Celebrating the launch!

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ben clark, benjamin black, benjamin black goldsmiths, benjamin clark, bespoke, custom made, diamond, diamond rings, engagement rings, fashion, hand crafted, HotHouse Design, jewellery, jewelry, launch, nelson, nz, rings, web, web design, wedding rings, wwebsite

Hi everyone.  You may have noticed my brief blogging ‘holiday’ i.e. mad rush to get the website in final working order…exciting, but intense!

I’m please to announce the Benjamin Black website is now officially launched!!!  So I can now return to my fully fledged blog loving self immediately.

Thanks to Sean and the team at HotHouse Design in Nelson for the fantastic design job – and I hope you all like it as much as we do.

I’ll be in touch again very soon, in the meantime please have a look around the new website…here’s a little screen shot.

Enjoy the weekend, I’m in Hamilton today and hoping to catch a little shopping / social time in Auckland tomorrow, so stay tuned for updates on the journey.  Have a fantastic weekend.

– Benjamin

Benjamin Black Goldsmiths Website – the screen shot.

 

Two Glistening Garnets

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9ct yellow gold earrings, ben clark, benjamin black, benjamin black goldsmiths, benjamin clark, checkerboard, drop earrings, fashion earrings, garnet, gold, goldsmith, hand crafted, jewellery, jewelry, nelson, nz, shepherd hook, vintage earrings, women's gift

There is something very vintage about the checkerboard cut, so when I happened upon two checkerboard cut garnets it was love at first sight.

I knew I had to find a home for them…and so came the inspiration for my latest earrings.

The checkerboard cut is a technique where the stone is cut into a multitude of square facets, displaying a ‘checkerboard’ effect of light and dark squares when moved in the light.

Garnet checkerboard cut earrings, set in 9ct yellow gold – by Benjamin Black Goldsmiths.

I set these beautiful deep red garnets in 9ct yellow gold, with classic shepherd hooks.

Although the setting is contemporary, they have a distinctly antique flavour that will stand the test of time – like all great jewellery should.

I would love to know what your favourite cut is, and why?

With so many options available, it would be great to hear your thoughts.

– Benjamin

Two Glistening Garnets

Tags

9ct yellow gold earrings, ben clark, benjamin black, benjamin black goldsmiths, benjamin clark, checkerboard, drop earrings, fashion earrings, garnet, gold, goldsmith, hand crafted, jewellery, jewelry, nelson, nz, shepherd hook, vintage earrings, women's gift

There is something very vintage about the checkerboard cut, so when I happened upon two checkerboard cut garnets it was love at first sight.

I knew I had to find a home for them…and so came the inspiration for my latest earrings.

The checkerboard cut is a technique where the stone is cut into a multitude of square facets, displaying a ‘checkerboard’ effect of light and dark squares when moved in the light.

Garnet checkerboard cut earrings, set in 9ct yellow gold – by Benjamin Black Goldsmiths.

I set these beautiful deep red garnets in 9ct yellow gold, with classic shepherd hooks.

Although the setting is contemporary, they have a distinctly antique flavour that will stand the test of time – like all great jewellery should.

I would love to know what your favourite cut is, and why?

With so many options available, it would be great to hear your thoughts.

– Benjamin

The Watchmaker’s Sanctuary

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antique badges, antique pocket watch, ben clark, benjamin black, benjamin black goldsmiths, benjamin clark, best office views, breakfast view, country, jeweler, jeweller, jewellery, jewelry, lake roiti, nelson, nelson lakes, nelson nz, nz, Rod Clark, silver, verge escapement, watch repairs nelson, watchmaker

My father is one of a declining breed of watchmakers in New Zealand.

His home and workshop is situated about an hour’s drive from Nelson, near Lake Rotoiti – hidden amongst native flora and fauna on his own unique slice of quintessential kiwi paradise.

Rod Clark, Watchmaker, Nelson, NZ – the view from his house.

I have just returned from a weekend there, doing all the classic father-son things and recharging my batteries, and I thought you might be interested to have a sneak peak into the world of this very interesting watchmaker.

My Dad’s workshop is brimming with the most intriguing mix of antiques, watches, clocks, and desirable trinkets – like these amazing antique rolex watches…

Antique Rolex Watches.

Collection of silver badges…

Silver Badge Collection – in Rod Clark’s workshop.

Pocket watches…

The back of the pocket watch movement (verge escapement).

And as for the view, well, you get the picture…

Breakfast with a view.

Rod Clark, Watchmaker, Nelson, NZ

– Benjamin

Will You Marry Me? The Gentlemen’s Guide to Selecting the Perfect Ring

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ben clark, benjamin black, benjamin black goldsmiths, benjamin clark, bezel set ring, custom made engagement ring, engagement rings, four claw ring, goldsmith, hand crafted engagement ring nz, how to propose, jewellery, jewelry, man buys engagement ring, nelson jeweller, nz, old fashioned, online engagement ring, proposal, solitaire, the perfect proposal, the perfect ring, trillion cut, will you marry me

Back in the good old days it was expected that the man should choose the ring for his intended wife before popping the question.

Nowadays most couples choose a ring together – either before or after the ‘event’, which is indeed a crying shame in my humble (albeit old fashioned) opinion.

I have however noticed that lately there has been a resurgence.  Men are once again beginning to take back the reins of engagement, and I say go for it…it will be one of the most romantic gestures you can ever hope to pull off!

So, if you are looking at wowing the woman of your dreams with a ring she will love, there are a few easy steps you can take to get the ball rolling:

1. Take notice of her taste.  Does she like simple designs or extravagant? Bold or understated? Traditional or contemporary?

2. Find a good jeweller. Whether it is a custom made engagement ring, or an off-the-shelf piece, your jeweller will talk to you about designs, metals, fit, stones, and so on.

3. Be a little bit sneaky. You will need to find out her finger size, so some detective work may be necessary…ask one of her friends to help you, or ‘borrow’ an existing ring as a guide, just don’t get caught!

Are you thinking of popping the question the old school way?  Did I awaken your inner romantic?

I’d love to hear your thoughts, and I’m happy to answer any questions on the topic.

Below are some examples of my engagement rings, however if you would like to enquire about a custom made design please contact me to request a quote.

– Benjamin

The Cirrus Ring by Benjamin Black Goldsmiths, made with the metal and stone of your desire.

Classic Bezel Set Engagement Ring by Benjamin Black Goldsmiths, custom made with the stone and metal of your desire.

Classic Claw Set engagement ring by Benjamin Black Goldsmiths, made with the metal and stone of your desire.

The Wonderland Engagement Ring, by Benjamin Black Goldsmiths – inspired by Alice in Wonderland, made with the metal and stone of your desire.

Bringing Back The Money Clip

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ben clark, benjamin black, benjamin black goldsmiths, benjamin clark, classic, classic accessory, contemporary money clip, fashion, fashion money clip, fashion week, mens fashion nz, mens jewellery, mens money clip, money clip, sterling silver

A couple of people have asked me why I should create a money clip in this day and age, where cash is becoming an increasingly rarer sight.

They raise a valid point, but there are a few very important reasons why I have such an affinity for this practical piece of metal.

Firstly they are a classic style statement and will never date.  Money clips are a timeless accessory, and a well made one will last for generations.

Secondly I just love the way they look.  Simply put, a gentleman who carries a beautifully made money clip around is bound to have impeccable taste – and probably looks devilishly suave too.

And finally they are practical.  Use them for storing your cash, plastic, or business cards and if you’re anything like me you’ll appreciate the well kept order of your ‘stuff’ – and most probably turn a few heads in the process.

My contemporary reinvention of this classical piece is hand crafted from sterling silver, or gold (at your desire).

– Benjamin

The Classic Money Clip in Sterling Silver by Benjamin Black Goldsmiths.

Wigs, Tights & Masks – The Best of Baroque

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Baroque, Baroque Fashion, ben clark, benjamin black, benjamin black goldsmiths, benjamin clark, Dolce & Gabbana Baroque, jewellery inspiration, mask, masquerade ball

When I think of Baroque the first thing that comes to my mind is one of the iconic composer’s of the period – such as Johann Sebastian Bach.  I can’t get enough of that name – how could anyone with that name be anything other than cool?

Baroque also evokes images of over-sized wigs, men in tights, and of course Dolce & Gabbana’s 2012 fall collection – a delectable assortment of brilliant prints that caught the attention of every fashion conscious head on the planet.

Dolce & Gabbana Fall/Winter Collection 2012.

However my favourite item from the era of decadence (at least as I imagine it) is the mask.  I went to a wedding yesterday, and was reminded of the mystery and enchantment of this aristocratic accessory, when we were gifted one as a ‘favour’.

Baroque inspired mask – the next project for Benjamin Black Goldsmiths?

So, masks are the topic of discussion today, and just might be the source of inspiration for my next project.  The Benjamin Black mask, now that has a nice ring to it…with the masquerade ball to match of course, now there’s an even better idea!

– Benjamin