Wednesday 14 July 2010

Ruby stick pin



Good new rubies are very hard to find. But this is one from Burma: it is a good clean claret colour, nicely cut, has no visible internal flaws ('inclusions') and is around half a carat in weight; neatly set in 18 carat gold, it is easily my favourite pin. It is true that it has been heat-treated to improve the colour but most of them have.

2 comments:

  1. I have to ask, having never been one for tie pins, do they damage the silk of the tie? Or does the fabric recover? Or is it a case of living with it as one does with the small holes that the collar pin makes?

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  2. Avoid wearing pins in foulard ties as you will snag them. They are fine in woven ties. With a knitted tie, a hunting safety pin is the best choice. Try to avoid tie clips and slides.

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