JOURNAL
5 Years of RUUSK
Today marks 5 years of RUUSK, and what a wonderful, challenging and rewarding journey it has been.Like most things in life, my path into jewellery wasn't entirely linear; it involved a lot of trial and error, a lot of learning, exploring and questioning what it is that I want to bring into the world. After years of experimenting with both jewellery and life, here and across the seas, I finally had a clear idea of what I wanted to do - create meaningful heirloom pieces with purpose and intention.In these 5 years, I've gone from carving rings in my corridor to growing a beautiful and extremely talented team of jewellers, setters, engravers, casters and, of course, our amazing studio team, Stef, Lucy and Kristy. We've moved studios, I've grown a human, and we've helped plant 1,523 trees through our Tree by Tree Initiative. We've created for countless beautiful souls and through these intimate heirlooms been invited into so many stories of love, friendship and grief. Even as we continue to grow, the privilege in being involved in your most precious moments and celebrations is never lost on me. It is such an honour and the greatest joy.With that sentiment, I wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for your love and support. If we've had the pleasure of creating for you, thank you for entrusting us with the creation of your heirlooms. For those who like and comment on our Instagram and Facebook posts, thank you for cheering us on. For those who talk about us to your family and friends, thank you for spreading the love.Without all of you, the journey wouldn't be nearly as sweet.As we enter our 6th year, I'm excited for us to continue to 'grow' not necessarily in size, but in heart and soul. This year we're going to focus on creating an ever richer experience for our special clients, finding ways that we can keep on giving back to this beautiful world that we are a part of and, of course, to continue to bring magic to life as best I know how.From the bottom of my heart, thank you.Bring on the next chapter!x Tania
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Nicki from Nicki Pilates
Nicki is one of the gorgeous souls in our RUUSK community who exudes warmth and positivity with every word she writes. Owning and starting a pilates studio, Nicki Pilates in Albion Park, she has created a welcoming, safe and very happy space. So it was with great pleasure when Nicki asked us to create a Mini Stellar, Shimmer Thin Organic, Hand Carved Cuff & Small Signet over the last year as she set up her new studio. And we are so excited to share Nicki's special pieces and new creative venture with you all. Name:Nicki Location:Illawarra NSW Profession/ Business / Passion / Creative Outlet:Pilates Instructor Nicki's Pilates Studio Star sign:Cancer & very much a Cancerian Quote/words to live by:Find beauty in everything Favourite places to visit:Kirra, QLD (my go to home away from home) Nicki's Hand Carved Cuff Describe your typical day:Getting woken up by some hungry monsters (my children), pilates classes in the AM, lunch and a walk or nap, pilates classes in the PM. I am fortunate enough to have my husband home during the day to be daddy daycare whilst I assist others in their feel good movement. How would you best describe your approach to health and fitness?I have found being intuitive to my bodies responses. Tired/rest, hungry/eat, anxious/breath. It’s so important to give ourselves a good balance and not to deprive ourselves of anything. Nicki's Mini Stellar Solitaire & Shimmer Thin Organic In establishing Nicki Pilates, what has been your greatest takeaway or realisation? And what have you been most grateful for in this process?Being a mum to four children, I'm quite often asked how I find the time to run a pilates studio and instruct classes? If you are passionate about something, it's not a question about finding the time. It just happens. I am most grateful for the community of people I have met in this process. It’s been a very humbling experience and I am so grateful for everyone in my life. Advice you would give to your younger self:Nicki, you will experience everything in life. The highs and lows are what will make you grow into the amazing woman you will become. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Be kind, gentle and try not to resist life’s lessons, they happen for a reason. If you are in Albion Park and looking for a Pilates Class, please pop into Nicki's studio and tell her we say hi! You can find all the details about her studio here Did you know? You can customise any of our pieces with your choice of stone, stone setting & stone placement! Contact us to discuss all the beautiful details of your unique, handmade heirloom.
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RUUSK COUPLES: JAIMEE & JACOB
It has been an absolute joy and honour to have created many special pieces for this beautiful couple over the years. And, as we've witnessed from afar many celebrations and milestones, we were overjoyed when they asked us to create their wedding bands. Plus, unbeknownst to Jaimee, her Mum, Michelle, was also planning to surprise her daughter with a beautiful wedding gift to celebrate this new chapter of life! It is with so much pleasure that we share their beautiful wedding story as they exchanged vows on the grounds of Bawley Vale Estate. Congratulations lovers, we're so happy for you! Describe each other in three words Jaimee: Jacob is a gentleman, extremely genuine and loving.Jacob: Beautiful, caring & she looks after me. Where was your first date? On a Ferris wheel at Cronulla Fair, (very romantic 😂) Jacob's Classic Signet with hand engraving and flush-set sapphire in the band. What did you love most about your wedding day? We both loved that when we looked around, we saw a room full of our most precious loved ones, family & friends. All there, celebrating our love with us. That was pretty amazing. How did you both feel when you saw your wedding rings for the first time? And how did you find your experience with RUUSK? We were absolutely blown away, we couldn’t be happier with our wedding rings, Tania did such an amazing job at helping us bring our visions to life, especially with my (Jaimee’s) ring to sit perfectly with my Engagement Ring that she had already designed with Jacob. Jacob’s first words when seeing his ring were ’that is the most gangsta thing I’ve ever seen!’ Our experience was incredible, Tania makes the whole process so easy and seamless, communication is always very responsive & she feels more like a friend each time we chat. Truly a beautiful person inside & out & we are forever grateful to have such beautiful pieces to stay with us forever.Jaimee's Hand Carved Cuff in Rose Gold, made for her to wear on her wedding day. Jaimee's Mum Michelle gifted her a Tiny True North Necklace on her special day. Featuring a star-set Diamond and laser engraving. Designed to be layered with Jaimee's Square pendant Necklace. What are you both looking forward to in your next chapter of married life together? Definitely for our little bundle of joy to enter the world, we are expecting our first baby at the start of October this year, we are incredibly excited! Photographer: Kristie Carrick / @kristiecarrickphoto Location: Bawley Vale Estate / @bawleyvaleestate Wedding dress designer: Harriette Gordon / @harriettegordon Hair & Make up (bridesmaids & Mother-of the bride): Louise Richmond Hair / @louiserichmond_hair + Hayely Mciver / @hayelymcivermakeup Jaimee's Make up: Jaimee Crofts / @makeupbyjaimeemay Flowers: Aisle of Eden / @aisleofeden Celebrant: Jacqueline Dee / @jacquelinedeecelebrant Stationary: Bridge & Co / @bridge.co1 Did you know? You can personalise many of our pieces to best represent you and your love story. Shop and customise your special pieces here or contact us to talk about creating your unique, handmade heirloom.
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JUNE BIRTHSTONE: ALEXANDRITE
RUUSK Birthstone for June; Alexandrite. Those who wear Alexandrite receive many benefits including good fortune, love and good luck.
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RUUSK COUPLES: CHELSEA & GABRIEL
In the beautiful grounds at Ripponlea Estate, Gabriel and Chelsea exchanged vows, laughing and dancing the whole day through. Recreating the feel of Sicily in the 1950's through their decor, their day brought traditional Italian wedding rituals of bygone eras to the modern day. We're sending a very big congratulations to these lovely high school sweethearts! How did you meet? In year 10 we had the option to do dancing classes with the brother/sister schools in the area. We must have danced together but both don’t remember! It was only at the following social gatherings that we became friends and then eventually in the middle of year 12 – a couple. What is one of your favourite memories of each other when you were in the early stages of dating?We were so young and enjoyed all the moments of finishing school and becoming young adults together. Going to music festivals and gigs with our friends is something that we found we enjoyed so much and we made so many magical memories. We hope it is something we will always do together. What was really important to you both on your special day?We were so excited to have all our family and friends together again but also wanted to ensure we had plenty of time of ‘just us’ on the day. We have memories of both beautiful intimate moments and shared time with our loved ones. It was also important to us to bring the Italian wedding traditions of bygone eras back to the forefront. Having a live band, Italian card & sugar almond bonbonierre, the ribbon dance and the decor and styling all helped to achieve this - we truly felt transported to Sicily in the 1950s - pure magic! What was, or were some of, your favourite moments from your wedding? There was magic all through the day. Some of our favourite moments included our beautiful priest’s homily, laughing and celebrating after the ceremony, traipsing through the beautiful grounds at Ripponlea Estate with our close family and bridal party, entering our beautiful reception to the swoon of the band, all of the amazing speeches and dancing the night away! What do you love most about your wedding rings and how did you find your experience with RUUSK?We adore our beautiful RUUSK rings. We both love the traditional gold jewellery we saw adorned on our parents and grandparents growing up and wanted to start our own collection. Our journey began with designing Chelsea’s engagement ring. We wanted something that looked like it could have been made in ancient Rome with a touch of the celestial and a polished, modern finish. Tania curated the most beautiful sun-inspired ring, and it was no question we wanted to add to our collection with wedding bands of a complimentary theme. The team at RUUSK are ever patient and caring and we have had the best experience working with them. We are so happy with our precious heirlooms and cannot wait to continue to grow our collection as our family grows. What are you two both really looking forward to in your next chapter of married life together?We are currently enjoying settling in our first home together and hope to see more of the world in the next year or two. Long term we hope to start a family and grow our careers. We hope to manifest a life abundant in love, family and magical memories. Eternity Moon & Stars Ring & Star-Set 6.5mm Round Ring Did you know? You can customise many of our pieces with your choice and number of stones. Shop and customise your necklaces here or contact us to talk about creating your unique, handmade heirloom. Photographer: (Lei Lei Clavey/LeiLeiClaveyPhotography)Location: (Xavier College Chapel & Ripponlea Estate / Showtime Event Group)Wedding dress designer: (Cappellazzo Couture/Cappellazzocouture)Hair & Make up: (Ellas Bridal Hair, Lauren Della Makeup/Ellasbridalhair & Laurendellmakeup)Flowers: (Tremella Botanicals/tremellabotanicals)Stationary: (Edith Rose (invitations only) other stationary was DIY /edithrose_studio)
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MAY BIRTHSTONE: EMERALD
RUUSK Birthstone for May; Emerald. An emeralds soothing energy provides emotional healing and brings freshness and vitality to the spirit.
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Tania's Tiny True North Necklace for her daughter Noa
We bring you a story close to our heart today, of our beautiful founder Tania who created a very special necklace to hold onto for her daughter Noa. We watched Tania's pregnant belly grow in the studio and are here now as she makes her way into the studio with sweet little baby Noa who is the happiest, sweetest soul.
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How to clean jewellery at home
Cleaning your jewellery is easier than you think! How often you clean your jewellery at home will depend on your very special piece and how you wear it. If you wear your jewellery daily it will likely need cleaning more regularly than a piece you wear only for special occasions. How to clean your rings at home Wash your jewellery with warm water and a gentle colourless and fragrance free liquid soap. Castile soap, soap for woollens or even a gentle hand soap with no moisturiser, antiseptic or harsh chemicals should work well. For rings with stones you can use a cloth or very soft bristled brush to gently help get grime out of crevices. Once your jewellery is clean, be sure to rinse and dry the piece quickly and well to avoid watermarks. How to clean your necklaces at home If you'd like to clean your pendant in water, please remove it from your chain prior to soaking as soaking your chain in water and soap can corrode the jumpring solder, causing the chain to weaken. When polishing your chain with a polishing cloth, please be gentle as pulling on your chain can also lead to breakages. Tarnishing All metals will tarnish over time, but this process will happen much faster if your jewellery has contact with perfume, oils, household chemicals, makeup, salty air, sulphur, skins creams, hairspray, harsh soaps, detergents, chlorine or acidic fruits. This is a normal process with metal and the tarnish is easy enough to clean off precious metals. Should tarnishing occur, and this will depend on your skin and jewellery care habits, wipe your jewellery with a polishing cloth, unless rhodium plated (see below under white gold). Do not use tissue paper or paper towels to clean metal as they can cause scratching. Once finished, give the piece a rinse and carefully dry it to remove any chemical residue. Avoid the old wives tales! Whether it is using toothpaste or baking soda paste on your metals, be sure to avoid these old wives’ tales at all costs. Rubbing these substances against the metal of your special piece can actually damage your modern heirlooms by removing very small amounts of metal each time you do it. Over time this can damage your pieces. Always be careful when using cloths or anything to rub and clean your jewellery, too much vigour when cleaning isn’t always the best thing. White gold pieces All RUUSK White Gold pieces are rhodium plated (unless otherwise requested) so it’s important to remember not to use polishing cream or cloths on rhodium plated jewellery as this will remove your plating. Additionally, when cleaning your jewellery, do so very gently and without great force. Emeralds You should never clean your emerald jewellery ultrasonically or with steam and avoid exposing your emerald to extreme temperatures as heat can damage the stone. It is also best to avoid hot water, soaps and chemicals as coming in contact with these can cause issues such as discolouration and damage to the clarity and structure of your emerald. For more ways to keep your favourite emerald jewellery shimmering for a lifetime, read more about our emerald care instructions here. Deep Cleaning If you need to outsource your jewellery for a deeper clean or specialised care, you may want to take your piece to a local jeweller for them to clean in their ultrasonic machine. For rings with stones, we recommend taking them to a local jeweller every couple of years to have your stone settings checked and they will be able to professionally clean your rings in their ultrasonic machine at this time. Storing your jewellery safely After you’ve cleaned your jewellery, it is important to think about how best to store your special pieces to help keep them clean and protected. It is best practice to avoid storing your modern heirloom in humid places including bathrooms, as this can increase the possibility of tarnishing. Keeping your jewellery stored away from free flowing air will reduce the risk of tarnishing and also keep dust at bay. As will keeping your precious pieces stored in a small jewellery box or dedicated pouch. To avoid scratching, do your best to keep your precious metal and gemstone pieces stored separately and individually, so that your rings and chains do not rub together. Enjoy your special pieces!
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Brooke & Nathan's Wedding Rings
It's always a pleasure to celebrate the love of our clients so we're thrilled to share with you Brooke and Nathan's wedding day. We adored creating their special wedding bands and love the way Nathan's engraving turned out — a truly unique piece. What are your star signs? Sagittarius (Brooke) & Virgo (Nathan) Where was your first date? We met 12 years ago when I was still in high school! So it was a very casual first date… we got takeaway Thai and had a little picnic by the water. Which was actually made pretty magical by the phospherance that was around in the water that night! I think it was a sign that it was the start of something special. Describe each other in three words. Brooke — Beautiful, smart, lovingNathan — Kind, selfless, fun Where did you get married?The Cove in Jervis Bay. What did you love most about your wedding?We loved that all of our family and friends stayed with us at the venue for the whole weekend- it was an epic three day party!! Even though it rained (A lot… the whole time including our wedding day!) we had the best fun ever. What do you love most about your rings, how did you find your experience with RUUSK? We both absolutely love our rings, they feel so special and personalised. Tania was such a joy to work with in creating our special pieces — she understood what we were after from the start, and we couldn’t be happier with the end result! What excites you most about life together?We feel so lucky to have already created such an amazing life together, and can’t wait to continue enjoying the simple things with each other. Nathan's Large Oval Signet with brushed face & palm tree hand engraving Did you know? You can customise many of our pieces with your choice and number of stones. Shop and customise your necklaces here or contact us to talk about creating your unique, handmade heirloom. Photographer: Mitch Pohl Wedding dress designer: Alexandra Grecco Hair & Make up: @nourish.me.beautiful & @kaylagossbridal Celebrant: Tamara @tamaracelebrant
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