10 Extraordinary Gold Celebrity Engagement Rings

October 31, 2010 · 0 comments

During a series of posts, I have taken you on a journey through celebrity engagement rings. We have viewed rings from such individuals as Madonna and Heidi Klum and have viewed stones from platinum settings to white diamonds. In this post, I think you will find it fascinating some of the rings I have discovered. While I am focusing on the gold engagement ring in this post, I think you will enjoy some of the looks that include the modern and the timeless traditional pieces that have captured the desires of women everywhere.

1. Jenna Fisher

Her second time around, Jenna Fisher is betrothed to writer Lee Kirk. The engagement included the offering of a 2 carat, round cut brilliant solitaire diamond set in a gold band. This timeless tradition varies somewhat from the eye-popping size of celebrity rings, yet the subtle appeal tends to fit the personality of the bride-to-be.

2. Jacqueline Kennedy

Long before she was Jackie O., Jacqueline Kennedy was a First Lady and the world looked to her for the next trends in fashion. While much of her look kept with tradition, the engagement ring given to her by John F. Kennedy consisted of one 2.88 carat diamond mounted next to a 2.84 carat cut emerald. The two feature stones were surrounded with tapered baguettes. While this ring was not the largest or most unique in her collection, it was certainly one that made a statement as an engagement ring in 1953.

3. Bella Swan

This piece was an interesting one to include on my list simply because Bella Swan is actually a fictional character. What I find so fun in her “engagement” is that the popularity of the Twilight saga has penetrated mainstream to the point that the engagement ring featured on the big screen is now available for purchase. The ring was designed in partnership between Twilight writer Stephanie Meyer and Infinite Jewelry Co. to match the description given in the book. Bella’s ring is designed in yellow gold, although the style is also available in white gold.

4. Katie DioGuardi

Mike McCuddy gave American Idol judge Katie DioGuardi a smoky quartz Pave Albion ring designed by David Yurman. The ring is made with 18 carat gold and features a champagne citron stone at the center. The non-traditional engagement ring is said to better fit the bride’s style. I love this piece as it demonstrates that traditional does not always have to dictate choice when it comes to the engagement ring.

5. Fergie

The bold style of this celebrity is exemplified in the bold styling of her engagement ring. Husband Josh Duhamel proposed with an extra-wide engagement ring designed by H. Stern. The ring features a 4 carat brilliant cut diamond center stone and is surrounded by stones of varying colors. The ring has two bands that compliment the style, although the engagement ring itself makes a statement all on its own.

6. Amy Winehouse

Simple and classic are certainly not words I would use to describe Amy Winhouse, yet they do apply to her engagement ring. The simple solitaire is roughly 2 carats and set on a gold band. The traditional look of the ring easily contrasts Winehouse’s celebrity look, yet can easily blend with other pieces. While it isn’t the ring I would assume she would have, her choice (she reportedly bought the ring herself) demonstrates classic roots can run deep.

7. Princess Di

No longer with us, few will soon forget Princess Di and the impact she had on the world. A unique and vibrant as she was, the engagement ring selected for her marriage to Prince Charles easily matched her own beauty. She had the option of selecting from a range of engagement rings presented to her by Garrard Jewellers and she chose the 18 carat oval blue sapphire surrounded by 14 small diamonds and set in elegant gold.

8. Miranda Kerr

When Orlando Bloom proposed to Miranda Kerr, he presented her with an oval center stone diamond set in gold. The center diamond is 3 to 4 carats in weight and is designed as a solitaire to be worn alone or with additional piece settings. The classic look of the ring has a trendy appeal that blends both tradition and modern styling.

9. Katy Perry

A whirlwind romance led to the engagement of Katy Perry and Russell Brand. The costume-loving songbird now wears a 3 carat white diamond Cartier ring set in gold. The shape of the diamond is a round brilliant cut and is the perfect choice for the band setting. This ring is actually the first choice for Perry, but the second for Brand, who originally selected a 4 carat pink diamond Cartier. This style seems to be a better fit for Perry.

10. Victoria Beckham

Perhaps my favorite in this list is an engagement ring that was not included in a proposal, but actually borrowed for an event. Victoria Beckham was one to pull it off, however, as she sported a $7 million, 19 carat diamond solitaire ring set in gold. On loan from Chopard, the diamond shape is Asscher and the final look is stunning, if not out of reach for most. A smaller version would just as easily catch the eye and fit many a trend.

Check back with me next time as I take you on a journey of celebrities wearing unusual stone engagement rings.

Sam Kritsotakis
Eskae Private Jeweller

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Eskae Private Jeweller – apprentice weeks 7/8.

October 28, 2010 · 0 comments

Well hello again, I’m back!

And what a busy two weeks it has been for me at Eskae Private Jeweller. I have been busy learning tricks of the trade in making and creating engagement rings, finishing touches, fusing gold, perfecting using various pliers and how to protect stones when heat is applied to a piece of designer jewellery.

One of the first techniques I learnt over the last two weeks was how to begin a half round wedding ring. Instead of filing the shape to begin with, which can remove a decent amount of gold or platinum, therefore you end up with a lighter feeling ring, I was taught a traditional smithing technique. This technique involves hammering the gold or metal on the top corner of the ring whilst turning the ring on a ring mandrill.

A mandrill if you aren’t too sure is a long tapered steel rod, with ring sizes on it. It is one of the tools that really identifies a jeweller and their craft. The mandrill is a great tool for this particular technique as it keeps the ring stable meaning it doesn’t move around whilst you are hammering, as well as keeping the correct finger size whilst you hammer and also giving you a good grip on the ring to enable you to create the curved profile of the ring.

I hit the edge of the metal the whole way around the ring on both corners or edges and then began hitting just inside from the first hammer marks. These two hammered lines soften the edge of the wedding band to eventually create the curved profile. After hammering, you can then use a fine file to create a more smooth and even looking profile for the shape of the ring.

I also learnt how to put finishing touches into very tight crevices. To do this a cratex or ‘brown’ rubber wheel is used to get into the groove and smooth out the surface of the gold. A cratex wheel is a abrasive rubber wheel which can be shaped into various widths and shapes to fit into certain hard to reach areas of jewellery.

One of the most exciting techniques I learnt in the previous week was how to fuse gold together. This technique is similar to reticulation and is where you melt another piece of the same metal onto and into each other – perhaps to fill a gap or even join two pieces together. This was a very important technique to learn as it can be applied to metals such as platinum. The advantage of fusing two gold or platinum pieces together is that the join is made of the same material as the two halves or pieces that are being joined, and not of solder which is not as tough or hard wearing as either gold or platinum is.

Another important technique I learnt last week, was how to protect diamonds and gemstones which are already set in jewellery and need to have heat applied to them. For example when re-sizing a ring. One of the methods I was shown was to place the end of jewellery with the stone in it into a small pot of wet sand. The wet sand acts as a heat-retardant against the heat generated by the soldering torch, which can cause damage to the stone, such as cracking or burning. The other method is to use a special paste which is placed over the stone/s. It acts in the same way as the wet sand.

And finally I practiced using various pliers to bend gold into various shapes. I learnt where the pliers needed to be placed on the metal in order to bend the metal in a particular direction and also how to use your fingers and hands to manipulate the metal around the pliers.

All in all the last two weeks have been very busy for me, learning exciting and new techniques and also applying some of the previous weeks techniques.

Until I speak to you next time, have a fantastic week, if its anything like last week I know I will!

Cheers, Holly

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10 Extraordinary White-Diamond Celebrity Engagement Rings

October 26, 2010 · 0 comments

As you journey with me on this trip through a wide variety of celebrity engagement rings, for this post we will look at the engagement that was sealed with the white diamond engagement ring. Here I will explore some unusual trends, exquisite settings and brilliant stones. While not all of these engagements lasted, the beauty of the given ring was most certainly enough to stand the test of time.

1. Jennifer Hudson

This 5 carat, white diamond engagement ring given to Jennifer Hudson by fiancé David Otunga was designed by Neil Lane. The ring – which Hudson had to dig out of the sand upon her engagement – features a round center stone and a micro-pave split shank band. The center stone is surrounded by white diamonds and is set in platinum.

2. David Otunga

While David Otunga took a romantic approach to his proposal to Jennifer Hudson, she turned the tables on him and proposed to him on his birthday. The ring Hudson presented to Otunga was as impressive as her own 5 carat beauty. Also designed by Neil Lane, the 5 carat diamond and platinum men’s engagement ring is architectural and geometric in its design.

3. Nicolette Sheridan

Michael Bolton proposed to Nicolette Sheridan with a round center diamond set in a melee diamond wreath on a two millimeter channel set diamond band. The diamonds on Sheridan’s piece go halfway around the band, yet the style is also readily found with a solid, smooth band. Depending upon your taste, either look is eye-catching.

4. Gisele Bundchen

When Tom Brady proposed to Gisele Bundchen, he offered her a 4 carat, brilliant diamond on a 4-prong platinum setting. The ring fits perfectly with the pave diamond wedding band. The white diamonds on this setting set off a fire and light dance that is hard to capture in stones not cut just perfectly. With this piece, the bride should be very impressed.

5. Selma Hayek

The oval-cut white diamond gracing the center stage of the engagement ring worn by Selma Hayek is striking to the eye. The three stone engagement ring totals more than 5 carats in weight and features the oval center stone surrounded by trillions set in platinum. This Neil Lane design was given to Hayek by Francois-Henri Pinault.

6. Avril Lavigne

Venice, Italy provided the backdrop for the engagement of Avril Lavigne and Deryck Whibley. He presented her with a cushion cut solitaire white diamond set in platinum. A surprisingly formal look for a girl known to buck current trends, this timeless piece can work for any style. The beauty of the solitaire – aside from the brilliance of the diamond itself – is that it can be matched with just about anything to fit your own personal style.

7. Eva Longoria

Tony Parker presented Eva Longoria with a 3 stone, white diamond engagement ring set in platinum. The center stone is an emerald cut and the ring itself features 248 diamonds. Jean Dousset was the designer behind the ring who set out to create a ring that exudes confidence, delicacy and femininity, all things Dousset saw in Longoria. The end design is unique as Tony added his own inscription that is engraved on the inside shank.

8. Ashley Simpson

The overshadowed sister of the camera-hungry Jessica Simpson, Ashley Simpson appears to be truly smitten with her husband Pete Wentz. The 4 carat square cushion set white diamond featured in the engagement ring he gave her sparkles with a life of its own. The diamond is set in pave diamonds with a total look of timeless elegance.

9. Madonna

The material girl took an antique approach when she wed Guy Ritchie in Scotland. The proposal to Madonna was centered on the 5 carat, 3 round stone white diamond ring designed in the Edwardian style by Neil Land. The accompanying band was platinum with several small set diamonds. While the marriage was not meant to last, the design of Madonna’s engagement ring holds fast to tradition and its beauty will permeate through the generations.

10. Ellen Pompeo

Record producer Chris Ivery proposed to Ellen Pompeo with a 3.5 carat platinum and diamond Tacori ring. This white diamond engagement ring features a gorgeous center stone that displays fire and brilliance like a cushion cut diamond should. The smaller white diamonds along the band stabilize the look, while keeping the eye firmly focused on the overall brilliance of the ring’s design.

Check back with me next time as I take you on a journey of celebrities wearing gold engagement rings.

Sam Kritsotakis
Eskae Private Jeweller

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10 Extraordinary Platinum Celebrity Engagement Rings

October 21, 2010 · 0 comments

There is nothing that is so magical as the woman’s engagement ring. Throughout the world women in a variety of cultures dream about the emblem that will project to the world that she is loved, claimed. This symbol takes on many meanings and in the celebrity world such meanings are often overshadowed by the luminous grandeur of the ring itself.

In this next series of posts, I will explore the beauty and luxury of the celebrity engagement ring, focusing on the top 10 in a number of different categories. For today’s post, I have found what I believe to be some of the most exquisite of platinum engagement rings.

1. Katie Holmes

The much ballyhooed romance between Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes took on a new reality when he proposed to her at the top of the Eiffel Tower. The ring he gave to her features an oval shaped diamond roughly 5 carats in size. The diamond is set in rose gold and platform and the band splits as it moves toward the center, completing a split band to provide stability and support to the diamond. The simple symmetry of the ring suggests art deco in design and the small accents surrounding the ring create an elegant and classic pattern.

2. Ivanka Trump

After a two-year courtship, New York Observer owner, Jared Kushner proposed to Ivanka Trump with a beautiful, platinum ring from her own line of jewelry, the Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry Line. The 5.22 carat cushion-cut diamond set in a platinum mount. The fire and brilliance of the diamond along catch the eye, while the platinum ring displays a firm beauty and elegant style.

3. Calista Flockhart

The romance between Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart is one watched carefully by the public as the quintessential hero of the big screen in the 1980′s and 1990′s decided family man was the next role to play. He proposed to Flockhart with a brilliant emerald cut diamond surrounded with pave diamonds. The stone itself is roughly 4-5 carats in weight and is set in platinum. The matching solid band completes the ensemble, although the engagement ring alone captures the eye.

4. Christina Aguilera

London jeweler Stephen Webster was the creativity behind the design of the 5 carat diamond and platinum piece given to Christina Aguilera by music executive Jordan Bratman. The round center diamond bezel is set in the cathedral semi-mount with eight channel set diamonds flanking the sides. The diamond is given its height by a hand scrolled lattice work undercarriage. The diamond is completely encased in a gold frame to provide support and stability.

5. Khloe Kardashian

While rumors of a money-hungry bride surround the marriage of Khloe Kardashian and Lakers’ star Lamar Odom, no one can easily knock the brilliance of the engagement ring. A reported 9 carats in weight for the main, princess cut diamond, the band itself is diamond encrusted platinum. The value of this ring is not disclosed, yet speculation suggests a body guard at all times might be a good idea. Regardless of the sincerity of the wedding, the ring itself is true elegance.

6. Katherine Heigl

A celebrity with her heart focused on tradition, this was captured beautifully in Katherine Heigl’s platinum and diamond engagement ring. The center stone is a pear shaped diamond of roughly 3 carats in weight and flanked by pave diamonds around the exterior. The ring is a Ryan Ryan design and incorporates the bride’s sentimentality into the ring. Half of the platinum band is from Katherine’s mother’s own engagement ring.

7. Beyonce

One celebrity couple who could easily top the list in terms of ring value is Beyonce and Jay-Z. Beyonce’s 18 carat flawless emerald cut diamond set in platinum and designed by Lorraine Schwartz. The ring is reportedly valued at $5 million and is a stunning example of the beauty a diamond can project when properly cut and displayed. While some have argued this ring is too big, size is truly in the eye of the beholder.

8. Ashley Judd

Classic beauty is perhaps the best way to describe the solitaire engagement ring given to Ashley Judd by her race car driver husband, Dario Franchitti. The ring features a cushion cut diamond surrounded by pave setting. The diamond and surrounding accents are set in platinum. The engagement ring was designed by Martin Katz and projects a sincere beauty that projects a classic styling.

9. Kristen Bell

Kristen Bell sports a gorgeous platinum ring featuring an emerald cut, 3 carat diamond surrounded by smaller white diamonds. The cognac fancy-colored diamond ring designed by Neil Lane was given to Bell by comedian Dax Shepard. The contrast of the cognac diamond against the white diamonds and platinum setting gives off a look of elegance and classic charm.

10. Jane Lynch

There is definite beauty in simplicity and I wanted to feature the engagement ring Jane Lynch received from longtime partner, Dr. Lara Embry. This platinum and diamond Doyle & Doyle is a crossover twist ring featuring 0.35 carats of diamonds. While Lynch’s ring may not have the sticker shock or carat size of many of the other contenders, the classic style of her ring still captures a steady and secure beauty and brilliance often overlooked in diamond encrusted rings.

Check back with me next time as I take you on a journey of celebrities wearing coloured diamond engagement rings.

Sam Kritsotakis
Eskae Private Jeweller

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Engagement Rings – A Man’s Guide For Buying The Perfect Engagement Ring

October 16, 2010 · 2 comments

Women start planning their weddings probably around the same time they learn how to say the word, ‘diamond’. This means that when E-Day (Engagement Day) has arrived, the perfect ring has been concocted in the female imagination for quite a few years, if not decades, therefore, there’s some pretty high expectations riding on the one piece of jewellery.

For men, that can be pretty scary and overwhelming!

Men know that women have the memory of a hard drive but what does this mean to guys?

It means this momentous engagement is sure to be stored away and brought back to life every time someone comments on her ring. Women are creatures who pay attention to every, minute detail which leaves you of no other option than buying the PERFECT engagement ring!

Its okay though, guys. I’m going to walk you through finding the perfect engagement ring for your girlfriend. This way, all you have to worry about is getting the right words out of your mouth to make that extraordinary, dream-come-true memory for your soon-to-be-fiancé.

Most of you will most likely want to surprise your girlfriend with an engagement ring but would it surprise you to know that 74% of all brides receive a diamond engagement ring and of that 74%, 60% of women are involved in picking out their ring?[i]

If you’re fine with her coming along to pick out the engagement ring, then it will be smooth sailing and you won’t need my advice.

Generally, however, most men plan to go in with the element of surprise. Just because many women end up picking out their rings doesn’t mean a surprise wasn’t planned in the beginning. It just means with a little bit of know-how, you can pull the whole thing off flawlessly.

The first and foremost thing to know is the 3 little components that make up the engagement ring:

  1. The band – The gold or platinum part of the ring that goes around the finger
  2. The setting – This is what holds the stone(s) onto the ring and comes as pronged or invisible
  3. The stone – This is the part of the ring that makes women say ‘I do’ otherwise known as the centrepiece, or the most important part of the engagement ring

Now that you understand the basic terms we’ll be using, let’s begin perfecting your plan for a surprise proposal:

Details, Details, Details!!!

It sounds strange, but paying attention to the small things goes a very long way. As you’re reading this, look over at your girlfriend’s necklace, earrings or whatever type of jewellery she’s wearing.

Is it yellow gold? White gold? This will give you an indication as to which colour band to choose for the engagement ring.

If she’s wearing white gold, you can always find a band to match but chances are that she’ll appreciate a diamond setting made from platinum much more. Unlike other precious metals, platinum doesn’t tarnish or oxidize over time from air or water. If she’s wearing yellow gold, then you should stick to the same since most women don’t like to mix and match their gold’s.

The next step is to recognize the style she incorporates into her jewellery. Perhaps she wears minimal, simple jewellery in which case, choosing a simple band with one stone set in the middle would be the ideal choice for her.

If she likes wearing colourful, flashy jewellery, you can always opt for coloured diamonds instead of the traditional, transparent diamond. Perhaps she likes antique jewellery or customised jewellery.

The point is, notice her taste and you’ll know which direction to begin looking. If you at least understand the type of jewellery she favours, you can always talk to your jeweller to help you along further or have your engagement ring customised.

Check Out Her Hands

The next time you’re holding your beau’s hand, look down and see what kind of hands she has.

Does she have short fingers? If so, bold rings will overpower them making her fingers appear even smaller. It’s similar to women trying on a pair of pants and then asking how they look – they want to wear pants to make them look slimmer. The same goes for fingers. Women think slim fingers are beautiful; therefore, your best bet would be to choose a slim band with an oval shaped or elongated diamond to lengthen her fingers.

Does she have long fingers? Think opposite of short fingers. A slim band wouldn’t stand out on her long fingers so a thicker band will look nice. You don’t have to worry too much about the diamond shape because with long fingers, any shape will do.

Listen

This is one time that listening to your lady will pay off. It may be hard for some of you but it’s not impossible, I promise!

When she’s talking to her friends, she’s sure to bring up the topic of marriage if your relationship has reached that point. This is the perfect opportunity for you to pick up a few keywords of the ring she’s been dreaming about.

If she’s going out shopping for accessories, ask to tag along (be subtle, of course!). Listen to what she gets excited about or what she thinks is absolutely all wrong about fashion. Keep a mental checklist so that when you’re shopping, you’ll know exactly what makes her cringe and what makes her light up with happiness.

One great tip I have advised my clients of is to slow down the walking pace when you pass by a jewellery store window. This way, if she doesn’t stop completely, look in and literally point out all the ones that she likes, she will at least make a comment about this ring or that ring and what it is that she likes or dislikes about them…

Steal Her Ring

Desperate times call for desperate measures! The next time your girlfriend runs out for an errand, slip into her jewellery box and take out her ring. If you need outside help, you can always ask one of her friends to sneak a ring for you.

By taking her ring, you now have the approximate size of her finger. Different fingers equal different sizes but you’ll be within the right range. Jewellers happily adjust rings if it’s within a couple of ring sizes. After a couple of sizes, changing the ring size can affect the structure of the ring or the placement of the stone. If you somehow managed to find a ring that she wears on one of her ring fingers, then you’ve struck gold (or platinum)!

The Back-up Plan

If all else fails but you still want to surprise her, you can always opt for a loose diamond. As long as you can pick out the band that would make her happy, you can always take her back to the jeweller after you’ve surprised her to customise the ring.

One more little word of advice: If you’re using her friends as allies, choose wisely who you’re telling the good news to! Even the best of friends can accidentally slip up or worse, swear your girlfriend to secrecy and then surprise you with the news that she’s known all along.

Now that you have the tools necessary to know how to buy the perfect engagement ring and still surprise your sweetheart, I wish you the best of luck!

Sam Kritsotakis

Eskae Private Jeweller

[i] http://www.romancestuck.com/wedding/wedding-trivia.htm

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$20M Wedding Cake!

October 15, 2010 · 1 comment

WOW!

Now this takes the cake if you can excuse the pun! This video was sent to me by a friend Sarah Foster who is a fantastic virtual assistant, someone who I have used my times over the past few months. I can highly recommend her services for anyone who is in need of some help in their daily activities.

Below is a short YouTube video of a wedding cake reported to be worth $20M – having been adorned with diamond jewellery, along with a helping of engagement rings and designer jewellery – I can see where the value comes from!

Sam Kritsotakis

Bridal Jewelry

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Eskae Private Jeweller – Apprentice week 6

October 14, 2010 · 0 comments

Hello!

Week 6 has been and gone and what a week it was. Week 6 at Eskae Private Jeweller entailed me learning two very important techniques.

The first is a soldering technique where I learnt how to draw solder along a join between two pieces of metal. This involved placing a ball of gold solder on the opposite end of the join and then drawing it with heat to where I wanted it to run into. To draw the solder to where I wanted it to go, I used my flame to heat the area needing solder, as the solder heats up it turns liquid. The liquid solder is then drawn to the hottest area of the gold. You need to work fast when doing this, as the solder will run instantly to the hottest part of the join, and if the heat placement is incorrect the solder will go there instead of where I want it to go in the join. I used this technique in soldering some shoulder details onto the shoulders of a white gold engagement ring.

As well as learning this technique I perfected and got used to where I needed to hold my flame in relation to the metal which I am either heating or soldering. This is very important to a jeweller as consequences like holding the hottest point of the flame (the tip of the blue part of the flame) too close to the metal can either melt the gold completely or sweat the surface of the metal, known as reticulation. If this happens, you will need to file and emery paper back the bumps to make the piece smooth again.

Another important technique I learnt in week 6 was protecting a polished surface on a piece of designer jewellery from being tarnished while heating the piece up for either soldering or annealing etc. A great trick to prevent tarnishing especially with gold is to dip the piece into a boric acid and metho solution. By doing this, it puts a glaze or coating over the surface of the metal and protects the polished finish from oxidising created by the oxygen in the air coming into contact with a heated piece of gold.

Both techniques I learnt this week are very important in helping me to become a great jeweller in the future.

Until I talk to you again, it’s been another fun week at Eskae,

Holly

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Pink Diamond Barbie necklet

October 13, 2010 · 0 comments

I came across this blog post when i was looking for some information on pink diamonds for a client. It reveals a Barbie doll who has a Pink Diamond Collar. Now this is going to be a special auction through Christies New York without reserve and all profits from the sale will benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Wearing a black strapless party dress, pink peep-toe stilettos, and a stunning necklace featuring a one-carat fancy vivid pink diamond, the world’s most expensive Barbie (with a pre-sale estimate to sell from US$300,000 to US$500,000) is designed head-to-toe by fine jewelry designer Stefano Canturi of Sydney Australia.

Pink Diamond for Barbie

Three carats of white diamonds comprise the necklace, which is centered with a 1-ct. emerald cut fancy vivid purplish-pink diamond from the Australian Argyle mine. Collector demand for colored diamonds of this saturation and hue are on the rise, yielding auction prices in excess of $300,000 per carat, Christie’s said in a statement.

Barbie in Pink Diamonds

Sam Kritsotakis
Pink diamonds

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Diamond Jewellery – What’s Colour Got To Do With It?

October 11, 2010 · 1 comment

What is it about coloured diamond jewellery that makes it so desirable?

The less colour that’s present in a diamond, the more valuable a diamond is. Given a grade of D, E and F, these diamonds are considered rare and are much more expensive than your average diamond.

Knowing that, it may not make a whole lot of sense that a vibrant, red diamond would be considered one of the rarest and most expensive to those unfamiliar with different categories of diamonds. However, when coloured diamonds are given a class of their own and then rated accordingly, it then takes on its own value.

Coloured diamonds are referred to as Fancy diamonds and rate in a way similar to that of transparent diamonds. They have a ratings scale designed specifically for colour: Faint through Fancy and Fancy through Fancy Vivid. The more effervescent and pure the colour of the diamond is, the more valuable and rarer the stone is. Like transparent diamonds, the value of coloured diamonds also includes the 4 C’s – cut, clarity, colour and carat weight.

To give you a better mental picture, brown Fancy diamonds are on the low spectrum of rarity amongst coloured diamonds. Claret and champagne are the favourite choices of brown diamonds and perhaps the more affordable of all of the colours. Other colours include yellow, green, and orange with blue, pink and red being the most expensive and rarest of all coloured diamonds.

By using radioactive decay schemes, it’s been discovered that all natural diamonds were formed between 990.000,000 and 3.2 billion years ago. Because temperatures need to reach up to 900 – 1300 degrees Celsius to form a diamond, they’re brought up from 100 – 200km beneath the earth when a volcanic eruption occurs.[i] It’s extremely fascinating, isn’t it?

During this process, occasionally trace impurities, irregular growth patterns or exposure of different elements can change the colour of the diamond, thus creating your rare, coloured Fancy diamond.

Here’s a list showing which element creates which hue the diamond becomes:

Yellow – Nitrogen and/or Hydrogen              

Yellow Diamond

Brown – Nitrogen and/or Hydrogen

Brown Diamond

Blue – Boron

Blue Diamond

Green – Radiation exposure

Green Diamond

Pink – Irregular growth patterns within the crystal

Pink Diamond

Red – Irregular growth patterns within the crystal[ii]

Red Diamond

Because of their rarity and value, Fancy diamonds are quite costly. Most people can’t afford coloured diamonds because of the amount of money riding on it. If you’re one of those blessed with the fortune of obtaining such a stone, make sure that a certificate from a respected grading lab is kept securely placed where it can’t be mislaid, stolen or damaged. This is an extremely important document since it verifies the value of the diamond.

Coloured diamonds are not just pricey but because of their intrinsic value and rarity, are also considered to be an investment of sorts. Since so much money goes into purchasing Fancy diamonds, you should be cautious and not make a hasty decision.

The easiest way to identify whether you’re being sold a diamond that’s been coated to appear like a Fancy stone or the real deal is if the salesperson offers a discount or if the stone doesn’t have a certificate of authenticity to go along with it. Fancy diamonds will NEVER be offered for any discount.

I’m sure after understanding a bit more about coloured diamonds, you’ll agree that they’re truly fascinating and perhaps the most exquisite gemstone known to man. If you own a coloured diamond, I would love to hear about it!

Sam Kritsotakis

Eskae Private Jeweller

[i] http://www.pink-diamonds.com.au/text.php?id=jewelry_diamonds_facts

[ii] http://www.khulsey.com/jewelry/fancy_colored_diamonds.html

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Inclusions – Natural Imperfections Part IV

October 9, 2010 · 1 comment

As we have journeyed through this series on inclusions, I have been examining the different elements of the natural diamond known as inclusions or natural imperfections. So far, I have examined clouds, feathers, cleavage, crystals, cavities, pinpoints, internal graining and needles.

For this final installment, I will examine carbon, knots and growth tubes. Some of the inclusions I will look at today are not as well-known as some others, yet can still affect the clarity of the diamond and therefore also affect its value.

Carbon

You could easily assume that the pepper-like spots on a diamond are due to a lack of proper stone wash or simply dirt. If you look closer, however, you will notice that the block spots are actually inside the diamond and have nothing to do with its care, but everything to do with its creation.

The tiny black spots are actually undigested carbon inclusions – also known as natts. The tiny chunks of carbon simply never crystallized like the rest of the diamond. As the crystallization is a normal part of the process when a diamond is created, it is also very normal for carbon spots to be present.

When selecting the right diamond, it is important to examine the contained carbon inclusions as they can affect the clarity rating. And, no matter the size of the diamond, a large carbon spot will take away from its brilliance and beauty, leaving you with less than you bargained for in your diamond acquisition.

Knot

A knot is a diamond crystal inclusion that extends to the surface of the diamond. This type of inclusion is seen very well when looking at the stone with the naked eye as the inclusion reaches the polished surface of the finished diamond. It is possible for a knot to resemble the raised area on a facet surface, which can trick the eye. To better distinguish between the actual facet and the knot, look for differences in polish quality.

Because the knot extends to the polished surface of the stone, it does affect the quality of the stone, its clarity and its durability. The knot actually presents a risk to the integrity and durability of the diamond over the long-term. I tend to avoid any and all diamonds with a knot inclusion as I feel the diamond is not worthy of setting and wearing with such an obvious flaw.

Growth Tubes

Growth tubes are actually fascinating, although they do take away from the clarity and quality of the diamond. Still natural inclusions or imperfections, growth tubes are created at the same time the diamond is created. In the crystallization process of the diamond formation, a tube forms with an internal cavity that contained liquid.

A look at growth tubes provides a visualization of these inclusions, offering a roadmap of how they were formed. While I do not recommend purchasing a diamond with growth tubes inclusions, you can visualize the process of the diamond’s creation by following the length of the tube.

I hope you have enjoyed this series on inclusions. While it is possible you will run across other types of inclusions on your search for the perfect natural diamond, remember to look for the primary inclusions covered in this series, including clouds, feathers, cleavage, crystals, cavities, pinpoints, internal graining, needles, carbon, knots and growth tubes.

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