DIAMOND, gold or platinum, any type of jewellery could cost a lot of your money. The only exception is silver.

German jewellery maker Marion Carsten-Rumpler translates her designs into silver.

Influenced by the avant-garde jewellery art scene in Germany, her designs go beyond functional accessory into the realm of individual self-expression.

She puts emphasis on multifunctional design, every piece of the collection fits into today's women's lives, which have more stress and leave less time for lavish styling for different situations.

"My designs are poetic and symbolic, reminiscent of traditional values but also contemporary and stylish," she said.

In her search for symbolic contexts, she borrows from elements of Asian cultures. Using forms deriving from nature or mystical symbols from the past, which she fits into the context of the modern world without sacrificing their charm and mysticism.

For example, the Chinese symbolic character "shou" (long life) gives inspiration to a collection of rings and amulets with partly polished and partly sandblasted surfaces.

"I like unusual combinations of leather, pearl and silver and also like to play with contrasts between roughness and perfection in one piece," the designer said.

She likes to use naturally shaped round coin pearls, to enhance, through their imperfections, the perfectly smooth and glossy surface of polished sterling silver.

One of the main forms in the collection is the choker. "It is reminiscent of traditional Chinese attire, the very elegant Qipao," she added. Just like a high, tight fitting collar, the choker draws attention to the lady's neckline, one of the "most beautiful and arousing parts of the body".

Carsten now has her own workshop on Taikang Lu where she creates for individual customers.

Jewellery Care

As with most precious metals, in time silver will oxidize. Properly maintained silver actually improves with age. It develops a lush patina when treated well.

1. Simply clean with a mild soap and water solution. Pat dry with a soft cloth. If dirt is more stubborn a silver cleaner is appropriate. But don't rub silver with anything other than a polishing cloth or fine piece of felt. Tissue paper or paper towels will cause scratches.

2. Avoid wearing silver in chlorinated water as it will discolour.

3. Store silver jewellery in a cool, dry, dark place. A tarnish preventative bag is a good idea, or wrapping pieces individually in plastic pouches, soft pieces of felt or cloth.

4. As air and light causes silver to tarnish, the less of them the better when jewellery is stored.

Source: www.fusionjewels.com