Happy Stories From our customers

It’s been a trying time economically but we’re starting to see a glimmer of light at the end of a long tunnel. Fashion, as usual, displays hints and themes that are relevent to our current state of affairs. Hence why the winter jewelry trends of 2010 – 2011 show a return to the basics, with a few over-the-top pieces showcasing an emerging sense of hope and celebration.

Take pearls for instance. Pearls are seeing a definite resurgence and for good reason – they imply a sense of purity and hope. They represent simple beauty and remind us of jewelry “way back when.” This gives us a connectivity to our past that’s needed when times are tough.

In addition, eco-friendly jewelry has never been…friendlier! People are becoming increasingly aware of the global implications of their fashion choices.

Here are some other pieces to include in your collection:

• Antique, Vintage, Retro & New Combinations
  Dramatic, unique, unusual necklaces (simple… yet exotic)
  Ornamented Bracelets
  Eclectic Natural Look
  Crystal, Rhinestone & Venetian Art Glass
  Black, Grey and Neutrals
  2011 Color Predictions
  Faux & Real Pearls
  Over-The-Top Rings (not gaudy, but daring)
  Enormous Hoops and Chandelier Earrings
  Green Eco Aware Movement

Source: Squidoo.com

Fresh water pearls - a Constant Classic - click on image for more info

From one of our Australian customers:

T

Behold the pink diamond – a dazzling, natural color 25 carat gem, just sold for the low, low price of $46.16 million!

Laurence Graff again raised the auction stakes for natural color diamonds on Tuesday evening when he paid a world record price of $46.16 million for a 24.78-carat fancy intense pink diamond at Sotheby’s.

The legendary diamantaire, who immediately dubbed the diamond “The Graff Pink,” called the emerald-cut stunner the “most fabulous” diamond he has seen in the history of his career.

“I’m delighted to have bought it,” Graff said.

The diamond’s $40-million-plus price sets a new world record for any jewel sold at auction, shattering the previous record of $24.3 million held by Graff’s 2008 purchase of the blue Wittelsbach diamond at Christie’s.

Four bidders competed for the stone Tuesday at Sotheby’s “Magnificent Jewels” sale in Geneva. Sotheby’s Chairman in Asia Patti Wong, bidding on behalf of Graff, finally emerged as the winning bidder.

David Bennett, chairman of Sotheby’s International Jewellery Department for Europe and the Middle East, echoed Graff’s sentiments about the stone.

“Tonight’s spectacular result demonstrates that truly extraordinary objects will bring truly extraordinary prices,” he said. “This outstanding pink diamond combined exceptional color and purity with classic emerald cut and fully deserves the exceptional price [it attained]. It was simply one of the most desirable diamonds I have seen during my 35-year career at Sotheby’s.”

The diamond, mounted as a ring, is classified as a Type IIa diamond, diamonds that comprise less than 2 percent of all the world’s gem diamonds. It came to the market from a private collection and had not been seen on the open market since being purchased from Harry Winston some 60 years ago. The pre-sale estimate on the stone was $27 million to $38 million.

Source: National Jeweler

If $46 million is a little out of your price range this holiday season, why not check out our fancy colored gems, like the warm and wondrous Gemesis or our pink champagne diamond ring:

Pink Champagne Color Enhanced Natural Diamond Ring With Pave' Diamonds Stunning .70ct pink champagne, color enhanced princess cut natural diamond, VS2 clarity handset within a 14kt rose and white gold frame with .36ct t.w. pave' diamonds.

We’re pleased to announce our most recent collection: petite pave rings. These wedding bands and engagement rings are delicate and finely styled. It’s perfect for the woman who wants a delicate and subtly eye-catching ring.

What does pave mean exactly? Pavé settings are made up of lots of small gemstones, often diamonds or moissanite, set closely together. The gems are separated and held in place by little beads of the setting metal. The result is what looks like a continuous surface of diamonds or other gems.

Here are a few samples below. Or stop by here and take a look at our entire collection.

Petite Pave' Engagement Ring With Prong Set Round Side Stones From the Petite Pave' Collection: Split shank engagement ring with approximately 1/6ct t.w. prong set round brilliant diamond side stones (setting only, does not include center stone).

Style 10513WB Petite Pave' Wedding Band With Prong Set Round Stones From the Petite Pave Collection: Matching prong set wedding band with approximately 1/4ct t.w. round brilliant stones.

Petite Pave' Wedding Band With Round Diamonds From the Petite Pave' Collection: Matching wedding band with approximately 2/5ct t.w. round brilliant diamonds.

Alternating blue sapphires with side diamonds on one of our existing styles.

From a recent customer after receiving the ring but before giving it to his girl. . . . .

Joe,

and after giving the ring to his girl. . . . .

Joe,

Everyone is buzzing about Prince William’s recent engagement to Kate Middleton.

Ms. Middleton grew up in Berkshire and after attending Marlborough College, went to the University of St Andrews, where she met Prince William, also studying there, in 2001. They started a relationship, followed by media attention, triggering complaints by Middleton that the media were harassing her. In April 2007, the press reported that William and Middleton had split up. They continued to be friends, and later in 2007 they reunited. Since then, Middleton has attended many high-profile royal events. She has been admired for her fashion sense and has been placed on numerous “best dressed” lists.

Their wedding will take place in 2011. And the royal engagement ring?

William reportedly popped the question in Africa last month with the engagement ring that his father Prince Charles gave to his mother, the late Princess Diana. The heirloom, crafted by Garrard, features an 18-carat sapphire surrounded by 14 diamonds set in platinum. Priced at $65,000 when Prince Charles proposed back in 1981, the ring today would be valued at about $150,000, jewelry expert Michael O’Connor told UsMagazine.com.

Click here to check out some photos.

It’ll be interesting to keep tabs on whether or not Kate’s engagement ring sets off a sapphire craze. On Tuesday, after the engagement was announced, designers such as Yael Designs and Tacori sent out photos of sapphire rings of their own.

If you are looking for an engagement ring of similar royal stature, contact us. We can recreate a piece like this but also include your own personal style.

Source: https://njn.typepad.com/10x/2010/11/a-royal-engagement.html

(Note from Joe:  Before actually seeing the ring in person)

Joe:

You have done such an amazing job on my dream ring!!! It is absolutely gorgeous and I know it must be stunning in person.

(Then, after seeing it!)

Steph