Joanna recreates Russian jewels

Published 18 Dec 2009 10:30 0 Comments

A LOCAL jeweller has laid a treasue trail from Peebles to Russia with the creation of a very special piece of jewellery.

Joanna Thomson, sold a gold necklace, ring and earrings to Lyudmila Putin, wife of the then Russian President Vladimir, at the G8 Summit in Gleneagles in 2005 when the wives of the attending leaders were treated to a craft fair hosted by Cherie Blair.

Now Joanna has made a copy of the pendant in silver, which will be placed in the raffle at the Cringletie House Hotel's Dinner in the dark evening next February.

The event will see diners blindfolded to help heighten their senses as they enjoy a lavish meal, whilst also raising funds for the proposed extension of the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh.

Obviously delighted with the original sale, Joanna is even happier that she can now use the design to help the Royal Blind School get closer to its target of £15million.

She said: "To be honest, I didn't even recognise Mrs Putin at first, but she seemed really pleasant and I was very flattered that she liked my work.

"When I became aware of the fund raising dinner, I wanted to produce something which was both beautiful and tactile.

"The 'Putin pendant' came to mind when I remembered a blind woman saying she could feel the colours of the gems - so it will be very colourful.

"I have set it with two beautiful blue moonstones complimented by pink and green tourmalines and Iolites. Once it is finished, it will be on display at Cringletie House Hotel over the Christmas period."

Jeremy Osborne, manager of the Cringletie House Hotel said: "We are very excited to be able to put this necklace into the raffle, especially given its prestigious heritage.

"We are hoping to raise in excess of £3,000 on the night and are delighted with the impressive array of raffle and auction prizes donated by local businesses. If we come within reach of our target, we may well make this an annual event."

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 18 Dec 09

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