August 19, 2021

Everything You Need to Know About Precious Australian Teal Sapphire

Teal sapphires are becoming increasingly popular in jewellery markets across the world, making them one of the top engagement ring trends of the past year. This unique gemstone exhibits two of nature’s most captivating colours; deep ocean blue and vivacious green. Tibetan Buddhists believe teal signifies the infinity of the sea and the sky, while for the ancient Egyptians, it represented truth and faith.

Since Australian Teal Sapphires are relativity new to the market, there is very little information on this precious stone, so today we’re diving into the world of teal sapphires!

What exactly is a teal sapphire?

This rare gem is a sibling stone to the classic blue sapphire. Prior to the discovery of teal sapphires, Montana sapphires were the main source. Fast forward to today, teal sapphires can be found in Australia, Cambodia, Madagascar, Nigeria and Thailand. They are ethically sourced due to mining restrictions.

Teal sapphires are created when the stone contains an equal mix of blue and green, with a hint of yellow. With the rarest and most valuable grade of teal sapphire made of a completely equal 50/50 blue-green combination.

Why do people consider teal sapphire special?

Teal sapphires are earthy, unique, and mystical. People consider this gemstone special due to its clarity. The first thing that one sees is inclusion - inclusion is anything that can be easily seen in the stone.

Durability

Sapphires are an incredibly durable gemstone, making them ideal for everyday wear. You will be glad to know that this Sapphire ranks 9 out of 10 on the Mohs mineral hardness scale. Meaning they’re the second hardest, natural stone next to diamonds. You can be confident sapphire is sturdy enough to withstand a lifetime of wear.

Things to look out for before purchasing this gemstone:

To ensure the gem is real, you’ll need to expose it to light. It should always have a teal, deep bluish-green or greenish-blue hue to it. In rare cases, your stone may have a colour-changing or colour shiting effect. If this ever occurs, then you make sure to invest in it, as it‘s a valuable gem.

Should have a perfect cut

Symmetry is everything when it comes to picking the perfect teal sapphire. Choose a stone that has been perfectly cut for the highest possible quality.

The cut of the stone has a significant impact on the beauty of the stone too. Research says that an oval cut is the most ideal shape to truly showcase the colours and shades. Whereas other cuts may make the stone appear darker.

Properly reflect light

Another important thing to look out for is that it should perfectly reflect the light. The teal should be sparkling or shining. Your stone should have large windows. You can refer to the centre of the stone as the window. When a stone has a window the light transmits right through it.

The gemstone’s colour doesn’t change when it's exposed to light. Although natural and artificial lights will have different effects on this stone. Natural lighting conditions make the gem look the best.

Have smooth surface

When looking at sapphires, you’ll want to make sure it has a polished or smooth surface. A gemstone with bumps will not be pleasing to the eye or ideal. You won’t want to add that to your jewellery collection.

So that's it for teal sapphires, hopefully, this article will help you find the stone of your dreams.

January 14, 2021

REAL vs FAKE #3 | Huda Beauty Naughty Nude Eyeshadow Palette

Huda Beauty's latest palette - New Nude launched on the 1st of November, just over two weeks ago and there are fake palettes quickly distributing around the market already! It's scary how quickly they can manufacture counterfeits and what's even scarier is there isn't one fake palette but 3! There's probably more but I'll show you the ones I've found, let's get right into comparing the real with the fakes.

► Packaging

REAL: The box packaging is white, and the font is nude pink with gold outlines. As for the eyeshadow packaging, it's printed with a matte finish, "Nude" reflects a halo when it catches direct light and the Huda Beauty logo is also embossed like the rest of her rest palettes. The font colour for the Huda logo is gold on the original palette.

FAKE: The box packaging is silver with a shiny halo reflect. The font is also much smaller than the original. The eyeshadow packaging is printed in a shiny finish and it also reflects halo on the whole cover, not only on the word nude. The font colour for the word "Nude" isn't nude pink like the original, it's straight-up halo silver. As for the Huda logo, the font is a different colour from the original - Huda is in white and Beauty is in gold.

► Eyeshadow Shades

REAL: The original has stunning shimmers with large foil-like pieces, pressed glitters, mattes and a concealer. The colour theme is centred around cool-toned pinky mauves.

FAKE 1: This is the first one of the fake palettes, I would say they got the colours pretty close! It's only a little tad more vibrant. If the palette was all matte, it would be quite hard to differentiate the real from the fake. We know this one is a fake because the glitter and shimmer shades are completely off, I guess Huda's textured shadows are hard to replicate and using basic shimmers helps to cut the cost down.

They all have something that helps you to easily spot it's not legitimate.

Please be careful when purchasing makeup online on sites like eBay, if you are not buying from the official retailer's websites or their stockholders! If you can, always ask the seller if they still have the proof of purchase or if they could take photos of the palette inside so you can see what you're clearly getting. x

December 28, 2020

Brighter than my future | Neon Cargo Trousers - Femme Luxe Refinery

I’ve been living in these lime green neon cargo trousers from Femme Luxe. I’m obsessed with them! If my (future) dog ever lost me, he can spot me from miles away. 💁🏻‍♀️

All jokes aside, I’ve been waiting for the neon trend to make a comeback for ages. Do you remember back in the 2000s, there was a neon phase where everyone wore bright leg warmers and mesh tutu skirts? What a vibe. There's just something about neon that brings me so much joy.

These photo don’t do the trousers any justice, they’re so much brighter in person, it’s actually brighter than my future. I love pairing cargo trousers with basic crop top or bodysuit to let the elasticated sections and pocket detailing truly stand out.

In this outfit, I've styled the trousers with Vans Old Skool Trainers for a casual look. But if you want to dress it up, pop on some strappy heels to give your look a touch of attitude.

Outfit Details:

Corset - Femme Luxe

Neon Cargo - Femme Luxe

*Disclaimer: Items gifted by Femme Luxe.

December 23, 2020

The Best Sweaters to Gift This Winter-Holiday Season

Alexa, play Sweater Weather by The Neighbourhood.

Sweaters are arguably the most perfect holiday gift, right after socks of course. It's an absolute must-have for the chilly season and they're an extremely versatile item that can be gifted to women and men of all ages. There are plenty of styles to chose from - chunky knits, cardigans, button-ups, pullovers, turtle necks etc - which can make it tricky finding one you know someone is going to love.

To make your life and gift shopping experience easier, here are the best sweaters for women that make for fabulously cosy gifts this season.

Cashmere Sweater

If there is a special someone who really deserves to be spoiled, gift them a cashmere sweater. Cashmere is known as the “jewel of fabrics”, the luxurious material is incredibly smooth and soft against the skin. It's one of the most premium and comfortable sweaters a person can wear to make their everyday a little more special.

Not only will getting them a high-end, quality sweater like this show much they mean to you, it's also a timeless staple that they can wear for many years.

Geometric / Print Sweater

A geometric sweater is fun and bold, it's perfect for someone with a lot of personality.

For those festive silly gatherings, you can't go wrong with an ugly Christmas sweater, especially when it's paired with a funny hat. It's bound to brighten up their face and wardrobe when they open your gift. If your gathering is the completely opposite end of the spectrum or if you prefer to play it safe, opt for a print such as strips that can be worn at any time of the year.

Sweater Dress

Sweater dresses technically count as a sweater, providing an extra option for sweater loving women everywhere!

Sweater dresses look fabulous on pretty much everyone. It can be worn casually or dressed up with a belt for an elegant look. Short sweater dresses are ideal for the younger ones, while an over the knee style is more suitable for the older ladies. These women sweater dresses are a special gift that will leave your loved one speechless!

Cardigan

Everyone can appreciate a thick sweater they can wrap around themselves like a blanket. Imagine curling up by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate wearing a blanket-like cardigan - unbeatable cosiness.

A cardigan is perfect for any age, they come in all different length and styles so you can easily find one that reflects the personal tastes of the person for whom you are buying the sweater.

Mock & Turtle Neck Sweater

Who said cozy sweaters have to be oversized and unflattering?

Mock and turtle neck sweaters are personally my favourite. The fit gives off chic girl boss vibes and its fab for keeping your neck warm for those of us who don't like wearing scarfs. Mock neck sweaters look more expensive than they actually cost too. So, if you're looking to impress a fashion easter on a budget, a mock neck or turtle next sweater is the way to go.

December 14, 2020

These Jewellery Pieces Will Be Trending in 2021

Though we're all staying at home as much as possible, it doesn't mean you can't spice up your outfit with a little something special... Even if that outfit is your pyjamas that you've worn for three days in a row.

In the age of Zoom calls and waist-up dressing, jewellery can really jazz up your look and draw attention to your face. Jewellery has been overlooked for the larger part of 2020, but it's still extremely exciting to watch runway shows and get a head start on what trends to expect for 2021.

Do you remember the era of Pandora charms? We've evolved a long way since then. There are few new themes but for the most part, popular styles such as link chains, hoops, statements rings and many more are back on the catwalk. Trends come and go but the same timeless classics remain from year to year. Keep reading to find out the most prevalent, upcoming jewellery trends and styles that will be dominating 2021's fashion scene.

Chains

Among the statement pieces that will make a comeback in 2021 are chain necklaces, most of which will be chunky. Thick chain aren't going anywhere. We've already seen gold chains creep back into our Instagram feeds thanks to the Dior Danseuse Étoile Choker.

Most outfits elevate into a different look when accompanied by a bold chain. The colour isn’t much of a factor here - bronze, silver and gold chain accessories will raise the ante on any outfit it accompanies and give an aesthetic that is rebellious.

To style a chunky chain necklace, opt for a roll neck without prints and is ideally one colour. You can never go wrong with a black or white turtleneck. For the lower body, go for trousers which will give an athleisure vibe. If you prefer to display your femininity, accompany dainty chains with heels and a dress.

To ensure you’re on top of the game - let the chain do the talking and be the statement. Wear one solo or stack them up but don't pair it with other jewellery pieces as it will takeaway the chain's limelight.

Vintage

It is precedent that young women will take a toll on adorning their outfits with vintage touches. Vintage pieces are associated with character and charm - this attribute makes the owners feel special.

In jewellery trade terms, 'vintage' describes a piece that was made between 50 and 100 years ago, but don't worry if you can't get your hands on an actual vintage. Many jewellery designs that you see today were inspired by history. There are plenty of styles to choose from - Art Deco, Victorian, Renaissance and even Belle Epoque.

Jewellery is an excellent way of adding a touch of vintage to an outfit. Some of the vintage pieces that will make their debut in the styling world in 2021 include link style bracelets. These kind of bracelets allow the wearer to bring out a classic look in their outfit but in a low key manner.

A link gold bracelet, for instance, can be paired with a pair of detailed rings, unique ring for engagement, short gold chains or a watch. Gold is an outstanding colour well known for its resemblance with vintage pieces.

If you can't get enough of vintage treasures, large brooch style pins and clip on style floral earrings are perfect additional pieces.

Sterling Silver

The fine delicate sterling silver will also be back in 2021 for both its classic look and subtle nature. It will be redesigned in a way that reflects jewellery worn in the past few years but with a modern twist of vintage.

There are various wholesalers specialising in all silver jewellery such as pendants, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and silver rings. If you are on the hunt for an eye catching sliver piece with a pop of colour, opt for pendant earrings or necklaces. Most of these feature a cubic or crystal zirconia style stone. Cubic and crystal zirconia are said to be the next 'it' stone. They can be made into any cut or colour and they're sustainable.

If you are someone who prefers one type of jewellery for daily wear, a pair of tiny silver teardrop style earrings might be what you're looking for bring out the vintage accessory look. However, if you're more of a necklace person, there are many options for you ranging from a pendant drop with jewel features to a fine lariat style.

Moonstone pieces

Gemstones have been highlighted in the fashion world for a long period now, but in 2021, they will gain a lot of popularity. Among the gemstones that have meaning to enthusiasts, is Moonstone. The gemstone has been a favourite for many in June and it has been revered all through history. This piece of jewellery depicts happiness, hope and peace.

Among those who are for these pieces, are women. They are incorporating these jewellery pieces in their jewellery boxes with an aim to bring in positive energy and to enhance their pride. In 2021, the moonstone pieces will be made of white coloured gem and they will be worn as moonstone rings, earrings and pendants.

Statement rings

Layering rings has been a stylish trend especially in summer 2020 and this look will gain even more popularity in 2021. However, what will stand out are chunky and jumbo statement rings.

Unlike what we are used to wearing at most two chunky rings in different fingers - the rings will be worn with even more than two in each finger. The rings will be made of either plastic, metal or resin and the trend will be mixing the different materials to bring a clashing and bold look.

The cool and edgy trend works excellently with understated garments which are plain, letting the jewellery truly talk the spotlight.

Modern pearls

Guess what’s back? Pearls. These will be nothing like the ancient pearls you saw your grandmother wearing. They will be delicate pearl hoops embedded in sculptural bracelets or ear cuffs. In these, the classic pieces will have a reimagined update for summer which will be contemporary.

While women already love pearls, they are looking for an edgier, newer and less perfect way to wear these pieces. In simpler words, they are looking for a look that is pulled together and more undone at the same time.

*Disclaimer: Guest post by Gemone Diamond.