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Archive for September, 2010

The Blue in There Somewhere Ring

September 10, 2010

Mary’s Halo Ring

September 10, 2010

Beth,

OMG, I absolutely love it!!!!!!! . . . . it’s perfect! Correction — it’s more than perfect!!!. . . . .

Also, please send along my gratitude and happiness to Joe!!!  You guys are awesome!
Hugs,
Mary

Cindy Chao’s Royal Butterfly inducted by National Museum of Natural History

September 9, 2010

An interesting story about the amazing Cindy Chao (Taiwan) and the induction of her stunning butterfly pin inducted into the National Museum of Natural History:

Amongst the Earth’s rarest and most beautiful creations are precious stones, in which beauty not only remains undiminished with time but accumulates history. Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of Natural History features the most significant and famous pieces of gems and minerals in the world; the esteemed collection includes the deep blue Hope Diamond, Napoleon Diamond Necklace, Marie Antoinette’s Earrings, Inquisition Necklace.

The melding of creation – first the natural process that occurred more than a billion years ago that formulated these stones which are then taken and crafted by artisans into a new creation – thickens the layer of history and lore into the precious stones as they pass through human hands.

Cindy Chao’s 2009 Royal Butterfly Brooch perfectly exemplifies this melding of creation, her detailed masterpiece entailing over 2 years time. Heralding a unique usage of rough diamonds, her work representing a breakthrough in the art of jewelry craftsmanship. The annual creation of an iconic butterfly symbolizes the ongoing metamorphosis in the advancement of Cindy Chao’s craftsmanship and techniques in utilizing rare gemstones.

The vibrant “Royal Butterfly,” is balanced by a pair of rough diamonds on the scales; features more than 20 color gradients, precisely 2,318 diamonds, colored diamonds, color-changing sapphires, colored sapphires, rubies, and tsavorites, meticulously set on both the front and back.

In 2010 this classic piece was inducted by the National Museum of Natural History, the world’s largest educational and research museum complex serving as the global beacon for the diffusion of public knowledge. This contemporary art jewel was created not only of the hopes of the artist that this art can be appreciated in a new medium, but will also inspires people to dream and create, always continue to contribute to the evolution of culture and the world around them.

Source: BusinessWire

Jewelry Maitenance – Do’s and Don’ts

September 8, 2010

Buying your jewelry is only half the battle. Maintaining it so it looks great for years takes a little know how. Here’s  what one expert has to say:

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Monica_Mo

Fall Fashion 2010 – Urban Warrior to Conservative Glamour

September 7, 2010

Fall is upon us. We are officially post Labor Day. (No more white shoes, for the more traditional reader!) Here’s a little sampling from Fashion Week, showing us looks that you’ll be seeing more of this season.

First, the urban warrior look, combining chic with a slight edge. And second, a return to old school glamour, with clean lines and rich fabric.

Urban Warrior:

Conservative Glamour:

When it comes to conservative glamour, we think our Sweetheart Pendant necklace is the perfect accompaniment:

Style 10119-4.5mm (1/3ct)

Classic Sweetheart Pave Necklace

Classic Sweetheart pave necklace with 1/5ct t.w. round brilliant stones set on an 18″ cable chain. Fits a 4.5mm (1/3ct diamond) round center stone. (setting only, does not include center stone).

Moissanite versus Cubic Zirconia

September 1, 2010

Moissanite is often unfairly compared with cubic zironia. While cubic zirconia still remains the most popular diamond simulant, moissanite, a relative “newbie” to the market, is gaining ground quickly.

Cubic zirconia is a colorless, lab grown diamond simulan while moissanite is more durable and provides more brilliance.

According to The Moissanite Buyers Guide:

Unlike cubic zirconia, moissanite jewels are doubly refractive. This means that light is bent twice as it passes through the moissanite jewel. This double refraction is directly responsible for moissanite’s superior brilliance. You can see this with a 10x loupe. Viewing through the crown or pavilion facets is recommended. Do not look directly through the table of a moissanite stone; the double refraction is less apparent as seen from this angle.

Comparison Chart: Beauty, Durability, Specific Gravity

	BEAUTY			DURABILITY		SPECIFIC GRAVITY
	BRILLIANCE Refractive Index	FIRE Dispersion	LUSTER	HARDNESS Mohs	TOUGHNESS
Moissanite	2.65-2.69	0.104	20.4%	9.25	excellent	3.21
(CZ) Cubic Zirconia	2.15	0.060	13.6%	8.50	good	5.80

So if you’re searching for that perfect engagement ring that’s both eco-friendly and still maintains the qualities of a natural diamond, it might be time to give moissanite a try. Because its priced so much better than a mined diamond, you just opened up the possiblities to all sorts of amazing rings, like the one below:

Style 9501M

Tension Set Engagement Ring With Side Diamonds

Tension set ring with .70ct t.w. natural side diamonds (setting only, does not include center stone)