Gems and Jewelry Lovers

Wonder Woman Of Jewelery In Thiruvananthapuram

noreply@blogger.com (Syed Junaid) — Sat, 13 Apr 2019 18:12:00 +0000

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Making handmade jewelery may be a hobby for many but creating a niche of their own in the jewelery designing section is something followed by a few people. A techie by profession Smitha Indira is creating waves with her beaded wonders through her brand "Smingry Jewels".It has been nine years since Smitha has been into jewelery designing. She is probably one of those very few who took time from their busy schedule to follow their dreams.

“I started making jewellery as a hobby where I initially made small earrings using beads watching "YouTube Videos". One of my friends saw my designs and encouraged me to work more on it.
Smitha uses a wide array of materials such as Wooden Beads, Glass, Crystal and imported rubberised beads through which she makes fabulous designs.

Procuring materials is a more difficult task than actually designing the jewellery. She usually imports beads from abroad and from northern states. For the past two years, she makes "customised jewellery". The customisation depends on something that can be paired with the customer's attire. Sometimes she even sources antique jewelery from Mumbai and Chennai and does modifications on it to suit her customer’s taste.

Having an online store Smitha knows to juggle her career and passion smoothly. What makes her stand at par with the competitors in the market is the quality of her handmade jewellery. The success of my business depends on how I make my products. If it was only about business, then I don’t think I can continue in the long run. I always make the products just as I make them for myself.

This is why I only choose the best quality beads in my products,” she says. She has also proved her mettle in mural and glass painting apart from jewellery designing. She has displayed her designs in exhibitions held in Technopark.

Rare gemstones found in Northern Canada

noreply@blogger.com (Syed Junaid) — Sat, 13 Apr 2019 11:42:00 +0000

A new study conducted by the "University of British Columbia" reveals that Baffin Island Nunavut is home to cobalt-blue spinel which the study co-author says is "a ridiculously rare gemstone," as reported by CBC News.

The unique geography of Baffin Island allowed the spinel to form "1.8 billion years" ago when temperatures of approximately 800°C caused transformations and mixing of mud and magnesium-rich limestone under high pressures.

Spinel is typically found in Vietnam, Cambodia, Kenya and the limited and sporadic occurrences of this gemstone make it highly valued by gemologists and jewelers. Canada is not typically recognized as a source of these rare gemstones, particularly those with such vivid colors and could be a region of potential interest for mining companies.

The study observes 14 occurrences of spinel on "Baffin Island" and reports that the geography of the region contains all the right factors that are needed to produce these gemstones. The two cobalt blue spinel samples were found in rock that was relatively well exposed and did not require extensive digging.

Top Gemstone Myths and Legends from History

noreply@blogger.com (Syed Junaid) — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 12:48:00 +0000

The precious gems and stones are already on earth’s crust ever since the world began. This is the reason why ancient civilizations used them as part of their lives. Aside from simply being ornaments, accessories, and embellishments, these precious gems have also been associated with beliefs, myths, and legends.

Amethyst Myths

Throughout the years, this gemstone is believed to protect people against infidelity, plagues, locusts, hail, storm, thieves and nightmares. If you are the type of person who always has a busy schedule, this gem is right for you because of the fact that it also encourages calmness. Don’t you want to fall in love foolishly? This gem is also perfect for you.

Amber Myths

The myth associated with this gem is that it is worn on the throat in order to prevent asthma, hay fever, and nasal congestion. According to ancient beliefs, this gem makes a woman smell more attractive to her lover. Some say that this can also heal diseases and ailments such as plague, deafness, loss of teeth, indigestion, goiter, erysipelas, asthma, and whooping cough.

Aquamarine Myths

This precious gem is known to bring wisdom, popularity, and success, prevent liver troubles and cure toothache as well. This gemstone is believed to attract and to promote love. So, if you are loveless and you want to have someone beside you, wear this all the time. Ancient Egyptians believe that this can make the wearer more appealing to the opposite sex.

Carnelian Myths

This gem is believed to be a good protector against stomach troubles, indigestion, fever, lightning, impure thoughts, and evil. If you know that you don’t have enough self-esteem and self-confidence, this precious stone is the right one for you because it vanishes fear and self-pity. If you have neuralgia and rheumatism, you need to get a white carnelian.

Cat's eye Myths

This gem is also known to protect against all forms of diseases in the throat and chest. The ancient people also believe that possessing this gem can help them to be fortunate in no matter what they do or what they intend to do.

Coral Myths

This precious stone is specially designed for women because it promotes sterility. Aside from that, it is also known to promote wisdom and reason. So, the wearer will feel more confident each time she wears it. But if her health declines, its hue will decline.

Diamond Myths

This precious gem is considered as girls’ best friend because it is the most preferred gems. According to beliefs, it wards off evil, protects against plagues and brings victory as well.

These are the top gemstone myths and legends from history. What are your thoughts on this? Share them below.

Press Release: Ariva Fine Jewelry Introduces Echo Collection.

noreply@blogger.com (Syed Junaid) — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 09:29:00 +0000

Ariva Fine Jewelry, a division of Pranda Group, has launched an iconic new collection of sterling-silver jewelry, Echo™. From bold silhouettes to petite dimensional-designs, with diamond accents, high-polish sculptural sterling silver defines the Echo Collection.

The new Echo Collection presents a strong contrast to the signature textured sterling-silver of the Silk™ Collection. Under the creative direction of Debra Puzio, the Ariva brand is stretching its canvas to include four very distinct collections.
Ariva Fine Jewelry continues to expand its core Silk Collection, which draws textural-inspiration from the unique beauty of the Thai silk industry. The largest of the three collections, Silk styling uses accents of 18-karat gold, brilliant gemstones and diamonds.
The Rittenhouse™ Collection, which premiered in January, features unique sterling-silver and rose-gold plated designs created with woven Milanese style mesh chain. Silk, Rittenhouse and Echo blend beautifully and can be worn together as complementary pieces.
Ariva’s fourth collection, East™, a provenance brand which is a romantic, floral-tribute to the femininity of Thailand, will premier at JCK Las Vegas.
“I see this as a perfect choice for bridal or special occasion jewelry. Carefully articulated sterling silver flowers, butterflies and mythical birds embellished with diamonds and gemstones are some of the details you will find in this very special collection,” explained Puzio, who has a personal love of the Thai culture.
Each of Ariva’s collections of sterling silver jewelry is curated for the woman who prefers versatility and distinction in her style.

Match Your Macaron to Your Pearls.

noreply@blogger.com (Syed Junaid) — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 09:22:00 +0000

In what we imagine was a common occurrence at Versailles (or at least Sofia Coppola's version of it), a pâtisserie and a jeweler worked together to create a collection of edible baubles. The collaboration, available from April 24th, includes the pearlescent Mikimoto macaron, filled with rose and lychee cream and a monumental Pièce Montée de Choux, a pyramid topped with small pastries filled with cream and covered in a pearly pink icing.
Inspired by the collection, we matched our favorite Ladurée flavors with Mikimoto jewelry- proving that even when this collaboration ends, you can still match your desserts to your pearls.

1. Ladurée vanille macaron, Mikimoto Akoya pearl strand,

2. Ladurée café macaron, Mikimoto conch, melo and white clam pearl necklace with diamonds,

3. Ladurée caramel macaron, Mikimoto golden South Sea pearl and diamond necklace,\

4. Ladurée pomme granny smith macaron, Mikimoto black South Sea pearl ring,

5.Ladurée rose macaron, Mikimoto Akoya pearl and pink opal necklace,

6. Ladurée framboise macaron, Mikimoto conch pearl and diamond necklace,

7. Ladurée cassis violette macaron, Mikimoto South Sea pearl necklace with sapphires and diamonds,

A Sweet Mother's Day Gift Idea from Ladurée and Mikimoto

noreply@blogger.com (Syed Junaid) — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 09:01:00 +0000

Mother’s Day has its detractors—those who say it’s a commercial holiday, that every day should be Mother’s Day, and so on. But the truth is, it’s a day devoted to celebrating our moms and thanking them for everything they’ve done for us. Who can find fault with that?

A day focused on someone so special necessitates a very special gift, and you may be tempted to go all out on a pair of diamond earrings, or something equally extravagant. But take to heart that sometimes the sweetest gifts don’t have to cost a pretty penny. A new collaboration between Ladurée, the revered French pâtisserie, and Mikimoto, the Japanese jewelry company known for offering dazzling pearls, exemplifies this mindset wholeheartedly.
Both have joined forces to create a limited-edition set of macarons, encased in a box that features an illustration of a pearl necklace. The confectionery treats are made with rose and lychee cream, and are meant to evoke delicacy and elegance. Also, the shells are crafted with a pearly finish, keeping to the sheen of Mikimoto’s baubles. And at twenty-eight dollars, this truly decadent gift won’t break the bank.
Nothing really beats the time-tested allure of jewelry and sweats, which is why this offering from Ladurée and Mikimoto is a great Mother’s Day gift idea. As they say, the sweetest things in life often come in tiny packages.

What to Gift Your Bridesmaids? How About a Bauble from Gorjana’s Debut Bridal Collection

noreply@blogger.com (Syed Junaid) — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 08:49:00 +0000

Gorjana’s celebrity-loved, budget friendly jewels lend themselves to being easy gifts, especially if you have to buy ‘em in bulk like for bridesmaids. So, after countless brides made gifts out the label’s rings, necklaces, and bracelets (editors note: I even gave a ring from this line to each of my six bridesmaids during my wedding weekend), president and creative director Gorjana Reidel decided to launch an official bridal collection this month, just in time for busy wedding season.

“I wanted to create pieces that were a bit dressier and fit for once-in-a-lifetime occasions,” Reidel told InStyle of her easy-to-layer lineup. “Our core pieces are great everyday pieces, and the bridal ones simply add a bit more sparkle. It was important for these pieces to be great for that special day, but also jewelry that was versatile enough to wear again.” Yes, you’ll wear these more than once those who sport the line’s pieces over and over again include Nina Dobrev, Jessica Alba, Kendall Jenner, and Olivia Wilde.
This particular collection features rings and bracelets done up in geometric designs, as well as styles with heart and leaf motifs and layered, hammered textures. “I love the idea of giving these as bridesmaid gifts, while having it serve a dual purpose as something they can also wear with their bridesmaids dress,” said Reidel. “The nice thing about this collection is that you can pick out something different for each bridesmaid, but all of the pieces still go well together so your bridesmaids will look expertly coordinated in pictures.”

Giveaway: POSH Mommy Monogram Loop Earrings ($200)

noreply@blogger.com (Syed Junaid) — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 08:38:00 +0000

With Mother’s-Day just around the corner, here is a GORGEOUS gift idea from POSH Mommy-Jewelry, the hot and trendy jewelry collection for personalized jewelry.
Every mommy loves POSH Mommy! A Hollywood favorite and coveted by celebrity moms including Jessie-James Decker, Kendra Wilkinson, Niki Taylor, Garcelle Beauvais, Melissa Joan Hart, Molly Mesnick, DeAnna Papas, Camila Alves, Kyle Richards, and Courtney Lopez, the POSH Mommy Jewelry collection offers meaningful bling with stunning style.
Please checkout the POSH Mommy website for even more personalized jewelry for mommies!
We are giving away a pair of POSH Mommy’s BRAND NEW monogram loop earrings in gold plated to one (1) lucky reader (value: $200)!

5 simple tips to pair vintage-style engagement rings with modern wedding bands.

noreply@blogger.com (Syed Junaid) — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 08:26:00 +0000

Wedding season is almost in full swing. Brides, while you're frantically trying to finalize all of the infinite details for your big day (it's easy to get caught up in selecting the right flowers and the perfect cupcakes for your guests), don't forget one of the biggest things to think about is those two pieces of jewelry you'll be wearing on your left finger likely for the rest of your life.
Gone are the days of needing an engagement ring and wedding band that are an exact match. Today's trends are leaning more towards wearing what you love, even if it isn't a precise extension of your engagement ring. While you and your soon-to-be groom are likely a picture-perfect match, you're both probably different in many ways - but that's what makes you work so well together. They say opposites attract and make the best couples. You could say that the same goes for your engagement ring and wedding band.
"Making sure your engagement ring and band matches is the tradition," says Joseph Denaburg of Levy's Fine Jewelry. "But now, women seem to care more about having a wedding band and engagement ring that complement one another and get noticed and appreciated independently, instead of it looking like one big ring. The big fashion trend right now is to wear something you love, and not worry about whether or not it goes together, as long as it looks good."
So, traditionalists, step aside. Some people may think that finding a wedding band that goes with the sometimes awkwardly shaped vintage and vintage-style engagement rings could be a huge hassle, but these five tips will prove once and for all that brides can easily pair a modern band with a vintage engagement ring.

1.Find a band with funky-shapes
Add a little personality to the set by going with a wedding band that has a little different shape than your engagement ring. Denaburg suggests pairing an Art Deco style band with a vintage style ring. Because Art Deco, Retro and Modernist jewelry is usually categorized by it's heavy use of geometric shapes, mixing a band with repeating geometric shapes will often pair well with vintage jewelry. While the shapes of the band and ring may be different, the look and feel of the ring will be cohesive and create a beautiful set.

2. Go with a thin-band

"Thin bands go well with the delicate, feminine style filigree that was popular in the Edwardian and Art Deco Period," Denaburg explains. A thick band can sometimes attract too much attention away from the intricate details of a ring (after all, the ring should be the main attraction!), but a thin band is much more likely to compliment a vintage ring than overpower it.

Going with a thin wedding band also leaves plenty of finger room for stacking! Thin bands use less metal and smaller stones, which makes adding to your stack an affordable gift for anniversaries and birthdays.

3. Curved Bands Still Work - and it doesn't even have to be custom!

Many vintage-style designers, such as Infinity Line, offer engraved bands with slight curves that fit around a lot of vintage engagement rings. It can be with diamonds, without diamonds or feature engraving around the outside to offer a vintage style pattern. Finding one of these generic curved bands that works is a great way to save money by avoiding creating a new custom band to fit flush against the engagement ring.

4. Mix-metal colors between your two rings

Just like wearing white after Labor Day was once a huge fashion faux pas, so was mixing metals with jewelry. However, mixing metals has now quickly become a huge trend in the jewelry world. Denaburg advises that rose gold and yellow gold are both suitable metals to mix with vintage and vintage-style rings, but also states that what looks good on someone is best determined by her personal taste and skin tone.

5. Add some color

Typically, wedding bands and engagement rings are all about the diamonds. It's not surprising, diamonds have long been considered one of the most beautiful stones in the world - but consider what a little color could add to the set. Adding your birthstone, your favorite color or another stone with personal meaning to your wedding band could have a major impact on the uniqueness of the ring.

Denaburg recommends sapphire stones. "The darkness of the blue contrasts really well with the white of diamonds and white gold or platinum, making the ring stand out even more."

Bonhams' Fine Jewelry Sale Brings $6.5M

noreply@blogger.com (Syed Junaid) — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 08:08:00 +0000

Colored gemstones were the star lots at Bonhams’ first London sale of the year, of Fine Jewelry, which raked in a total of £4.34 million ($6.54 million) on April 22, the auction house said.
Notably, some sapphire lots achieved prices that tripled their pre-sale estimates: A 21.27-carat sugarloaf cabochon-Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring (pictured above, left) achieved $436,438, while a 17.97-carat Burmese sapphire and diamond ring (pictured above, right) sold for $274,182; and a pair of sapphire and diamond ear pendants, each set with a cushion-shaped sapphire weighing 10.5 carats and 9.5 carats (pictured above, center), sold for $138,969.

Red-rubies also smashed estimates. A 4.54-carat Burmese ruby single-stone ring achieved $202,068, or nearly four times what was expected. Another ruby three-stone ring achieved more than seven times its pre-sale estimate, settling oh a final hammer price of $115,532.
Elsewhere, a 3.25-carat Colombian emerald and diamond dress ring, circa 1950, sold for $102,912, or nearly four times its estimate.
Diamonds were not left in the dust. A 7.1-carat pinkish brown, pear-shaped diamond, achieved $176,829 after a bidding war, or nearly six times its high estimate.
“The sale performed exceptionally well and generated strong interest from buyers in the UK, Europe, the US and Asia. I was particularly delighted to see many of our coloured gemstones sell so well, some by up to 10 times their pre-sale estimate, which is an excellent indication of how strong the market is,” said Jean Ghika, Bonhams Head of Jewellery for UK and Europe, in a statement. The sale’s lots achieved 83% by value.
Not only the precious stones saw success at the auction. An exceptionally rare retro citrine-set twist necklace by Chanel (circa 1954-71) outstripped its pre-sale estimate by more than 10 times, eventually selling for $102,912 to the London jeweler Hancocks.

Natural Pearl Necklace Sells for World Auction Record $5.1 Million

noreply@blogger.com (Syed Junaid) — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 12:14:00 +0000

The necklace comprises four strands of 81, 76, 69 and 63 natural gray and brown pearls, measuring approximately 12.65 to 4.90 mm. The Swiss Gemmo-logical Institute report confirms the authenticity of these saltwater natural pearls that, according to the report, have no indications of artificial color modification.

In addition, a single-strand natural pearl necklace was also among the top 10 lots sold at the auction. Designed as a graduated strand of 46 natural pearls, measuring 6.95 to 11.90 mm, the necklace sold for just over $1 million.

Despite the record breaking price for the four-strand pearl necklace, the top lot of the sale was a 5.29-carat fancy intense purplish pink diamond (pictured above) on a ring that sold for more than $5.7 million (or just under $1.1 million per carat), topping its $5 million high estimate.

Tiffany & Co. thinks outside the blue box

noreply@blogger.com (Syed Junaid) — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 11:58:00 +0000

Back in February at the Academy-Awards, Australian actress Cate Blanchett made her usual regal turn on the red carpet, a vision of cool beauty in a silk velvet sheath. The dress, designed by John Galliano for Maison Margiela, was so conspicuous for its lack of frippery it might have easily been interpreted as an emblem of Galliano's continuing public chastening.
The point was not the dress, however. The dress was just a foil for what was draped about Blanchett's milky throat.
To call the jewelled bib she wore that evening a "statement" necklace, as many did, was a bald understatement. Five hundred carats of turquoise beads undulated on its surface, held in place with diamond capped pins. Beneath them lay a platinum armature to which were affixed 400 additional carats of stones - turquoise cabochons, faceted diamonds and aquamarines all contrived to imitate the effect of sunlight refracted through water.

Whether the 36.6 million Oscars viewers were aware of this subtlety, the scene-stealing bib had the commercially desirable effect of making the million-dollar gems on other entertainers look like so much borrowed ice.

A real showstopper
The frenzy of social media "likes" and "favorites" flew so fast that evening that, seemingly before the telecast had drawn to a merciful conclusion, a Chinese manufacturer had already gone into production with a knockoff of the $US400,000 jewel, some bright light at Us Weekly hatched plans to sponsor a reader contest offering as a prize a $75 faux turquoise collar inspired Blanchett's necklace, and it became clear to a lot of people that - for the first time in a long while - Tiffany & Co. had stolen the show.
"You have a company that's 177 years old and still here," Stellene-Volandes, executive style director of Town & Country, recently said of the company. "A piece like the one Francesca designed is modern but also recognises Tiffany's heritage and that much of the company's future lies in what's been done in the past."
She was referring to Francesca Amfi-theatrof, little known outside the industry and a stealth force within it, not only the first woman in the history of Tiffany & Co. to be named design director but also one of only a handful of trained jewelers ever to hold that job.
Unlike predecessors charged with retailing fancy goods to the relatively limited carriage-trade elite, Amfi-theatrof was handed in 2013 the daunting task of restoring artistic luster to a storied U.S. retailer that in recent years has morphed into a global behemoth. Tiffany's sales in the fiscal year ending in January 2015 amounted to $US4.25 billion. It has 298 stores worldwide.
Still, "If you really think of Tiffany & Co. in the last couple of decades, there's not been very much new or creative," said Daniela Mascetti, a senior specialist in jewelry for Sotheby's in Geneva. "They have a legacy to respect but at the same time need to come up with new ideas to bring Tiffany to the forefront again."
With the unveiling this month of her first Blue Book - a catalog displaying 230 examples of so-called "high jewelry" - Amfi-theatrof makes strides in that direction, showcasing a series of one-of-a-kind pieces, like the Blanchett necklace, that stand as an artistic statement of intent. First published in 1845 as a "Catalogue of Useful and Fancy Articles," the Blue Book catalog long ago abandoned any illusion of utility - unless, that is, one's idea of a necessity runs to $US100,000 tanzanite and platinum rings.
(Whether or how much Blanchett was paid to wear the Amfi-theatrof design to the Oscars is a matter of conjecture. It is well known that many entertainers are richly remunerated for their red carpet loyalty. Asked whether Blanchett was one such star, a Tiffany & Co. spokeswoman replied, "Cate Blanchett is a friend of Tiffany's.")
While wealthy clients queue up each year for the Blue Book rarities produced at Tiffany's specialised workshops above the landmark Fifth Avenue store, the catalog's real purpose is to increase the luster of a luxury brand in an increasingly competitive market and deflect attention from the fact that Tiffany's bottom line is built on far more prosaic stuff. Even in boom times, a limited number of clients exist for a $US400,000 necklace. Yet come June, high school graduates by the thousands are likely to open a trademark Tiffany & Co. robin's egg blue box and find inside one of the jeweler's classic best-sellers, Elsa Peretti's silver heart on a chain - priced $US200.
Art of the sea
More than one year in the making, the objects in "The Art of the Sea" collection are a reflection of Amfi-theatrof's lifelong obsession with water, the element in which she has always felt most at ease and one she has drawn on time and again as a metaphorical force.
"I've always had a huge draw to the ocean, just massive," Amfi-theatrof said in early February at the annual American Gem Trade Association fair in Tucson. There, for several days, dealers from all over the world congregated with their precious wares. "Whether it's off Patmos in Greece or in Wellfleet, the minute I'm in the water, I'm so affected by it my heartbeat changes," she said.
To listen to Amfi-theatrof discussing the quirky nature of individual gems as she made a circuit of booths in the subterranean sales floor of the Tucson Convention Center offered insights into what might have brought her to the attention of Tiffany & Co. executives in the first place. Loose emeralds at one booth were colored the bright sharp green of a praying mantis. The fugitive greenish hue of a rare alexandrite at another booth she likened to "the color of petrol."
As gem dealers unlocked safes to display treasures like an 8.25-carat Mozambican ruby or a pinkish padparadscha sapphire, Amfi-theatrof cannily studied and rated each in turn. Cradling the stones between the ring and index fingers of her downturned hand, she noted that while some seemed nearly radioactive in their brilliance, others were duller than beach glass.
"I don't think about the value of the materials all that much," she said. And it is true that in her work she tends to treat precious and base materials alike, oxidizing gold to blacken it, pairing relatively worthless minerals like rock crystal with platinum, setting semiprecious gems like opals in diamond-studded bracelets.
"I mean, sometimes, when I hear the numbers it's like, 'Holy cow,'" Amfi-theatrof added in the accent of the English schools where she received a substantial part of her education. "But in general I try not to be intimidated and just focus on the design."
Daughter of a U.S. journalist and an Italian publicist, Amfi-theatrof, 44, was born in Tokyo, where her father was then posted as the Time bureau chief. Although a U.S. citizen, she spent a nomadic childhood attending schools in England and Italy, where her paternal grandparents (her grandfather was Hollywood composer Daniele Amfi-theatrof) moved to help raise her and a sister during their father's stint as the Moscow bureau chief for Time. Amfi-theatrof's decision to bypass an Ivy League education in favor of art school was no less shocking to her parents than was her decision to major in, of all things, jewelry design. "My father wanted me to go to Harvard," she said. "I got the application and secretly threw it out."
More than a blue box
Instead, she went first to the Chelsea School of Arts, later Central Saint Martins and the Royal College of Art in London, where upon graduation she almost immediately began working as a designer of everything from furniture to jewelry to buttons for a roster of storied labels: Marni, Fendi, Wedgwood, Alessi, Asprey & Garrard.
"The good taste we're fed all the time I find dull," she remarked at Tiffany & Co. corporate headquarters near Madison Square Park one morning last October. Paradoxically, it was Amfi-theatrof's tasteful commercial first collection that inspired consumers to make a run on Tiffany, a fact analysts were quick to note. The Tiffany T collection "speaks volumes by itself" about Amfi-theatrof's abilities, said Luca Solca, lead luxury goods researcher at Exane BNP Paribas.
Solca was referring to a line of jewelry that uses "T" as a graphic motif, thus creating a subtle logo for a company that has long relied for brand recognition on its trademark blue box.
"It's not enough just to have the box," Frederic Cumenal, the new chief executive of Tiffany & Co., told a reporter in conversation last November. "There has to be something inside."

Flawless 100-carat diamond sells for $22.1m at NY auction

noreply@blogger.com (Syed Junaid) — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 11:33:00 +0000

An eye-popping, 100-carat diamond, the highlight of a magnificent jewels sale in New York on Tuesday, sold for $22.1 million, Sotheby’s auction house said.
The perfect classic emerald-cut D color diamond, which is about the size of a walnut and was mined by De-Beers in southern Africa, was purchased by an anonymous buyer via a telephone bid. It had a pre-sale estimate of $19 million to $25 million.

Gary Schuler, the head of Sotheby’s jewelry department in New York, said the gem is the definition of perfection. “The color is whiter than white, it is free of any internal perfections, and so transparent that I can only compare it to a pool of water,” he explained.
The $22.1 million price, which includes the buyer’s premium, fell short of the $30.6 million world record price paid for a 118.28 carat white diamond in Hong Kong in 2013. Sotheby’s said only six perfect diamonds weighing more than 100 carats have been sold at auction in the last 25 years.
A flawless pink diamond, dubbed the “Pink Star,” set a world record price for a gemstone at auction when it sold for $83.02 million in Geneva in 2013.
Schuler said the distinguishing characteristic of the huge diamond sold on Tuesday is its size and beautiful-shape. Originally weighing over 200 carats, its owner spent more than a year perfecting its cut and polish.
Sotheby’s said that from 1990 to 2013 the price per carat for a 100-carat perfect diamond had risen from $125,000 to $260,000. The diamond was the top selling item in a sale of more than 350 jewels that were expected to sell for a total of more than $50 million.
Other highlights include a pear-shaped purplish pink diamond weighing 6.24 carats that has a pre-sale estimate of up to $3.5 million as well as a blue diamond and colored diamond ring weighing 6.06 carats that could bring in as much as $4.5 million.
Two Cartier Art Deco jewels, a rare platinum, emerald, sapphire, lapis lazuli and diamond pendant necklace as well as a ruby, emerald and diamond bracelet, will also be auctioned. The Baron de Roths-child necklace is expected to sell for up to $2.2 million and the bracelet has a pre-sale estimate of up to $1.8 million. Two Kashmir sapphire and diamond rings could each bring in $1 million or more, according to Sotheby’s.

Rio Tinto’s Zim diamond production falls 42% in Q1

noreply@blogger.com (Syed Junaid) — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 11:26:00 +0000

Rio-Tinto said production at its Murowa diamond mine in Zimbabwe fell 42% in the first quarter after a planned shutdown and a decision to cut output as it sought clarity on a new export tax.
Zimbabwe’s government in January introduced a 15% export tax on unrefined platinum and there was confusion on whether the levy also applied to diamonds.

Rio-Tinto, which owns 78% shares in the Murowa mine located in south-central Zimbabwe, said in a statement on Tuesday it had established that exports from the mine were excluded from the new tax, which took effect in January.
Diamond production for the Jan-March quarter at Murowa fell to 41,000 carats from the same period in 2014, it said, adding that the shutdown was meant to upgrade its processing plant.
Zimbabwe, one of the world’s top diamond-producing countries, is believed to hold 25% of the world’s reserves of opencast extractable diamonds, with the eastern Marange fields its major diamond source.
Murowa produced 344,000 carats in 2014 but production figures from mining companies operating in Marange area, which produced 14 million carats in 2013, are not yet available.
The government owns half the shares in all the mines in Marange, which produces alluvial diamonds that are of a lower quality than the gems mined at Murowa.
Zimbabwe’s minister of mines said last month that the government was planning to merge all diamond mining companies, including Murowa, into one big firm in which the state will own half of the shares.
Rio-Tinto said last month it was concerned by the merger plans but is talking to the government on the issue.

Tirisi Jewelry Showcases Collection with Al Manara International Jewelry in Abu Dhabi

noreply@blogger.com (Syed Junaid) — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 07:14:00 +0000

In an intimate gathering at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, founders Julian Rotstein and Natascha Zuchouwski introduced Tirisi Jewelry to guests. The husband and wife duo show-cased the brand’s collections, including an array of luxurious necklaces, stunning diamond encrusted rings and the iconic three Times a Lady line a versatile collection of rings inspired by Lionel-Ritchie’s famous song that come with a selection of three hand-cut interchangeable semi-precious stones.

In Natascha’s own words, Tirisi is “born on the catwalk, worn in the city”, epitomizing her belief that “the world is a catwalk.” Tirisi is a young and innovative brand with creative designs at the heart. Launched in time for Basel-world 2010, Tirisi received a phenomenal reception, celebrated for its differential price point, and unique, hand crafted quality.

Each Tirisi creation is crafted in 18 carat gold, and hand set with a selection of gems that are re-cut and polished to enhance the fire from within. A marriage of contemporary European designers, coupled with traditional master goldsmiths and fabulous model makers, Tirisi Jewelry offers a wonderful collection of fine jewelry that is sure to set emotions in flames.
“With an array of stunning jewelry pieces, Tirisi Jewelry is the perfect brand for fashionable women who love all things bespoke, individual, and beautiful,” said Wajdi Abel Hadi, General Manager, Al Manara International Jewelry.We are thrilled to introduce Tirisi Jewelry to Abu Dhabbi and to add it to our portfolio of over 30 of the world’s finest timepiece and jewelry brands........

Famous Kimberley diamond brooch to be auctioned soon

noreply@blogger.com (Syed Junaid) — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 07:00:00 +0000

The magnificent brooch was a gift from Colonel Sir David Harris, pioneer of the South African diamond industry, Director of de Beers for 40 years, to his wife, Rosa Gabriel of Pomerania (Prussia), whom he married in 1873.

The brooch composed of seven flower-heads, the centre claw set with an old brilliant cut diamond weighing approximately 3.20 carats, enclosed by yellow and white old brilliant- and old European cut diamonds weighing a total of approximately 10.80 to 11.30 carats, mounted in gold and platinum, width approximately 37-mm.

Throughout his career Harris maintained his love for Kimberley and was instrumental in its defence: firstly as a volunteer in the Diamond-Fields Horse and the Kimberley Regiment and later as the commander of the Town Guard during the siege of Kimberley for which he was awarded the CMG and knighted in 1911. Harris died in 1942 and is remembered in an obituary as being ‘held in the highest esteem and affection by all with whom he came into contact (,,,…) his name will be remembered as one of the most devoted sons of South Africa’.

Harris’s love for the country, and in particular Kimberley and its people, was shared by his wife, Rosa, whom he had met on board ship on a return journey from England in 1872. They married a year later and she became as widely known in the town as her husband, beloved for her ‘charming courteous personality, entirely free from affectation’ and her tireless efforts for charitable causes with ‘her ever active desire to be of some assistance to the poor and the distressed’. This strong sense of duty and service is one that was shared by their daughter, Phoebe, an untiring philanthropist, and her daughter, Rosa Anne, who was a founder member of Save the Children (Cape) and the organisation’s chairlady for 30 years. The current owners, in keeping with the philanthropic heritage attached to this brooch, have indicated their intention to donate a portion of the proceeds to the Cape Branch of Save the Children, of which they too are members.

11 carat Ekati diamond goes on display at Royal Alberta Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Syed Junaid) — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:36:00 +0000

Canadian diamonds distinguish themselves more by value than size, but an 11-carat North-west Territories rough stone now fills a gap in the Royal Alberta Museum mineral collection. The recent purchase from Dominion Diamond’s (TSX:DDC) majority held Ekati mine “fills a specific need in our collection and for a display that we’re hoping to put together in the future,” says Melissa Bower-man, assistant curator of geology for the Edmonton facility.

Impressive as it is for size, “it’s fairly included so it probably wouldn’t have been appropriate for cutting anyway,” Bowerman points out. “But it’s a stunning, intact specimen.”
She describes it as “fairly colourless. It does have a tint of yellow but the inclusions give it a bit of a grey tone. It does have etched, triangular pits in it. The diamond shows signs of being unhappy as it rose in the magma and became etched. So you get these beautiful little triangular pits.”
She declined to divulge the price for security reasons.
“We don’t see a lot of very large diamonds coming out of Canadian mines and that has a lot to do with how the ore is processed,” she adds. “I think the maximum size is maybe on the order of 20 carats. That doesn’t necessarily mean large Canadian diamonds don’t exist. They may not survive the processing. I think it’s a more efficient type of processing that doesn’t recover very large stones.”

he 11-carat addition’s now on temporary display with the museum’s mineral exhibit “which includes a gem collection featuring most of the major gemstone families and some of the more unusual types of gemstones. We try to have both rough and cut examples. One thing we didn’t have was a large, display-quality rough diamond, which seemed like an oversight considering that Canada produces them.”
“Of course people love the gems,” Bowerman says. Among the museum’s highlights is a “big amethyst geode that people remember. We have an outstanding imperial topaz, actually two rough topazes and we also have quite large-carat emeralds, rubies, the usual families. Then there’s some weird things like sphalerite and other things you wouldn’t expect to be cut into gemstones. There’s a range of precious and semi-precious gemstones.....”
The museum gets its rocks through purchase, donation or field collection from global sources “to show the full spectrum of the mineral world and geology in general.” Among the Canadian stuff is “an outstanding collection of gold from the Bralorne mine. It’s probably one of the best historical mining collections we have.”

‘The Bachelor’ 2015 Engagement- See the Neil Lane Diamond Engagement Ring....

noreply@blogger.com (Syed Junaid) — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:20:00 +0000

I make these rings with love and compassion, and really hoping that these people stay together. And, what happens afterwards? I don’t know. If they break up, the ring, it goes to ring heaven. There are a bunch of rings in ring heaven and God is watching them and probably trying them on!
Neil Lane him-self flew out to Iowa to sit down with Bachelor Chris Soules as he picked out an engagement ring for his fiancee. At the time that Soules was choosing a ring, he said he had not yet chosen his future bride, so it was a bit nerve-wracking. Fortunately, he made up his mind and presented the above beautiful ring to fiancee Whitney Bischoff.

Hong Kong is Turning its Dead into Diamonds

noreply@blogger.com (Syed Junaid) — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:01:00 +0000

It sounds outlandish at first. Even obscene.
But why not turn the cremated ashes of your loved one into a beautiful diamond you can take with you instead of entombing his or her ashes in a gloomy columbarium?

It's not as impossible as it may sound. An American company named Life-Gem has been transforming the ashes of the dead into diamonds since 2001.
LifeGem says over 5,000 people have transformed their loved ones into LifeGem "Memorial Diamonds". Based in Chicago, LifeGem says its beautiful "cremation jewelry" is a unique way to embrace a loved one's memory day by day.

The problem of an ageing population means deaths in Hong Kong rose to 43,000 in 2013 from 25,000 three decades ago. A funeral parlor owner complained she has 30,000 urns containing the ashes of cremated persons and has no place for their burial.
Worse for the deceased's loved ones, applications for columbarium niches almost doubled to 23,235 between 2010 and 2014. The average waiting time for a columbarium space is now four and a half years from the previous two and a half years.
While waiting for this columbarium space, a family pays up to HK$80 a month to keep the urns in funeral parlors and other temporary storage facilities.
Swiss company Algordanza has taken advantage of this to become a leading provider of cremation jewelry in Hong Kong. Its Hong Kong office has been making what it calls "Remembrance Diamonds" since 2008.
To form a cremation diamond, Algordanza sends 200 grams of cremated remains to its laboratory in Switzerland. The carbon from those ashes is filtered to obtain a purity of 99 percent and is refined into silky, black graphite.
A machine then applies massive pressure and temperature to the graphite. Nine hours later, a synthetic diamond is born.
Cremation diamonds have a bluish rather than clear tint because of the boron found naturally in the human body.

Empowering Women And Artisans Through Jewelry In India.

noreply@blogger.com (Syed Junaid) — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 07:51:00 +0000

What began as a simple love for jewelry taught one female entrepreneur that what works in Europe does not work in India, as she travelled the path of creating wearable pieces of art with an empowering message.
Among the beautiful images of jewelry and inspirational thoughts, Eina Ahluwalia’s instagram account is peppered with hard hitting statements. The words “love has no boundaries, maps do” accompanies a photo of necklaces indicating the word ‘love’ in Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, and Hebrew. There is a photo of women in white Indian widows typically forbidden from enjoying color, playing with brightly colored powders during the spring Holi festival.

Another image depicting a pair of brooches shaped liked badges of honor, are slightly gorier: “with words that redefine gender in India ‘potential rapist’ and ‘meat says the accompanying description.
The hashtag ‘*jewelry-activist’ accompanies many of Ahluwalia’s posts. It is probably the best way of summing up what she does today.
Despite holding an MBA degree and a solid corporate role, Calcutta-based conceptual jewelry artist and founder of self-named brand Eina Ahluwalia made a defining decision in 2003 to leave her salaried job behind and enter the entrepreneurial world through jewelry.
Initially working part-time as a consultant for an international jewelry exporter she attended trade shows around the world.
“It helped me see what was happening, what each market was like and what kind of aesthetics each market really wants,” says Ahluwalia, “it was quite different to how we work in India.”

Auctions at London. Jewelry and Watches at Chiswick

noreply@blogger.com (Syed Junaid) — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 07:23:00 +0000

A Victorian gold crescent bar brooch, set with diamonds and rubies and centred with a pearl (lot 7).
Chiswick Auctions has 12 specialist departments, based in West London the auction room was established over 20 years ago and hosts weekly specialist sales, in addition to its general sale. Successfully selling antiques_ it also auctions a variety of modern items and designer goods. Chiswick Auctions is located within easy access from central London.

Discover hidden treasures and rare finds in the next Jewellery and Watches sale on 17th March 2015. An array of high quality items are available from rings, to watches, pendants, brooches and earrings.

If you got engaged on Valentine’s Day, or a proposal is in the pipeline, you might be interested in Lot 50 (est £30,000 – 40,000). A fine diamond solitaire ring, with the central Edwardian old claw set stone an impressive 5.15ct (approx) and flanked by diamond shoulders.

There is a great deal of excitement on the watch front too, with a ladies circa 1960s 18ct gold Rolex Precision dress ring, boxed on offer (Lot 34). Along with a WW2 era military issued Cyma wristwatch, stainless steel case, black dial Arabic chapter ring with sub seconds dial, case marked ‘P22350, 27350′, later strap.

Two distinctive pieces from the Victorian era will make an appearance in the sale. Giving a real sense of the history behind them, they would make a valuable and beautiful addition to any jewellery collection.

A fine Victorian gold, opal and diamond cluster pendant / brooch, with removable pin and gold rope twist chain, fitted box will be lighting up the auction room (lot 40).

5 Times You Really Should Take Your Engagement Ring Off

noreply@blogger.com (Syed Junaid) — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 07:14:00 +0000

He liked it so he put a ring on it, and now you don't want to take said ring off? We completely understand. However, if you want your bling to continue shining bright like a diamond for a really long time (and we know you do!) it's important to not wear it while you're busy doing these five things

1. Working Out
Before you break a sweat, it's a good idea to take that pretty little ring off. "The materials used in diamond jewelry, platinum and gold, are to a certain degree, soft," explains Mr. David Watling, De Beers Head of Diamond Centre. So if you rock your ring while participating in certain activities that put pressure on these metals, you risk changing their shape. "And if the shape of a ring is bent enough, you then risk bending the claws that hold the diamond and your diamond falling out." Same goes for sports; if you play soccer, basketball, tennis or participate in any other physical activity, do yourself a solid and keep your ring in a safe place, preferably at home, so you won't accidently damage it during competition.
2. Moisturizing
Lotions and moisturizers may be great for your skin, not so much for your ring though, as excess build up can diminish the brilliance and dull your stone over time. To protect your rock and ensure a cloudy layer of film doesn't form on it, wait until your hands have completely dried before slipping your bling back on.
3. Primping
Did you know that cosmetics, hair sprays, perfumes and other substances and chemicals - commonly used by women could cause build-up of grime, weakening the natural sheen of your ring? According to Nadine Tacorian Arzerounian, president of operations and design for Tacori, it's true! "I take off my rings the moment I walk into my house so I can seamlessly move through my nightly routine, whether that be cleaning, cooking or showering, without concern of taking my rings on and off," she says. Want to get rid of the grease on your diamonds? Watling recommends gently rinsing them with hot water and dishwashing liquid. "When doing this, don't forget to first secure the sink or use a bowl," he warns. "Then dry your jewelry with a cotton or linen towel before using a polishing cloth for a sparkling finish."
4. Swimming
*Never, ever, ever wear your expensive jewelry in the ocean or in the pool! For one, cold water "shrinks" your fingers, making it that much easier for an already loose engagement ring to disappear during a swim. Chlorine, on the other hand, can damage and discolor the mounting of your ring and your platinum, gold or white gold wedding band.
5. Cleaning
Not only can you easily bang up your engagement ring on tough surfaces (think bathroom counters, kitchen floors, etc.) cleaning the house, but you can also do serious_ damage to the stone and setting. You can even potentially alter the color, thanks to harsh chemicals like bleach and ammonia found in many common household cleaners.

Women’s Day 2015: 8 Gemstones beneficial for women and their well-being

noreply@blogger.com (Syed Junaid) — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 07:02:00 +0000

Feminine energy is distinctively different from its masculine counterpart it is palpably softer devoid of any rough edges, is gentle and definitely more giving. There are quite a few gemstones in particular that agree more with the feminine- energy system and definitely can aid in maintaining balance and keeping it healthy. Contrary to beliefs that have been generated by a suave marketing strategy, the Shastras-sacred texts do not advocate wearing of diamonds by women. Here is a list of actual gemstones that are in particular beneficial for the women:

Natural yellow sapphire: This is an excellent gemstone for improving marital relationships. In case of young girls still looking at getting married yellow sapphire or Pukhraj as it is known, helps in expediting, increasing chances of marriage. In the rough and tumble of a rocky marriage, it can bring much peace and harmony.
Natural Pearl: Moon represents the divine feminine and its gemstone the natural pearl is a reservoir of Moon’s energies. Wearing a natural pearl can greatly help in balancing emotions and getting rid of unnamed fears and unnecessary anxiety. Natural pearl can greatly help in soothing a frayed nervous system. Only 2% of pearls in the world are natural. Read about how planetary gem therapy can help diabetics.
Blue Moonstone: Blue moonstone is an alternative/ substitute gemstone for Natural pearl. This gemstone was used by the ancients also as it was believed to boost fertility. The menstrual cycle is a biorhythm, aligned to the lunar cycle. Wearing the Moon’s gemstone blue moonstone in this case can help regulate the menstrual cycle. This gemstone blesses with peace and radiance.
Natural Amber Natural Amber is actually a resin but has been granted the status of a gemstone. Remember the yellow amber egg in Jurassic Park that had the Dinosaur DNA preserved in it? That’s exactly what amber does. The amber is famed for being a medium of preservation. Wearing amber can preserve life and aids a relatively disease free time. How’s that for an anti-ageing treatment. It is also a gemstone of truth and saintliness.
Natural Red Coral: Red Coral or moonga as it is known is the gemstone of planet Mars. Women with severe issues of painful periods and general reproductive health issues can benefit by wearing a natural Red coral. It is also a wonderful gem of self protection and wards of evil eye and jealousy from others. Red Coral also is a gem of courage and vitality and helps a meek person find footing and stand up for self. This gem gives the courage combined with stamina to do what one deems right, without fear. It can help establish healthy boundaries.
Natural Peridot: Heart breaks, pain of rejection and emotional baggage can really slow down a person’s progress in life. For a woman, these disturbing events can derail focus and block the realization of potential. Natural peridot is a wonderful gem where healing emotional wounds of the past is concerned. It helps an individual move beyond trauma and get a handle on life. It is also a gem that fosters sensible thinking and curbs mood swings. Read about how gemstones can help find the love of your life.
Jade: In the Chinese culture, a girl upon her marriage, is gifted a precious jade ornament as it signifies tremendous good luck. Natural-jade also helps maintain good heart health. Real jade is hard to come by. Usually what is sold in the name of jade is Serpentine or Nephrite.
Rose Quartz: A gemstone with equally soft energies as its name. A very gentle crystal, a rose quartz can invite feel good emotions, romance and love in life. Read about what is planetary or vedic gem therapy.
Abhijita Kulshrestha is the Director and senior astro-gemologist at www.gemstoneuniverse.com. She is a GIA and PGA certified astro-gemologist. Abhijita is also an NLP practitioner certified by NFNLP, Florida.
+Planetary gem therapy is a preventive or can be used as a complimentary measure to medical treatment. It is in no way a substitute for medical treatment and care.

Taste the Rainbow

noreply@blogger.com (Syed Junaid) — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 10:04:00 +0000

Fabergé 18k yellow gold, ruby, tsavorite, emerald, multi-colored sapphire, and diamond ring, $38

Fernando Jorge 18k yellow gold, tourmaline, sapphire, and diamond ring, $18,980

Nam Cho 18k white gold, black rhodium, multi-colored sapphire, zircon, amethyst, and diamond earrings, $27,900

Shebee oxidized sterling silver and multicolored sapphire earrings, $980,

Anita Ko 18k rose gold, multi-colored sapphire, and emerald cluster earring, $3,675

Bling at its best at the Denver Art Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Syed Junaid) — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 09:26:00 +0000

DENVER From the jewels of Elizabeth Taylor to the diamonds of the Duchess of Windsor, the latest exhibit at the Denver Art Museum brings some of the world's most extravagant jewelry under one roof.
Brilliant Cartier in the 20th Century takes visitors through luxury and style of celebrities, socialites, princesses and princes from the 1900s up to 1976.
Artnet.com named this art exhibit one of the must see art exhibits in the world.

The curator says it's a unique combination of history and beauty.
"We have quite a few pieces that were owned by the Vanderbilt family. Barbara Hutton was heiress to the Woolworth fortune and Evalyn Walsh McLean was the heiress to the Colorado gold mining fortune," curator Margaret Young Sanchez said.

Young-Sanchez approached Cartier, and they allowed her to dip into the Cartier Collection archives to assemble the exhibit.

There's 200 pieces from the Cartier Collection along with 50 others from museums and private lenders.

And the sights are not just for women. There's a whole section dedicated to men with a look at what Clark Gable and Andy Warhol wore back in the day. Also, there's a part of the exhibit dedicated to jewelry makers and the instruments they used to make some of the elaborate pieces you see.