ITS COMPETITION TIME!

At Steffans we like to support local businesses and enjoy working together so we can offer more to our customers. Vintage Garms is an online retailer based in Northampton selling vintage and retro clothing and they are offering Steffans facebook fans the opportunity to win 100 pounds in vouchers to spend on their website!

All you need to do to win this great prize is post your favourite picture of your vintage jewellery or watches on our facebook wall (be as creative as you like!) then simply Like the Vintage Garms facebook page.

Vintage Garms source and gather good quality vintage and retro clothing with a bit of Retrend which is their own spin on what you are wearing today thrown in.

 Retrend (re trend)

1. Turning old into new.

2. Creating new influences from old ideas.

3. To take old used clothing and make fashionable. 

The team at Steffans are also fans of vintage items, especially jewellery and watches, as a lot of pieces have an interesting story or tale behind them. They can often be passed on from generation to generation within families and worn in many different ways. If you need ideas for your photos or want to view our range follow the links below:

Jewellery: http://www.steffans.co.uk/vintage-m-23.html

Watches: http://www.steffans.co.uk/vintage-watches-c-673.html

Good luck...we can't wait to see your photos! 

*Competition ends 21.08.13, there will be one winner announced 22.08.13, terms and conditions apply.

FLORA COLLECTION BY GUCCI

FLORA COLLECTION BY GUCCI

Flora, one of the most loved Gucci icons, was born as a special commission for Princess Grace of Monaco in 1966. The princess had paid a visit to the Gucci store in Milan with Prince Ranier. Having bought a green bamboo bag Rodolfo Gucci insisted she selected a gift. When she finally relented to his request she asked for a scarf. Rodolfo was distressed: he felt Gucci lacked one special enough for his distinguished guest. He immediately contacted the renowned illustrator Vittorio Accornero, to design the most beautiful floral scarf he could create. The next day Accornero returned with his painting: it was the Flora, a multicoloured flowered template that was destined for an unimaginably extended future.

Over the years, Flora kindled such long-lasting affection among European women that they passed it onto their daughters. One was Princess Caroline of Monaco, who wore a blouse in her mothers scarf-print as a teenager; another, the much younger Frida Giannini, whose own mother loved the print as a girl in Rome. Re-connecting with that desirable emotion, Gianninis revived Flora on printed canvas bags for summer 2005 was met with overwhelming demand. Other Flora variations, re-scaled, re-coloured and abstracted, made it onto Forties and Seventies inspired print dresses for summer 2006, into jewellery and on evening bags. They were all hits: living proof of the power of a Gucci icon 40 years after it was first imagined.

Add a touch of Flora to your collection, now available at our Northampton store. 

GIFTS FIT FOR A PRINCE

Prince George has just turned 2 weeks old, and we are all still hungry for news of Britains latest Royal. Gifts are still pouring in from around the world, not only for the little man but for his parents also; we have put together a roundup of just some of the presents received by well wishers on a global scale. 

Source: http://www.play.com/Books/

Political Leaders

The countrys party leaders David Cameron and Nick Clegg have both opted for traditional gifts for the newborn, with Cameron sending a Roald Dahl boxset ready for when the Prince has learned to read, and Clegg sending a gift that can be used now, a two piece set of a cot cover and sheet, that has been hand embroidered by nuns in Cleggs wife Miriams home village in Spain. Not to be outdone, Labours Ed Milliband also sent along his best wishes along with an apple tree. Yes, that is right, an apple tree. Classed as a traditional growing gift for a firstborn son. Sourced from the London Orchard Project and the Brent Eleven Streets Residents Association, the tree apparently is quite established and already has fruit growing.London Mayor Boris Johnson has opted for a more active gift that links nicely to the capital, a bright blue tricycle to keep the young prince in line with Londons cycling policies, as well as encouraging a healthy lifestyle.

Source: http://bit.ly/1epS2Vc

The Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust has gifted the baby with a handwritten scroll bearing his name and date of birth, presented in a leather case to his parents until he is old enough to keep it safe. Prince William was likewise presented with one for his birth 31 years ago.

Source:http://bit.ly/187FoZA

The Scouts of Lake Windermere met the Princess back in March and knew then they had to get her something special for the birth, and their chosen baby carrier is a perfect present to combine the two. Simon Leader, Scout Leader, travelled to the Lindon Wing to deliver the gift in person.

The Greene King Pub in Cambridge, have reserved a seat for the Prince, currently in highchair form but they have promised the seat will grow along with him. William and Kate visited the pub during her pregnancy and pub manager John Cecchini knew he had to do something special to mark the occasion. A plaque on the wall also denotes the special occasion.

Leading baby cream brand Sudocrem have gone all out to mark the Princes birth with their gift of a 10,000 pounds Theo Fennell unique miniature Sudocrem pot that doubles as a nappy rash cream holder. His initials are also engraved onto a disc charm that accompanies the pot. 18ct white gold and encrusted in jewels, this is definitely a gift that mixes practicality with style!

Gifts from Overseas

Australia decided to show their love to the Prince by sending over a stuffed Bilby toy. The Bilby, a desert dwelling omnivore, will be accompanied by classic childrens tale Possum Magic. Australias gifts dont stop there, however. A research project at Taronga Zoo into the Bilby will be named in Prince Georges name with 10,000 dollars funding. Additionally, the tropical Northern Territory of Australia have named a baby crocodile George, his egg hatched on December 3^rd  (the date the couple announced their pregnancy). George joins Kate and William the crocodiles located in Darwin to make up the crocodile royal family, so named after the royal couple upon the announcement of their engagement. Finland opted for a slightly more traditional approach with their gift, a baby box given to all expectant mothers in Finland. This contains, amongst other things, clothes, a bath towel, bra pads and condoms for the parents.

Gifts for the new parents

Prince George hasnt been the only recipient of gifts since his birth. Nick Clegg also sent a bag of his favourite coffee to the couple, and William has also crafted his own bespoke brooch for Kate as a thank you for giving him his son. Whereas on their engagement he presented her with his mother Dianas ring, this gift is brand new and comes from the heart. Reports so far say this will be a brooch with a pink diamond as the centrepiece.

ON THIS DAY: GRAFF DIAMONDS ROBBERY 6TH AUGUST 2009

Four years ago today, a staggering 40 million pounds worth of jewellery was stolen from Graff Diamonds jewellery store, on New Bond Street, London. Considered the biggest ever gem theft in Britain, the thieves stole a reported 43 pieces of jewellery. A varied selection of bracelets, rings, watches and necklaces were taken with one bracelet estimated to be worth 3.5 million pounds alone. This was not the first time the Graffs New Bond Street premises had been targeted in recent times. Back in 2003 the same jewellery store was robbed by two men that were part of the Pink Panthers, an international jewel thief network. The men stole 47 pieces of jewellery worth an estimated 23 million pounds.

The events of four years ago began when the two robbers got the professional expertise of an unknowing make-up artist. The two men had their appearance changed dramatically, making them look unrecognisable from their true appearance. Latex prosthetics and wigs were applied to the men and even their skin tone was altered to complete the disguise. Apparently the process took the make-up artist four hours in total, who was told it was all being done for a music video. Coincidently, this was also the same professional make-up studio that unknowingly helped disguise some affiliates of the gang that stole 53 million pounds from a depot belonging to Securitas in 2006, Britains largest robbery.
Four years ago today at 4.40pm, the two robbers appeared by taxi at the Graff Diamonds jewellery store in London. Both men were smartly dressed and even though both were wearing leather gloves, the men were allowed entry into the building. The robbers then immediately produced two handguns, threatening the stores staff. At gunpoint they forced shop assistant, Petra Ehnar, to remove the contents of the stores display cabinets. She was then taken hostage and forced onto the street so that the men could get away. Then releasing Petra, one of the men fired a shot from the gun into the air, sparking confusion, then briskly escaping the scene in a blue BMW. The getaway car was dumped in nearby Dover Street, a second gunshot was fired into the ground, and then the men got into a silver Mercedes. The two men changed into a third vehicle on Farm Street, police having no idea of their whereabouts. As the men had such elaborate disguises, CCTV would not pick up their true identities, keeping their presence discreet and everyday looking. Shop assistant Petra later testified that the men would have killed her if she did not co-operate with their demands. The Graff logo was previously laser-inscribed into all of the diamonds stolen along with a Gemological Institute of America identification number.Police investigating the heist established that the robbers had a well thought out plan and probably even had an active market primed for the stolen jewels. All UK airports and ports were provided with all the relevant details of the suspects, but police believed the escape route was prepared well in advance and the men would have already fled the country. The case was investigated by the Barnes Flying Squad and led by Chief Inspector Pam Mace; specialists in armed robberies.
Since none of the jewellery has been recovered, it is estimated that Graff Diamonds owner, Lawrence Graff (72), suffered a loss of around 6.6 million pounds as a consequence of the robbery. The actual value of the stolen items was put at 26 million pounds for insurance purposes.The suspects were caught after police found a pay as you go mobile phone in one of the getaway cars. The robbers had left the car in a rush after crashing into a black cab, forgetting to bring the mobile device, leaving it between the hand-brake and the drivers seat. Police were then able to track the suspects movements, through numbers stored on the phone.
On August 20^th 2009, Craig Calderwood (26) and Solomun Beyene (24) were the two men arrested and charged in connection with the robbery. The next day, a third man, Clinton Mogg (42) was also charged. All three men were remanded in custody to appear in Kingston Crown Court on September 1^st. By the middle of October that year, ten male suspects were thought to have been involved and arrested in connection with the robbery. Suspects were charged with attempted murder, conspiracy with others to commit robbery, possession of firearms, holding someone hostage and using a handgun to resist police arrest. Aman Kassaye was the handed the largest sentence of all the men involved. He was given 23 years imprisonment on 7^th August 2010 for planning and executing the heist. The sentence was given at Woolwich Crown Court, after a trial that lasted nearly three months. Thomas Thomas, Solomun Beyene and Clinton Mogg were all given 16 years imprisonment, also getting convicted for conspiracy to rob. Experts believe that nearly all of the valuable stones in the jewellery have most likely been fragmented apart, so they could be sold on anonymously around the world after being re-cut.

Image credits:www.guardian.co.uk

THE EVENING EMERALD

Theo Fennell Gemfields Emerald Opening Kissing Frog Ring

If you are lucky enough to be born in sunny, summery August, then peridot is the birthstone for you. Known by The Romans as the evening emerald and the Egyptians as the gem of the sun, this gorgeous olivine stone was traditionally mined at night as it was not easily detected during the day. Known for its love, faithfulness, truth and loyalty properties, peridot is also the wedding anniversary gift celebrating sixteen years of marriage. As with most stones, peridot was thought to contain special powers. Traditionally it was strung onto donkey hair and then tied onto the left arm to ward off evil spirits and if the stone was held under the tongue of a person with a fever, the stone was thought to lessen the symptoms.

Peridot is one of the only gems that only occurs in one colour, which is an olive green. The tint, shade and intensity of the gem depends on how much iron is present in the structure meaning they can vary from yellow to olive – brownish green. The most valuable peridot colour is a dark olive green. 

Pandora August Birthstone Ring

Mentioned in the bible, peridot is considered a sacred stone by Christians with many holy men to this day wearing rings containing the stone along with amethyst as a symbol of morality and purity.

Peridot wears well having a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs mineral hardness scale, which is similar to garnet and jade and is considered an affordable stone. The largest recorded cut peridot is 319 carats and was mined in Burma, which is still the place that leads the peridot mining, followed by Australia, Hawaii and Brazil.

Happy Birthday to all those born in August! 

JACKIE KENNEDY ONASSIS - A UNIQUE JEWELLERY COLLECTION

Source: www.chilango.com

Jackie Kennedy Onassis, a global style icon, was born Jacqueline Lee Bouvier on the 28^th July 1929 in Southampton, New York.  In 1953, she married John F. Kennedy and became the First Lady in 1961, when JFK became the 35^th President of the USA.  Jackie became a widow in 1963 following the assassination of JFK and five years later she found happiness again and married Aristotle Onassis.

Throughout her life Jackie was an incredibly stylish figure; Oleg Cassini, an American designer, was responsible for her outfit styling during her time as the First Lady.  Jackie was also famed for her Chanel suits and her love of designers such as Dior and Givenchy. Famously, she also owned one of the most expensive collections of jewellery in the world. From the multi-string pearl necklaces which she accessorised her first lady wardrobe with, to the stunning pieces bought by JKF and Onassis, here we take a look at a few of the most notable pieces.

The JKF Engagement Ring:  In 1953, JKF presented Jackie with a stunning engagement ring, designed by Van Cleef and Arpels, the ring consisted of a 2.88 carat diamond, together with a 2.84 emerald, with baguette shaped cut diamonds also featuring in the setting.  In 1962, round and marquise diamonds were also added when the ring was re-set, enhancing this beautiful ring further.

The Berry Brooch: Jackies jewellery collection also featured many brooches, one of her favourites was a berry brooch designed by Jean Schlumberger, Tiffany And Co.  This beautiful brooch featured a fruit design fashioned with rubies and a selection of diamonds for the leaves and stems.  It is said that this unusual piece was given to Jackie by JFK to celebrate the birth of their son.  Later Aristotle Onassis commissioned Tiffany And Co to design a bracelet to match this sentimental piece of jewellery.  The gold bracelet featured rubies, amethysts, diamonds, and sapphires.

The Lesotho III Ring: Jackie also received an incredible 40 carat Lesotho III diamond ring, from Aristotle Onassis when she agreed to marry him.  This stunning marquise diamond was the 3^rd largest stone to be cut from a 601 carat rough diamond.  This beautiful ring was designed and crafted by Harry Winston, and had a platinum setting.  Amazingly, the ring went on to be sold for $2.59 million at Sothebys in 1996.

Van Cleef & Arpels Earclips: Another wedding gift from Onassis was a pair of Van Cleef & Arpels ruby and diamond earclips, this romantic gift was one of a number of items of jewellery Jackie received on her wedding day from her husband. The earrings featured a flower design detailed with diamonds and finished with a cabochon ruby.

The Three Strand Pearls: Kenneth Jay Lane was one of those responsible for designing the elegant jewellery Jackie wore during her time as the First Lady.  The simple, yet classic 3 strand pearl necklace designed by Lane, became instantly associated with Jackie as part of her iconic look, together with her pillbox hats and gloves. Pearls have continued to feature in jewellery fashion, and although often understated they remain a timeless classic.

As well as classically elegant pieces, gold cuffs also featured in Jackies jewellery collection. One pair were hammered gold in design - an accessory which would fit in with todays fashion trends.

Jewellery designs continue to be influenced by the stunning pieces in Jackies collection, with beautiful stones used in these sometime elaborate designs, but always with a class and elegance that was Jackie Kennedy Onassis. 

ROYAL BABY

We have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Royal baby. Now the new Prince is finally here we would like to say congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge! How will you commemorate this very special event? Perhaps this cute Thomas Sabo charm will be the perfect gift to mark the occasion!

We wish them all the best for the future!