Happy Stories From our customers

Why burnish your wedding or anniversary band? Well one of the main reasons is the subtle effect it creates, meaning it enhances and doesn’t overpower the “star of the show” (the engagement ring). It also tends to enhance the gems within the wedding or anniversary band, adding an extra sparkle to them.

So what is the process of burnishing exactly?

Burnishing is a finishing process that removes the coating on metal and polishes the exposed metal. A burnishing tool doesn’t really “cut” the metal per se but produces a smooth and shiny finish.

Better yet, check out the video below for the full effect!

We can’t stare longingly and lovingly enough at the recent images of the Graff Diamond in a recent Forbes article. And can you blame us? Not only is it massive but stunningly brilliant. But this recent Graff picture just blows our socks off!

This is a diamond that is not only large but has achieved the highest grades in all attributes that matter.The D color grade means it is colorless, the top of the color scale for colorless or white diamonds.It is flawless, the top of the clarity scale.The diamond has a classification of Type IIa, meaning it is almost or entirely devoid of impurities and has the highest thermal conductivity. They make up between 1 and 2 percent of all natural diamonds.

A heart shape diamond must be perfectly faceted and entirely symmetrical to ensure a perfect silhouette and exquisite scintillation, Graff Diamonds said. “The exceptional size of the heart required the development of special tools and new technologies. The process was incredibly risky and tense.”

A ring that Bernhard Schobinger made in 2010 by impaling a chunk of smoky quartz on a countersink nail.

We would love to check out the latest installation currently running at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (but it’s a long drive from Scottsdale). It’s called “Beyond Bling” and presents jewelry worthy of the status of art, not mere adornment. This includes a ring that Bernhard Schobinger made in 2010 by impaling a chunk of smoky quartz on a countersink nail [pictured above].

“Beyond Bling showcases an extraordinary assemblage of contemporary studio jewelry from the United States, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The exhibition, which features a selection of 50 works from the gift of over 300 pieces from collector Lois Boardman, explores the use of nontraditional materials and techniques, the ways jewelry can communicate personal or political messages, and the medium’s potential to shock and delight. The collection is the first of its kind to enter a museum on the West Coast.”

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All diamonds are not created equal. But you knew that, right? Our longstanding belief is that the more informed our clients are, the happier they are with their final decision.

This video highlights an important point: “not all diamonds which have the same grade of clarity are of the same quality when viewed under the microscope.” That means that simply because a diamond is given a grade of clarity, doesn’t mean they all look the same. There is a range within a certain grade that should be considered before committing to the purchase of the gem.

Understanding the source of the gems you choose for your engagement ring is key to making a sound decision prior to your purchase. Why? Because there’s a bigger global context to the gem trade you may want to consider. This smart little video gives you a glimpse into the world of gem mining and the effects it has on the land and people surrounding it.

“A brief look at the route gemstones take from mines to market in Burma (Myanmar), starting in the Mountains of Mogok and finishing at the Thai border. Hosted by Charles Lawson of Lawson Gems.”

It’s stunning!!! Thank you guys for everything! WOOT WOOT!!

I.C.