Blog - Penchant Fine Jewellery

January’s Birthstone is a Garnet, which is also the gem for the 2nd Wedding Anniversary

I can’t believe it is January and the start of a new year! I am proud to say that Penchant Fine Jewellery had a great festive season. It is our busiest time of year as tourists and locals flood to the beautiful valley of Franschhoek. This results in high foot traffic, which leads to many happy faces popping into our store. We are so grateful to have heard more foreign voices and see more familiar faces in person this year. View our new branded store launch event here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CXxoFXZqemq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link On that positive note, I am wishing everyone a fabulous 2022 and will get straight onto sharing insights on the beautiful first birthstone of the year, the Garnet. is the Garnet family has vibrant and meaningful collections of gemstones part of its clan. The Garnet received its name from a sacred fruit, known as the pomegranate. Garnet, coming from the Latin word Garanatus, means seeds or seed-representing. Some garnets do resemble the seeds of a pomegranate (we will show some examples in our posts!), which is why this is the chosen name for these lovely family of stones. Garnet is also the gem for the second wedding anniversary. That reminds me! If it is your birthday or 2nd wedding anniversary this month then you can receive 15% off any Garnet item in our store. Shop our collection here: https://penchantdesign.com/collections/ Where is Garnet found? Garnet is found all over the world and isn’t subjective to a few locations. The stone is also close to the earth’s surface and not buried underneath mounds of pressure and sediment. The Garnet stone is created when rock and aluminium content are combined together. The Duchess of Cambridge’s birthday ring Let me share an interesting fact about Garnets…before the Duchess of Cambridge got engaged to Prince William, Catherine Middleton often wore a pearl and garnet gold ring. The press frequently speculated whether it was a gift from Prince William. Why? Because the garnet is the Duchess’s birthstone (she was born in January), while the pearl is Prince’s William’s birthstone (born in June). Lastly, I would like to remind all my lovely Penchant customers that I am running a competition where you can win a beautiful ring if you enter! All you have to do is post an image of your favourite Penchant piece, share with us why it is authentically you and tag us! The competition runs till the end of February 😊So, no excuse to not enter…go-go-go! Enter Now: https://penchantdesign.com/my-penchant-design-piece-competition/ Best of luck and hope to see everyone in the store again soon! Stay beautiful, Jackie and the Penchant Team

January 21, 2022

It is the season to be Sparkling!

Do you know why Tanzanite gemstones are so rare? The only place in the world where Tanzanites are found, are in Tanzania. This makes them 1000 times rarer than their diamond counterpart. Diamonds are found in various places all over the world and a lot are still undiscovered in the earth’s crust. The Birthstone for December is Tanzanite that has many colours that need to be considered as the finest blue hues and has the ability to question rare sapphire stones. Furthermore, it is one of the most covered gemstones in the world. Tanzanite is known as the only trichroic gemstone to man. Meaning, it has the ability to display three given colours at once depending on how light passes/reflects through it. It causes the stone to allow different colours to reflect on a different axis depending which axis you are looking at. The colours it reflects are shades of blue, violet and red. It is without a doubt that cutting a trichroic gemstone has its difficulties for obvious reasons. Therefore, depending on the way it is cut,that particular colour will shine more than the others. The most well sought out for tanzanite is the vivid blue colour therefore all gem cutters will try their best to cut the stone to that exact colour. How do you know if your tanzanite gemstone is good quality? Scale representing the quality of a Tanzanite (weakest to strongest) Often as a buyer or customer you are unaware of the finer details represented in a stone. To make things slighter easier for you we have included a scale measuring the quality of a Tanzanite stone. The best quality tanzanite as expressed before is that of a deep blue or violet colour. These colours will range from royal blues to vibrant violet to more paler shades. Some colours are brighter than others and that is all owed to how the gemstone has been cut and polished. You must know the brighter and richer the colour the better the quality. If you are looking for the best quality item of Tanzanite jewellery always look at the colour and compare, you cannot go wrong. You will see on the scale the colours on the left-hand side are considered to be ‘stronger’. and the right are ‘weaker’ Where does the Tanzanite stone originate from? Strangely enough the tanzanite is located at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and it is also the only place in the world where it is found,therefore, the name Tanzanite. Moreso, the tanzanite gemstone is known to be 1000 times rarer than that of a diamond. The biggest recorded Tanzanite is 16,839 carats well over 3kg and has been named ‘‘The Mawenzi’ after the second highest peak Mount Kilimanjaro. Meaning and properties Tanzanite is said to possess the qualities of good luck and prosperity as well as celebrations of new life and beginnings. The gemstone also holds mystical healing powers. It is supposedly meant to uplift and open the heart and assist with metaphysical healing. If you are looking for the perfect 45 wedding anniversary gift or want to spoil your special someone this Christmas, Tanzanite jewellery will be the perfect gift to say ‘I Love you”. We can assure you they will not be disappointed and you will feel like a princess. Would you like to find out more about these gemstones, follow us on Instagram or Facebook as we share our beautifully curated pieces throughout the month. Would you like to view any of our pieces in our store? We would love for you to come visit and see our collections or have something made especially just for you with our collection on display. Stay Beautiful, Jackie Hahn & Penchant Design Team

December 14, 2021

Penchant Design is Going Green!

In 2019 I was in Bali on vacation and while visiting the Gili Islands we went on a snorkelling tour. We dove down only to find a bleached coral graveyard. I was devastated, upset, and so shocked. I realised I had experienced my first ‘first-hand’ experience of global warming. Fast forward a couple of months later, I binge watched the second season of Blue Planet, narrated by David Attenborough. At the end he said that 800 million tons of plastic gets dumped into our beautiful oceans every single year. I realised this is not the way forward and it will only get worse. And so, I was left with a burning question: what can I do to make a lasting difference and impact? Becoming Sustainable And so, my low waste journey began. I started to become very aware of my waste and I started taking recycling, reusing, and repurposing things to a whole new level. However, I realised that even though I was practicing low waste at home, I was not practicing it at work where I was spending most of my time and energy. I had the power to change the direction of the business to move towards being a sustainable company. At first, we started small, I introduced my team to the basics of recycling. We found a company in the area that recycles, and they come to our shop on a weekly or fortnightly basis and collect our recycling. I can see that my passion for low waste has rubbed off on them a little and they often ask key questions and are curious about how to improve. Responsible sourcing and production Delving in a bit deeper…during our hard lockdown I was also inspired by Simon Sinek’s talk about ‘What is your why?’. It dawned on me that I am passionate about responsibly sourcing all our gemstones, metals, and materials. Our metal suppliers only make use of recycled metals, the supplier we use is just as passionate about their green footprint as we are. So, this part was easy. Subconsciously, I have been aligning the business with like minded companies. Gemfields is the first sustainable company we have aligned with,who supply ethically sourced rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. So, what does ethically sourced mean with regards to mining gemstones? It means the company is passionate about the environment and leaving a smaller carbon footprint, but also instead of aiding exploited artisanal miners, they employ people out of the community. Moreover, they focus on empowering women to start their own businesses and give back to the community they mine in. In addition, they also give conservational property back because of the areas they do mine in, creating more work and giving back to mother nature. The second company we align ourselves with are: De Beers Forevermark Diamonds. With 130 years of expertise in the diamond industry, they are the forerunners of the industry. Like Gemfields they also give back to the communities where they do the mining, in terms of job creation, supporting women in the area to start their own businesses and for every hectare they mine, they give 5 hectares back to conservation. Now that’s serious goodness! It also goes without saying that these companies (as well as ourselves!) are passionate about conflict free (blood diamonds or gemstones) gemstones and Diamond Trading. You can have peace of mind that your sparkly rock from Penchant Design hasn’t affected any person negatively, caused anyone harm or was the result of any human conflict or war. Our new local and sustainable product range Apart from our jewellery, we will also be launching a lifestyle section that consists of local products that are completely natural and biodegradable. More info on our new sustainable range will be coming soon! In conclusion, we are serious about leaving a kinder footprint on this earth and to source our materials in an ethical and responsible manner. This makes us happy…and proud! We will continue to find new ways to be more mindful towards mother nature. Afterall, there is only one of her. Author: Jackie Hahn, view Facebook page here: @CopyEditingSmit Also follow Zero Waste Ninja’s Instagram page here for helpful tips and alternative low waste products to use: @helo_waste_ninja Lauren Singer’s instagram page you can follow here: @trashisfortossers

November 29, 2021

The Birthstone for November is Blue Topaz or Citrine

Did you know that Blue Topaz is extremely rare? It is said to believe that topaz portray healing and peace properties. The gemstone was founded by Romans over two millennia ago on an island in the Red sea. The Romans believed it would protect them from evil and their enemies. During the gold rush of the 18th century, the Brazilian topaz became very popular amongst European aristocracy. The famous exquisite Braganza topaz is set in the Portuguese Royal crown. Colour Topaz is a silicate mineral of fluorine and aluminium. Interestingly blue Topaz is more rare and therefore needs to be heated and irradiated to obtain its colour. However, the heat treatment or irradiation is permanent and it won’t discolour after time. Blue Topaz can range from light blue to deep ocean blue. It also presents a slightly turquoise hue that resembles aquamarine. Due to the rarity of the topaz, it is important to treat this gemstone with the utmost care. We will be sharing some clean & caring tips with you too. Care and Cleaning Topaz is a natural crystal and therefore can be brittle if knocked or exposed to sudden change of temperature. It is recommended to use warm water and soap, use a cloth or soft toothbrush to clean your stone. Gently pat your topaz dry afterwards and it will be as good as new. Planning your Christmas shopping Can you believe we are approaching November already?! Now is the perfect time to start prepping for all your Christmas gifts. Spoil your special person with a divine item of Blue Topaz jewellery. These stones are perfect gifts for your 4th, 13th or 17th wedding anniversary as well. We also have gift vouchers that can be added or given as a gift for your loved ones to choose their own preferred item of jewellery. If you need any more convincing, the Blue Topaz appears in a variety of colours yellow, grey, red and colourless pale blue and pink. What about Citrine? Is an alternative birthstone for the month of November. It is known as the 13th anniversary gift. Citrine pairs perfectly with tourmaline, peridot or aquamarine. Moreso, it was wildly popular in the 1940s for its retro style. Colour The citrine gemstone has a beautiful golden glow to it. For many years people have treasured it as the gift from the sun. The name is derived from the french word citron, or lemon. The colour ranges from a light yellow to deep honey like yellows and browns. It is the perfect pop of colour to any outfit. Meaning Citrine has healing properties associated with it. Previously the warm colours evoked a sense of warmth, sun and illumination. The gemstone resembles romance, positivity, and happiness. Recently it has become the gemstone of vitality, freshness, new beginnings, mental clarity, and emotional well-being. None of us can deny that these last two years have been a roller coaster of emotions. We need to protect our emotional well-being daily. What a spectacular gift it would be? Care & Clean Citrine is not as brittle as topaz and is more durable. Although it is more durable it should avoid excessive exposure to high heat. To keep your gemstone clean try not wearing it whilst applying lotion or cleaning products. Clean with a mild dish soap in water with a soft brush behind the stone to remove any dust and greasiness. There are many more interesting facts about these 2 gemstones, which we will be sharing throughout the month on our social media platforms. Stay tuned for this month’s content and follow us on Instagram or Facebook. We have both of these gorgeous birthstones available for you to view in our store. We would love for you to come visit and see our collections or have something made especially just for you with our collection of loose stones on display. Stay Beautiful, Jackie Hahn & Penchant Design Team

November 12, 2021

The birthstone for October is either a Tourmaline or an Opal

Did you know Tourmalines come in nearly every colour? Can you believe it is October already!? A new month presents a new opportunity to share insights into the history and meaning of all the gorgeous gemstones. The name “tourmaline” comes from the Sinhalese words tura mali, which mean “stone of mixed colors.” Starting with Tourmalines that come in an array of beautiful and vibrant colours. From the deepest of blues and greens to the lightest of pinks and yellow, this stone comes in nearly every colour. A certain species of tourmaline, called schorl, can even come in black or dark brown. It’s thanks to this amazing colouration that this stone has earned the title of the ‘Rainbow Gemstone’. This gemstone happens to be one of my favourites for this very reason. What is so unique about a Tournamline? One of the reasons are that a Tourmaline is pleochroic, which means you can see different colours when viewed from different angles. In addition, you also get Bi-coloured Tourmalines as the crystals may be green on one end and pink on the other. The second reason is because a Tournamline can be as clear as a diamond! The only thing better than a wide variety of stunning colours is a colourful stone that allows light to pass through, creating a majestic effect that will leave onlookers in awe. Opal, the alternative birthstone for the month of October Along with tourmalines, Opal is the birthstone for the month of October too. It is also the stone given to celebrate the 14th year of marriage. The name Opal is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit upala, meaning “precious stone,” and later the Greek derivative “Opallios,” meaning “to see a change of colour.” How did the Opal stone form? Opal formed millions of years ago when heavy rains soaked the sun-baked ground in the arid desert, and rainwater carried a dissolved mineral called silica into cracks inside rocks. When the water dried, the silica deposits were left, and these layers formed Opal. Do Opals come in many colours? Yes, they do and each Opal reflects light differently therefore no two Opals are exactly the same colour. However, you get mainly 3 colour types. White Opal is the most popular type in jewellery because it’s pearly white colour is easy to wear and combine with any outfit. It can be milky, translucent or opaque, and it shows a stunning, pastel-shaded play of colour when you move it in the light. Fire Opal on the other hand comes in translucent orange, yellow or red hues. It is sometimes called Mexican Opal. Black Opal is the rarest type of Opal. Its background is very dark and because of this its play of colour really stands out. However, its price can be prohibitive and its dark colour is hard to wear; that’s why it is usually reserved for big, expensive statement jewellery pieces. There are many more interesting facts about these 2 gemstones, which we will be sharing throughout the month on our social media platforms. Stay tuned for this month’s content and follow us on Instagram or Facebook. We have both of these gorgeous birthstones available for you to view in our store. We would love for you to come visit and see our collections. Stay Beautiful, Jackie Hahn & Penchant Design Team

October 14, 2021

THE HISTORY OF THE SAPPHIRE GEMSTONE

We have reached the season of the blooms which only means a pop of colour. We are celebrating the birthstone of September, the Sapphire. As I am extremely passionate about gemstones, I wanted to shed light on some of the spiritual facts around this beautiful gemstone. This beautiful, bright blue gemstone has been around for centuries. The gemstone colour ranges from a medium to medium dark tones of blue. Unlike that of its counterpart stones, such as the Topaz and Tanzanite blue hues. The blue sapphire in particular has a connection to the throat chakra, and can be used to enhance self-expression. Royal blue sapphire also activates the third eye chakra, and it can help you become more aware of your own responsibility for your thoughts and feelings. It is said to enhance your integrity and wisdom. Did you know the most famous sapphire engagement rings belonged to the late Princess Diana? Traditionally, a Sapphire symbolises nobility, truth, sincerity and faithfulness. It is no surprise this gemstone is loved by so many. Including, that of the famous Lady Diana Spencer who received a 18 carat blue Ceylon Sapphire engagement ring in 1981. Since her passing Prince William proposed to the Duchess of Cambridge with the exact same ring. We like to believe that Lady Di placed a significant part in linking fairy tales to modern day history. With that being said, ancient Greek and Roman history suggest that both Kings and Queens wore Sapphires, as they believed it would protect them from all forms of envy and harm. Whereas the clergy and ordinary folk believed that the gemstone would attract heavenly blessings. Some even go as far as to say that it would instill peace between enemies, influence spirits and reveal the secrets of oracles. I prefer the second one! Today, Sapphires can be found all over the world, some of the world’s most valuable pieces have been found in Sri Lanka. A particular Sapphire was discovered in 2012 and weighed an impressive 42kg. Now that is a pretty remarkable find! We have created some truly magnificent and unique pieces from Sapphires, including the 18ct White Gold Sapphire Baguette cut Full Eternity ring. As well as the lovely custom design cluster Sapphire ring for one of our clients, to name but a few. Are you celebrating your 5th, 45th or 65th Wedding Anniversary this month? If you love the Sapphire gemstone as much as we do. Let us design a piece that is authentically you! If you wish to spoil a special someone this month and happen to be celebrating your 5th, 45th or 65th Wedding Anniversary, this is the perfect stone for you. Stay Beautiful, Jackie Hahn & Penchant Design Team

September 10, 2021

The month of August is all about the Peridot Gemstone!

Did you know that the Peridot originated from the Ancient Egyptians who described it as ‘the gem of the sun’? Peridot stones were carved by talismans who had to collect gems on behalf of the Pharaoh’s treasury. The significance in colour is owing to the rich, bright, and bold yellow extractions from the minerals. A famous tale suggests that the Peridot gemstone found its way to the shrine of the Three Holy Kings; however, for centuries, it was mistaken as an emerald. It’s believed that all the so-called emeralds Cleopatra wore were Peridots derived from Egypt. Peridot has since been described as an ‘Evening Emerald’, when you look at the gemstone under artificial light, you would think it is a bright green. Interestingly the two gems are similar in colour but a Peridot is softer in intensity. The more carats a Peridot contains, the more expensive and rare it is. The most famous Peridot to date is kept at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and the cut is 310 carat. Now that is a huge, gemstone. A summary of this beautiful gemstone: Birthstone: August Zodiac: Leo and Virgo Element: Earth Family Origin: Olivine A Peridot holds significant importance; not only is it the birthstone for August. It also signifies the 16th Wedding Anniversary mark. We love Peridot if you would like to visit our collection, please do so here: https://penchantdesign.com/collections/ Tips on Cleaning This Birthstone: We all know caring for your jewelry is imperative, especially cleaning those statement jewellery pieces. Like other gemstones, it is important to keep your Peridot jewellery away from other gemstones. Since more durable gemstones such as Emeralds, Ruby, Sapphire, and Diamond will scratch the Peridot if they’re paired together. Place them upright separately in your jewellery box in the designated ring section or in a separate ring box. It’s equally important to stay away from extreme heat sources like radiators or fire. Even the windowsill and prolonged periods in the sun have the potential to damage Peridot gemstone jewellery. Hot water and acids will also cause damage to this stone. Therefore we advise you to take extra care of your fine jewellery sets We would love to design a unique item of Jewellery that is authentically you and, we know you will love Peridot as much as we do! Stay Beautiful, Jackie Hahn & Penchant Design Team

August 27, 2021

Happy Women’s Month to all, we are proudly Woman owned.

I am proud to say that Penchant Design is a woman-owned business and I am the delighted owner. I have an immense passion for design as my personality is defined by creativity. I graduated from Stellenbosch University with a BA Hons degree in Jewellery Design and Manufacturing. I was fortunate to have won third place in the student category of a prestigious Anglo Plat design competition for a beautiful piece that is now proudly displayed in our shop. Thereafter, I completed a five-month internship at a jewellery company in Germany in 2011. It was in 2016, that I took over Penchant Design from the previous owners and have since developed the jewellery ranges according to my style. I am proud to say that Penchant Design is a South African brand and we are passionate about leaving a legacy of positivity for future generations. To achieve this, we are committed to sourcing all our gemstones and materials from local suppliers, as well as from sustainable sources (more about our sustainable story is coming in our September Blog) and we are proud to be in partnership with the De Beers Group of companies as the only Authorised Forevermark Jeweller in Franschhoek. I would love to hear more about your business and what you do, please share in the comments section below. To celebrate all Women I have decided to gift a Peridot gemstone which you can use to create a piece of jewellery that is authentically YOU in our store. All you need to do, to enter is: Follow Penchant Design on Facebook & Instagram Share this post to your story and Tag us Tell us why you love the Peridot birthstone Tag as many friends as you wish for more entries Winner announced on the 31st of August. Good luck to all you beautiful ladies! 👩🏻‍💚👩🏻‍ We would love to design a unique item of Jewellery that is authentically you. If you have old pieces of jewellery you would like to modernise, do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We offer the following platforms for consultations to suit your needs in these challenging times: *In-house consultations, book your appointment now with Jackie: info@penchantdesign.com *At-home consultations, masked and sanitized. We are prepared to drive out and meet you at your home (yeah you heard right) and discuss possible designs and options of your choice. *Zoom/Skype Consultations *WhatsApp Video Call and chat Consultations *Email consultations- yes this is possible! With Jackie’s years of experience she can even assist you via email to bring your dream jewellery piece to life! Wishing you all the beautiful ladies in the Penchant Design community and beautiful Women’s Month, may you treat and take care of yourself, this month and always. Stay Beautiful, Jackie Hahn & Penchant Design Team

August 12, 2021

The month of July is all about RUBIES!

July happens to be the birthstone of the Ruby; the word is derived from the Latin word ‘ruber’ which directly translates to red. The gemstone ruby symbolises protection and power. It is believed to have been worn as a talisman protecting warriors on the battlefield. In some cultures, there are fables that suggest rubies grew on trees and would blossom white buds. On the very tip of the bud would be a ripe red ruby that would be ready to be picked. These fables paint a beautiful picture of the gemstone. There are of course more realistic stories to follow such as the famous The Wizard of Oz movie Dorothy wore Ruby slippers to protect herself from evil. Whichever you believe or want to fantasise about we cannot deny how exquisite the ruby gem is. Since the beginning of time Rubies have been at the forefront of luxury and lore. In some instances, a ruby can outweigh the price of a diamond. Did you know a ruby gets its bright, deep colours because of the traces of chromium? The combination of intense heat causes the chromium to replace aluminium traces in conundrum to form a vibrant ruby. Similar to that of Diamonds, rubies are assessed based on the 4C’s which are colour, clarity, cut and carat. The most important factor is the colour as it determines the value of the gem. The darker and richer the colour is the higher sought after the gem is. This year marks the 15th Wedding Anniversary, what a special wedding gift would a Ruby be! We absolutely love Rubies, if you would like to visit our collection, please do so here: https://penchantdesign.com/collections/ We would love to design a piece of Jewellery that is authentically you and we know you will love rubies as much as we do! Stay Beautiful, Jackie Hahn & Penchant Design Team

July 22, 2021

Join Penchant Design in celebrating Bastille Day

Despite The Bastille Festival having to be postponed this year due to the Coronavirus. We at Penchant Design will be celebrating this beautiful event at our store. Pop in for some Champagne and browse our exquisite Jewellery on offer. Time: Saturday the 18th of July 2021at 9am. Don’t forget to dress up in your red, white and blue as we celebrate this French holiday! This year, the Franschhoek Bastille Festival organisation has decided to host the event online which we will also be attending. The virtual journey through Franschhoek starts on 1 July whereby some of the region’s finest offerings will be showcased. Click here to read more on the online event: https://www.franschhoekbastille.co.za To shed light on some of the history of this day, Bastille Day is a holiday in France, marking the anniversary of the fall of the Bastille on July 14,1789 in Paris. Originally built as a medieval fortress, the Bastille was later used as a state prison for political prisoners, directed by royalty. Bastille had come to symbolize the harsh rule of the Bourbon monarchy. The taking of the Bastille signalled the beginning of the French Revolution, and it thus became a symbol of the end of the ancient regime. We hope to see you in our store on Bastille Day! Stay beautiful, Jackie and the Penchant Design Team

July 8, 2021

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