diamond rings

Costco Selling $1 Million Diamond Ring

Filed under: Jewelry

96-count package of toilet paper? Check. A massaging recliner chair? Check. A casket? Check. A $1 million diamond ring? Why, check. Check, indeed.

The Consumerist points out that everyone's favorite discount store, Costco, is now shilling a 6.77 ct solitaire. Yes, there's only one available, but like everything else lining the store's shelves, the piece of bling is being offered at a steep price reduction -- original IGI (International Gemological Institute) value: $1,601,875. That's over $600k in savings (roughly one million rolls of toilet paper if we did the math correctly, and there's no promises we did).

Aside from wondering who will buy the hunk-o-jewelry, we are curious about what's going on chez Costco these days.

Just last month, the mass-market retailer announced it would be collaborating with designer Kirstie Kelly on a collection of six wedding dresses, priced from $699 to $1,399. Costco: your one-stop wedding destination? Or your wannabe bridal salon?

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Tags: 1 million, Costco, diamond rings, diamonds, jewelry

Spring Blooms With Cathy Waterman's Colorful Diamond Ring

by Marsha Reid (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

Spring is taking its precious time to arrive. As I eagerly wait for the weather to warm up beyond 50 degrees and the bright sun to shine, I find myself perusing accessories to brighten up my day. And the artistry behind Cathy Waterman's jewelry always delivers.

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Tags: Cathy Waterman, diamond jewelry, diamond rings, jewelry, rings, spring fashion

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Blockbuster Pink Diamonds For Sale At M.S. Rau Antiques

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

There's no question that pink diamonds are hotter than hot lately. Last month a modified rectangular-cut fancy vivid purple-pink diamond of 6.89 carats sold for $6.91 million at Christie's New York Jewels auction on December 7. You won't have to pay quite that much to make the Cassel Pink Diamond yours. The Cassel Pink Diamond was once owned by the famous English banker and royal financial advisor, Sir Ernest Cassel and is a 4.71 carat purplish-pink diamond. It is GIA certified Fancy Purple-Pink with SI2 clarity. The center stone is set in 18K rose gold with .79 carats of pink diamonds. It is for sale at M.S. Rau Antiques in New Orleans for $1.4 million.

A lighter stone, a 10.02 carat, cushion-cut, "Natural Fancy Light Pink" diamond ring is also for sale. This one is also set in 18K rose gold and surrounded by 1.00 total carat of round brilliant pink diamonds. It sells for $1.3 million.

Tags: diamond ring, diamond rings, diamonds, M.S. Rau Antiques, pink diamond, pink diamondsd

Robbins Brothers Brings Jewelry Stores Back To Houston

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

In 2009, we reported that engagement ring specialist Robbins Brothers was selling off its Houston stores to Spence Diamonds. But after Spence Diamonds pulled out of Houston, Robbins Brothers is back in with plans to open its original freestanding locations in Houston, Texas. "We are grateful for a second chance," commented Andy Heyneman, president and CEO for Robbins Brothers. "Houston has been a very important market to us; to have the opportunity to return so quickly is a testament to the hard work of everyone in the company."

Robbins Brothers will welcome past and future customers at the opening of its Houston Loop store near the Galleria in late January. The Baybrook location will open mid-year and Robbins Brothers is hosting a kickoff "Spa Open House" to entail complimentary diamond ring cleaning plus mini-manicures, massages, appetizers and gift bags. All customers who maintained their service policies with other jewelers can now return to the Houston store for Lifetime Diamond Warranty benefits. The response from former customers has been strong with many expressing delight that the chain is back in the area.

Tags: diamond rings, houston, jewelry store, robbins brothers

Mark Davis Esther Ring

by Marsha Reid (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

Bring the geometric playfulness of mod style back into your wardrobe with the Esther Ring ($1700) by designer Mark Davis. These colorful Bakelite rings are highly polished offering a sheen that makes you take notice. The colorways offered are soft enough to be worn with any outfit throughout the year, but still posses a boldness that is eye catching and would add an interesting quality to your attire.

The dome shaped Esther Rings are minimally accented with a small bezel set, off centered diamond adding just the right hint of glimmer. An advantage to this ring is its versatility. It can be worn casually and offer a dose of the unexpected or be worn with more formal outfits for a playful but elegant feel.

Have tips or suggestions? Contact me @marsha712

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Tags: Bakelite, diamond rings, diamonds, jewelry, mark davis, rings

David Webb Estate Jewelry Up For Auction

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Auctions

The beautiful gold and diamond David Webb necklace above is just one of the pieces being sold an an auction of estate jewelry on September 29 at Doyle New York. The necklace is part of the estate of the Honoroable Florence P. Shientag, a very accomplished woman with some lovely taste in jewelry. During her 101 years, Judge Shientag led the way for women in law, mentoring women lawyers, and protecting the rights of filmmakers and artists. She was the first female federal prosecutor in New York State and one of the first in the country. She was also a patron of the arts and a woman with a strong sense of personal style as is shown through her exquisite taste in jewels.

The piece shown above is gold, platinum and diamond bib necklace with diamond-set platinum leaves, rope-twist stylized acorns tipped with diamonds and gold leaves that is estimated to fetch $20,000 to $30,000. It's just one of Judge Shientag's David Webb pieces. Also up for auction is a rose diamond flower clip-brooch (estimated at $30,000 to $40,000); a gold, platinum, turquoise and ruby chain necklace (estimated at $12,000-18,000) and matching clip brooch (estimated at $6,000-8,000); a pair of diamond flower earclips (estimated at $6,000-8,000); and a gold, platinum and diamond bracelet fashioned as textured branches (estimated at $5,000-7,000).

The top lot in the sale is a platinum ring with a rectangular step-cut diamond of approximately 16.74 carats, L color, VS1 clarity, formerly Property of the Scripps Estate and estimated at $125,000-175,000.

Tags: david webb, diamond rings, diamonds, estate jewelry, jewelry, jewelry auction

Robbins Brothers Guarantees She'll Say Yes

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

Robbins Brothers, The Engagement Ring Store has taken the anxiety out of buying an engagement ring in a variety of ways but their latest initiative, the "She'll Say 'YES' Guarantee" might just be the most important. The guarantee ensures that when the bride-to-be sees her engagement ring, she'll say "yes" to the marriage proposal. If not, the buyer can return the unworn ring within 30 days for a full refund.

The retailer offers other programs which ease the customer's mind like the Best Value Promise, which states that if a shopper finds a similar item within 30 days of their purchase and feel that it's a better value, Robbins Brothers will pay the difference or issue a full refund. Customers also appreciate the complimentary Lifetime Diamond & Gemstone Warranty which promises to replace one's diamond for a lifetime if it chips, cracks or separates from its mounting and is lost. The store also offers no money down financing.

Tags: diamond rings, engagement rings, robbins brothers

The Las Vegas Diamond Cut, Sin City As Muse

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

A master diamond cutter at work in freezing Saskatchewan is behind one of the newest diamond cuts. The Las Vegas diamond was created by Mike Botha and only Botha and two other apprentices churn out the stones which bear 111 facets. An average brilliant cut stone has 57 facets. I've seen more facets than the Las Vegas cut, a few years ago a stone, the Brilliant Lady 21 was said to have an astounding 221 facets. But according to an interview with Botha in the Vancouver Sun he feels that his cut has optimal brilliance and is "in this sweet spot for a diamond that looks beautiful." Another facet and the stone could lose sparkle and definition. The stones are graded by AGS labs.

The design is being sold by Kimberlight Brands and its co-owners, Laura Serena and Heather Kirk, gave the cut its name in honor of the bright lights of Las Vegas. The cut was officially launched in June and there have already been a few orders. It will be rolled out this fall and is only for stones one carat or larger. The stones cost approximately 20 to 30 percent more than a regular cut because of the difficulty and expertise required to make the cuts.

Tags: diamond, diamond cut, diamond cuts, diamond rings, diamonds, las vegas cut diamond

Etienne Perret's Gem Ceramic, A New Way To Set Stones

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

For thousands of years there has been one main way to set gemstones for jewelry, by using metals. One jeweler is testing that with a new method. Etienne Perret has begun using gem ceramic to create gemstones and jewelry. Etienne's Gem Ceramic, is made of Zirconia ceramic, which is said to be hard as sapphire and practically scratch and shatterproof. It's the same sort of material that is used in the ceramic knives I covet every time I see Ming Tsai using them on his cooking show. The ceramic is molded and cast as a powder. The process of setting diamonds and other gemstones is done by inserting 18K gold tubes into holes in the ceramic. In some designs the holes or groves pre-molded but in others they drill the holes, but you can only drill them using diamond bits. It's perhaps most striking in black but the Etienne's Gem Ceramic collection bands are available in black, white, pink, blue and brown with a choice of polished or matte finish (or a combination in some cases). No other colors are currently available but they can make whatever color the customer asks for.

The pieces weigh less than traditional precious metal designs of equal volume. The thick bands are basically indestructible, so much so that they can't really be engraved. One caveat, rings can not be resized. Etienne will replace Gem Ceramic rings for a new size up to twice a year (due to seasonal finger fluctuations) for little or no charge other than shipping. The ceramic stock rings are fairly inexpensive, the largest portion of the price for the diamond Gem Ceramic designs is the diamonds, followed by the the 18kt gold or platinum it is set in and the setting labor itself.

As for the diamonds, Etienne Perret also specializes in both natural color diamonds and "color-enhanced" stones as well as laboratory-created HPHT (high pressure, high temperature) diamonds in an affordable rainbow of colors. Read more about Etienne Perret designs on his blog.

Gallery: Etienne Perret Rings

Tags: bridal jewelry, BridalJewelry, diamond rings, DiamondRings, etienne perret, EtiennePerret, gem ceramic, GemCeramic

Stars of Africa Rings by Royal Asscher

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

Diamond jeweler Royal Asscher has created a new collection called Stars of Africa by Royal Asscher. The Stars of Africa collection consists of 18 rings which feature diamonds encased in a fluid-filled sapphire dome. The stones can move in a way similar to the way that sparkles shake inside a snow globe, throwing off fire and color as they move.The ring collection is available in white, yellow, and rose gold and priced from $4,950 to $7,900 retail. The rings will be available in stores later this month.

For each ring sold Royal Asscher will donate $150 from the sale of each ring to educational, health, micro-economic and self sufficiency programs in Africa. . In 2008, Royal Asscher launched the Star of Africa program, which looks to improve infrastructure in Africa by creating funding for healthcare, education and self sufficiency programs.

[via National Jeweler]

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Tags: diamond rings, DiamondRings, diamonds, royal asscher, RoyalAsscher

Valentine Essentials: A Diamond Ring

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Holiday Guides

Put "Valentine's Day" and "diamond ring" together and most people's minds will go to "engagement" next, but there are plenty of other reasons to give, get, or wear a diamond ring this Vday. There are anniversary bands, fashion rings, and of course the "Right Hand Ring" is growing ever more popular as women decide that they don't have to wait for a man in order to wear a beautiful diamond.

Engagement rings might be the most common type of diamond rings given and worn next week, but they certainly don't have to be the only type!

Gallery: Diamond Rings for All