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sapphire

Corum Golden Tourbillon Panoramique Grey Sapphire Watch

Filed under: Timepieces


Watch companies like to get creative with the use of synthetic sapphire crystals, but it is difficult given the fact that the material can be very fragile. The problem isn't so much in risk of it breaking once it is made, but rather that the fabrication of synthetic sapphire crystal into all sorts of organic shapes requires a lot of stress of the material. So pieces can break with relative ease. That is why the finished result is not always as impressive as possible without knowing what a pain in the ass the watch was to make. This is probably the fact with this limited edition of just 5 pieces Corum Golden Tourbillon Panoramique Grey Sapphire watch.

What is interesting here is the application of gray PVD on the sapphire giving it that special look. The movement is a manually wound tourbillon based movement with a long 90 hours of power reserve. As you can see, the movement mainplate and bridges are all in sapphire! Something truly remarkable from a practical and aesthetic standpoint. The rest of the watch case is in 18k white gold with 309 diamonds decorating most every surface. Plus, the watch case has four sapphire crystals to help appreciate the movement from any angle. It is really a nice combination of luxury indulgence and mechanical intrigue. Expect prices to make your skin as light as the gray sapphire of the watch.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Ocean Ripple Necklace

ocean ripple necklace
Convertible jewelry hits the high end in this piece from Mikimoto from the Elements of Life: Ocean collection. The Ocean Ripple pendant can be worn three ways. It has an Akoya cultured pearl topped by a .04 carat diamond which can be worn alone or with a white gold ring set with a spectrum of graduated shades of blue sapphires meant to invoke the rippling beauty of the ocean in the sunlight. The sapphire pendant can also be worn separately. The pendant is on a 18" white gold chain. This necklace sell for $4,050.

Rolls-Royce Sapphire

Filed under: Wheels


The latest treasure from the bespoke department at Rolls-Royce is the Phantom Sapphire. The Sapphire is built on the long wheelbase spaceframe and painted a deep Milori Sapphire blue, a color inspired by the gemstone. The leather interior is available in either navy blue with seashell highlights or seashell with navy blue highlights. The walnut burr veneers are inlaid with handmade diamond-pattern marquetry. A two-bottle cool box lis located beneath the rear lounge seat and incorporates a drinks holder milled from a single billet of aluminum that can be concealed in the facia of the cool box. A lounge seat glass cabinet holds a pair of crystal tumblers and champagne flutes. The glassware bears the same diamond motif featured in the Phantom Sapphire's marquetry. A blue decorated Rolls-Royce clock is set with a sapphire and the driver receives matching blue accented silver key fobs and a Conway Stewart fountain pen set in a lacquered, walnut veneer box.

[via Autoblog]

Bombay Sapphire's "Revelation"

Filed under: Spirits, Charity


Described as a "collaboration between the drinks, crystal, art and design worlds," Bombay Sapphire Revelation is a collection of 5 absolutely gorgeous bottles. Bombay Sapphire is the drink (of course), Baccarat is the crystal, Garrard is the art/jeweller, and Karim Rashid is the bottle designer. The Revelation line consists of 5 bottles shaped like enormous jewels, all the same with the exception of their caps -- each uniquely decorated with diamonds and sapphires.

The entire collection is worth $1 million, but each bottle (priced at $200,000) will be displayed separately at one of 5 airports around the world (New York, London, Dubai, Sydney, and Singapore) starting around the end of March with proceeds to benefit The Smile Train charity. And along with the beautiful Revelation bottle the new owners will also receive a years supply of Bombay Sapphire gin.

Via My Selection

Fiore Fiore Pearls

Filed under: Jewelry


I have a weakness for jewelry that uses gradient coloring of gemstones in the design. The Fiore Fiore collection from Hodel Pearls is made of white South Sea pearls surrounded by white gold petals set with blue sapphires. The collection also comes in green, pink and gold with pearls of different tones to match. The necklace sells for $9,800, the ring is $9,000 and the earrings are $18,000.

Cobra Hired To Guard Jeweled Sandals

Filed under: Shoes


In today's age of motion and touch sensors and every other kind of high-tech gadget we've got for security of precious goods, Harrods in London recently took a unique step to protect a pair of very expensive shoes: they hired a poisonous cobra to stand (sit? slither?) guard.

Obviously this was a publicity stunt, not a real security effort, but I say good for them. That's pretty clever, and for all intents and purposes it worked. The cobra has since returned to its owner and the shoes are, I'm sure, under a more traditional lock and key type security system.

Curious what kind of shoes warranted such a show? A pair of red sandals by Rene Caovilla that are encrusted with rubies, sapphires, and diamonds and valued at about $120,000.

Dynaudio Sapphire Speakers

Filed under: Gadgets

We all want great sound, but all too often that sound comes from ugly and strictly functional looking speakers. And when spending as much as many people do on a set of speakers it's hardly fun to hide or camouflage them. The new Dynaudio Sapphire gives the best of both worlds with beautiful design and high-quality sound in one package. Shaped to resemble cut jewels when viewed from different angles, plus created in dark jewel-toned color (although it's not sapphire blue), these speakers will definitely fill your home with both great sound and awesome style. $16,500

Montblanc Star Lady Moonphase Diamonds

Filed under: Timepieces


The perfect accessory to compliment your summer tan, this new Montblanc Star Lady Moonphase Diamonds is a bright glistening white with a mother of pearl dial, handmade alligator strap (also available in light blue if you prefer), and a 36mm 18K white gold case. With ETA 4810/908 movement, features also include a moonphase and small second display, 8 diamond hour markers, Breget numerals, domed antireflux sapphire crystal and sapphire crystal case back, fluted crown, and water resistance to 30m. Priced around $10,175.

Koenigsegg's and Quinting's Transparent Watches

Filed under: Timepieces


It seems to be the trend lately for exotic auto makers to delve into the world of electronics and accessories, and Koenigsegg is no exception. They have collaborated with Quinting to offer two unique limited edition transparent watch designs: the Ghost chronograph and the Advance.

Based on the concept of "Mystery Clocks," Quinting specializes in making watches with transparent inner workings made of fine cut sapphire crystal assembled by expert hands in a dust-free environment to ensure complete transparency. Unfortunately these two designs are only available in limited quantities to owners of a Koenigsegg supercar, but Quinting makes many other beautiful designs if you're not so lucky but are still hankering for one of your own.

Largest Natural Sapphire For Sale in the U.S.

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.

Signature Duo Vertu Phones

Filed under: Gadgets

The newest addition to the Vertu lineup is the Stainless Steel Signature Duo. This tri-band GSM mobile phone is built to last and is, in fact, almost unbreakable. Not only is the case made from stainless steel and Titan, but the display is made from a scratch-proof 69.25-carat sapphire. There are also rubies inset under each button on the keypad. In addition to looking good, the phone also offers superior performance with a 116 x 148 screen resolution, AKG 20mm speakers and up to 200 hours of battery life. An external antenna is option for enhanced reception if you tend to venture into remote locations frequently. Price: $14,833.

[via shiny shiny]

Emily & Ashley Gold Monogram Sapphire Necklaces

Filed under: Jewelry

Having jewelry customized is always a nice touch, whether the piece is intended to be a gift for someone else or a treat for yourself. It sets the ring or necklace apart, both in comparison to similar items and in your mind as a thing of sentimental value. These lovely 14K gold pendants from Emily & Ashley have a personalized monogram in the center, ringed with small white or blue sapphires. Each measures 3/4-in. in diameter and is suspended on a 16-in. chain. The white sapphire necklace is priced at $690, while the blue is just $590.

The $3,000 Martini

Filed under: Dining

The Bombay Sapphire Martini at Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut is for anyone with rich tastes - specifically with a taste for diamonds. The $3,000 drink is made with Bombay Sapphire Gin, Blue Curacao and a splash of dry vermouth, served in a glass rimmed with blue sugar crystals and garnished with custom-made blue sapphire and diamond earrings atop a sterling silver pick. Some are describing it as "pure decadence in a glass," but the Algonquin's $10,000 martini still probably has the edge in the decadence department if your criteria is based on price and the size of the stones that come with the drink.  

Earthwise Jewelry

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.

The Yogo Sapphire

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.


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