Category Archives: Trends

We’ve cherry picked the finest pieces from our sale and brought them to life with some of this seasons most coveted looks.

One of the seasons hottest trends, monochrome stripes and bold shapes accented with fluro, acid shades are sure to set you apart from the crowd.

The catwalk was awash with all things spacey and aqua inspired. Instantly update your wardobe with shimmering accessories from the likes of Alexis Bittar and Dark Horse Ornament.

Fresh, zingy colours and geometric shapes give this look a fun and quirky edge. Don’t be afraid to mix clashing colours to really make a statement.

The Great British problem is that we fill our summer calendar with picnics and outdoor concerts and then have to prepare an outfit which can accommodate every possible weather eventuality.

Londoners will be looking forward to an array of music this weekend from Hard Rock Calling, Shoreditch Festival, Latitude to Traction. What a choice! Here is our Editor’s suggestion of what to wear to keep you warm, dry, comfortable and most importantly highly visible.

Choose a pair of bold, flouro earrings by Dark Horse Ornament, and a beautifully crafted bohemian necklace by Joanna Cave, then add lucite bangles by Alexis Bittar, glitzy resin cuffs by Nicholas King or a cute Lily cuff by Fiona Paxton so you can wave your hands this weekend and let everyone know exactly where you are!

Tears of sharks, heaven’s dew, the eyes of the spirit, or the product of an oyster’s liquid, the origin of pearls has been long been disputed and treasured by man for 4 thousand years. In Roman times they were associated with Venus, the God of love and so became a currency of love and extravagance. In an exuberant demonstration of each Cleopatra dipped one into vinegar and drank it at a dinner party and until the early 20th century the price of a string of pearls could be equivalent to a yacht or a country mansion! Though pearls are   considered a “girls’ best friend” natural pearls are in fact rarer than natural diamonds.

Natural pearls grow in mollusc’s; freshwater pearls in mussels and sea pearls in oysters. Once, Scotland was known for its rose-pink pearls and Cumbria for its black pearl. Now however, the wild mussel colonies on which natural pearls depend have become so rare that pearling has been banned in UK river system since 1998. Today natural pearls are relatively inexpensive when compared with their scarcity, this is because of the development of the cultured pearl, which is grown with encouragement from humans who implant tiny organic particles such as parasites into the mollusc’s. Mikimoto was the Japanese pioneer who put this practise to market on a mass scale last century though the actual practise dates back to 5th century China when the undiscerning eyes of travellers along the Silk Road would struggle to discern the natural pearl from its “cultured” counterpart.

Pearls in each case are created from a nacre, an iridescent liquid, which is excreted from a gland inside a mollusc’s when it is irritated by the intrusion of a grain of sand or parasite. Over several years these layers build upon each other, snowballing to create a pearl whose shape resembles that of the original intruder. A perfectly round pearl is rare, just like a perfectly round grain of sand; the larger the pearl, the rarer it is and the pearlier the luster and purer the colour, the more impressive it appears. Large, round, pure pearls are therefore the most expensive.

Today, most pearls are found off  Broome in Australia (a large cultured pearls), Tahiti (for black pearls) and China. Pearls are gathered from the seabed by divers who risk their own safety by diving up to 40 metres sometimes relying on an extensive hose which delivers oxygen to him from the surface. In more regulated markets, divers use heavy bronze helmets and weighted boots.  But by any means it is a skilled and dangerous job to move a pearl from the sea and string it for a necklace.

The most famous pearl is La Peregrina, which has passed through the hands of 8 Spanish and the late Elizabeth Taylor. It also acheived some notoriety for having endured a chew by her dog but was nevertheless sold for $11.8m in December 2011! Pearls are as delicate as their natural environment and should be kept clear of ammonia, handcreams, soap and ultrasonic cleaners. They can be cleaned with a lint free cloth and should be stored in a soft chamois or non abrasive bag to avoid scratching.

Pearls are the birthstone for June and lore has it that they enhance the power of love, money, luck and protection. In histroy they have been given to children to keep them safe, between lovers to cement engagements and to newleywed women to stop them from crying! Find any reason as Pearls are truly beautiful and magical things.

VIEW ALL PEARL JEWELLERY FROM EC ONE

We’re loving all the new summer collections that have been landing at EC One recently. With tantalising new designs from Joanna Cave, Rue Belle, and Dima Rashid,  statement earrings are our new obsession. Whether in the office or out on the tiles, here’s we would style our pick of EC One’s designer earrings.

Click here to shop our selection…

Off to the Ball

Set off a classic draped gown with contemporary, off-beat drop earrings. Our choices below are sure to get you noticed…

Topaz and Chalcedony Earrings by Dima Rashid
Blue Agate Triode Earrings by Merle O’Grady
Crystal Encrusted Sage Quartz Kite Earrings by Alexis Bittar

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With all the gorgeous sunshine and warm weather we’ve had in London this week, we at EC One have been getting excited about pulling out our summer wardrobes… Fickle English weather allowing, of course. Bright colours are such an easy way to feel summery, so we’ve put together a few looks with our new summer ranges for inspiration. The best part is that, if the weather does betray us, these pieces will look great with that trusty black jumper, too….

Relaxed Weekender

The monochrome base may look  simple, but the pops of neon in the jewellery add a quirky sense of fun and individuality.