NAJO designs are sophisticated, bold and unique, yet remain timeless.
Najo has released its 2007 Spring-Summer collection of over 400 new pieces of silver jewellery.
Stand-out features of this collection are a range of beautiful, sculptural bangles, rings and earrings from Mexico; stunning black & white, silver and enamel bangle, ring & pendant sets; and a hugely popular, gallery quality range of pod-shaped pendants and earrings.
The NAJO inspiration started with a journey, through many different countries and cultures.
Since there beginnings in 1986 they have been committed to sourcing and designing innovative
jewellery of the finest quality.
The love of natural form and different design genres is reflected in the NAJO aesthetic.
There range is constantly evolving, combining influences from all over the world to create pieces of exceptional beauty and appeal for both women and men.
This reinforces there reputation for being the leaders in contemporary silver jewellery.
The eclectic nature of our collections ensures there is a NAJO piece to suit every individual's distinct style and price range.
Tell Me More About the Jewellery.
What metals do you use?
Apart from silver, Najo uses an array of other metals. Below is a list of some of the metals found in our range with an explanation of their make-up.
Sterling Silver.
Najo's main source of metal is 925 sterling silver. The 925 represents as a 92.5% silver
content and a 7.5% content of other metals usually consisting of copper, zinc or platinum
which assist in strengthening the silver.
Stainless Steel.
Mainly used in men's jewellery, stainless steel is commonly defined as an iron-carbon alloy
havng a typical composition of 18% chromium and 10% nickel, best known as 18/10 stainless.
Brass.
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc usually containing up to 33% zinc. It is a mid-weight
metal that is relatively resistant to tarnishing, and is often used in decoration.
Rhodium.
A member of the platinum group, rhodium is a rare silvery-white hard metal and is one
of the most expensive metals worldwide. Found in the use of jewellery, it is used as a coating on sterling silver to strengthen
the metal from tarnish caused by the copper contained in silver.
What stones do you use?
Najo uses a variety of natural, synthetic and reconstructed stones.
Natural Stones.
Our natural stones include agate (white & black), onyx, howlite, amethyst, carnelian, lapis, jadeite, chalcedony, amazonite, turquoise, chrysophrase, prenite, moonstone, jasper, pearl, coral and quartz (with colours including clear, black, smoky, pink, rutilated and green tourmalinated).
Natural stones have a unique quality with some containing inclusions. An inclusion
is a material such as another mineral or water that is trapped during the formation
of the stone, leaving the stone with a natural and unique pattern, for example, tourmaline and rutilated quartz.
Synthetic & reconstructed stones.
Synthetic stones include cubic zirconia (CZ), which is fashioned under high temperatures
(up to 2300 degrees Celcius) and high pressure in special chamber known as a skull crucible. Special oxides of copper, titanium, iron and nickel are added during the final processes
to create various colours. Another is hydro-thermal quartz which is also produced in a chamber under high temperature and pressure but using a water base and is best described as being a 'grown' gem. A reconstructed stone is a mixture of a natural stone crushed and mixed with a strong acrylic resin creating an inexpensive alternative to its costly counterpart.
Glass stones, beads and settings of various colours are also employed in some of our designs.
Enamel
Enamel is a siliceous glass substance fusible upon metal. It may be transparent or opaque
but it is usually employed for its beautiful intense decorative colour. Unlike resin, enamel has a high gloss surface but can be more vulnerable to impact.
Resin
Polyester resin is a thermosetting plastic derived from coal tar and petroleum that can be coloured or used clear with objects embedded in it. Resin can easily be poured
into a mould, allowing unusual shapes or multiple copies to be made. The versatility of resin makes it an ideal material for creating jewellery.
Nitrile
Nirtile is a durable synthetic rubber able to withstand conditions such as temperature
and has a resistance against oils and acids.
Gamuza
Gamuza (spanish for the french word 'chamois') is a faux suede leather that resembles
its natural counterpart. Made from treated natural products like wood and cotton fibres in the form of viscose*, suede gamuza is later treated by brushing or sanding to produce the
soft suede-like finish. (*Viscose is an organic liquid used to make rayon and cellophane.)
Najo also uses natural leather in some of its designs
