Archive for the 'Gemstones' Category

Discover – and Share – the Mystery of a Carnelian Gemstone

Published on September 3, 2010 in Carnelian, Designer Jewellery and Gemstones. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Discover – and Share – the Mystery of a Carnelian Gemstone

If you yearn for jewellery that falls into the “I’ve never seen anything like that before!” category, you may want to invest in a piece featuring carnelian.

A semi-precious gemstone, carnelian (also referred to as cornelian or sard) comes in a variety of colours, from buttery tan to deep, dark brown.  It’s opaque, rich and relatively abundant; perhaps that’s why carnelian has been used to decorate jewellery items for at least 6,000-7,000 years.

Carnelian - tumble polished

A Bit of History about Carnelian…

Carnelian is mined around the world in locales from Russia to Australia to Brazil.  Like many gems, carnelian, a variety of chalcedony, was once relegated to the jewellery collections of the rich and famous.  Today, though, it can be found in jewellery boxes of everyday people.

Carnelian’s toughness (6-7 on the Moh’s scale of hardness) makes it a stone that can be relied upon to keep its shape for generations.  In fact, there are many royal jewellery items featuring carnelian that look stunning thousands of years after their creations.

Carnelian’s colours vary depending upon the levels of iron oxide in the stone.  Occasionally, carnelians are heated to intensify their hues; some may also be specially colour-treated to further enhance their appearances.  Once polished, the outside of a carnelian gem takes on an almost silky look and feel, which makes the gemstone highly attractive from both visual and tactile standpoints.

Carnelian - cabochon cut

Carnelian in Mythology and Legends…

Carnelian stands as one of the gemstones that can be used for many birthstones, most notably for those born under the Zodiac signs of Virgo, Aries, Leo and Taurus.

Throughout the centuries, many societies believed (and some still believe) in carnelian as a stone that could help the wearer (or holder in the case of loose carnelian stones) in a number of different ways, including:

  • Healing blood-related diseases.
  • Guarding against poverty and financial woes.
  • Increasing physical desire in both males and females.
  • Helping with back pain and body cramping.
  • Improving a bad temper.
  • Assisting women and men with infertility issues.
  • Heightening overall energy.
  • Protecting a dead body from evil spirits.
  • Promoting a sense of humor.

Whether or not carnelian actually possesses any of these powers is debatable; however, regardless of its otherworldly or medicinal prowess, it’s undeniably a lovely stone to showcase.

Taking Care of Carnelian

Like other hard semi-precious gemstones, carnelian is not particularly difficult to care for.  A soft cloth and gentle hand soap can bring lustre back to a dull carnelian cameo, brooch or other jewellery item.

One note:  Be careful when cleaning carnelian because the other materials with which your jewellery piece is crafted may require professional cleaning or special cleansing solutions.

Are You a Candidate for Carnelian?

Is carnelian a gemstone of choice for you?  It all depends.  Carnelian is not a stone with tons of “splash”; it’s much more subtle in its appeal.  Yet it conveys a sense of earthiness and warmth that other gemstones do not enjoy.

If you like nature and down-to-earth tones, carnelian is indeed a great match for your lifestyle and personality.

Sam Kritsotakis

Eskae Private Jeweller

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Alexandrite – the Gemstone That Was Named for a Russian Tsar

Published on August 26, 2010 in Alexandrite and Gemstones. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

You just might feel a little like royalty if you choose a jewellery piece made with Alexandrite, the gem named after Russia’s 19th century Tsar Alexander II.

Alexandrite possesses unique characteristics in that its tint or colour continuously changes; thus, depending upon what you wear as well, the setting that you’re in, and,  more particularly, the lighting situation surrounding you, the gem will take on different shades and tones.  For numerous jewellery-owners, this fact alone makes Alexandrite an essential part of their jewellery collections!

Alexandrite History and Info

Originally found in Russia’s Ural Mountains, Alexandrite remains incredibly rare.  In fact, Alexandrite wasn’t even known to modern man until the early 1900s.  What a shame that antiquity never had the opportunity to get to know this incredible gem!

Today, Alexandrite has been found in other places around the globe, including Brazil and Sri Lanka.  However, it still is far from being abundant (and some of the deposits are hardly usable from a jewellery point of view), so collectors need to take this into consideration when budgeting for Alexandrite jewellery, which can get a little expensive because of this rarity factor.

One of Alexandrite’s most magical qualities is that fact that it never seems to stay the same colour!  Depending on the shades around it as well as the time of day (e.g., natural sunlight versus man-made lighting), Alexandrite will literally change before the wearer’s eyes!  Sometimes it seems green, other times it appears blue… or even deep red!

Alexandrite’s colour shifts aren’t magic; they are based on hard science.  Different frequencies found within the various types of light make the stone’s colour change.  This means if you head out for your lunch break, the Alexandrite gemstone in your ring will be one colour; but when you get back into the office you will see that it is very definitely another colour due to the change in light sources.

Alexandrite - and its two colours!

Folklore and Legend

Because Alexandrite hasn’t enjoyed a lengthy popularity due to its relatively recent unearthing, there aren’t many legends associated with it.  One of the only ones is that because it was found on the day that the Tsar Alexander II came “of age”, it must be connected with royalty or prestige/power in some manner.

Additionally, some artistic types claim that wearing Alexandrite helps them be more creative.  And since there’s really no way to gauge creativity, perhaps it has more than a grain of truth!  After all, plenty of expert jewellers also swear by the stone and enjoy making it the showpiece of a variety of jewelry items.

Caring for Your Special Alexandrite Jewellery

Alexandrite is very, very hard (around 8.5 on the Mohs scale).  This makes it easy to cut from a jeweller’s standpoint and even easier to care for.  It would be very difficult to “nick” this gemstone, so if you tend to be hard on your jewelry, Alexandrite could be your ideal choice!

Is an Alexandrite Perfect for You?

Because Alexandrite isn’t widely known in most circles, you’ll probably be asked quite frequently, “What kind of stone is that?”  So be prepared with a great answer if you decide that Alexandrite is going to be the centerpiece for your next bracelet, ring or necklace!

Sam Kritsotakis

Eskae Private Jeweller

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How to Clean your Jewellery at Home!

Published on July 31, 2010 in Bridal Jewellery, Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Gemstones, Jewellery, Tips for Home, Wedding Jewellery and YouTube. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .

Here is a great video for you that will demonstrate to you easily – how you can clean your diamond set, gemstone set or plain gold jewellery at home!

I take you through the steps of how you can get a semi professional clean right in the comfort of your own home. Your jewellery will not be polished, but the best advantage of this technique is that all of the grime and layered on dirt will be removed. What this means for you is that the “stuff” that is caked onto your precious diamonds and gens actually gets in the way of light coming through and into the diamond or gemstone. So when this layer of grime is removed, we open the diamond or gemstone up to the full amount of light again, which will significantly enhance the sparkle and brightness of the jewellery you are wearing.

This is best done a little while before you go out to that special party, or event, it will only take you a couple of minutes to do so it really is quick and easy!

Please note CAREFULLY the instructions contained within the video as they must be adhered to for the best result.

Sam Kritsotakis

Eskae Jeweller – Your Private Jeweller

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Designing your own Custom Engagement Ring

Published on July 27, 2010 in Bridal Jewellery, Coloured Diamonds, Designer Jewellery, Diamonds, Emeralds, Engagement Rings, Jewellery, Pearls, Rubies, Sapphires, Wedding Jewellery and White Diamonds. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , .

Designing your own Engagement Ring

A marriage proposal is one of the most important and personal events of a lifetime.  A very special engagement ring will reflect the significance of this event.  When you become engaged, you and your partner can create a lasting symbol of your unique love for each other with a custom engagement ring design. With the help of an experienced jeweller, the process of designing a custom engagement ring will bring you and your loved one closer and help you create a ring that both of you will treasure forever.

The Design Process

Once you’ve decided to create an engagement ring that will reflect you and your partner’s personalities and taste, the next step is to consult a jeweller who specializes in custom engagement ring design.  An experienced jeweller has the technical expertise required to guide you through the design process.  Your jeweller will explain the process to you in simple terms and make sure you have input at every step.  You will gain an understanding and appreciation of how much is involved in custom designing and creation of your engagement ring.

Your jeweller will help you make a series of important design decisions related to ring design, including:

  • Diamonds – Which one is Right for you? – Your jeweller will help run you through what makes a diamond sparkle with “Fire and Brilliance” and how the different characteristics affect the value of the diamond. Diamonds are a traditional choice for engagement rings, but a truly unique design can be created using other types of stones.  Emeralds, rubies and pearls can be striking alternatives to diamonds.
  • The Size and Shape of the Diamond or Gemstone – Once the type of stone is chosen, your jeweller can recommend suitable sizes and shapes.  When recommending a diamond or gemstone, your jeweller will take into account your personalities, what you want to communicate through your engagement ring and a host of other considerations.
  • The Style of the Setting – The design details of the setting will have a major impact on the overall style and look of the ring.  The setting can be traditional, with a clean and crisp look that will allow your diamond or gemstone to sparkle with its own “fire and brilliance” or it may be embellished with side stones, engraving or filigrees, adding more detail and intrigue to the design.
  • Platinum or Gold? – Which one is Best for your Setting? – The setting design, the diamond and gemstones used and the ring budget will determine the best metal for the engagement ring.

After you have expressed your design preferences, your jeweller will create a custom design for your approval.  Many couples have seen another ring that they want to copy, or they may want to combine 2 or 3 design elements from other rings.  If this is the case with your ring design, feel free to bring in drawings or photos to give your jeweller an idea of what you have in mind.  A talented jeweller will incorporate these suggestions into a single cohesive ring design, adding any details that may be needed to complete the design and convey what you would like to have represented in your ring.

The Surprise Engagement Ring

A marriage proposal and engagement ring are often planned as a surprise.  In this case, the design decisions will be made solely by the man.  His fiancée’s lifestyle, looks, body size and shape, personality and taste in jewellery should be taken into account when designing a custom engagement ring.  Family members or close friends can be a great help in creating a design that will be cherished for a lifetime.

Wedding Band Considerations

The design for your wedding bands should be considered when designing your engagement ring, especially if a bridal set consisting of the two rings is desired.  Using similar stones, metals and design motifs is the best way to tie together the engagement and wedding rings.

Generally speaking, if you use a similar design in both engagement ring and wedding bands, you will gain the benefit of having them look they were designed together at the same time.  When the engagement and wedding ring are worn together they will truly look like a matched set and not two unmatched rings that were bought at different times and places and thrown together.

Custom Engagement Ring Budget

You and your partner need to be aware that a custom designed engagement ring may cost a bit more than purchasing a mass market existing design due to the exclusivity of having an engagement ring designed specifically for you.  It’s important to establish a budget and to work with your jeweller to stick with your budget.  Your jeweller will be prepared to offer many suggestions on how to stick with your budget.  Be prepared to listen to your jeweller’s suggestions and work with the options that are presented to you.

Sam Kritsotakis

Eskae Jeweller -Your Private Jeweller

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Onyx – A Gemstone of History and Magic

Published on July 14, 2010 in Art Deco Jewellery and Gemstones. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , .

Onyx:  A Gemstone Steeped in History and Magic

There’s something undeniably fascinating about Onyx.

Is it the richness of its colour (typically black, but also sometimes available under the name “sardOnyx” in striped or solid dark/reddish brown, sparkling white or deep red)?  Or could it be the bold statement made by this powerful gemstone?  Whatever the reason, Onyx has enjoyed popularity for millennia and its status shows no signs of waning any time soon!

If you want more information about this semiprecious type of chalcedony, you’ve come to the right place.  Below is all you need to know about Onyx, a terrific way to highlight any necklace, set of earrings, ring, bracelet or other hand-crafted jewelry.

History and Info

The term “Onyx” has Greek origins (meaning “fingernail”, “claw” or “hoof” depending upon the translation), while the term “chalcedony” hails from older Asia Minor roots.  As for the gemstone itself, Onyx’s popularity seemed to grow during the height of the Roman Empire.  During that time, Onyx was often used to create seals and cameos because of its innate carvability.

Today, deposits of Onyx can be found worldwide, including India, the United States, Australia and South America.  Although Onyx is considered a semi-precious stone, those who love it agree that there’s nothing “semi” about it!

Folklore and Legend

From a “mystical” perspective, Onyx is deemed to be the birthstone for December babies.  (In contrast, the “traditional” birthstones for that month are blue topaz and turquoise.)  Onyx is also the Zodiac birthstone for Leos (those born between July 23 and August 22.)

Many people throughout history have believed (and still believe) that Onyx has regenerative powers, increasing happiness and mastery of one’s fate.  In India, it has even been used as a talisman to “cool” passion between lovers who would be better off apart!

Some individuals seeking alternative remedies for their afflictions turn to Onyx to help with bone, heart, kidney, liver, hair, eye, foot, hand and nail conditions by wearing the Onyx close to the intended body part.  However, please be aware that we do not recommend using jewelry to take the place of proper medical care.

Caring for Onyx

If you’ve invested in rich-looking (but ultimately affordable!) Onyx jewelry, it’s important to understand how to take care of it.  Even though it has a Moh’s scale of hardness rating of 6.5-7, it is still quite delicate in some ways.

Onyx can chip or scratch; consequently, it’s important to treat it with care.  Take off any Onyx jewelry when doing physical labour or in the evening.  Additionally, be certain that Onyx jewelry isn’t rubbing against other jewelry in your jewelry box or storage unit.

Is Onyx Right for You?

So… is Onyx the right choice for your next jewelry purchase?

Black Onyx in particular has a strong prominence and history in the Art Deco period, a period where contrast and geometrical shapes were the norm, this beautifully glossy gemstone provided exactly those qualities. Onyx lends itself to being cut into straight lined geometrical shapes as well as being polished to a glossy finish which contrasts perfectly with the pave or bead setting most commonly used in the period.

If you are looking for an Art Deco styled piece of jewellery then it is hard to go past Onyx as something to bring the sophistication and contrast that epitomises the period.

If you like necklaces, rings or earrings that make a bold, elegant statement and command attention, you just may find that Onyx is a perfect addition to your jewelry collection!

Sam Kritsotakis

Eskae Jeweller – Your Private Jeweller

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Elephant Emerald Found!

Published on July 10, 2010 in Emeralds and Gemstones. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

WOW!

Emerald - The 6225 carat Elephant Emerald

This is all I can say when I see news of a find like this… I mean 6225 carats of emerald…

Gemfields, one of the world’s leading coloured gemstone producers, has announced the discovery of a 6225 carat rough emerald at its Kagem mine in Zambia.

The emerald was recovered during normal mining operations last month and is now being examined by Gemfields’ experts to “establish a clearer understanding of its value and significance”.

Emerald - Elephant Emerald

For the full story click on the link above and enjoy the read!

Sam Kritsotakis

Eskae Jeweller – Your Private Jeweller

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The most famous gemstones in the world

Published on May 25, 2010 in Diamonds, Emeralds, Engagement Rings, Gemstones and Wedding Jewellery. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

I was doing some research on coloured gemstones for a client who wanted to use something different in her engagement ring. She was moving away from the traditional diamond set engagement ring and more towards having a coloured gemstone to go in the centre of her ring, we had gone through her birthstone – which was Aquamarine by the way.

But she wasn’t drawn to that idea.

So we started to talk about what different celebrities were wearing and so on, thinking that we might be able to spark some inspiration for her by using a real life example. I haven’t gotten back to her yet, but  what I have found is a short list of the most famous coloured gemstones that have been mined worldwide. I have put a link on the page to make it easy for you, but without giving too much away be prepared to see some mega gemstones here!

http://www.jewelinfo4u.com/World_Famous_Gemstones.aspx

They have pictures of huge carat weight gems, just take the first one for example, have you ever seen a 1759 carat emerald crystal before???

I didn’t think so…

Have some fun with this and let yourself be blown away at what the natural world is capable of creating… When I see things like this it reminds me about how fantastic a place we live in, just look at those perfectly formed crystals right out of the ground!

Sam Kritsotakis

Eskae Jeweller – Your Private Jeweller

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Top 10 Rarest Gemstones in the World

Published on May 16, 2010 in Gemstones and Jewellery. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Have you ever wondered what the top ten most rare gemstones are in the world?

I was doing some research the other night for a client, and I stumbled across the page linked below.

It is a page that goes through and lists, then explains what the top 10 most rare coloured gemstones of the world are. I thought it was interesting and something that you would enjoy as being a post that is different to what I normally blog about. Unfortunately the page doesn’t include pictures of every gemstone on there, but it does however include a brief description on each one and generally where it can most commonly be found. Click on the link below to find out some rare info!

http://www.curiousnotions.com/gemstones/

Sam Kritsotakis

Eskae Jeweller – Your Private Jeweller

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Pearls. How are they Made?

Published on April 9, 2010 in Freshwater, Gemstones, Keshi, Pearls and South Sea. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

Pearls are made how, I hear you ask?

Pearls are formed inside the shell of particular types of mollusks: as a defense mechanism to a potentially threatening irritant such as a parasite or a foreign body inside its shell, the mollusk secretes a protein which forms around the irritant, which in turn creates a pearl around the irritant to seal it off from potentially causing damage to the mollusks insides.

The difference between natural and cultured pearls focuses on whether the pearl was created spontaneously by nature — without human intervention — or with human aid.

The mantle (or shell) of the mollusk deposits layers of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in the form of the mineral aragonite or a mixture of aragonite and calcite (both crystalline forms of calcium carbonate) held together by an organic horn-like compound called conchiolin. The combination of aragonite and conchiolin is called nacre, which makes up mother-of-pearl.

The commonly held belief that a grain of sand acts as the irritant is in fact rarely the case. Typical irritants  include organic material, parasites, or even damage that displaces mantle tissue to another part of the animal’s body into the inside of the mollusks membrane. These small particles or organisms enter the animal when the shell valves are open for feeding or respiration. In cultured pearls, the irritant is typically a cut piece of the mantle, together with processed shell beads, the combination of which the animal accepts into its body.

Natural pearls are nearly 100% calcium carbonate and conchiolin. It is thought that natural pearls form under a set of accidental conditions when a microscopic intruder or parasite enters a bivalve mollusk, and settles inside the shell. The mollusk, being irritated by the intruder, secretes the calcium carbonate and conchiolin to cover the irritant. This secretion process is repeated many times, forming many layers of nacre thus producing a pearl. Natural pearls come in many shapes, with perfectly round ones being comparatively rare.

The rounder and more perfect the pearl is the more rare and more valuable they become, in a similar way to the way diamonds are valued as they become bigger and better in quality.

Without getting overly technical here, a pearl is basically formed when a foreign body enters the animals membrane while the shell is open for feeding or breathing. The mollusk then secretes a protein called nacre to cover the foreign body, which will help minimise any damage it can potentially do to the muscular structure inside the shell. It does not stop there as the mollusk will continually secrete the nacre to form many many layers over the foreign body, which over time creates the pearl we are after.

Sam Kritsotakis

Eskae Jeweller

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Introducing our Refreshing Ring Rejuvenation Service

Published on March 29, 2010 in Diamonds, Gemstones, Gold, Jewellery and Platinum. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .

Are your precious diamonds, gems and jewellery looking a bit sad?

With our Refreshing Ring Rejuvenation not only will we have your rings and jewellery looking fresh and sparkling, just like they did when they were new, but you will feel better and refreshed as well!

How do I know that my diamonds, gems and jewellery is looking tired and worn out? This is a great question and one that I wish more people would ask… Essentially what you need to look for are the following:-

  • Worn out looking claws – What this means is that the gold or platinum is no longer holding as much of your diamond or gemstone in the setting as it once did. The claw will look and feel particularly rounded and will not have the same crispness or strength that it did.
  • Dull sparkle from your diamonds or gemstones – Diamonds in particular have an inherent “Fire and Brilliance” about them, so do coloured gemstones but it is slightly different in their case. Generally speaking this means that you have a build up of dirt and grim in and around your diamonds and gems, a little like having a build up of plaque on your teeth they never really look the way the should.
  • Scratches and marks on the gold or platinum -These are the easiest to see and spot on your jewellery and they are the most common form of damage that a piece of jewellery will take, they are also the easiest way to damage your jewellery too, a really deep scratch can and often will remove some of the gold or platinum out of either your ring or setting. These scratches and marks can take a bit of work to remove as they can potentially be quite deep into the precious metal.
  • Anything that looks out of place or wrong – When new, a piece of jewellery is precise and symmetrical, in every aspect so when something looks out of place or not right, it is generally a really good indication of exactly that.

These points are tell tale signs that your jewellery needs some work or at the very least some attention. With our Refreshing Ring Rejuvenation we will pay particular attention to making sure that your jewellery looks like brand new again!

What I will personally do for you is this -

  1. take out all the scratches and marks from the metal
  2. check all the settings to make sure they are secure and structural
  3. clean the settings and jewellery of any dirt and grim that can build up over time
  4. re-buff the jewellery so that it is all polished and looking better than new again
  5. if your jewellery has white gold in it I will re-rhodium plate the piece of jewellery for you (this is a super special finishing touch that really adds to the look and feel of your jewellery!)

Once these 5 steps have been taken and we are happy with the finished piece, I will be in touch for you to collect your jewellery. Upon collection you will notice a change, you will see a change and you will feel a change more importantly. You will feel refreshed and rejuvenated too, especially when you begin to remember all the wonderful and special memories you have attached to your jewellery!

Special moments in your life, getting engaged, getting married, having your kid/s, graduating, anniversaries, major celebrations… all these moments will come back to you which will make you feel and experience them all over again! You will feel alive and vibrant, refreshed and rejuvenated!

Or you could let your life’s memories fade, get dull and start looking like they were such a long time ago… from another place… or you could loose them all together if proper care is not taken… just like a bad nightmare.

Take the 1 minute now to check and see if your jewellery is looking a bit “how you doing” and if so take action NOW and get that rejuvenated and refreshed feeling back again.

We spend the lions share of our time designing and handcrafting new jewellery for clients, so we unfortunately have to limit the amount of Refreshing Ring Rejuvenations that we can do per month to 15. I would suggest that you book yours now by visiting our website so that you can take advantage of this wonderful service.

Your Private Jeweller

Sam Kritsotakis

Eskae Jeweller

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