Diamonds

Vera Wang Jewelry

2011-04-05T23:26:00.000-07:00

Check out this pair of platinum Vera Wang chandelier earrings. It boasts 3.27 carats of round and baguette diamonds with a VS clarity and F/G color. While i’m sure these would look great on your ears and you’ll be blinging from here to Siberia, the price of these babies are only $5,200. Interested? You can check out these earrings and other Vera Wang Jewelry at Calvin’s Jewelry. Oh and they were voted “Best Jewelry” by Austin City Search. Check out their website or call 512-794-1911 for more info.

Star Lady Automatic Moonphase Diamonds Watch

2011-04-05T23:24:00.000-07:00

While most of us these days use our cell phones to tell the time, a truly sophisticated woman still knows the value of a timeless, elegant watch. And what better a watch to have than one that is not only a fine piece of craftsmanship, but one that also is beautifully accentuated with diamonds? This is where the latest watch from Montblanc comes in - the Star Lady Automatic Moonphase Diamonds Watch.
This elegant timepiece houses an ETA 4810/908 automatic movement in a 36mm, 18k white gold case. Other features of the watch include a mother of pearl dial, moonphase display, pointer date display, feuille hands, applied Breguet numerals, and 8 beautiful diamond hour markers. Securing these precious features is flat sapphire crystal with a special anti-glare coating, a sapphire back, and a fluted crown.
Priced at $10,175 USD, this is surely an investment you’ll want protected. Montblanc has gone ahead and made the the Star Lady resistant to water up to 30m, which will surely relieve any worries of splashes at the sink, or even an accidental drop in the toilet, bath, or any other body of water.
This beautiful time piece can be yours for the aforementioned price, and is available with a white or blue alligator wrist strap featuring an 18k white gold tang buckle.

The Vertu Pink Diamond Phone

2011-04-05T23:23:00.000-07:00

Forget the iPhone; anyone with an extra $500 to $600 laying around can get that at their local Apple or AT&T store. You want something a little more glam, and a lot more sparkly! And by sparkly we don’t mean those cheap Swarovski crystal-studded phones that were all the rage a few years ago.
If you want a truly blinged-out mobile phone, then look no further than Vertu and their limited edition Vertu Pink Diamond phone. The phone casing itself is made of rose gold, but what really makes the phone shine are its tiny pink and white diamonds paved in a pretty flower pattern. The Vertu Pink Diamond phone will be available in extremely limited quantities, but because of the opportunities those extra zeros in your bank account afford you, you won’t have to wait in line.
Celebs like Victoria Beckham, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Madonna have one in their bag… do you?

Kickbars: Diamond Encrusted Shoelace Clips

2011-04-05T23:21:00.001-07:00

Sure, you could easily spend a few hundred dollars on a nice pair of designer sneakers, but if you really want to make your shoes sparkle and stand out from the crowd, you want diamonds on them! The Kickbar, a jewel encrusted shoelace clip, adds that extra bit of class and shine to your favorite lace-ups.
The Kickbar features 108 G/VS1 diamonds pave set into a rectangular, white gold bar. All in all, the diamonds add up to a total weight of 2 carats per pair. If you prefer a little more color, The Kickbar is also available with pink sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and an assortment of colored diamonds. These alternate stoned Kickbars all retail at their “current market value.”
There’s also a “junior” version of the Kickbars for those who can’t afford to splurge on the $7500 models, but who still love their diamonds. The junior Kickbars contain fewer diamonds. There are about 76 stones that added up to a total weight of 1.5 carats.

The Kickbars are secured to your shoe by threading them through the laces. Because of this set-up, they can also double as a necklace or bracelet if threaded into a nice chain.
At $7500 per pair, Kickbars aren’t for everyone, and we fully expect these to be popping up on the shoes of hip-hop stars in the near future!

Majesty Cross Diamond Pendant Necklace

2011-04-05T23:20:00.000-07:00

Love poker and diamonds? Then have we got the perfect necklace for you- the Majesty Cross Pendant necklace featuring a four-suit pendant of 18k white gold, studded with 2.85 carats of diamonds, all on an 18-inch matching chain.
Next time you hit the Vegas tables, show the world that you’ve got Lady Luck on your side, and a bit of class, by wearing the ultimate in poker-themed jewelry. Priced at $5,000, this isn’t a cheap piece - in looks or style.
To get a better idea of just how nice this necklace is, check out the up close image below. Just look at those diamonds sparkle!

Eva Longoria & Tony Parker’s Piaget Wedding Bands

Just a couple days ago on 07/07/07, Desperate Housewives’ star Eva Longoria married Tony Parker, the championship NBA basketball player from the San Antonio Spurs. With two high-profile stars getting hitched at a star-studded wedding event, you just knew that they were not going to skimp on their wedding bands. The two stars sealed their love and marriage with these two beautiful and unique Piaget wedding bands.
The rings are each made of two bands that are “inseperably linked, turning together for eternity.” Now isn’t that quite the romantic touch? Eva’s ring features double rows of brilliant cut diamonds, which are divided by a row of 27 square cut diamonds down the center. That makes for a total of 107 individual diamonds on this super sparkler! Eva’s band itself is made of 18k white gold, like Tony’s, which is a much simpler ring. Both of the rings also have a personalized French engraving on the inside, which was added at the couple’s request.

Graff Unveils Diamond Waterfall and Petal Collections

2011-04-05T23:18:00.001-07:00

Luxury jewelers at the House of Graff, recently unveiled two of their latest collections, the Waterfall and Petal collections. Both collections feature a number of chandelier earrings and pendant necklaces.
The Waterfall collection pays tribute to one of nature’s most beautiful sights, a waterfall. With chandelier earrings dripping a cascade of gorgeous pear-shaped diamonds from an eight-petal flower in bloom at the base, this collection is definitely for the woman who wants all eyes on her. A matching pendant necklace is also a part of the Waterfall collection, and also features a large eight-petal flower with a “waterfall” of smaller diamonds dripping from it.
The Petal collection combines brilliant white diamonds with beautiful pink saphhires in both a necklace and set of earrings. The necklace is a pendant chain featuring four-petal flowers that come together to form a quaint quartet. Each of the petals in the flowers are made up of heart-shaped diamonds clustered around a beautiful pink sapphire. From the “bouquet” of flowers, a stream of white diamonds and pink sapphires dangle below. An equally beautiful and similarly styled set of earrings compliments the Petal collection’s pendant necklace very nicely. The Petal collection pieces are also available in a diamond and emerald arrangement, sure to make on-lookers green with envy.
Like always, if you have to ask the price… this is not for you. But if the price doesn’t scare you, you can check out Waterfall and Petal collections at the House of Graff showrooms located in select locations throughout the world.

Diamond Introduction

2011-04-01T23:29:00.000-07:00

ABOUT DIAMONDS


Diamonds have been a source of fascination for centuries. They are the hardest, the most imperishable, and the brilliant of all precious stones. The word "diamond" comes from the Greek word adamas, meaning "unconquerable".

A diamond is a transparent gem made of carbon, one of the earth's most common elements. The formation of diamonds began very early in the earth's history, when the condensation of solid matter into a sphere caused the centre of the planet to become subjected to incredible extremes of temperatures and pressure.

It was these conditions that caused deposits of carbon to begin to crystallise deep in the earth. As the earth's surface cooled, volcanic activity forced streams of magna (liquid rock) to the surface, carrying with it the diamond crystals. Later, the diamond-bearing rock hardened, encasing the diamonds in vertical volcanic "pipes".

But not all diamonds are found where they first came to the surface. Subsequent erosion of the topsoils over millions of years washed some of the diamonds into streams and rivers, and sometimes as far away as the sea. It is highly probable that they were first discovered in areas such as these, far away from their original location.

The atomic structure of a diamond gives it the property of being the hardest substance known to man, natural or synthetic. The diamond is thousands of times harder than corundum, the next hardest substance from which rubies and sapphires are formed. Even after many years of constant wear, diamonds will preserve their sharp edges and corners when most other stones will have become worn and chipped.

However, many people expect a diamond to be unbreakable. This is not true. A diamond's crystal structure has "hard" and "soft" directions. A blow of sufficient force, in a very exact direction, can crack, chip, split or even shatter a diamond.

TYPES OF DIAMONDS

2011-04-01T23:22:00.000-07:00

TYPES OF DIAMONDS

Pink Diamonds The pink diamond is the world's most rare and valuable diamond.The Argyle mine is the world's foremost source of unrivalled intense pink diamonds, producing 95% of the world's supply. However, an extremely small proportion of Argyle Diamonds production is Pink colour, in fact less than one tenth of 1% is classified Pink.

The legend of Argyle pink diamond has grown over the past ten years. At the 1989 Christie's auction in New York a 3.14 carat Argyle pink sold for $1,510,000. Privately, Argyle has sold pink diamonds for up to $1 million a carat.

For years the white diamond was considered the world's most beautiful diamond, until the discovery of the Argyle mine heralded the arrival of the Argyle pink diamond. Never before had pink diamonds displaying such intense shades of colour been seen. The pink diamonds of India, Brazil and Africa were characteristically light in colour and paled even further when placed beside the intensely pink Argyle diamonds. The natural colour diamonds have in fact been around as long as the classical whites but in much smaller quantities and never in great demand.

The Argyle pink diamond comes in shades ranging from delicate pastel rose to robust raspberry and full-blooded purple-reds. The prices per carat are determined by the intensity of colour. Argyle selects only its most vibrant pink diamonds for polishing at its head office in Perth. There, the stones are polished in a wide range of cuts, such as round brilliant, marquise, oval and pear, to enhance their natural beauty. Polished pink diamonds are available in the same size ranges as traditional commercial sizes.

Once a year, Argyle Diamonds issues a special release of outstanding pink diamonds that are sold by special bids in the international and invitation-only, Pink Diamond Tender.

White Diamonds White diamonds are produced by mines all over the world in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.The white diamonds recovered from the Argyle mine are particularly brilliant and of high quality.

White diamonds with secondary pink colour The Argyle mine also produces white diamonds with secondary pink colour that command a higher price per carat. In an effect similar to that described of pink champagne diamonds, the white diamond will display slight to bold flashes of pink when viewed from the top. A higher price is commanded for pink secondary colour depending on its depth and strength, because pink is one of the most rare colours found in diamonds.

Champagne Diamonds Champagne diamonds are naturally coloured diamonds that are produced in a wide range of colours from light straw to rich cognac. The 4C's of colour, cut, clarity and carat weight apply to coloured diamonds just as they do to colourless diamonds except the intensity of colour, not lack of it, plays a greater part in the valuation.

Argyle Diamonds created the following scale specifically for champagne diamonds. The diamonds are graded on a C1-C7 colour scale. C1 and C2 represent light champagne, C3 and C4 medium champagne, and C5 and C6 dark champagne. The fancy cognac diamond is graded C7.

Pink Champagne Diamonds Attractive champagne diamonds with secondary pink colour are also available and command a higher price per carat than champagne diamonds. These stones display slight to bold flashes of pink in their fire. Argyle Pink Champagne Diamonds are available in three ranges of shades, from light pink champagne to medium and dark pink champagne. As pink is one of the rarest colours found in diamonds, even secondary colours demand a higher price depending on depth and strength of colour.

Yellow Diamonds Fancy yellow diamonds come in a broad range of shades ranging from light yellow to a rich canary colour. A limited quantity of fancy yellow diamonds is recovered from the Argyle mine.

Blue Diamonds Fancy blue diamonds are available in a wide range of shades, from the blue of the sky to a more "steely" colour than sapphire. Limited quantities of fancy blue diamonds are recovered from the Argyle mine.

Green Diamonds Fancy green diamonds are also available. Usually, penetration of the colour is not very deep and is often removed during the fashioning of the stone. A limited quantity of fancy green diamonds is recovered from the Argyle mine.
Diamond Simulants Cubic Zirconia Cubic Zirconia (CZ) is the most commonly encountered diamond simulant. All commercial CZ is formed in laboratories however, it is also found in nature. In both its synthetic and natural forms, CZ is colourless but colour can be introduced. A thermal pen tester can quickly and easily detect CZ. Synthetic moissanite Synthetic moissanite is a new diamond simulant to join the long list of products that imitate diamonds. Although moissanite is being marketed as a new unique, synthetic gemstone, some of its properties are close enough to those of diamonds to lead to confusion in the trade. Natural moissanite was first identified in a meteorite crater at the beginning of the twentieth century however, most is produced synthetically as natural moissanite is very rare. Chemically, it is 'silicon carbide', also known as 'carborundum', which is widely used for abrasive purposes and for use in the electronics industry. Synthetic moissanite is a diamond simulant like Cubic Zirconia however, it can be passed as a diamond by the widely used thermal pen testers because it has similar thermal characteristics to diamonds. However, it can be easily identified by other methods.

History of Diamonds

2011-04-01T23:13:00.000-07:00

History of Diamonds

The diamond is more than just aesthetically beautiful—it’s an enduring symbol of love, romance, and commitment. The stone’s name is derived from the Greek word adamas, which translates to “unconquerable.” This symbolic meaning lends itself well to the diamond’s historic commemoration of eternal love.

Diamond History

The earliest diamonds were found in India in 4th century BC, although the youngest of these deposits were formed 900 million years ago. A majority of these early stones were transported along the network of trade routes that connected India and China, commonly known as the Silk Road. At the time of their discovery, diamonds were valued because of their strength and brilliance, and for their ability to refract light and engrave metal. Diamonds were worn as adornments, used as cutting tools, served as a talisman to ward off evil, and were believed to provide protection in battle. In the Dark Ages, diamonds were also used as a medical aid and were thought to cure illness and heal wounds when ingested.

Surprisingly, diamonds share some common characteristics with coal. Both are composed of the most common substance on earth: carbon. What makes diamonds different from coal is the way the carbon atoms are arranged and how the carbon is formed. Diamonds are created when carbon is subjected to the extremely high pressures and temperatures found at the earth’s lithosphere, which lies approximately 90-240 miles below the earth’s surface.

Until the 18th century, India was thought to be the only source of diamonds. When the Indian diamond mines were depleted, the quest for alternate sources began. Although a small deposit was found in Brazil in 1725, the supply was not enough to meet world demands.

In 1866, 15-year-old Erasmus Jacobs was exploring the banks of the Orange River when he came across what he thought was an ordinary pebble, but turned out to be a 21.25-carat diamond. In 1871, a colossal 83.50-carat deposit was unearthed on a shallow hill called Colesberg Kopje. These findings sparked a rush of thousands of diamond prospectors to the region and led to the opening of the first large-scale mining operation which came to be known as the Kimberly Mine. This newly discovered diamond source increased the world’s diamond supply substantially, resulting in a significant decrease in their value. The elite no longer considered the diamond a rarity, and began to replace this “common” stone with colored gemstones. Emeralds, rubies, and sapphires became more popular choices for engagement ring stones among the upper class.

In 1880, Englishman Cecil John Rhodes formed De Beers Consolidated Mines, Ltd in an effort to control the diamond supply. Although DeBeers was successful in their efforts to control the supply of diamonds, demand for the stone was weak. By 1919, diamonds were devalued by nearly 50%.

Diamond Engagement Ring History

The use of rings as a symbol of commitment dates back to ancient history, specifically to the betrothal (truth) rings of the Romans. These early rings, often formed from twisted copper or braided hair, were worn on the third finger of the left hand. The placement of the ring was significant, as Romans believed that a vein in the third finger (vena amorous) ran directly to the heart. For Romans, betrothal rings were given as a sign of affection or friendship, and did not always represent the rite of marriage.

The history of the engagement ring began in 1215, when Pope Innocent III, one of the most powerful popes of the Middle Ages, declared a waiting period between a betrothal and the marriage ceremony. The rings were used to signify the couple’s commitment in the interim. It was around this same time that rings were introduced as a major component of the wedding ceremony, and it was mandated by the Roman government that all marriage ceremonies be held in a church. In addition to serving as symbols of an intention to marry, these early rings also represented social rank; only the elite were permitted to wear ornate rings or rings with jewels.

The first recorded presentation of a diamond engagement ring was in 1477, when Archduke Maximilian of Austria proposed marriage to Mary of Burgundy. Although engagement rings were common at this time, diamonds were a rarity and were reserved for royalty and the upper elite class.

A Modern-Day Resurgence

In 1947, DeBeers commissioned the services of leading advertising agency N.W. Ayer, and the slogan “A diamond is forever” was coined. The premise of this large-scale marketing campaign was the suggestion that diamonds should be the only choice for engagement rings. The DeBeers advertising campaign was wildly successful, and was a contributing factor to today’s widespread embracing of the tradition of diamond engagement rings. In today’s fine jewelry market, more than 78% of engagement rings sold contain diamonds.

With the surge in popularity of the precious stone, many companies and organizations began campaigns to educate jewelers and consumers about what to look for when selecting a diamond. As jewelers experimented with ways to enhance the diamond’s visual appeal and presentation, new cutting techniques were adopted to help increase the stone’s brilliance. Over time, several prominent shapes emerged as the most popular varieties, including round, oval, marquise, square (princess), and rectangular (emerald).

Today, the world’s diamond deposits are slowly becoming depleted. Less than 20% of the diamonds mined are of gem quality; less than 2% are considered “investment diamonds.” 75-80% of mined diamonds are used for industrial applications, such as grinding, sawing, and drilling. Typically, more than 250 tons of ore must be mined in order to produce a one-carat, gem-quality stone.

The diamond’s rarity, beauty, and strength make it a fitting symbol of the resilience and longevity of marriage. In addition to engagement rings, diamonds are traditionally given as gifts to commemorate the milestone of the sixtieth anniversary. With their rich history, sense of permanence, and lustrous brilliance, diamonds are a natural choice to signify a lasting union.

3 Billion Years Ago
Carbon, the key element in diamond formation, begins to evolve under extreme heat and pressures

100
Writings of the Roman scholar Pliny the Elder confirms the presence of diamonds

1330
A diamond cutting industry begins in Venice, Italy

1499
Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama gives European diamond traders better access to India through discovery of a new route to the Orient

1600
Claw (prong) settings are used to secure diamonds in fine jewelry

1866
Erasmus Jacobs discovers a 21.25-carat diamond along the Orange River in South Africa

1902
Legendary diamond cutter Joseph Asscher introduces the Asscher cut

1931
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is founded by Robert M. Shipley

Diamond Rings Latest Trends

2011-04-01T23:04:00.000-07:00

Diamond Rings – The Latest Trend

When it comes to making a fashion statement with jewelry, women prefer to sport a glittery diamond or two. Diamond rings, pendants, bracelets et al are available in various designs and price ranges to adorn the woman at work, at a party or at a ceremonial gathering. Weddings are a big occasion for diamond rings, especially as engagement rings, wedding bands, and even as small token gifts for the immediate family. In every day and age, since times forgone, diamond rings have added sparkle to an occasion. In the recent past, diamond rings became a symbol of love and commitment. Engagement rings and anniversary rings all seem to speak the language of togetherness. But, the latest trend in diamond rings is more as a celebration of womanhood. Today, the trend of wearing a diamond ring on the right hand, instead of the traditional left hand is fast catching up. The stone is the same but the style statement is completely different. The right hand ring is the mark of the independent woman. It is a symbol of assertion of character and independence. The 21st century woman is outgoing, career oriented and self-sufficient. The right hand ring stands for all these qualities. Where the conventional left-hand engagement ring or wedding band would be a gift from a male companion or husband, the right hand diamond ring doesn’t spell any such relations. This is not to say that married or engaged women are not wearing the right hand ring. In fact, many women make a multiple style statement with rings on both hands to compliment the independent as well as the committed woman. The right hand diamond ring not only makes a statement by how it is worn but also by how it is designed. These diamond rings are specially made with smaller stones, multiple stones, open space designs and different cuts. When you see a right hand diamond ring, you can’t mistake it for a conventional engagement ring. The very design of the ring spells a certain sense of difference and individuality