A little something: Ruth Tomlinson diamond rings

Uh oh. I've been bad again and left it a little while since last blogging. But BaselWorld, teamed with coming back to Professional Jeweller with WatchPro now a standalone magazine has meant, naturally, life has been mad busy. And I hate to admit it, but I like my weekends away from the computer after all week, 10 hours a day, in front of one...! Phew.

So, let's talk about jewels. Look at these lovely little rings from London-based jewellery Ruth Tomlinson. She's known for her delicate use of porcelain, creating rings with petal-like, bell-shaped porcelain charms that tumble from them. But the move into 9ct and 18ct gold natural diamond-set rings is a good'un. And I love them; for their disarray, their muddled feel, the haphazard yet delicate way the stones are set. Gorgeous. 

Anne Sportun - my new favourite designer

When it comes to fine jewellery I can be particularly picky. But when I find something I love I don't forget it in a hurry. While clean lines and a minimal look are something I appreciate, I also love jewellery that looks as though it has been hewn, crafted and is a little bit rustic. So comes Anne Sportun, a Canadian jeweller who has been making her unique style of jewels since the tender age of 16 (back in 1981, no less). Her work is now sold across the world and is still handcrafted to this very day. With the tagline 'precious everyday' these really are jewels to adore and to wear, whatever the occasion.

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A selection of 14ct white and yelow gold rings set with natural coloured diamonds,

coloured sapphires and tourmalines.

A little something: Rings by Brazen Studios

I was having a lovely chat about engagement rings earlier on with Sarah Raffel, the founder and director of Brazen Studios in Glasgow, for a piece I'm writing at work. The subject also touched on commissions, which always intrigue me.

I guess it's just the way that people get so thrilled (even those of us who think we don't have a creative bone in our body) being able to let their imagination run wild a bit. They soon realise that they can help create something beautiful that is all their own. It makes me think: just open your favourite childhood book, watch your favourite film, trawl through your wardrobe, think about that inspiring photograph or colourful piece of art and realise what's 'you'.

All of this is what brings a commission together and is something that Sarah actively encourages, creating visual briefs - mood boards of sorts - for each of her commissioning customers. One came to her with a page of architecture, full of Art Nouveau designs and unusual gothic ceilings and cornices. Bet you can guess which one of these it was. Utterly lovely.

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Marianne ring: green tourmaline ring set in 18ct yellow gold and palladium

Nouveau ring: 18ct red gold, palladium, brown diamond, white diamonds

Margo ring: 18ct red gold, pink sapphires, amethyst

A little something: Katie Rowland's Satori collection

Katie Rowland is best known for her fashion-forward, triple finger St.Tropez knuckledusters of 2010 - giant gold plated rings set with hunks of neutral hued quartz. These amazing rings caught many an eye and placed Katie firmly on the fashion jewels map. 

For 2011 she's released her debut fine jewellery collection, made in 18ct rose gold and set with unusual diamonds which glitter with a 'cracked glass' appearance. The Satori collection has been designed with a particular Japanese teaching in mind: finding beauty in objects which don't fit the notion of perfection. For many, where a diamond should be inclusion-free, of the rarest white colour and well cut, Katie is turning both that idea and the diamonds themselves on their head, creating alternative fine diamond rings suitable for any savvy jewellery lover.