We’re officially into the new year, with Christmas gone and passed, but it’s not all doom and gloom in the studio. This month we’re celebrating the birthday of our apprentice, and this weeks blog is all about the January birthstone (well not just theirs). Garnet! Mostly known for it’s very intense red that will surely keep that fire going in the cold long days of January.
January is one of the few months that only has one stone, rather than two or three. For the months that are lucky enough to have more than a singular birthstone, these are separated into two lists: Modern and Traditional. The more common of the two is the modern birthstones, which were defined in 1912 by the Jewelers of America in an attempt to standardise (and commercialise) birthstones. This was further updated in the 1950s, to include gemstones such as Citrine for November, or Alexandrite for June. Modern stones are based on what’s easier to sell in large quantities (making it the more affordable choice).
But don’t worry, if that brilliant Red of Garnet isn’t your personal choice of colour, you’ll be happy to know that the January Birthstone comes in a whole rainbow of colours; green, blue, oranges, pinky/oranges, and purplish reds. There are even Garnets that have a colour-change effect when under different lighting or Star Garnets, which is where the stone displays a ‘multi-rayed’ light reflection on its surface that resembles a 4 or 6 pointed star. However, despite the wide range of colours available, this stone is well known for for their deep red varieties, that often are compared to fruit seeds of pomegranates.
BVLA – Sunray – Flat
BVLA – Mini Kandy – Lobe
BVLA – Live To Tell- Flat
BVLA – Marquise Fan- Faux Rook
Star garnets are found in India, the U.S. state of Idaho as well as Sri Lanka. Green garnet ranges in location. For example, Tsavorite is mined in Kenya and was named after the Tsavo National Park where it is mined nearby, while Demantoid garnet is hugely sourced in Russia. Yellowish/orange, or bright orange Garnet is named after Spessart in Germany where it was discovered but Namibia and Tanzania are also key sources for Spessart Garnets. The colour changing Garnets are found in Kenya, Sri Lanka and Madagascar. Garnets are also found and mined in many other countries. So many different ways to celebrate the january birthstone!
According to Indian astrology, Garnet helps eliminate negative feelings (such as depression or guilt) while improving self-confidence and mental clarity which helps promote creative thinking and peace of mind. In ancient and medieval times, gems like garnet were also thought to be remedies for inflammatory diseases and to soothe the angry heart. Garnets are also a symbol of eternal love thought to held protective healing powers, which makes it another good reason to gift Garnet to your loved one to celebrate your second wedding anniversary.
The different types of Garnet which change where it sits on the Moh’s Scale of Hardness, but it typically ranges between 6.5 and 7.5, making it more susceptible to damage than diamonds or rubies. Be careful on storage for Garnets, because it can be scratched by other stones. While Garnet is not ideal for everyday wear, it is ideal for earrings (including body jewellery), brooches and pendants. Most garnet stones are not treated except in rare instances where they might be fracture filled. However, the best way to clean your garnets is with a soft toothbrush (we always recommend baby tooth brushes the bristles are always softer) and warm soapy water. If you have an ultrasonic at home, you’ll be happy to know that you can give your garnets a quick whizz about in there, unless they are fractured, or fracture-filled. Steam cleaning is not recommended.
BVLA – Round Prong
We stock jewellery from brands from across the world, and can source items in all birthstones imaginable! If you would like to treat yourself to some meaningful pieces, just get in contact with us.
Make sure to follow us on social media for regular updates, and keep an eye out as we post new blogs every single Friday!
December is officially Holiday season, and all over the world people will be celebrating their own holidays in their own special way. This month, we are looking at 3 special gemstones to commemorate you December babies. Turquoise, Tanzanite, and Zircon are three beautiful December birthstone that vary in their hues of blue, which is perfect for that cold chill of December!
Three Birthstones?
The majority of months know how to celebrate with their stones by having multiple stones. December is one of two months that decided to ramp it up to three for an extra kick – So what options do you have for the December birthstone?
For the months that are lucky enough to have more than a singular birthstone, these are separated into two lists: Modern and Traditional. The more common of the two is the modern birthstones, which were defined in 1912 by the Jewelers of America in an attempt to standardise (and commercialise) birthstones. This was further updated in the 1950s, to include gemstones such as Citrine for November, or Alexandrite for June. Modern stones are based on what’s easier to sell in large quantities (making it the more affordable choice). Turquoise is Decembers traditional stone, with Tanzanite and Zircon being the more modern and newer stones.
Whatever your style, budget, taste or preferences are, there is definitely something for all you cold December babies.
Turquoise!
Turquoise is well known for it’s bright blue colour! With shades ranging from sky blue to apple green, and its standout veins of matrix (black, brown or grey remnants of the rock it was formed in), it’s no shock that Turquoise is very well recognised. Turquoise is formed when mineral-rich water seeps in-between the gaps of rocks, and over time the water dissolves, leaving only behind the formed minerals, i.e. Turquoise. The minerals left that form the stone, are the ones that give it its colour. For example, copper gives turquoise its shades of green and blue.
Purple Copper Turquoise – BVLA Round Prong
There is an assumption that the gemstones name can be translated to ‘Turkish Stone’ which hints that this is where it may have first been found. If it was, it definitely didn’t stay there long. Apparently they were buried (and later found) in the mines in The Sinai Peninsula of Egypt, which date back to as early as 4000 BC. This makes Turquoise one of the oldest gemstones in history.
The ‘sky blue’ stones were originally sourced in Ancient Persia (now Iran) are often still referred as ‘Persian Blue’. The U.S is currently the biggest supplier of Turquoise, where most production comes from Arizona and Nevada. The ‘Kingman mine’ in Arizona is a historically important source that is known for producing intense blue turquoise. Although it is no longer open for turquoise mining, Arizona’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’ mine was a prolific producer for more than four decades.
Turquoise Prong- Anatometal
For centuries, Turquoise has believed to be a protective stone, often being worn as amulets. From the 13th Century it was believed that the stone would protect its wearer from falling (particularly, falling off of horses. We’re not sure how relevant this is these days…), as well as the common belief that the stone would break into many pieces at the face of danger. There are also many other beliefs, such as the guarantee of good health and fortune. Hindu mystics maintained that seeing a turquoise stone after beholding the new moon ensured fantastic wealth. Turquoise was often seen through many royal families, such as the Duchess of Windsor who wore a beautiful Amethyst and Turquoise necklace. Queen Mary had a collection of Persian turquoise jewellery, including a tiara, necklace, brooch, and earrings. The Persian Turquoise Tiara was eventually passed down to Princess Margaret, who wore it until her death in 2002. In the modern day, Turquoise is also the gem of the 11th wedding anniversary.
Princess Margaret wears the tiara and jewels from the Persian Turquoise Parure
On The Moh’s scale of hardness, Turquoise is typically around 5-6, although some Turquoise is treated to improve its durability. Turquoise can be dyed or chemically enhanced by adding an epoxy or acrylic resin for greater hardness or better colour. Typically, Turquoise is pretty durable when it comes to light, but can be sensitive to high heat , which can cause discolouration or breakage. It is for this reason hat Turquoise stones should not be cleaned with steam or an ultrasonic. Acids, chemicals, and cosmetics can also damage or discolour your stone. The best method of cleaning is warm soapy water.
A large amount of Turquoise is synthetic these days – This improves it’s day-to-day wearability!
Tanzanite!
Tanzanite is the newest addition to the December birthstone, being the first gemstone added to the official birthstone list in almost 100 years. It is one of the most fascinating gem discoveries of the 20th century. Harry Platt (the president of Tiffany and Co.) stated: “The most Beautiful stone to be discovered in 200 years. And honestly, we might have to agree. Often described as ‘velvety’, Tanzanite comes in an array of shades, ranging from pastel and pale lilac, to rich blues, flirting with violets, lavender and cornflower blue hues on its way. In 1968, Tiffany and Co. became the biggest distributor of Tanzanite, advertising of its vivid colours, high clarity, and ability for larger cuts, caused this stone to rise massively in popularity.
Tanzanite is one of the most unique and rare gemstones we have, and works perfectly as the December birthstone. It was formed over 500 years ago under extreme geological conditions that are seen as completely unique. It is also only found in one small area of the foothills of the mountain it was discovered, and to be found anywhere else it is believed to have a on “one in a million” chance. In 1967 it was discovered in the “Merelani Hills” . It is believed that sometime in the future, we will have completely run out of this stone.
Most of the Tanzanite found on the market is actually heat treated, to enhance the blue/violet hues and remove the brown that is naturally found. The colouring of this is permanent, and there is no durability concerns. The stone typically ranges around 6-7 on the Mohs scale of hardness and is resistant to normal heat, light and chemicals. But if exposed to very sudden high or rapid changes in heat, it can cause the gem to crack. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are not recommended to be used to clean this stone, and therefore the best option is warm soapy water.
Zircon is a classic gemstone, that has often caused confusion with synthetic Cubic Zirconia due to its similar name. Very few people realise that it is its own special naturally formed gemstone which ranges in a fantastic array of colours. The broad colour palette of this December birthstone includes red, blue, orange, yellow, brown and green. It is well known for its intense flashes of multicoloured light (called fire), and its brilliance. This resulted in Zircon being confused with diamonds for centuries.
Zircon is one of the many gems that are found in Sri Lanka. It is often found close by to Sapphire sources, so in addition to Sri Lanka, it is also found in Vietnam, Cambodia and Australia. Mining for Zircon in Australia dates back 4.4 billion years, possibly making it the oldest mineral as a gemmological found. Australia’s Hart Range is most commonly known for producing the Zircon birthstones in yellow and brown, however Australia dominates in Zircon mining, producing 37% of the worlds supply.
During history, Zircon has had many symbolic beliefs attached to it. In the middle ages, the most common belief was that it would help lull people into a deep and peaceful sleep, while getting plenty of rest. There were other beliefs during that time, such as Zircon bringing forth good fortune and warding away evil spirits. The ‘luck’ associated with Zircon is said to present itself in different ways. For example, it is often believed that Zircon will promote discipline and self confidence, thus leading to better opportunities.
Zircon ranges from 6 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale. It is often heat treated to produce blue and colourless varieties, as well as orange, yellow and red. The gem is typically stable when exposed to light, but after prolonged exposure to bright light some heat-treated stones may revert back to their original colours (which is usually a light-ish brown). Exposure to heat can alter the colour of some zircon. Because zircon tends to wear away or chip by friction, it is best to avoid wearing it in rough conditions, such as gardening, playing sports or doing dishes. Cleaning your zircon using a soft brush and mild soap in warm water is the best method. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are not recommended for this December birthstone.
We stock jewellery from brands from across the world such as the December Birthstone, and can source items in all birthstones imaginable! If you would like to treat yourself to some meaningful pieces, just get in contact with us.
Make sure to follow us on social media for regular updates, and keep an eye out as we post new blogs every single Friday!
It’s that time of year again, folks! It’s time for the Rogue annual piercing gift guide, where we show you all the options you have for the piercing lover in your life. And if that piercing lover is yourself, then who are we to judge?
The run up to Christmas can be a difficult time for independent businesses – Who are we to compete with the big box stores and online retailers like Amazon? If you can, always support local businesses. High quality, ethical piercing studios are the lifeblood of this industry. Support us however you can, as we will always be here to help you feel at home in your body. Whether that be through purchasing jewellery, booking for piercings, bringing us your piercings to troubleshoot, we are always here to help in ways that big retailers or chain piercing shops simply can’t.
We’ll talk you through some options for a few different piercing placements, and some more general options as well.
Piercing Gift Cards
The quickest, easiest, and sometimes the most thoughtful thing you can do as part of your piercing gift guide is to purchase a gift card. We know, gift cards have a bit of a reputation… But buying a gift card at Rogue is more like buying someone a personalised service than it is an item – Being able to come in, work with the team, get a piercing or choose your own personal piercing upgrades is a really epic gift. Don’t snub it just because!
Within the realm of gift cards – Did you know that you can use gift cards to place custom orders through Rogue with all of your favourite brands? If your partner, sibling, mum, dad, or any other loved one has been yearning after a particular piece of jewellery, or wanted something that we stocked that has since sold, then getting them a gift card to use as part or all of a custom order is probably the sweetest thing you can do!
Buying jewellery is kind of like buying someone perfume – It is really difficult to capture who they are as a person and get them something that they truly love! But if you know the person well, and you get them something that they adore, then… There is literally no better feeling in the world. So if you think you can nail it, absolutely go for it!
You can buy jewellery from Rogue a couple of different ways – Firstly, you can do it in-person under the expert guidance of our jewellery specialists by booking a Jewellery Consultation here. That way you can bring reference photos, inspiration, and generally help us figure out the perfect gift to match their vibe.
You can also purchase our entire jewellery collection online! Simply head to our WEBSTORE and scroll through our vast array of options, with in-depth descriptions on sizing, gemstones, and pricing available at your fingertips. You can also click HERE to find an excellent guide on how to get the best out of our online shop!
Lobe piercings are really, really versatile. There are so many ways to style them! See the above slideshow for some inspiration on how you can purchase for your loved one. Some of our favourites are:
BVLA ‘Mini Moon’ Threadless End – The cutest things in the world – We love these as dainty additions in second or third lobes.
Piercing Gift Guide – Nose Piercings
BVLA ‘Blaze’ ring fitted into a healed nose piercing.
Inari ‘Lime Opal’ End
BVLA ‘Round Cab Prong’ set with London Blue Topaz
Anatometal ‘Tiny Tribead’ Threadless End
BVLA ‘Mini Choctaw’ End
BVLA ‘Ares’ End
BVLA ‘Afghan’ End
Flux Jewellery ‘Hammered Seam Ring’
Nose piercings are quite personal – The choices go far beyond ‘ring or stud!’ If your loved one is a ring person, we always recommend booking them in for a checkup where we can measure and fit the right size for them, unless you know the exact size they need. You might be able to do this by sneaking a ring out of their collection and bringing it to us to be measured… Studs however, are a little bit more straightforward. Especially if they already wear threadless (push-fit) jewellery!
Anatometal ’18k Prongs‘ – The CLASSIC nose piercing look. Available in a tonne of different sizes, too!
Flux Jewellery 18k Seam Rings – Again, a really classic look for those people who adore nose rings and need a little bit of luxury in their lives.
Piercing Gift Guide – Cartilage Piercings
BVLA ‘By Your Side’
Full warm-toned BVLA setup including Garnet, Oregon Sunstone, and Smokey Quartz.
This ‘snonch’ was pierced so perfectly, with the ‘Live To Tell’ sitting flush against the skin.
Faux Rook
Triple flat project using Neometal.
Double conch using Neometal.
Neometal Conch
Helix piercing using a Neometal White CZ Flower.
Helix piercing using an Industrial Strength Cluster.
Double Flat piercing using two Neometal Opal Cabochons.
Cartilage piercings are a really fun place to buy jewellery! They tend to be versatile placements where a lot of different ends will look really cool. You can do either lots of gems and sparklies, or keep it relatively toned back!
BVLA is the leading designer and manufacturer of fine body jewellery in the world. Rogue also has an entire cabinet stocked with exclusively their jewellery. But why? Why are they so great? What makes them so special, and better than any other goldsmiths on the market? Well, let’s find out.
Who are they?
BVLA, Body Vision Los Angeles. They are designers, manufacturers and innovators based over in the heart of Los Angeles, California. Founded by their owner Nick Martin in 1996, they have proudly built up a business that has exceeded industry standards, provided top quality body jewellery, and defied the status quo. At present, they have 100 employees and five jewellery workshops, all dedicated to the process of turning dreams into reality.
You can find BVLA’s jewellery all around the world. At current, they sell their jewellery to some of the best piercing studios in the world, in over 25 countries. You can find BVLA stockists in New Zealand, France, Spain, Malaysia, the UK, the Netherlands and many more destinations.
Why are they highly recommended?
If you have been looked into a higher quality piercing studio, or different high quality studios, you will notice that there are lots of companies that offer gold, or fun colours and cute designs. But what makes BVLA stand out from the crowd? Why do they have the ultra-lux reputation that they do?
They are ethical: BVLA are arguably one of the most ethical companies in the piercing industry, and consistently make responsible choices in every regard. The Gold that they use is recycled to help minimise environmental impact, and all of their Diamonds are ethically sourced and guaranteed to be conflict free. They are also big believers in equality and diversity for all humans. They currently have a programme called the ‘BVLA Future Stars‘. This programme is an apprenticeship that aims to support and provide full-time paid positions for under-resourced BIPOC, in order to help them forge careers in fine body jewellery and manufacturing.
They have an infinite amount of choice: BVLA is currently the home of over 3000 unique original designs, and this collection still continues to grow and evolve every day. They work with 7 different metals (both 14k and 18k Yellow, White, and Rose Gold, as well as the ultimate luxury: Platinum). They also have the ability to offer over 150 different choices of gemstones, from Sapphires and Diamonds to Labradorite and Rose Quartz. You can find a rainbow of colours a dozen times over. There is also additional choices of textured materials, and the different types of finishes and cuts. Choose between hammering or sandblasting? The choice is truly yours.
They are high quality: BVLA are the basis of high quality jewellery and manufacturing. With every single product being designed, handmade and hand polished in LA. Every part of the the process is intrinsically thought out to achieve the best results. Every time they receive a new order, the responsibility is handed to an individual jeweller. This means the jewellers and makers can avoid the boring tedious task of just making the same design over and over again, and can have pride and joy over their creations, while still keeping their brain active and fresh.
They offer a lifetime warranty: This is a huge factor for piercers. From human errors to machine breakdowns, you can never be 100% certain about anything. Especially with body jewellery. Offering lifetime warranty on manufacturers defects is a big bonus. They take such huge pride in their work and are so confident in their craftsmanship that they will repair or replace any item that they have ever made, totally free of charge.
They offer completely custom work: One of BVLA’s most attractive features is their custom work. Every single piece of jewellery they offer can be customised by the client in hundreds of ways. From choosing between hundreds of gemstones and finishes, to redesigning the minutiae of each item, BVLA really provide the opportunity to be creative. But it doesn’t stop here. They also work with piercers and take on custom order projects and custom designs. If you can think it, they can make it! They also offer a service that is incredibly unique and rare in the piercing industry, and that is reworking. They offer the ability to rework and reset gemstones and traditional jewellery into body jewellery. For example, you can no longer wear your family heirloom Diamond ring because of work? They can help turn that classic earring into body jewellery for you. Fancy something a little different? Lets make it into a septum ring!
A gorgeous BVLA curation with Gold, Rainbow Moonstone and Swiss Blue Topaz.
A stunning custom order piece using Green Tourmaline.
A brilliant trio project starring a BVLA Afghan and three genuine Diamonds.
A custom order for a creative Dinosaur end!
Why Do Piercers like BVLA?
Of course, BVLA are not the only jewellery manufacturer making high quality pieces, or fancy gold ends, or even working with genuine gemstones. But apart from the previously listed reasons on why they are amazing, why do piercers have such a connection with BVLA?
Well BVLA work very closely with piercers. Each studio that is a stockist of BVLA has their own personal point of contact. For example, Kat (our jewellery specialist at Rogue) has been in touch with the same personal contact (Hi Phoebe!) for the duration of their time at Rogue. Some piercers will work with the same contact at BVLA for decades. Whether that’s talking about previous or existing orders, any questions or quotes, purchased jewellery etc. This helps provide a truly personal feel between BVLA which creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere, rather than being passed from person to person to find answers.
BVLA also recognise their clients (that’s us!). When we place our jewellery orders, sometimes we like to treat ourselves to something new as well. When piercers or counter staff place an order for a personal piece of jewellery, BVLA offer a small discount on that piece. This helps piercers feel recognised and appreciated, and its a really sweet gesture. We are forever grateful!
They also continue to show their support and appreciation of piercers by attending conferences. They attend the APP conference is Vegas quite regularly, and this year they went out of their way to travel to the UKAPP Safe Piercing Conference in Manchester to be a vendor. They also donated 3x generously priced gift vouchers to the piercers raffle, valued at over £10,000. That could be genuinely life-changing for a piercer or studio!
So, why should YOU care?
Overall, BVLA has arguably the highest level of care for their jewellery, clients, and their own staff and future in the industry. They continuously offer the highest quality jewellery, and a high quality service. They are a consistent pleasure to work with. BVLA offer unique services, not just for piercers and piercees (such as reworking and resetting) but they offer unique advantages such as their Future Stars apprenticeship! Their jewellery is potentially the finest and greatest jewellery that is on the market. While being ‘expensive’, (Price and value are truly personal to each person – What is expensive to one person is not for another) their price consistently matches the quality of the item you receive.
If you are interested in learning more please check out more of our blogs! If you would like to place an order for your own piece of BVLA feel free to contact us at customorder@roguepiercing.co.uk!
Head to our instagram for a full BVLA lookbook of some of our favourite pieces.
November is a special time in the studio, with us celebrating two birthdays within the team at Rogue. November is also special because there are two November birthstones to represent this chilly month of the year! Topaz and Citrine are the two beautiful birthstones that November babies will have the difficult decision of choosing between. Which November Birthstone would you pick?
Two Birthstones?
Many months of the year have between 1-2 birthstones that represent them, and a select few even have three! But why is this?
For the months that are lucky enough to have more than a singular birthstone, these are separated into two lists: Modern and Traditional. The more common of the two is the modern birthstones, which were defined in 1912 by the Jewelers of America in an attempt to standardise (and commercialise) birthstones. This was further updated in the 1950s, to include gemstones such as Citrine for November, or Alexandrite for June. Modern stones are based on what’s easier to sell in large quantities (making it the more affordable choice). Topaz was the original birthstone for November, however most Traditional birthstones have become too rare in the modern market, making them much less accessible.
The good news for our November babies, is that most Topaz and Citrine are affordable priced!
Topaz!
Topaz is the original November Birthstone. It is known for its variety of hues which include colourless, yellow, pink, blue, orange, brown and in rare instances, red. Topaz is typically a colourless gem but gains its soft and warm hues from compounds or metals trapped in the crystal structure. You may have heard of Mystic Topaz, which has a brilliant rainbow effect with a deep colour of purple. This is actually created by coating a colourless piece of Topaz with a thin artificial metal film. Most blue Topaz seen is also a colourless crystal that is treated with heat and radiation. Blue Topaz is extremely popular across the market, but is incredibly rare to be formed naturally.
Swiss and London Blue Topaz
London Blue Topaz
Swiss Blue Topaz
BVLA Triple Forward Helix curation with ‘Mini Kandy,’ ‘Round Cab Prong,’ and ‘Tiny Quadbead Cluster’ ends in White Sapphire and Swiss Blue Topaz.
Throughout the eras, the gemstone had been confused and mixed up with many others. However, it was first believed to be discovered in Germany in 1737, shortly followed in 1740 in Brazil.
Topaz’s main source has been Brazil, where it has been being mined for over two centuries. However Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nigeria and many other countries are also leading countries in the sourcing and mining of Topaz.
This beautiful gemstone has a great history of belief surrounding it too. Many people believe it comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Fire’. On the other hand, it has also been traced back to the Ancient Greeks, who believed it to give strength to its wearer. Between the 1300’s – 1600’s Europeans believed it to relieve anger and break magic spells. And for centuries in India it has been believed that Topaz worn above the heart (such as in a necklace) would provide long life, beauty and intelligence. In the modern day, Topaz is the symbol of love, warmth, and affection. Blue Topaz is the gem for a 4th wedding anniversary, while Imperial Topaz is the gem for those celebrating their 23rd year of marriage.
On The Mohs Scale of Hardness, Topaz comes in at an 8 which is quite a hard and longwearing gemstone. Care is needed when wearing and cleaning to avoid chips and cracks. To clean your Topaz gemstones or jewellery, a mild solution of warm soapy water works best. A soft polishing cloth can also be used. Harsh or abrasive cleaning products, such as bleach, should be avoided when cleaning. High heat or sudden temperature changes can cause internal breaks in Topaz, so it is recommended to avoid using steam cleaners or ultrasonic cleaners at home to clean this November Birthstone.
Anatometal – ‘Trio’ Mystic Topaz
Citrine!
Citrine is the modern gemstone for all you November Birthstone babies. This cutie is the transparent yellow to orange variety of Quartz. The hues of this gem can range from a very pale yellow colour all the way to a deep honey orange tone. Since the yellow hues are so similar to the yellow-orange hues of Topaz, they often get mistaken for each other. Citrine actually gets its yellow tone due to the presence of iron in the Quartz. The colour of Citrine is dependent on the concentration of iron found. The more iron, the deeper and richer the colour. The golden shade of Citrine is the most prized by collectors. Natural Citrines are incredibly rare, therefore in todays market most Citrine is heat treated Quartz.
Natural Citrine can be found in the Ural Mountains of Russia as well as Madagascar, Bolivia, Madagascar, Mexico, Spain and Uruguay. Most heat treated Amethyst-Citrine are mostly mined in Brazil, although other sources include France and the USA (particularly North Carolina, California and Colorado). The history for this gemstone though, dates back several hundreds years between 300-150BC Ancient Greece, where they used the gems as talismans. During this time, it was also found on the handles of swords and daggers in Scotland. It was believed to be ‘first’ discovered in the 1600s by a Spanish Conquistador in a Bolivian mine, where he found large deposits of Citrine and also Amethyst.
It is no surprise that Citrine shares many beliefs with Topaz, due to its shared mistaken identity throughout history . It’s warm colour is said to be a gift from the Sun, which is perfect to keep you warm during this chillier season. It is believed to help ground its wearer, while bringing warmth and happiness as well as prosperity. For some its considered a ‘healing’ gemstone, with its ‘calm and soothing’ powers. Or if you’re more of a creative mind, it is also said to spark imagination. Today though, Citrine is known as the ‘Merchants Stone’ which brings forth wealth and success. Of course, there is no scientific evidence of any of this.
Citrine comes in at around 7 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, but often ranging between 7-7.5 due to Citrine often being a form of Amethyst. This means they are quite a hard stone, but care should still be taken to ensure it isn’t knocked too hard, as this can lead to chipping and cracks. It is best cleaned with warm and mild soapy water, alongside a soft cloth or a toothbrush with soft bristles (such as a baby toothbrush). Steam cleaning is not recommended, as using such a high heat can risk damage, but using an ultrasonic is usually okay.
BVLA – ‘Sunray’ Reverse Set Citrine
Citrine Charm for those Warmer Toned November Angels
Custom Made Charm – Citrine
A massive thank you to RollerSkatingPiercer for the above beautiful pictures of Citrine Gemstones!
We stock jewellery from brands from across the world, and can source items in all birthstones imaginable! If you would like to treat yourself to some meaningful pieces, just get in contact with us.
Make sure to follow us on social media for regular updates, and keep an eye out as we post new blogs every single Friday!
October is a super unique and exciting month for birthstones because technically there are two! Opal and Pink Tourmaline are the stars of the spooky season but why do we have two birthstones, and what makes them so special?
There’s no real solid evidence on why we have two birthstones for October, but there are two ideas floating around.
Originally Opal was the sole birthstone for October, however some people argued that it was too feminine, too fragile and it wasn’t durable for everyday wear. This is because Opal is only a 5.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. In comparison, a Sapphire is 9. To give more options for gemstones that could be worn for a lifetime, Pink Tourmaline was added as a secondary option. It is also thought that another reason that some months have more than one birthstone is so that people could still purchase a gemstone if the primary birthstone was too expensive. I’m looking at you, April (Diamond) babies!
Opals!
Opal is the traditional gem for the October birthstone. It is a classic choice, with a milky white ‘background’ colour and a rainbow of iridescent tones that shine in different lighting. Opals can be found in a variety of hues such as black, pinks, greens, blues and even more! They are mined from sources all over the world, but human-mined Opals were first discovered in a cave in Kenya by famous anthropologist Louis Leakey dating back to 4000 BC. There is also evidence that they were mined in North America 10,000 years ago. However, since the late 1800s, it has been most commonly exported from Australia. Australia is now the most famous exporter of Opals, providing 95% of the worldwide opals with the industry valued at almost 90 million AUD per year.`
Most Opals are mined underground, however open-cast Opal mining is also common in Australia.
The soft but beautiful gemstone also has a really fascinating history all across the world, with multiple beliefs and traditions contributing to its modern popularity. Multiple cultures have credited the opal to have supernatural and/or magical properties. In Ancient Greece, they believed it to give the gift of prophecy and health, such as protection from disease. However in Arabic legends it is believed to have fallen from Heaven during flashes of lightning. They also have past and current symbolisation of hope, and purity.
How are Opals Formed?
Opal is a hydrated armorphous form of silica. This means that it is a solid that contains water, but lacks certain characteristics to be classified as a crystal. It’s water content can sometimes be as high as 21%! Opals began to form in Australia over 500 million years ago, when the land was covered by a shallow inland sea. The sediment that settled aty the bottom of this sea was high in silica, which slowly began to trickle down into clay beds and even fossils. As the silica was deposited, it formed opals.
Because of its water content, and armorphous properties, Opals are very soft and delicate gemstones that should be treated gently, and with care. It is recommended that any opal jewellery should be cleaned with warm water and a mild soap. Please do not use any harsh chemicals on Opal jewellery. You can also use a soft bristled toothbrush or a cloth to gentle polish the stone.
We are often asked why we do not use genuine opals in initial piercings – So lets explain why! Opals are unique within body jewellery in that they contain a very high natural water content; sometimes as much as 21% by weight. Sterilising jewellery involves using an autoclave, which reaches high temperatures and pressures over 130 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, the water content of opals can flash-evaporate which can cause the gemstone to split. That would be an expensive mistake!
2x 14k Yellow Gold ‘Mini Sunray’.
14k Yellow Gold ‘Live To Tell’ Seam Ring.
14k White Gold ‘Mini Kandy’.
14k Yellow Gold ‘3 Gem Janna’ Seam Ring.
Pink Tourmaline
Pink Tourmaline is the more modern addition to the October birthstones rota. It is a strikingly beautiful stone known for its range of pink colours. It can be found in a variety of shades ranging all the way from pale pink to rich, deep magenta.
Tourmaline as a category is known for its variety of colours. Depending on which elements are found in its crystalline structure, the colours can range from greens to reds, to blues and pinks. This makes it an excellent substitute for other, often more expensive precious gemstones. For example, Green Tourmaline was found in the 1500s by a Spanish conquistador in Brazil, who washed some dirt from the stone, and due to its vibrant hues of green mistook it for an Emerald. It wasn’t until the late 1800s that it was recognised as its own category of mineral by geologists and gemologists.
Popularity for the gemstome Tourmaline spiked in the 1800s in America, when it wa sold to the company Tiffany and Co, who are infamous for their excellent and early adoption of modern marketing techniques. However, despite the American popularity for Tourmaline, it was actually China that dominated the market for Pink Tourmaline. The Dowager Empress Tz’u Hsi was paticularly fond of the pink tones and purchased huge quanities of the stone. So much so, that when the Chinese government collapsed in 1912, the market for Pink Tourmaline also collapsed!
Throughout history, Pink Tourmaline has had many different attributes associated with it. The Romans used it as a sleep aid or stress reliever, whilst many artists, writers and creatives have used it to stimulate creativity. There are modern beliefs that it renews vitality, can strengthen self-confidence and even enhance sensuality. It is believed to be the stone of love and humanity, and many crystal healers use it for healing. It has strong ties to being an aid for physical and emotional healing, especially to remove the emotional pain from heartache any many forms of abuse. It is a stone for love, passion and joy.
At Rogue we don’t place much merit in these purported magical powers, but it is interesting to read.
Pink Tourmaline is quite a hard stone (7.5 on the Mohs scale), which means it is durable and suitable for everyday wear. To clean your Tourmaline jewellery at home it is recommended to use warm soapy water or an ultrasonic cleaner.
Different lighting effects the same jewellery.
Side View
BVLA ‘Round Cab Prong’
We stock jewellery from brands from across the world, and can source items in all birthstones imaginable! If you would like to treat yourself to some meaningful pieces, just get in contact with us.
Make sure to follow us on social media for regular updates, and keep an eye out as we post new blogs every single Friday!
We are currently offering our biggest ever collection of BVLA in the studio, and are expecting even more to arrive in the coming weeks! Here we are going to do a little overview of some of our favourite pieces, all of which are available to purchase online and in-studio for both fresh piercings and healed piercing upgrades!
Jay has had their eyes on a Mini AJ from the minute they saw it on the BVLA website, and Kat has outdone themselves with this stunning mix of Labradorite and White Sapphires yet into 14k Yellow Gold. Absolutely stunning.
We would love to see this piece in a conch piercing! The fan shape will really be amplified by the curve of the ear – And give it plenty of space to shine.
Following in the footsteps of the Mini AJ, is the Trillion Half Bezel. Again, these pieces made us fall madly in love the minute we saw them. Love at first sight some would call it. And with even more Labradordite in yellow gold, you can see why these guys have had to make it into our list of favourites. These would look absolutely stunning atop a navel or jestrum piercing, for the adventurous!
These are such a popular design, and you can really see why. They are so incredibly neat. The bezel, the beading… Everything works together perfectly to make a beautiful piece that looks amazing in lobe, helix and faux rook placements!
Rose-Cut Green Tourmaline: it definitely knows how to catch your eye! Every single turn under the light allows different colours to shine through, from deep moss tones through to chartreuse bright greens. We have just one of these left in stock in this colourway, and we would love to see it in a philtrum or labret piercing!
Gemstone Feature: Chrysoprase
Round Cab prongs and a Marquise Seam Ring.
Continuing with the green, is the absolute ultimate neon green: Chrysoprase. We are absolutely hoping to see these guys leave as a full set. We would absolutely love to offer to waive the piercing fees for a set of paired nostril piercings and a septum piercing! Just get in contact via email and we can book you in!
Gemstone Feature: Oregon Sunstone
Round Cab Prong.
Now Oregon Sunstone has made Jay fall fast and hard. It’s beautiful, soft, feminine, and absolutely mesmerising. You also can’t go wrong with a Cab Prong. Classics are a classic for a reason! This design has just a little bit of intricacy in the setting, while still letting the gemstone speak for itself.
BVLA are the pinnacle of body jewellery – With over 800 different designs to choose from, which you can personalise with 500 gemstones, the choice can be a little overwhelming! We are here to guide you through the entire process from start to finish, suggesting pieces and curating your own slice of the BVLA pie.
If you want to get your own custom piece, email Kat at kat@roguepiercing.co.uk to get the ball rolling on wearing your own dream body jewellery collection.
With the gradual end of Summer and the slow transition into Autumn, I thought it would be a nice time to appreciate some of the gorgeous piercings that have left Rogues door over the last few weeks.
From piercer favourites to stunning pieces of jewellery, in this blog I have assembled together some of the awe-inspiring faces and ears that we have had the privilege to work with recently!
Breo has had a fantastic few weeks, from custom scaffolds and large gauge piercings, we’ve really seen him do some impressive work. There’s no doubt about it that Breo is a piercing wizard. Between his imagination and his fingers, he blows us away every single time.
Breo adorned some empty space on this lobe, using a Dusk 18K white gold quad bead to create a stacked effect and it is honestly just stunning.
Both a custom designed scaffold and a large gauge conch. It was absolutely wonderful to watch Breo start a long term project for this ear.
An epic set of paired vertical labrets, decorated with Inari Royal Blue Opals.
Using 4 Inari Black Opals, Breo delivered an amazing pair of surface eyebrow piercings.
Aiden, as always, has produced some gorgeous work. Coming from the technical side of the field, Aiden uses more of a mechanical mind to create such fascinating results, and his efforts have not gone amiss so far!
Working with unique anatomy can sometimes be quite tricky, but Aiden did a beautiful job of decorating this split lobe with a London Blue Neometal Prong to distract the eye.
Simple, yet elegant. This 18K Yellow Gold Ball from Rebecca Winder is the start of a long term project of reopening and repiercing some long retired piercings.
Large gauge work is Aiden’s bread and butter, and this 6mm initial labret was an honour to add to the collection.
Aiden did such a fantastic job of placing this striking Swiss Blue Topaz Baguette in this conch.
It’s been an incredible few months for Gemma, as she has been learning new techniques for existing piercings, but has also just took her first steps into learning intimate piercings! Alongside this, she has produced some eye-catching work!
We couldn’t be more mesmerised with this single lobe piercing! Embellished with an Industrial Strength Paw Print, how could you not fall in love?
How could I not put Jay’s ear in here? Gemma did such a perfect job with this mid-helix using a Sebastien Cluster!
A 14g vertical labret, crowned with a Neometal White Opal for a subtle, yet glam look.
These two separate helix piercings, are the start of a long term project! The end goal is to eventually downsize to snug labrets, and join the two with a chain, for the custom look of an industrial!
Jay has also had a smashing couple of months, from nailing their apprentice piercings, to styling and designing, we can honestly say they are producing beautiful work.
This graceful Hammered Teardrop was the perfect life-long piece of jewellery for this nose piercing!
Single lobes are a classic and tasteful piercing! This one here is pierced with a Neometal Clear Swarovski Prong!
Bridges are new piercings for Jay’s menu, but we are incredibly proud of how they are turning out!
Stacked lobes have been a favourite of Jay’s recently, both designing and piercing, and we couldn’t be happier with the finished look of this one!
And of course, we can’t do a September and October roundup without looking at some of the stunning work produced by our guest artist, Flavio. Flavio guested with us for a week and his work is absolutely fantastic!
A super sweet Neometal Trinity, perfectly laid in a conch!
Rebecca Winders 18k White gold disks are such a simple way to make any lobe look sophisticated!
This might be the first daith of the blog to make an appearance, but with the subtle class of an Ocean Grey Swarovski Bezel, how could this one go amiss?
It would be an absolute shame to not flaunt Kat’s new tragus piercing, with a stunning Anatometal Hera!
As Autumn and Winter roll back around, it’s time to talk about how you should protect your piercings through the year! As your environment changes, so does the care your piercings need. This is especially true for exposed piercings such as ear and nose piercings, and definitely true for stretched piercings like lobes and septums! So, how do you care for your piercings in winter?
Winter
Ear Piercings in Winter
Ear piercings are particularly sensitive to Winter – The constant changes in temperature from hot to cold, the mild irritation of hats… There’s a lot for your ear piercings to deal with! The main thing to keep in mind is to keep your ears at a steady temperature, and shield them from abrupt changes in temperature. You may have noticed (if you are particularly perceptive) that when you come in from a cold walk in the wintertime, your ears get pretty red and can even swell a little bit. If not properly protected, this can cause excess swelling on a fresh piercing. We recommend wearing a clean loose buff or winter hat, or other gentle ways of shielding your piercings from the cold, dry air. Make sure you are washing your hats, earmuffs etc regularly as they can be a source of bacteria! Soft, lint-free materials are ideal so as not to risk introducing loose fibres to your piercing. As always, be super careful to avoid snagging your piercings on any hats you do decide to wear! Every pierced person knows that a wooley hat can be the nemesis when you have ear piercings, so do be extra cautious.
Nose Piercings in Winter
The main thing that people can be worried about when caring for new piercings in the wintertime is “What if I get a cold?” The winter is known for having higher rates of cold, flu, and even Covid-19. This not because cold temperatures make viruses more contagious, but because we tend not to properly ventilate our homes and workplaces and spend more time in close physical contact with others. A cold or flu will not make healing your new piercing impossible though, so don’t let that put you off! The main thing to keep in mind is that your piercing is more resiliant than you think. Importantly – Be gentle. Blow your nose as needed, keep your piercing clean and dry, and be patient. The best thing you can do is to avoid getting ill in the first place – Keep your home well-ventilated, wash your hands regularly, and make sure you’re eating a healthy diet with plenty of the necessary vitamins and minerals!
The best way to blow your nose with a fresh piercing is… Carefully.
Stretched Piercings in Winter
We will be focussed on stretched piercings in winter that are more likely to be exposed – Stretched earlobes and stretched septum piercings are the most common! Both are susceptible to that cold, dry air. They are a little more fragile than standard gauges, simply because the tissue is thinner and the jewellery often larger or heavier.
With stretched lobes, the best thing you can do is take the opportunity to downsize the gauge of large stretched lobes during the winter. This means that the piercings are not experiencing as much stress, have a better blood flow, and can settle to become more robust in the long run. The process of downsizing and upsizing in time with the seasons can help to thicken thinning lobes as well! We recommend downsizing by 1-2mm on smaller sizes (10mm-14mm), and 2-4mm for larger sizes (16mm+). For stretched lobes smaller than 10mm, you won’t necessarily see any benefit to downsizing.
Stretched septum piercings can be trickier to maintain in winter. They often wear thick, heavy metal jewellery. Although this looks very cool, this style of jewellery can be impractical in very cold weather. Metal jewellery chills quickly in cold weather, transferring warmth from the inside of your septum to the outside where it quickly radiates away. This heat sink effect is uncomfortable, and at worst could cause damage to your piercing by causing a cold burn. In the winter it is best to swap to more tucked away, subtle jewellery such as simple glass plugs or pincers. These act as much less of a heat sink and are a super comfortable way to wait out the cold months. Something that you might not consider when having a stretched septum in the winter is condensation! The moisture on your breath will condense on the jewellery if it is large enough and can even drip down your face! This is another reason to swap to more invisible jewellery.
Large-gauge septum jewellery can act like a heat sink in the winter and this can be uncomfortable. Ensure you wear light, comfortable jewellery!
Summer
Summer brings its own special considerations to piercings! The main things that can cause issues are the heat, humidity, and the changes in our lifestyle such as flying and swimming.
Heat and Humidity
The main things that can cause irritation to piercings in the summer are heat and humidity. On extra hot days, we can often expect a bit more swelling especially on very fresh piercings. The best way to combat this is to keep cool, hydrated, and avoid overexerting yourself. Drinking plenty of fresh, cool water is not only good for you, but good for your piercings! If you know you are safe to do so, taking an anti-inflammatory medication such as paracetamol or ibuprofen is a nice way to minimise your swelling. Speak to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about this though.
Flying
Summer holidays are the most popular time for international flying! Over 100,000 international flights occur in the 6 weeks of the holidays, so you can imagine how many new piercings there are flying across the world at any one moment! The main thing to keep in mind with flying is that pressure change. We all know that you can swell a little bit when flying, and that is definitely true with new piercings. This is not a reason not to get pierced, but it is important that your piercer is informed of any flying, international travel, holidays etc. This means that we can add an extra millimetre or two of swelling room to account for this.
If we know you’re flying, we’ll add a smigeon of extra swelling room!
Swimming
The most important thing that you need to consider when getting a new piercing is that you cannot safely swim for 4 weeks afterwards. That means no swimming in the sea, lakes, swimming pools, saunas, jacuzzi or any other bodies of water. And no, just because the sea is salt water doesn’t make it safe to swim in! In a single drop of seawater, there can be over 190 individual species of bacteria. Once you are past the 4 week mark, you can slowly start to swim again! Make sure you rinse your piercing with clean tap water or bottled water afterwards, and dab dry to avoid leaving your piercings waterlogged.
Alcohol
Summer means BBQ season, and BBQ season means the opportunity to enjoy an alcoholic beverage (or four!) with friends. We cannot pierce you if you are under the influence of alcohol, or have had even one unit of alcohol the day of your appointment. Please keep this in mind when booking! Alcohol can thin the blood, which means you can expect a bit of extra swelling and crustiness if you drink the week after you get your piercing. This is nothing to be concerned about, so just clean your piercings as normal. When you are intoxicated, it’s more likely that you will accidentally snag or knock your piercings. It’s all part of being a human being! Don’t punish yourself – Just take the time to look after them when you are feeling back to normal.
It is always really important to protect your skin, however when you have a fresh piercing it is extra important. Burnt skin is damaged skin, which leaves your piercings exposed and vulnerable to infection. Not only that, but a sunburn can slow the healing process, and can even irritate healed piercings! We don’t recommend applying sunscreen to a fresh piercing as the chemicals can cause irritation, so the best thing you can do is cover your piercings in strong sunlight. The main methods of doing so are staying out of the sun, wearing long and loose clothing, and wearing a wide-brimmed sunhat!
Protect your skin, protect your piercings, protect your health!
So there you have it, some of the main ways that the seasons will impact your healing piercings! With winter coming, the main things to remember are: Be careful with winter clothing, and make sure you keep yourself as healthy as is possible for you!
Today I think everyone in Nottingham woke up and noticed the distinct change in the air. Autumn is coming… Folks are prepping for college, university, or thanking the stars that the Primary and Secondary school summer holidays are coming to an end. So, what was summer like at Rogue? Today we’re taking a look back at the last three months!
Excellent Piercings
The last three months have been awesome in terms of piercing. Not only have we used more stunning Gold jewellery than we ever thought possible, but we have also been overwhelmed with the sheer number of amazing people booking in for intimate work of all levels. It’s been a whirlwind, but it’s been awesome. Here are some of our favourites!
Epic 5mm septum piercing by Breo!
Incredible custom-ordered Crown Bullet ends in a pair of vertical helix piercings by Breo.
Sweet 6mm initial navel piercing performed by Aiden.
Creative nipple piercing jewellery, pierced by Aiden.
Adorable flat piercing, pierced by Jay using BVLA.
Epic philtrum piercing by Jay, using BVLA.
Complex paired forward nostrils, pierced by Jay.
Custom Orders
The custom orders in recent months have been absolutely insane. We’re absolutely overwhelmed by the sheer creativity of our clients. Paired with the assistance of an expert team and myself, we’ve been creating some genuinely amazing jewellery! We love BVLA because you can genuinely find their designs nowhere else.
Absolute perfection from BVLA in the form of this Captain.
Monochrome perfection from BVLA using Onyx, White and Grey Diamonds.
Amazing BVLA Inside-Out Eden Pear set with Genuine Diamonds.
Cosmic BVLA Pearl cabochons.
Yellow Gold and Onyx setup from BVLA.
Incredible septum upgrade for the indomitable Nikki.
Fun at Work!
The summer is the best time – We have done so many fun things together as a team. The main highlight is always the Summer party, where we spend a long weekend swimming and partying with friends. Not only this, but we have been working on expanding our experiences. For example, this summer Gemma and I have experienced suspension hooks for the very first time. It’s an incomparable experience that really changes your perspective on the human processing of sensation. This is something we might offer to the public in the future…
As a heads up, the below slideshow contains photos from this day which include blood!
Getting the baby apprentice involved!
It was an experience.
The Heatwave!
And then it was July and August in a blink of an eye! We had not one, but 5 days where the temperatures topped 40. It was absolutely incredible. We have never experienced anything like it before in the UK! Nottingham seemed to grind to a halt, and we indeed closed the studio for a day. We were so glad to be back open though, as it was actually cooler at Rogue than at any of our respective homes!
Tis hot!
It was beautiful in the sun.
It actually only topped out at a “mild” 27 in the studio!
Looking Forward
As Autumn slowly arrives we’re looking towards the future with vague optimism. I’m going back to university next month, the team are learning and growing, and Rogue is looking better than it ever has! We can’t wait to see where the next season takes us. While I have your attention, I may as well let you know what the next custom order deadlines for each brand are going to be!
BVLA – November 26th
Anatometal – September 10th
Neometal – September 1st
Gorilla Glass – September 2nd
As always, contact me at kat@roguepiercing.co.uk to organise your custom orders! I always recommend having a scroll through the brands website and social media to get some ideas, and I can work from there.
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