Selwyn Gale Goldsmith and Jeweller
This website might be helpful if you are interested in commissioning fine handmade jewellery designed and made in Wales. Having a custom made hand crafted ring, earrings, necklace or brooch to suit your budget is both attractive and affordable.
I am an independent Welsh jewellery designer, silversmith and goldsmith working mostly to commission, primarily using precious and semi-precious gemstones mounted and set in gold, platinum or silver. I have been making jewellery for many years, and a small portion of my previous work is displayed on this website.
To view my work please click one of the images at the top of the page or enter a query in the 'Search' box.
You can see my work at Craft in the Bay, Cardiff, Wales where as a member of the prestigious Makers Guild in Wales I have a permanent exhibition.
I mainly work in gold, silver, platinum and gemstones, sometimes allied with the crafts of enamelling and etching. All my work is hallmarked at the London Assay Office, or the Birmingham Assay Office.
Gold Price
As a result of the very high gold price there are now many adverts for companies buying scrap gold with sellers often incurring high and undeclared processing costs. I am prepared to sort and sell your gold for you with a 7.5% deduction from the total I receive from the sale of the gold to the UK's leading bullion merchant. Please contact me if you wish to discuss this service.
Palladium
Palladium now has a hallmark. From 1st January 2010 it will be illegal to sell work made of palladium without a hallmark. Currently work work in palladium can be hallmarked on a voluntary basis. Costs of palladium usually fall between that of 9ct and 14ct gold. It is a white metal which resembles white gold.
Composite Rubies
The British Jewellery Association (BJA) supports a new Gemstone Industry and Laboratory Conference (GILC) ruby committee measure saying retailers should ensure the proper identification of lead glass-filled rubies. It voted that retailers should label the gems as: "Composite-Ruby, Glass-Filled, Requires Special Care."
The committee's measures are recommendations and are not enforceable. Composite rubies consist of around 50 percent ruby, 50 percent glass. They are cheaper than traditional rubies, but can require special care, as lemon juice, soda and even gem cleaner can cloud the glass filler.
Composite rubies have become increasingly common over the last few years, particularly in the US market. The majority of rubies are also heated to improve their colour and it's not uncommon for them to be filled to disguise fissure.
Synthetic Diamonds
Synthetic diamonds have been available since the 1960's, but the stones were only of industrial quality. Recently gem quality diamonds were finally brought to market. There are currently two different processes used ("High Pressure, High Temperature" and "Chemical Vapor Deposition") both create gems which are chemically, optically and physically the same as diamonds made by nature.
Testing laboratories are working to develop procedures so that they can reliably differentiate between natural and lab created diamonds. The necessity for sophisticated equipment clearly indicates that synthetic diamonds will be indistinguishable to non-technical observers. If you spend a lot of money on a diamond make sure you get a reputable certificate.
New Coloured Diamond
The world's largest pure green diamond has been graded at 8.61 carats by the Gemological Institute of America. Currently coloured diamonds are fashionable. Natural coloured diamonds are expensive but there is a wide range of treated diamonds in a variety of attractive colours available which are less costly.