Jewellery with a Heart

April 20, 2015 by Alexandra Abrams

Those behind the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital's fundraising action have a wonderful association with the high end. Recognising the power of linking fashion with social action, they once again hosted a beauty of an event. Following last year's collaboration with Aspinal of London, they took over Chelsea's Monica Vinader flagship and invited a carefully selected group of gorgeous girls and their yummy mummies to raise awareness and money for the cause. With copious amounts of champagne and canapés donated by the jewellery designer herself, the event managed to raise sparkling amounts of money for the charity. And if the atmosphere, guestlist and luxury tinge can be repeated a third time, we will certainly be back for more.

With thanks to Ella Sadika for photography.

Moments in Light

July 16, 2014 by Alexandra Abrams

Jewellery is one of those rare art forms which evoke a sense of wonder, dreams and passion. It represents achievement and success, its richness being a literal manifestation of the emotions it instills. Beautiful jewellery is, in short, mesmerising.

This powerful quality has the ability to transform a mood, and the world. De Beers recognises this, and has transplanted its magic into Moments In Light, a new campaign to support the plight of women. The wonderful Mary McCartney has captured some of the world's most inspiring ladies - including Alice Temperley and Skye Gyngell - whilst they invite onlookers into the world of their dreams. From designers, to chefs, to dancers, De Beers - with the help of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuttion - has created a photographic series as beautiful as its jewellery. We have chosen just a snapshot to tempt you with.

Jewellery changes a mood. It can also change a life. And this campaign is set to do so 150 times, restructuring the lives of women who have survived wars and conflict.

See www.womenforwomen.org.uk and www.momentsinlight.co.uk for more information about the campaign and, more importantly, the cause.

Boodles. Perfection?

March 23, 2014 by Alexandra Abrams

'We just want to be perfect', asserts Jody Wainwright, Director and Head of Stone Resourcing at Boodles, the quintessential British jewellers. 'Perfect', it seems, is in fact pretty easily definable by the new 1,300 diamond, 7 emerald Greenfire Suite, the star of Channel 4's The Million Pound Necklace: Inside Boodles. The glittering documentary, airing this evening, is a testament to the intricacies that Boodles adheres to in its quest for perfection: no stone is too shiny, no search too wide, no craft too taxing. Perhaps more attractive, to those not so fazed by all-things-shiny, is the company's family heart. Four strong figureheads stand atop the glittering tower of diamonds, emeralds and sapphires that is the 215 year old company. James Amos, Jody, Nicholas and Michael Wainwright smile together as they pioneer their ancestry into the history - and fashion - books. Together they have forged the way to the forefront of British jewellery, and British life.

The Boodles Tennis Tournament has become as much of a British institution as any, but it is the biennial Boodles Boxing Ball which takes pride of place in the company's portfolio. The gala, which raised £200,000 for the Starlight Children's foundation, is leading the way in the journey we share: making charity attractive.

As our friend, Boodles Director, James Amos emphasised in his endorsement of The Society, 'Charitable giving is all too often reactive, rather than proactive amongst our generation. In our small way, we try to make a difference with the biennial Boodles Boxing Ball, but there is plenty more opportunity for everyone to get involved and to give to charity. Focused charitable events, opportunities for volunteering, and structured philanthropy will only be a good thing for the challenging world that we live in.'

Boodles: Jewellers. Family. Givers. Perfection indeed.

The Million Pound Necklace: Inside Boodles, airs tonight on Channel 4, 9pm.