gems

What is Zultanite?

Filed under: Jewelry

Color changing gemstones are always popular with collectors. A while back I reported on the Leviev chameleon diamonds now comes news of a stone which has been around for a while but is poised to make its mark on the gemstone market. Modern Jeweler has a long piece on this stone which shows different colors depending on the light source used. Turkish diaspore used in jewelry since the 1970s. Now it is being sold under the name of Zultanite and higher quality versions of this stone are making their way to market. The stone shifts from varying shades of green in sunlight to a pinkish brown in incandescent light. Zultanite recently turned up at the gem show in Tucson and there seems to be interest both from home-shopping markets and from higher-end operations. Zultanite may be a chance for those who aren't quite ready for the high prices of chameleon diamonds or alexandrite to purchase a color-changing gemstone.

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Tags: gems, gemstone, jewelry, stones, zultanite

Sarcar Solitaire Watch

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

These have been out for a while but somehow I hadn't seen them before. Swiss company Sarcar has found a way to add yet more diamonds to a watch. In their Solitaire watches a bezel set one carat diamond rotates around a dial set with a carpet of diamonds. The watch comes in red or white gold and the bezel and dial are set with brilliant-cut diamonds and the crown features a diamond. The watch has a crocodile leather strap and there is also a limited edition Royal Solitaire watch with a gold and diamond set strap. The standard Solitaire will cost you around six figures.

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Tags: diamonds, gems, timepiece, watches

Academy Awards Jewelry Picture Roundup

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Celebrity Shopping

At the Academy Awards the blackened gold and rough diamond trend continued with many stars wearing pieces that were had a vintage feel. Last year's most amazing piece was probably the Bulgari collar worn by Keira Knightley. There weren't, in my opinion, any real showstopper pieces like that on the red carpet this time but there were definitely some major jewels being displayed.

The evening belonged to earrings and bracelets. Jennifer Hudson wore a yellow diamond necklace (picture after the jump) and a few others wore diamond necklaces but overall heavy earrings and wrists layered with diamonds were the order of the day. Cate Blanchett, Cameron Diaz, Jessica BIel and Jada Pinkett Smith all surrendered their earlobes for the evening to some beautiful and costly gems.

The extraordinary bracelets worn by Nicole Kidman were a pair of 375 carat rough diamond cuffs designed by L'wren Scott. The cuffs contain 187 "arrowhead" shaped diamonds that are known as maccles. The stones are distorted octahedrals that at some point in their growth have "changed direction" creating distinctive triangle shape and are uncut.

After the jump, some of my favorite gems of the evening.

PS (For Info and commentary on the fabulous gowns, please check out our sibling blog Styledash).

Tags: academy awards, cameron diaz, chopard, diamonds, gems, jennifer hudson, nicole kidman

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Largest Natural Sapphire For Sale in the U.S.

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

Yesterday I brought you a big beautiful green tsavorite, today let's look at the largest natural blue sapphire in the United States. This stone was cut from a 129 carat rough which was found in Sri Lanka in 1952. It was originally cut into an 80-carat stone and sold. It has been cut down to 69.53 carats in an effort to improve the light and color reflection and create a better shape. It is for sale for $417,000. It's a bit large for a ring but would be beautiful set in a pendant with diamonds, citrines or spessartite garnets.

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Tags: gems, jewel, jewelry, sapphire

Big Pink Diamond Tries It Again At Auction

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Auctions

I recently finished a book called Diamond: A Journey to the Heart of an Obsession by Matthew Hart which explores the history of the diamond trade. The book begins with the discovery of a large pink diamond in Brazil. There's something distinctly alluring about the big pink diamonds. A few years ago, pink diamonds loomed large in the public consciousness after Ben Affleck bestowed a bubblegum pink, six carat diamond on Jennifer Lopez.

Since then prices for pink diamonds have varied. The Economist covers the history of the 28-carat pink available for bid at Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels auction on December 6. We first heard of this gem back in May 2005 when it failed to sell at auction. The sparkler was on its own then, now it has been mounted into a ring to better tempt those who might slide this cotton-candy confection onto a finger and decide they must possess it at all costs. Young women in Hong Kong and China have pushing up the prices of these stones. This diamond could sell for over $7 million even though it is graded VS2 (a trained eye and a 10x loupe could spot the flaws).

The gem was found in either Britain or Angola and may well be the big pink diamond of Hart's book (the rough diamond was sold and Hart never saw it after it was polished). I suspect this diamond won't go unsold this time, after all a paler and slightly smaller pink sold for a similar price in 2005.

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Tags: auction, diamonds, gems, jewelry, pink diamond, PinkDiamond

Judith Leiber Jewelry

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

Judith Leiber already makes sparkling objects for you to carry and wear on your feet or shield you from the sun, now the company will make precious jewels for you to wear. Their crystal bedazzled minaudières in a variety of shapes are world famous. WWD reports that the first collection of Judith Leiber fine jewelry debuted at the JCK jewelry show in Las Vegas. The jewelry will be available in October in Judith Leiber's four boutiques and in jewelry stores and high-end department store. Prices will range from $2,000 to $50,000 but custom pieces could go as high as $1 million. The jewelry mimics the Judith Leiber style, very feminine with pave diamonds that highlight larger gems such as tourmalines, diamonds and sapphires.

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Tags: bracelet, diamonds, gems, judith leiber, JudithLeiber, sapphires, tourmalines

Tzoffey's Jewels Auction

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Auctions

Not all the big jewel auctions happen at Sotheby's or Christie's, Tzoffey's Auction House will be holding an auction of precious gems as part of the 32nd World Diamond Congress in Israel next month. The auction has an estimated value of $50 million and includes both jewelry and unset gems. The piece shown here is a brooch set with blue, pink and white diamonds (a total of 41.84 carats) mounted in platinum. This bauble has an estimated value of $5 to $7 million. Other items include a five carat orange diamond and a sapphire and diamond brooch in the shape of a swallow which is set with a briolette sapphire that weighs 43.48 carats. The auction takes place at the Tel Aviv Hilton Hotel on June 28 and is open only to professionals in the jewelry trade.

[via Diamonds.net]

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Tags: auction, diamonds, gems, jewelry, jewels, tzoffey's

Mimi So Connoisseur Collection

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Services

Imagine an entire jewelry collection made just for you to your specific requirements. Each year, jeweler Mimi So spends time with one client and spends nearly a year creating a personalized jewelry collection. The process starts when Mimi So spends a week with Mimi So in Manhattan. Together they spend time poring through her archives and choosing what appeals to the client. Mimi gets to know the client personally. The client spends the week in a penthouse at the Trump International Hotel. After the week they collaborate on a worldwide itinerary, a 10-to-15-day trip where they jump from continent to continent on Mimi's private Lear jet getting inspirations. After that, Mimi gets to work for six months working on drawings and plans for the pieces. At the end of the year, the client receives the custom collection in a wooden box made of woods from the places they visited. The price of this amazing experience can range from $5 million to $15 million depending on the gems used.

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Tags: design, gems, gold, jewelry, jewels, mimi so, MimiSo

Earthwise Jewelry

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

The New York Times pointed out that the negative environmental impact that gold mining can have has prompted jewelry companies to join Leber Jeweler, Inc. in a campaign called "No Dirty Gold," which hopes to push the industry towards responsible mining practices. Leber has a commitment to quality that has lasted over the past 85 years. They sell a line of Earthwise Jewelry that is not only beautiful, but socially conscious. The gold and platinum settings for the jewels are actually made from recycled metals and their gems come from sources that guarantee fair-labor policies. Their 18-carat white gold used in the collection is alloyed with palladium, rather than nickel, to avoid potential allergic reactions in their clientele; they are as conscientious about their customers as the environment. The 18-karat white gold Twisty Sapphire ring, pictured here, is a stunning solitaire that carries a message as well as a sparkle. Price $800.

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Tags: earth wise, earthwise, environment, ethical, fair labor, gem, gems, gold, jewelery, leber, palladium, platinum, ring, rings, sapphire, twisty ring

World's Most Expensive Bunny

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions

Harrod's is showcasing the world's most expensive bunny. The bunny is made to look like the iconic Lindt chocolate bunnies, which are traditionally wrapped in gold foil and sold around the Easter holiday. Though the critter matches the 200-gram chocolate double in size, the Harrod's bunny is inedible, made not of chocolate but of 24-karat gold. It is inlaid with diamonds, rubies, citrine and topaz, and is valued in excess of £20,000, or approximately $35,000.

On display until April 16th, you can bid on the bunny by visiting it in the Candy Room at the Harrod's Knightsbridge store. All proceeds will be given to the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. Alternatively, you can buy yourself an edible Lindt chocolate bunny, sold in a set of three for $10.99.

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Tags: auction, bunny, charity, chocolate, citrine, department store, diamonds, easter, foil, gems, harrod's, hospital, jewels, lindt, milk chocolate, rubies, topza, world's most expensive bunny

Corum Debutante Watch

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

A little bit watch, a little bit jewelry, Corum’s Debutante is a small 16.5mm white mother-of-pearl dial and diamond watch that comes with three bangle bracelets set with green peridot, pink topaz and sky blue topaz stones. These interchangeable bracelets have a mechanism to attach the watch to the bangle of your choice. There are also additional bracelets including one set with citrines, one with amethysts and another with diamonds that can be purchased separately. The retail price is $6201.

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Tags: corum, gems, jewelry, watch

The Yogo Sapphire

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

An Associated Press article led me to discover the yogo sapphire. I was familiar with Burmese sapphires but yogo sapphires, which are mined in Montana, are famous for their deep natural cornflower color. Yogos are becoming more and more rare. There is only one active yogo mine currently and the prices for larger stones are increasing. For the most part, yogo sapphires are small (half a carat or less). Prices for these small yogo sapphires are low but the larger stones are rarer than diamonds. There are still potential sapphire deposits in the ground but there isn't a big demand for yogos since not a lot of people know about them and the scarcity of larger stones makes it hard to market on a larger scale. The 2.23 carat yogo shown here sells for $23,000.

Tags: gems, jewels, mining, montana, sapphire, yogo

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