Fashion Rocks!

Val de Vie Wine & Polo Estate near Paarl in the Cape Winelands is a magnificent place to be on a sunny Cape day. This was the premier destination chosen by KLUK CGDT to host their CTFW 2009 Fashion Event. We joined a chic crowd of discerning guests and celebrities who sipped champagne on a veranda overlooking green polo fields before they were treated to a feast of gorgeous couture and adornment.

The event celebrated the union of KLUK CGDT's beautiful haute couture with BOEZAART BAUERMEISTER's elegant new collection "THE BLACK COLLECTION". KLUK CGDT's creations had a French twist with subdued colours and of course many black accents. This European influence married beautifully with BB's big multi-layered pearl strand neckpieces, with their large 'precious-metal lace' components.

We loved working with the KLUK team and look forward to many collaborations in the future!

More Pics at: KLUK at Facebook

Link to KLUK CDGT: KLUK Home

Rings of Change!

Here at BB we have never been hung up on an engagement ring being limited to a traditional, white diamond. Some of our most inspiring pieces to make, have included coloured diamonds and other precious stones.

So, when a client recently asked us about the history of the diamond solitaire we decided to do a little bit of research on the matter.....

• The first engagement ring fact that we stumbled across is the tradition of wearing betrothal rings on the fourth finger of the left hand. This is accredited to those romantics, the Greeks, who decided that this finger was the most appropriate as it's believed to be where the "vena amoris" or vein of love connects to the heart.
  
• The second fact is that diamonds were first used in an engagement ring in 1477. Before this, engagement rings had been growing in popularity but had seldom contained a diamond.
• Major diamond discoveries in South Africa, in the 1870s, made diamonds more accessible. Combined with modern cutting techniques, the popularity of the diamond really started to grow.
• It was Charles Lewis Tiffany, who cemented the future of the diamond solitaire in modern society in the 1800s and hence the Tiffany's solitaire became a symbol of engagement throughout Western society.

In modern society the rules no longer apply. Betrothal rings have become all about the individual. You may prefer a more traditional approach or working with us to create something truly unique. In many cases, inherited rings or stones are reworked in a more contemporary style without losing the history and memories associated with these natural materials.

The only rule worth remembering with engagement rings is that you give and receive them with the sentiment that they stand for...the truly individual love between you and your partner.

Jazzy Jewels

I was recently over in South Africa, visiting our main studio in Stellenbosch. The rubble has at last been cleared to reveal the luxe new entrance way.

In celebration, we flung open the doors and hosted an evening of live jazz, bubbles and precious baubles.

Koba, our sales and events co-ordinator extraordinaire, created an amazing evening. It was a bit of a family affair as her talented, acclaimed brother, Pierre-Henri Wicomb provided the sassy tunes. .

With a lingering summer eve and to the wonderful strains of Uptown, it was great to catch-up with the team and meet some of our local clients.

BB and the Beasts

Bijoux, the Great Dane, was this week strutting his stuff at a photo shoot with BB. He was a hound for all seasons in his monochrome Pearl and Black Agate Neckpieces. 

The poor beauty was a little shy in front of the bright lights but loved the ‘droe wors’ treats that were kept on hand.

Beautiful, Darling!!

I recently attended the wedding of close friends, Sally Emslie & Paul Mackenzie. They had chosen the whimsical setting of Darling, in the Namaqualand.  The couple is based in London but with Sally having grown up in SA and Paul’s family being from Yorkshire, England, a wedding celebration was a good excuse to get both worlds to collide under an African sky!

BB worked with Sally to design a strikingly simple engagement ring and wedding band. With strong lines and an interesting combination of smoky Topaz, white gold and diamonds, it perfectly matches Sally’s design style.

Sally also chose two pieces from our new Black Collection for her wedding day. The asymmetrical filigree tiara band and our oversize cuff. The lace pieces worked beautifully with her vintage influenced dress.

There is no doubt that Sally was a contemporary and stylish bride who lit up the room but for us the magic was seeing a couple, so obviously in love,  enjoying every second of their celebration with close friends and family.

Photos by: Shanna Jones Photography

Location: Cloof Wine Estate, Darling

Spring- Fever

On Monday, Jeanine sent me this pretty pic from our studio in Stellenbosch.

We are still waiting for the building works to finish in the entrance hall but when they do, we'll have a beautiful new glass case to display our jewels in.

Perhaps we should have a party to celebrate.

Cuff Love!

Phew, what a start to 2009! The main studio in Stellenbosch is getting a luxe overhaul. We have been featured in glossies on both sides of the Equator and we have some exciting events tucked up our sleeves for the coming year. Talking of sleeves, I've been addicted to wearing our black, filigree cuffs on both wrists. With the lace trend injecting every area of fashion, the intricate design brings the simplest, white shirt bang up to date. 

Adding a double whammy may not be everyone's cup of tea but I can't seem to get enough of flashing a bejewelled cuff. Inspired by this trademark BB design, we are also looking to expand our range of filigree items in the coming months. 

So, if you'd like to keep up with our BB news then bookmark this page and pop past regularly to see what's happening. 

We love it when our friends drop by!