Archive for the 'Gemstones' Category

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World’s Most Expensive Pens 1-5

Published on March 20, 2011 in Diamonds, Emeralds, Fun Stuff, Gemstones, Mens Jewellery, Rubies, Sapphires and White Diamonds. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , , , .

5. Visconti Ripple H.R.H. Fountain Pen

Price: $ 57,000
One of the most remarkable Visconti pens is the Ripple H.R.H. Limited Edition fountain pen. Made of 18K white gold and diamonds and with two-tone 18K gold nib, it costs $57,000.00. It has double reservoir filling system and is sold in two variations – white gold and black.

4. Omas Phoenix Platinum Fountain Pen Luxury Limited Edition with Diamonds

Price: $60,000


With an overwhelming price tag of $60,000, this truncated cone shaped pen is a true embodiment of fact and fancy. Made with 950 platinum and yellow enamel with considerable length and diameter, 18K gold rhodium plated engraving nib.

3. La Modernista Diamonds Caran d’Ache

Price: $265,000
La Modernista Diamonds was made by the Swiss company Caran d’Ache in 1999 in homage to Antonio Gaudi (1852-1926), the most famous of Modernist architects. This amazing fountain pen was sold in Harrods, London, for $265,000, becoming the most expensive pen in GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS in 2001. La Modernista Diamonds is made of rhodium-plated solid silver components. It boasts of an 18-carat rhodium-plated gold nib and is set with a total of 5,072 Wessel ton diamonds weighing in at 20-carats, as well as 96 rubies totaling 32-carats. The pen was hand-made by master jeweler Robert Perron taking him six months to complete this true masterpiece of writing instruments.

2. Mystery Masterpiece Mont Blanc and Van Cleef & Arpels Limited Edition

Price: $730,000
To commemorate the centenary of these two renowned brands, Montblanc and Van Cleef & Arpels have collaborated on this fine, limited edition Mystery Masterpiece. Three individual editions, each set with rubies, sapphires or emeralds has been crafted. Using the Mystery Setting technique for the gemstones, these intricate writing instruments are set to stun with their extravagant design, and equally-extravagant price. At US$730,000 each, they are truly a fitting homage to a century of each brands respective history.

1. Aurora Diamante fountain pen

Price: $1,470,600
The Aurora Diamante is the most expensive writing instrument to date. Only one is for sale per year. The Aurora Diamante contains over 30 carats of De Beers diamonds on a solid platinum barrel. It has a two-tone, rhodium-treated, 18KT solid gold nib and is personalized with a coat of arms, signature or portrait. Aurora Pens says it is the only over 30 carat pen in the world.

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World’s Most Expensive Pens 6-10

Published on March 13, 2011 in Diamonds, Fun Stuff, Gemstones, Gold, Jewellery, Mens Jewellery, Platinum and White Diamonds. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

10. CREW 60TH White Gold Tebaldi fountain pens

Price: $43,000


TIBALDI Pens CREW 60TH are a landmark in pen making history with Bentley, the automobile giant creating its own handcrafted pen sets in association with the worlds best Italian luxury designer pen maker, Tebaldi.
These expensive Tebaldi for Bentley pens have a two-tone 18-carat yellow gold nib covered in rhodium and ruthenium. The pen’s barrel has the fine finish identical to Bentley’s dashboard. This finish was first used in Bentley’s earliest car with a technique called engine tuning. The pens cap, upper and lower barrel parts are knurled for a good grip while writing for the executive. You can see the level of ink through the transparent window of the Tebaldi for Bentley pens. A handmade tie shaped clip on the pen marks Tebaldi’s signature. The Tebaldi for Bentley Crew 60th white gold fountain pen collection is a limited edition of 40 solid white gold fountain pens

9. Gaia High Luxury Omas Fountain Pens

Price: $43,000
Gaia high Luxury fountain pens and roller ball pens by Omas are a glimpse into the dark and deep recesses of the earth. The impenetrable inner core of the earth has inspired wonder, curiosity and interest in man since creation. A miscellany of precious materials such as the white and yellow 18K gold, the Onyx, the Crystal rock, the hematite and the vegetal resin has been utilized into the making of this mystic model by Omas.
Gaia high Luxury fountain pens and roller ball pens are a presentation in the celebration of Jules Vernes futuristic vision of the world. It also commemorates the one hundredth death anniversary. Depicting geographical wonders of the world, the pen absolutely differs from pens that reflect the classic essence of history. The dark grey colour of the metal that it is made of, symbolizes the trip to the dark interior of the earth. The body of the pen from top to toe features the engraved images of gigantic spiders, carnivorous plants, and water beasts. The blend of fear and wonder in the engraving of these horrors makes this particular model different from a range of pen collections.

8. MARTE Omas Fountain Pen

Price: $43,000

Omas Fountain Pen MARTE is part of the Viaggi dellUomo, Travel of Man, Masterpieces collection of custom design fountain pens, roller ball pens and pen sets. The Marte (Italian for Mars) is actually a map of Mars made from classic rose gold to represent the pink-red hue of the planet. Deserts, mountains and craters are all featured on the barrel of this pen with four rubies to mark the landing points of the Russian and American probes. The cap is encrusted with 2K of small diamonds reminiscent of the polar ice caps and the clip details astronomer Tycho Brahes Mural Quadrant. Even the rose gold nib is engraved with a representation of the Greek God Mars! There are just 30 of these fountain pens in circulation, so they are perfect for the pen collector to add to his expensive pen collections or for the executive who enjoys writing with designer pens.

7. Visconti The Forbidden City H.R.H. Fountain Pen

Price: $50,500
The Visconti brand is known for best quality, style and creativity. This distinguished Visconti pen is the Forbidden City H.R.H. Limited Edition fountain Pen. Made of black resin, 18K gold and diamonds and boasting of Power Filler innovative filling system invented by Visconti, it is sold for $50,500.

6. Visconti Alchemy H.R.H. Fountain Pens

Price: $ 57,000

The beautifully handcrafted Alchemy HRH by Visconti is part of the HRH collection of handmade fountain pens and roller ball pens from this fine pen maker. This luxury pen, unlike other fountain pens, has two nibs, two ink reservoirs and is trimmed with two different metals – exquisite gold and silver vermeil. Both nibs are of the best 18K gold and come in different sizes to suit every writing style. Even those used to writing with roller ball pens will love using the Alchemy.
The body is made from a classic, rich, red resin and the gold and silver trim is decorated with expensive 4K diamonds and rubies. One cap has gold trim, the other silver and these trims interlace to create a cosmic map with alchemic symbols stunning!

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Unique Jewelry

Published on February 27, 2011 in Designer Jewellery, Eskae Private Jeweller, Gemstones, Hand-made Jewellery and Jewellery. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , .

When hearing the words, ‘unique jewelry’, what comes to your mind?

The most popular answers given are costume jewelry or funky jewelry. Unique jewelry can resemble both due to its distinct style but the materials used construct it are very different. In essence, costume jewelry uses cheaper and generic products to make lovely designs minus the value, whereas, unique jewelry used precious metals, gemstones and customized materials to ensure durability.

What most jewelry wearers don’t associate unique jewelry with are the terms of designer jewelry, custom jewelry and handcrafted jewelry when it is, in fact, a combination of those three components, all rolled into one personalized embellishment.

The only difference that lies between designer and custom jewellery and unique jewellery, is that unique jewellery can be duplicated if the client so chooses. Most people choose not to repeat the design again to keep it as a designer piece of jewellery but there are certain occasions that a reason may arise to replicate the design – such as a wedding parties, family occasions or other personal reasons/events.

Unique jewelry creates bold statements about the designer and the client which is where the handcrafted aspect comes in this customized, designer wear. While earrings, rings and necklaces are considered typical styles of wearing jewelry, unique jewelry can take on brand new designs that include different ways of wearing it.

What puts unique jewelry in the same class as custom jewelry is both the unique aspect along with the client’s suggestions slipped into the design process. The important focus here is that clients completely rely on their jeweler’s artistic skill to take reign and design something enviable and stunning.

From the unique point of view, it’s fantastic because many of the resources used are brought in by the jeweller who is able to use their trade connections to source some  rare and impressive gemstones and other exquisite precious materials.

The best thing about unique jewelry is that the sky’s the limit when creating it and there’s nothing boring about it! It’s fresh, different, meaningful, colourful, twisty, square, worn anywhere and everywhere – so go ahead and have fun with it!

With a limitless variety in which to create unique jewelry, here are a few ideas that will, perhaps, inspire a little of your own creativity:

Upcycling/Collage:

A favorite trend throughout creating unique jewelry is gathering old pieces of jewelry, broken jewelry or even certain memorabilia that’s been lying around waiting to be put on some sort of display. Think of collages – lots of memories arranged all into one, big picture to portray beautiful times and places – the same goes with this method of designing unique jewelry. By utilizing all of the little bits of precious metals, gemstones and other precious materials collecting dust in jewelry boxes waiting to be put into practical use, it can then all be arranged into one artistic piece of unique jewelry.

Body Piercings:

While not everyone is into body piercings, there are quite a few that are mesmerized by it. It’s more popular than one might think because believe it or not, it’s not only designed for rebellious teenagers. There’s quite a history behind it and in many cultures, having piercings in places other than the ears is as common as wearing a wedding ring!

For those not wearing body piercings for cultural reasons, belly rings come in as the most popular trend for cosmetic body piercings which has, in turn, begged for the availability of uniquely, created designs. Some enjoy wearing a single gemmed stud while others veer towards adding customized charms, dangling gems or shaped precious metals to show personal tastes.

Ethnic:

Those who have travelled the globe or have arrived from different countries to settle miss the cultural aspect seen in different locations. Incorporating tribal designs or colors, stones or artifacts and other materials only found in these locations creates a distinctive, unique piece of jewelry that allows for culture to speak for itself.

Collectibles:

With genres that generate collections of fantasy (think Star Trek), pop culture (think Elvis Presley) or historic (think War Re-enactments) memorabilia – along with many others – always present, imagine all of the ways it can be integrated into jewelry! Although some prefer to leave their collectibles untouched, there are others who enjoy proudly displaying their obsessions for all to see.

Bridal:

Brides like to keep their bridesmaids coordinated and oftentimes, it doesn’t stop only at dress attire. A maid-of-honor may share the same bridal bracelet as the bride, however, instead of pearls or diamonds, might opt for colored gemstones to allow the bride to stand out on her celebratory day. Brides who gift jewelry to their bridesmaids may decide to take the route of keeping her crew in sync by presenting them with the same bridal jewelry design, but all with one little change added to personalize each accessory accordingly.

Occasions:

It’s memorable to give a symbolic memento to someone special as a gift on an extraordinary day. Specialized unique jewelry for anniversaries, baby and bridal showers, birthdays and congratulations are just a few of the ways people enjoy showing love and affection to individuals they hold close to their hearts. By engraving a personal message, date or name or adding birthstones, there are numerous ways to incorporate personalized messages of endearment.

Nothing makes jewellers happier than getting the opportunity to design and create unique jewelry. It provides the opportunity to take some time aside from their daily responsibilities and put their amazing talent to use.

Being able to use exceptional and exclusive material to create brilliant masterpieces that illustrate their personal artistic flair is every jeweller’s dream. This is the secret of what holds the pure definition of unique jewelry because this is what can never, ever be recreated!

Unique is one of a kind and is sometimes a little funky but it’s the artist whose heart lays within it those pieces of jewelry that makes this style of jewelry carry its title of uniqueness!

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Custom Jewellery

Published on February 20, 2011 in Designer Jewellery, Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Eskae Private Jeweller, Gemstones, Hand-made Jewellery and Jewellery. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , .

It has previously been mentioned that there is a fine line drawn between designer jewellery and custom (designing) jewellery. Since that time was spent more on what defines designer jewellery, this time around, we’ll delve into custom jewellery.

Just to jog your memory a little bit, the key component that separates designer jewellery from custom jewellery is who controls the designing process. When a jewellery designer is making a designer piece of jewellery, it’s completely thought up and created through the jeweller’s artistic eye. The goal is to design a masterpiece that will remain as a one-of-a-kind, never to be recreated again piece of jewellery. The amount of dedication, precision and materials used to complete this unique work of art requires a top-notch jeweller, the most precious of metals and the most magnificent of jewels.

Custom jewellery, on the other hand, is client based meaning that the design is thought out or portrayed from the client to the jeweller. It’s up to the customer to determine carat size, width of bands or chains, gemstone, types of precious metals and/or other materials they wish to incorporate into their cherished creation.

More importantly than only how the jewellery looks, it’s the sentimental reasons that go into the custom design that create a truly, original piece of jewellery. Think about heirloom jewellery – what makes it an heirloom? Many times, they’re older pieces of jewellery that are no long created but that isn’t specifically what makes them an heirloom. The secret is the emotional attachment to these pieces of jewellery that are passed down the familial line – sometimes for centuries!

It’s the same thought process behind customised jewellery. A proud husband may gift his wife a diamond ring for the birth of their first child. Mothers may wish to design similar rings or pendants that can grow as her family does, adding birthstones to signify her loved children.

Spouses may want to engrave their jewellery for anniversaries or weddings to include an endearing term or date; perhaps also including a special stone indicating something only each other understands.

Just recently, a very touching and inspiring experience occurred, here at Eskae Private Jewellers, requiring a customised engagement ring for an older couple. Both had, sadly, lost their spouses. Miraculously, this amazing couple found happiness again within each other and became engaged! Wanting to treasure the precious memories each had with their previous spouses, the couple wished to incorporate jewellery from their previous marriages to produce a magnificent engagement ring in honor of their deaths. Talk about a masterpiece!

From a jewellers viewpoint, customised jewellery is a great choice for clients (especially repeat clients) BUT it’s just as fantastic for the designing jeweller! Jewellers are artists at heart and customised jewellery allows for the required finances and extra time to do exactly what got them into the jewellery trade to begin with: Creative design.

Because ordering and purchasing vast amounts of gold and jewels are limited, jewellers save the bulk for their retail stock which doesn’t leave much time left over for their passion of designing. When a request for customised jewellery comes in, that means extra money and time for the jeweller to get the best custom materials by using their trade connections to make sure that you end up with the best piece of custom jewellery possible for your budget

Since custom jewellery has a completely different set of rules than all other jewellery – that is to turn your dream jewellery into a reality – quite literally! The processes used for designing are completely different than your run-of-the-mill window shopping wishes.

For custom jewellery newbies, when first meeting with your jeweller, he/she will sit down with you and work the details you have in mind into a sketch. After your initial meet-and-greet, the jeweller will begin incorporating his thoughts and master mindedness to expand your ideas into several more design options for you to peruse through.

Since most of the custom work revolves around mounting, some of the best custom jewellery creations are created from older or heirloom jewellery you already possess that you may have already thought of incorporating into your design. If you have an heirloom  or a family engagement ring you’d like to adjust to suit your tastes or update it while keeping its sentimental value , this is the perfect opportunity to do so!

For those lacking any creativity in their blood but still wish to have a piece of custom jewellery, fear not! This just means more fun for the jeweller to come up with some designs that can either blend your older jewellery into a new piece or coming up with a new idea altogether.

While many jewellers use old methods to create custom jewellery, many newer technologies have been incorporated, such as CAD (Computer Aided Design) and CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing), to add a large variety of newer options that can’t be done by hand.

But how custom jewellery is made is another story for another time, so until then, happy designing!

Sam Kritsotakis

Private Jeweller

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The 5 Most Common Mistakes Brides Make When Choosing Bridal Jewellery

Published on January 30, 2011 in Bridal Jewellery, Coloured Diamonds, Designer Jewellery, Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Eskae Private Jeweller, Gemstones, Jewellery, Wedding Jewellery and White Diamonds. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , .

With so many things to do before a wedding, it’s easy to overlook problems you may run last minute on your wedding day. Considering jewellery plays a crucial role in your big day, you’ll want to know the about most common mistakes brides make in order to prevent these unwanted disasters from happening to you!

Mistake #1:

Choosing An Ultra Trendy Engagement Ring

Trends come and go but engagement rings are designed to last a lifetime. Unless you’re having an engagement ring custom designed for you according to your own personal taste, you may want to think twice before choosing the next ‘It’ engagement ring.

For example, the latest trend in the engagement ring market is replacing the classic, white diamond with a birthstone. There’s no mistaking that this is a fantastic idea but remember to ask yourself if you want to be reminded of your birthday every day or your future husband.

Also keep in mind that your coloured birthstone may not match all of your clothing. If you were born in April (diamond birthstone) or June (pearl birthstone), then you can easily get away with this dilemma but if you were born in a colourful month like July (ruby birthstone) or August (peridot birthstone), your engagement ring may not flow as well with all of your pink or orange clothing.

Engagement rings can be an investment and the last thing you’d want to do is look back five years later and realize your wedding set has long gone out of style leaving you wanting a new set. It could possibly hurt your bank account as well as your spouse’s feelings.

The Fix:

If you’ve already chosen your trendy ring, enjoy it! If, however, in a couple of years, you decide that you’d like something more classic or updated, there’s always the option of having your jeweller make the changes necessary to keep you enjoying your ring forever.

For those who are 100% certain of putting colour into your engagement ring, think about opting for coloured diamonds instead of birthstones. Not only will they remind you of your most memorable day, they’re 58 times harder than the next hardest mineral on earth making them almost indestructible – that is, unless you plan on putting your ring into a fire of 1405 degrees Fahrenheit.[1]

If you’re still in the process of choosing your custom designed engagement ring or having it designed, the best selection would be a timeless wedding set that, 25 years later, you’ll never grow tired of admiring its beauty.

Mistake #2:

Picking The Bridal Jewellery BEFORE Picking The Wedding Dress

Once a woman receives her engagement ring, the frantic planning for the race to their dream wedding day begins. Because there is so much pre-wedding planning to do, it’s easy to lose order during the chaos.

Picking the wedding dress beforehand allows the bride-to-be to pick the bridal jewellery that emphasizes the gown rather than hiding under it or worse, clashing with it. The last thing any bride needs is to look just as chaotic as they felt when pulling together their wedding. By creating the wrong fashion statement with something as simple as the wrong choice of necklace, it will ensure that their wedding will be remembered for all of the wrong reasons!

The Fix:

The two most important considerations to notice before picking the bridal set is the neckline of the wedding dress and also, the embellishments that may or may not have been added. If your dress includes embellishments such as pearls or crystals, you’ll want to follow the theme accordingly with your jewellery.

For the neckline of your wedding gown, you’ll want to consider wearing your bridal jewellery the following ways:

  • Halter Neckline or Backless Dress – These are perhaps the most restricting gowns when it comes to jewellery choices. Wearing only stud earrings and a bracelet would be the perfect selection.
  • Square Neckline or Strapless Dress – These necklines are just the opposite, leaving many varieties open for most types of jewellery to be worn. The best choice would be to wear drop or chandelier earrings with a single or double stranded necklace. Another option that looks fantastic is wearing simple earrings with a fancy bridal choker.
  • V-Neck or Plunging Neckline – Since you’ll want to draw attention to your face, wearing stud earrings with a y-drop or a pendant necklace will do just that!

Finding your dress and picking bridal jewellery afterwards is the common sense approach to take; however, if you’ve already fallen in love with the jewellery that you’ve decided is a must-have for your wedding day, you can always opt to design your wedding around the jewellery. Just remember that that can get a little tricky since the philosophy behind wearing bridal jewellery is to enhance your overall wedding look while bringing your own personal style into play.

Mistake #3:

Not Styling Your Hair According To Your Bridal Jewellery

That sounds a little silly, doesn’t it? But think about it, if you’ve chosen to wear beautiful pearl stud earrings with a matching necklace and have left your hair down, you wouldn’t even see most of your bridal jewellery!

The Fix:

Before going to the salon to have your hair glammed up, check out a few bridal magazines or try your jewellery on while standing in front of a full length mirror to get a feel of how you want to look on your wedding day. Ask a close friend or family member for their honest opinion because most store employees will say anything to get a sale.

Unless your wedding dress is extremely embellished, you’ll most likely be wearing a full bridal set and it’s a safe bet to say that you won’t want to hide it under your hair. By keeping your own personal style, you can incorporate professional styles to elegantly pull your hair up off of your neckline and away from your ears. If you have short hair, sweep either one side or both sides up over your ears to show off your gorgeous bridal earrings.

If you’re unable to decide on your own, much like consulting with your jeweller to pick out the perfect bridal jewellery, you can consult with your hair stylist to pick the perfect up-do meant just for you!

Mistake #4:

Not Matching Your Bridesmaids

Every bride wants to stand out on her wedding day and looking unique is a sure way to do exactly that. Your wedding day should be all about you which means this is the one time it’s okay for you to be selfish about who wears what with of your friends without sounding catty. Much like buying the bridal jewellery set before the wedding dress, you must plan out your bridesmaids’ entire ensemble beforehand so there aren’t any last minute clashes.

The Fix:

Most women prefer to give jewellery as a gift to their bridesmaids but if buying complete jewellery sets are out of your budget, purchase just the earrings, bracelet or necklace for your friends to set the tone of the theme. By choosing the coloured gemstone and/or design for them, they’ll be inclined to follow suit that emphasizes you and doesn’t upstage you on your perfect wedding day!

Mistake #5:

Choosing Your Bridal Set From The Store At The Mall (Gasp!)

Sure, bridal jewellery sets can be costly and after purchasing the wedding gown, wedding ring set, bridesmaid dresses, facility rental, DJ (the list goes on and on), you’ll be feigning to save money when you can. However tempted you may be, jewellery is one area you should never forego quality on.

Bridal jewellery is not always necessarily worn after the wedding day but it either already is or will be a future heirloom to pass down to worthy family members. In other words, bridal jewellery is meant to last not just your lifetime but generations to come.

The Fix:

You can cut down on extravagance to save some dollars but you should never wear cheap jewellery on your wedding day. You’ll want every little detail to be stunningly perfect and guess what? Cheap jewellery can tarnish even the most beautiful of all wedding dresses, not to mention the greenish marks left behind on your skin. To make sure you don’t fall victim to committing this wedding faux-pas, talk with your jewellery designer to use materials that work for your wedding day as well as your budget.

If you aren’t planning on holding onto your bridal set to pass down as an heirloom, discuss options to make your jewellery a part of your life that you can wear to fancy occasions or wear as an everyday piece.

Knowing what you now know to avoid falling into these common little traps, you can put your mind at ease and be rest-assured that you’ll not just look great on your wedding day; you’ll look above and beyond spectacular – you’ll be DAZZLING!

References:

[1] http://didyouknow.org/diamonds/

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Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Corporate Beholder – 2/3

Published on November 28, 2010 in Diamonds, Eskae Private Jeweller, Gemstones, Jewellery, Mens Jewellery, Pearls and White Diamonds. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

People get older, women have children and accidents occur that sometimes permanently changes sizes and/or appearances. For some people, nature cruelly creeps into genetics on the day of conception – it’s an unstoppable force. You can love it, hate it or EMBRACE it!

Studies show attractive people tend to fare better in the corporate world because good looks appear to go hand-in-hand with self confidence which matters A LOT in the workplace. People are walking advertisements of themselves which is portrayed by the way they dress and present themselves.

When people aren’t confident about themselves, they tend to go into ‘hiding’, which instead, creates the opposite effect. Those who want to hide excess weight might wear baggy clothes making them appear even bigger than before. Men who miss long, lost strands of hair on top of their head may hide behind hats or a comb-over, which has yet to make the Top 10 Fashion list. Women who are self conscious of teenage acne scars might hide behind excessive makeup creating a clown-like resemblance. These are all ways that many people try to cover their flaws when, as you might have noticed, more attention is being drawn to them.

Appearing ‘corporately attractive’ (meaning tall, well dressed and good-looking) may sound discriminating and be a controversial subject to broach but you can’t change certain stereotypes. You can, however, create attractive illusions by learning how to subtly hide flaws by creating an overall balance.

While wearing the right type of jewellery won’t magically lose those extra pounds or gain those couple of inches, it WILL trick the human eye at first glance, helping you add a couple of beauty points overall.

Try applying these Jewellery Do’s and Don’ts to your business attire and see if you don’t feel more confident, look better and receive tons of compliments!

Jewellery Do’s and Don’ts:

Do’s

  • Do think vertically - Perhaps the most famous rule of any fashion guru is to never wear stripes horizontally because it adds pounds. This applies to all aspects of apparel and isn’t limited only to stripes. Wearing jewellery that drapes downward rather than hugging your body can have a slimming effect. Make jewellery and accessories work for you, not against you!
  • Do use symmetry – The highest emphasis on what deems a person as good-looking is held within the facial features. Symmetry is more important in the face, rather than the body as a whole, because it gives the appearance of good and psychological health. Wearing single stud earrings or single pearl earrings adds to the overall effect of symmetry, oftentimes drawing attention out at evenly, rather than pinpointing specific areas of the face.
  • Do wear big jewellery if overweight – Chunky jewellery, big stone pendants or collarettes help balance weight without weighing the body down. While wide bracelets make wrists appear thinner, there is one exception to this is for people who carry extra weight on a small body frames. Because wrists are the dead giveaway of frame size, they’re the one area of the body that won’t pack on the pounds, in which case, nix the bracelets and stick to only earrings, necklaces and rings.
  • Do wear long jewellery to add height – When lengthening height, the last thing you want to do is bog it down with excessive amounts of jewellery and accessories. Keep jewellery long but keep it simple. Choosing long chain and opera necklaces with matching dangle or drop earrings will perfect your illusion of supermodel height!

Don’ts

  • Don’t wear loud jewellery – In an office, especially a small office, wearing loud, jingly jewellery is just as annoying as someone wearing excessive perfume to the point of knocking people unconscious. While it may be trendy, it’s certainly unprofessional and distracting, drawing ALL of the positive attention away from the amazing look you worked so hard to achieve.
  • Don’t over-accessorize – Sure, most people have many favourite pieces of jewellery or a lot of jewellery containing their favourite gemstones that they feel they must wear all at once but that doesn’t mean you should.. For those who insist on wearing a lot of jewellery, remember that in the office, it’s very distracting and even worse, others might actually perceive you as superficial. Choose either one matching jewellery set or keep it toned down to one pair of earrings, one bracelet, one necklace and one ring on each hand.
  • Don’t ‘over-match’ your jewellery – Jewellery should hold its own while emphasizing physical features and attire. If you’re wearing an all black business suit, why not create your own fashion trends by adding colourful gemstones that pop?
  • Don’t limit jewellery to just women – Men can also wear jewellery and accessorize in ways that show masculinity! Choosing the right wristwatch or ring can show power and stamina, as long as it’s not too flashy and matches body proportions.

While these tricks are great for boosting your confidence and enhancing your attractiveness, the most important thing you can do for yourself is to continue taking the utmost care of your body. Get enough sleep to get rid of your dark circles, stop drinking large amounts of caffeine and if you’re a smoker, stop smoking to rejuvenate your skin, get on a healthy diet to remove pesky zits and exercise to stay healthy.

When you feel great, you look great! Everyone CAN look attractive in their own way; it’s just a matter of emphasizing the nice parts and hiding the flaws so that you can put yourself on display in the corporate spotlight!

Sam Kritsotakis
Eskae Private Jeweller

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Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Corporate Beholder – 1/3

Published on November 21, 2010 in Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Eskae Private Jeweller, Gemstones, Jewellery, Platinum, Sapphires and White Diamonds. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

We all know that your mother thinks you’re the most beautiful and talented creature on the planet but in the corporate world – whether it’s morally acceptable or not – LOOKS MATTER a heck of a lot more than mom’s opinion!

Whether or not employers should put people on their scale of 1 to 10 hot-or-not rating meter, it happens no matter how many of them claim to make unbiased decisions when hiring. Just look at these statistics:

  • Studies suggest that attractive people earn 5% more in hourly pay than their average-looking colleagues, who in turn earn 9 percent more per hour than the plainest-looking workers.[i]
  • Not only do looks come into play, height does as well! A woman who is 5 feet 7 inches tall, well above the national female average of 5 feet, 3.5 inches, will make $5,250 more over the course of a year than a female co-worker standing 5 feet 2 inches.[ii]
  • In Malcolm Gladwell’s best-selling book Blink, he polled about half the country’s top 500 CEOs and found that 58% were nearly 6 feet tall; in contrast, the average American male is 5 foot 9 inches tall.[iii]

Studies after studies show that people instinctively equate beauty with being higher-functioning and more successful in life. Obviously, this isn’t always true once we get to know a person but the fact remains that people are instinctively programmed to make first impressions. This is exactly why looks count during first impressions.

Based off of these studies, height, weight and facial features play the biggest part in determining first impressions – whether it can be changed or not. While not everyone has been dunked in the genetically perfect pool, there are certainly ways to improve yourself to bring out your most attractive features.

Even though jewellery is used for many purposes, such as engagements, gifts and marriage, did you know that jewellery also serves to bring out your own striking qualities?

Perhaps you’ve never noticed just how bright your blue eyes were until you put on a pair of sapphire earrings or how graceful your neck was until you wore a beautifully fit pendant. Gold jewellery can make bronze and darker skin glow while platinum jewellery makes fair skin radiant.

In the same way pants are tailored to slim the stomach and elongate legs, jewellery that’s appropriated to body types and skin colour can also be slimming and flattering. Heavier women look great wearing chunkier necklaces and cocktail rings because it can divert attention away from problem areas while drawing attention to the more becoming facial and body features. Thin, delicate pieces of jewellery fare better on slim women by not overpowering them or their outfits. For those on the short side of the height spectrum, putting on long-chained necklaces adds the illusion of an extra inch or two.

Since men can’t exactly walk around the office with false eyelashes and chunky necklaces as easily as women, it comes down more to presentation style and execution. Having a suit tailored to accentuate the body proportionately is great but beefing it up with accessories such as a perfectly-sized wristwatch, cufflinks and/or a tie clip will make a fantastic impression.

While we can’t always change our naturally given looks or stature, there’s much to be done with how we present and portray ourselves within the corporate environment. The next time you’re out shopping for a brand, new suit or getting a new hair cut or style to give yourself a boost of confidence, remember to look for the perfect jewellery that’ll pull your whole ensemble together!

References:

[i] http://articles.cnn.com/2007-02-28/us/cb.pretty_1_competencies-dental-work-workers?_s=PM:US

[ii] http://www.forbes.com/2009/12/05/appearance-work-pay-forbes-woman-leadership-body-weight.html

[iii] http://www.forbes.com/2009/12/05/appearance-work-pay-forbes-woman-leadership-body-weight.html

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Green Tourmaline: A Captivating Gemstone for All Occasions

Published on October 5, 2010 in Gemstones, Hand-made Jewellery and Tourmaline. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , .

Picture the sea several metres below the water’s calm surface – rich green hues swirl and dance, bustling with life and magic.  That is the pure essence of the green tourmaline gemstone.

Green Tourmaline History and Background

Green tourmaline (sometimes referred to as verdelite) comes in a variety of colours, including an almost clear variety; however, the most popular shades for male and female jewelry buyers seem to be light-to-medium green.

Although green tourmaline has visual characteristics similar to emeralds (when judged by the naked eye), it is quite unique unto itself and gets its emerald-colouring from tiny bits of chromium and vanadium within the stone.

Chrome Tourmaline

Green tourmaline is primarily found in South America and Africa, although small deposits have occasionally been found elsewhere around the world, including the Middle East.  All tourmaline can be tricky to cut, so it’s best handled by expert jewellers.

Green Tourmaline Folklore and Legend

It has been thought by many societies that green tourmaline can restore life; thus, people with diseases (both mild and severe) have turned to wearing green tourmaline in an effort to restore their good health.  Today, few individuals would purchase a green tourmaline for this purpose.  (With that being said, a green tourmaline given to a significant other could make him or her feel better on an emotional level!)

Additionally, some ancient peoples buried their dead with green tourmaline to help the deceased reach their new existence beyond earthly living.

Tourmaline (all colors) is the birthstone for babies born in October as well as the gemstone associated with the Zodiac sign Leo.  For couples celebrating their eighth year of wedded bliss, tourmaline is the stone of choice for jewelry.

Green Tourmaline

Caring for Green Tourmaline

Like other gemstones that share its natural hardness (5-6 on the Mohs scale), green tourmaline can be easily scratched.  Therefore, any jewelry that includes green tourmaline should be kept from touching other pieces of jewelry.  The best way to do this is to store the green tourmaline piece (whether it is a set of earrings, special ring, handcrafted bracelet, etc.) wrapped in a soft cloth in a secure jewelry box.

Cleaning green tourmaline can be done at home with a very soft brush using mild soap (dishwashing liquid is fine) and water.  The gemstone can also be professionally cleaned if preferred.

Is Green Tourmaline Right for You?

If you’re drawn to stones that remind you of deep water or primeval forests, you may just find that green tourmaline is the perfect gem.  But watch out – once you’ve entered into a love relationship with green tourmaline, it’s going to be tough to stop at just one beautiful piece of handcrafted jewelry!

Sam Kritsotakis

Eskae Private Jeweller

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Treat Yourself – or Someone You Love – to an Almandine Garnet

Published on September 25, 2010 in Garnet and Gemstones. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Almandine garnets are classic gemstones that, thanks to their abundance, remain excellent value in terms of price.

But don’t let their affordability fool you!  Almandine garnets possess a charm that has attracted people from all walks of life, including royalty – most notably the millennium-old Hungarian Royal Crown – for centuries.

Almandine Garnet History and Info

The deep red, dark purple, intense brown and/or almost black almandine garnet is found throughout the world, most notably in Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Brazil, India and the United States.  Deposits vary in size and typically only the small to mid-sized garnet stones are used to make jewellery.  (Unlike many types of gems, larger is generally not better when it comes to a garnet’s quality.)

Almandine Garnet - has an incredibly rich and deep colour

Because the colour of the almandine garnet is so murky and naturally opaque, the underside of the gem is usually hollowed out regardless of the cut that’s chosen.  This hollowed-out interior allows light to bounce from facet to facet, enabling the vibrant garnet hues (hidden before the gem was cut) to burst forth.

Though most almandine garnets are inexpensive compared to other similar-sized precious gemstones, there are some garnets containing asbestos fiber inclusions that are quite rare.  These types of almandine garnets carry a higher price tag due to their scarcity and complexity.

Folklore and Legend

Like many gemstones, almandine garnets are steeped in folklore.

Numerous past civilizations believed that having almandine garnets close to one’s body offered protection and wisdom.  Physicians in the middle ages (and possibly before that time period) were even known to place garnets at the site of physical injuries or painful body parts to encourage healing.

Almandine garnet is the birthstone for January babies as well as for the Zodiac sign Aquarius.  This makes it a good choice as a “starter” jewellery item given for one’s birthday!

Caring for Your Almandine Garnet

One of the distinct advantages to buying almandine garnet jewellery is that it’s a very easy gemstone to care for.  Having a Mohs hardness scale of roughly 7.0-7.5, garnet isn’t easily scratched.  This makes cleaning at home trouble-free.

Though you can definitely take your almandine garnet necklace, ring or bracelet to a jeweller to bring its sparkle back, you can also get a great deal of shine out of it by cleaning it with a soft cloth, non-abrasive cleanser and water.

As with all jewellery, it’s important that you store your almandine garnet in a dry place and, if possible, within a soft cloth.

Is an Almandine Garnet Right for You?

There’s no doubt that the almandine garnet is a good buy; from a purely financial standpoint, it’s a great way to make your jewellery budget stretch farther.  But it’s just as important to consider aesthetics when determining if almandine garnets fit your style.  For instance, do you like the colour?  Is the look of a garnet something that “calls” to you on a personal level?

The almandine garnet comes in many shapes, so it’s best to check out a number of jewellery items before making your final decision.

Sam Kritsotakis

Eskae Private Jeweller

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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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