A ring is a ring, is a ring. I love it when I see diamond companies creating unique settings that show off a diamond's true beauty. There are too many times where we see the same old, same old. Coming across the brand isee2 Diamonds is a breath of fresh air! As you can see below, their designs are interesting and are not something you see everyday, in every jewelry shop. They would catch people's attention and get compliments forever! Whether used as a right-hand ring or the engagement ring, any of these would be beautiful--all live up to the company's slogan: Beauty Beyond Compare. Read More
If you are wanting a website that not only showcases jewelry but will transport you to another world, Van Cleef & Arpels website will do just that! Make sure you have your volume turned on, because the soothing music will have you in a relaxed trance. The Jewellery Collection tab has a drop-down list of clickable collections, each are fun to explore. Their jewelry has been worn by celebrities, featured in movies, and has walked down red carpets. I like the trinket boxes that are bejeweled in diamonds and sapphires. Luxury overload! Read More
I love jewelry designers who combine the luxury of real gold with materials that aren't so luxurious. Here is a great example--bright nylon paired with white and yellow gold. Designer Luis Morais is the creator behind these amazing, trendy bracelets. Wear one, two or five...you can't go wrong! Make this your signature bracelet--you've always got to have it on, it's your good luck charm...while you mix and match other bracelets daily. Similar to the Gem Gossip Charity Bracelet, you have some great colors to choose from--so pick one you like. These bracelets range in prices from $190-340. You can pick one up by going to Aloha Rag or finding other retailers through the designer's website. Read More
After such high demand and extensive waiting time, David Yurman has finally released the bridal collection. His classic American look he has always been known for resonates into the bridal collection as well. The famous cable-like metal work is featured in the engagement rings. I love the crossover band, as seen in the picture. It is so simple, yet has such character and would stay beautiful for years to come. The diamond even has a patented cut, called the David Yurman Signature Cut. It gives the brilliant cut a run for its money, while adding a cushion cut component to it.
Besides the David Yurman Signature Cut, another favorite of mine is his spin on the oval cut. Usually turned vertically, David Yurman has horizontally placed the oval cut diamond to give the ring such a unique look. For more information, check out the website. There, you can see a few other designs as well as make an appointment to view/purchase. Read More
Navette style rings consist of any rings that are boat-shaped. This sort of style tends to elongate the finger and has a definite feminine side. Often popularized during the Victorian Era, however you can find brand new navette rings today. This shows how timeless the look is and it is here to stay! Finding vintage navette rings is fun and a collection isn't complete without a good one. Check out my favorites below!
From the Victorian Era, with a Belgian origin, this ring has diamonds with a single rose cut sapphire in the middle. A true definition of navette style ring. It is set in 18k rose gold and is priced at $1620. It can be found at Adin.
A more modern approach to the navette style ring is this one. It is still considered vintage since it is circa 1980. It is set in 18k gold with diamonds and sapphires. This one goes for $1420 at Ross-Simons.
This ring can be found on eBay right now, from seller: Ashland_Investments. The auction ends November 30, so there is still time! You can buy it now for $910 or make an offer! The ring features 29 diamonds set in 18k gold. Take a look on eBay by looking up the seller or typing in 'navette' into the search bar, and narrowing the criteria down by clicking on vintage jewelry as the category. Read More
Luscious lapis, rich ruby, admirable aquamarine, gorgeous garnet, and pretty pearls. Diamonds are a girl's best friend. You see them everyday; dangling from a golden chain, sparkling on a finger, or shining on a wrist. They are a worldwide symbol for love on an engagement ring. Everyone has to buy one some point or another. But what should an average shopper look for in order to buy that perfect gemstone? A buyer should go by these four major groups: color, cut, price, and meaning.
The first characteristic about a gemstone that everyone notices (unless you are colorblind) is what color it is. Gemstones range from all the colors in the rainbow and everything in between. This includes: black, brown, gray, white, colorless, and metallic. Diamonds, believe it or not, come in almost every color--including black. This is also true for spinel, zircon, sapphire and some chrysoberyl. If you are looking for a rich red color, rubies and red beryl are the best quality out there. Gemstones that are blue include: aquamarine, blue beryl, sapphire, topaz and some opals. The pretty pink gemstones include: kunzite, morganite, sapphire and diamonds. These four gems also come in purple, along with the ever popular plum garnet. Tsavorite is a gorgeous green gem and if you pronounced it correctly, you deserve an emerald...which is another green gem. Now, if you want a gem really hard to pronounce, try a padparadschah. It is a mix of an orange and yellow hue. Some gemstones, such as ametrine and watermelon tourmaline are very unique. On one half is one color and on the other is another.
Now that you have decided on a color, let's figure out the cut of the actual gemstone. The most preferred cut, the brilliant cut, which is a simple round cut with many facets that brings out the "fire" in the stone. Then there's the sweetheart cut, which is popular around Valentine's Day. A marquise cut is shaped like a football; skinny on the ends and fat in the middle. A trillion cut is a triangle and a square cut (often called princess cut) is obviously a square. An emerald cut is a modification of the square cut, yet it is a rectangle. As time goes by, technology gets better everyday. This, in turn, affects gem cutting. Many new cuts, such as the step, scissors, checkerboard and other fancy cuts have been invented. Many jewelry designers themselves are designing their own cut and naming it in their honor.
Alright, you got the color, you got the cut, now let's add all this up for a total cost. Prices in jewelry come in a very wide range. There are those everyday mothers and then there are those museum collectors of gemstones. Diamonds of course are the most expensive, and the least expensive would be any stone in the topaz family. Emeralds, rubies and sapphires are up there in price near the diamonds. The collectible gems, such as alexandrite, morganite, kunzite and tanzanite are very priceless. The cut also is dependant upon the price. For example, a simple oval cut would cost less than a trillion cut with checkerboard facets.
Once you have found the perfect color, cut and a price within your budget, you can take in account these little facts and different meanings of gemstones. Each month has its own gemstone called a birthstone. January is garnet, which symbolizes love and desire. February is amethyst which symbolizes sincerity, March is emerald for love and success, June is the pearl which symbolizes health, July is a ruby which stands for contentment, August is peridot for long married happiness, September is the sapphire which symbolizes clear thinking, October is opal for hope, November is citrine for fidelity, and finally, December is zircon which symbolizes prosperity. Jade is an ancient Chinese stone which is said to bring good fortune.
Any gemstone, from alexandrite to zircon, is a beautiful one. The world of gemstones is somewhat magical. Everyone should appreciate these precious gifts from deep within the Earth or underneath the ocean waves. A shopper should now be able to purchase and own their perfect gemstone by knowing these four major groups of division. Read More
