gift) each of these lovely chains also has a matching silver bracelet.

So don't settle for a simple chain, go for a silver necklace that really speaks for you.

Posted By Catherine D'Arcy - Founder Corazon Latino At 20:01 • Trackbacks (0)

20 September 2010

Sooth your unborn baby or improve your golf swing...

Originally created by the ancient Celts who used their chimes in meditation to commune with nature, harmony balls have evolved over time, and are now used all over the world under many different names. Known as pregnancy bolas all over the Latin world, they are used by expectant mums who swear by the delicate chiming pendants to sooth their unborn babies. From the cheapest tin, to solid silver, these lovely musical pendants are hung around the neck and balanced on the bump where the gentle chimes are said to soothe babies from 20 weeks onwards.

We loved the idea when we first heard about them, and decided to start simple, with a smooth bola in sterling silver. Not only does the solid silver give it a beautiful soft chime, but it also makes it perfect for engraving so you can add your baby's name and date of birth after the big day.

Now, no one at Corazon is expecting a baby any time soon, but we absolutely fell in love with this gorgeous chiming pendant, so rather than just offer it to expectant mums we thought everyone deserved a reason to wear one. So not only do we offer it on a pair of pink and blue ribbons 1.5m long (long enough for the biggest bump, and quick and easy to tie and adjust to fit you perfectly) we also have it on a delicate silver chain in a choice of lengths.

Both my sister and I have one. Mine keeps me chilled out on all those long haul flights sourcing new jewellery. My sister wears hers on the golf course 9when she has time for 18 holes) and she swears it imporve her golf swing.

So whether you're expecting a new addition to the family, thinking of being the next Tiger Woods, or just feel a little tightly wound, why not take a moment and sooth your mind with our lovely chiming silver pendant...

We're already working on a new selection of these gorgeous pendants, so who knows what will come next.

Posted By Catherine D'Arcy - Founder Corazon Latino At 20:59 • Trackbacks (0)

08 September 2010

Lovely Karen hilltribe silver jewellery new from Corazon Latino

For the past 5 years we have worked with artisans in Mexico and Thailand to develop our exclusive range of handmade silver jewellery. This year, for the first time, we headed into the hills of Northern Thailand in search of new designs using the beautiful silver of the Karen Hilltribe people.

The Karen hilltribe people are one of the largest ethnic groups in Thailand, with a population of around 400,000 (many more live over the border in Myanmar). Originally thought to be from Tibet, they have been in Thailand since the 12th century. They live in close-knit communities in small villages dotted throughout the remote mountainous region west of Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand.
Living in multi-generational families (with 3 or 4 generations living together), in peace with nature and the forest in which they live, they are famed for their beautiful cloth, dyed using a combination of man made and natural plant dyes and woven by hand on traditional strap looms with patterns handed down from generation to generation (we have just launched a range of their handmade bags on our sister site Love the Bag Love the shoes.

They also make stunning silver jewellery. The silver is bought in ingots, melted down using simple blow lamps, and then small pieces are shaped by hand into delicate beads inspired by the plants and animals in their jungle home. Entire families get involved, with different members of the family specialising in different designs. Because the silver is melted down by blow torch, they are unable to generate the heat necessary to melt the copper commonly mixed with silver to create sterling silver, so Karen hilltribe silver is purer than sterling silver, usually 96-99.9% pure silver (sterling is 92.5% silver 7.5% copper). Because it is purer it is also softer (the copper is used to add strength) and it has a distinctive satin finish which makes it unmistakable (and un copiable).

New for Summer 2010, we have developed 8 lovely pieces using silver from the Karen hilltribe people. We have a stunning chunky bangle in a satiny silver oakleaf design, 2 bracelets made with chunky silver floral beads, and 5 gorgeous handmade silver necklaces. 2 of our necklaces; Flora & Diadem; are made using classic floral beads, one a chunky choker and the other a delicate multistrand necklace. 2; Lares and Gannymede; are contemporary designs using hand hammered and brushed silver beads. Finally there is Electra, an incredible silver necklace weighing in at a huge 165g made up of 10 strands of silver tube beads interspersed with handmade silver leaves, flowers and berries and a large central flower. Absolutely stunning.

For more information about the Karen Hilltribes themselves, visit the Karen Hilltribe trust a small, independent charity working in Thailand with the Karen people to see them empowered to help themselves in a sustainable way.

Posted By Catherine D'Arcy - Founder Corazon Latino At 20:17 • Trackbacks (0)