Always In My Heart Engraved Diamond And Ruby Heart Pendant Romanic Jewelry Gift | ||
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Engraved Heart Family Birthstone Ring
When the branches of the family tree stretch too far and wide, this family ring keeps a reminder of loved ones near. Sterling silver branches create a fashionable split-shank design with each one being customized with a choice of 2 to 6 round Austrian crystal birthstones nestled in charming heart shapes and with the corresponding name engraved (up to 10 characters per each branch). The ring design changes based on the number of stones selected. The sterling silver is rhodium plated to help maintain the shine and prevent tarnishing. Custom made to fit your ring size. Sterling silver rings can not be resized after purchase. This item is only available online.
Starfish Moon Necklace
astaway designs delicate, feminine jewelry with exotic charms and stones. The Moon and Starfish Necklace in Gold is an elegant charm necklace with an ornate gold starfish and two crystal charms resembling a crescent and full moon. The gold ball chain gives the necklace a demure sparkle, and a small pearl dangles from the clasp.
- Materials: crystal moons, gold starfish on 14K gold filled ball chain
- Length: 18 inch chain
- Hardware: lobster claw closure
- Designer Style No. IC26
Amethyst Crystal Drusy Pendant Necklace
Amethyst Crystal Drusy Pendant Necklace
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KuoTing’s decadent creations have Asian influences and use natural stones. The Amethyst Crystal Drusy Pendant Necklace in 14K Gold is a stunning pendant with “drusy” crystals, tiny quartz crystals that form within or on the surface of other stones. Each one varies in color and form for a distinctly breathtaking look. Edges plated with gold, and the pendant hangs on a long 14k gold-filled chain.
- Materials: amethyst crystal drusy pendant with gold plated edges on 14k gold-filled chain
- Color: 14k gold
- Chain: 34 inches
- Hardware: lobster claw clasp
- Size: approx 1 1/2 inches
- Designer Style No. DRUSY
Amelie Gemstone Drop
Amelie Gemstone Drop
Short Description:
Crystal drop necklace with black spinel beads strung on sterling silver
Price: £175Info:
This fabulous spinel and crystal necklace is by Amelie Bea in New York and is available exclusively from the Astley Clarke Online Jewellery Boutique. The beaded necklace features little black spinel stones each hand wrapped in sterling silver wire. Measuring approximately 18 inches in length, this stunning necklace is finished with a large faceted crystal tear drop measuring 35mm by 18mm.
Unique and effortlessly glamorous, this necklace is a summer wardrobe staple.
Amelie Bea
A wonderfully feminine and flirtatious collection of contemporary jewellery designed exclusively for Astley Clarke. Teaming with sensational colour, Amelie Bea combines beautiful beaded precious and semi-precious stones artfully set in sterling silver and 14 or 18 carat gold vermeil. A firm favourite here at Astley Clarke the pieces seductively play with the light and their surroundings, making this pretty jewellery the perfect choice for any occasion.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
The Most Expensive Diamond in the World
The Most Expensive Diamond in the World
Do you wish to own the most expensive diamond in the world? Many people, including some of the world's most wealthy people would be happy to purchase such a treasured stone. Diamonds last forever, literally, and therefore investing in such a diamond is definitely a good way to seal a small fortune. Various stones around the world are highly valuable. There are a handful that range into the millions of dollars, though, and these may be a bit more of an investment than most people would be interested in making.
The most expensive diamond in the world is Sotheby's D Grade Flawless Diamond. It has some 108 carats and has a price at a princely $16 million. This diamond is the most expensive diamond in the world because of its fine quality at its very large size. While most diamonds that are larger are filled with flaws, you will not find any in this diamond. This beautiful white diamond is considered the best in terms of flawlessness.
There are other diamonds that are also top rated and nearly the most expensive diamonds in the world. The Mouawad Diamond Necklace, for example, is a highly valued piece of jewelry, though it is not just one stone. The largest stone is 70 carats. The necklace is made up of various colored diamonds and the large white diamond. It is priced at $12 million and is on display at London's Natural History Museum.
Another option is the Leviev Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond, priced at a mere $10 million. The stone itself is 77.12 carats and it has a rating as Fancy Vivid. That is the highest rating given to colored diamonds. The diamond is currently for sale and is the focal point of a necklace featuring numerous white diamonds.
If color is more your thing, do not forget the Graff Fancy Vivid Pink Pear Shaped Diamond which is rated highly for its amazing color. The diamond is priced at $10 million in value and has 13 carats. It currently has a mounting in a beautiful platinum ring and on either side of the set stone are pear shaped diamonds. The color of this stone is what has helped to raise its value.
Another pink diamond (some of the most expensive diamonds in the world due to their rarity) is the Harry Winston Fancy Intense Pink Diamond. It too is mounted into a ring and features two trapezoid diamonds on either side. What makes this diamond unique is that it has 100 percent pure pink color with very even distribution. This is very rare and for this reason, this mere 10.11-carat diamond is at a price at $8.3 million.
Perhaps pink is not your thing and you are more interested in green? If so, you will find it even more difficult to locate a diamond since this coloring is even harder to find on the market. The de Grisogono Green Diamond is one option. It has 25.06 carats and is valued at $7.3 million. It is set into a ring and features 382 black diamonds equaling seven full carats themselves, around it. What an amazing piece!
The most expensive diamonds in the world are hard to invest in not only because of their rarity in size and color but also because they are truly collector's items. They are often on display in high-end collections and held onto by some of the world's top jewelers and mine owners. Still, these are stones anyone could easily fall in love with, highly priced or not.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Engagement Diamond Ring Styles
This style was previously pitched as an anniversary ring with the three stones symbolizing a couple's past, present and future. In recent years, its popularity as an engagement ring has skyrocketed. The romantic symbolism here can't be beat — the sparkling triplets are a testament to the couple's confidence that their union will be a long and happy one. Whether you choose side stones that match the carat weight and shape of the center solitaire, or decide to go with the chic contrast of pear, trillion or princess cuts flanking a round or oval gem, the overall visual impact of the ring will be more spectacular than that of a traditional single stone. And while rubies and sapphires may not always take center stage, they can still be dazzling supporting players.
Diamond Eternity Rings
Just as the three-stone ring has morphed from an anniversary-only choice to a popular engagement piece, the sublime round of endless gems known as an eternity ring has come into its own as a particularly meaningful betrothal band. It’s now quite chic to forgo the solitaire altogether and opt for stones that travel around the circumference of the ring, symbolizing a love without beginning or end. Channel and bezel settings keep those sparklers secure, and while white diamonds populate most choices, look for scatterings of deep blue sapphires or crimson rubies to really catch the eye. The band metal of the moment is platinum. Rarer and more durable than gold, it’s also recommended for women sensitive to the alloys used in gold — it’s 90 to 95% pure.
Diamond Vintage Rings
Yearning for some good old-fashioned romance? Jewelry designers are crafting engagement rings that echo those your great-grandmother, even your great-great grandmother would've worn. And contemporary brides-to-be are happily going the retro route, embracing a ladylike look that’s at once both delicate and incredibly detailed. Settings are covered with intricate handiwork like carved scrolling, delicate floral and filigree patterns and airy latticework. Stones also reflect an antique aesthetic — cushion, round, pillow and Asscher cuts are classic shapes and their larger facets radiate more fire under less light (this was especially important in the past when the main sources of illumination were candles). Another reason to consider these bygone beauties — the shanks shine with ornate diamond micro-pavĂ©, milgrain beading and intricate engraving for extra overall bling that still radiates pure class
Most Expensive Diamonds Cell Phones in the World
Most people enjoy having a quality cell phone, but they also recognize that cellular phones are a consumable good and will have to be replaced within in a few years. For this reason, people often do not purchase the most expensive cell phone when they purchase their mobile. Some, though, must have a costly mobile phone. The world’s most expensive cell phones were made to satisfy just that type of person.
5. Nokia 8800 Arte with pink diamonds
$134,000
Designed by Peter Aloisson, this solid 18k white gold phone features over 680 pink and white brilliant cut diamonds totaling over 21.5 carats. Some of the phone’s features are a 3.15 MP camera with autofocus and video, a music player, Bluetooth and voice memo.
4. Sony Ericsson Black Diamond
$300,000
The price of this phones comes from actual state of the art technology instead of a bunch of shiny rocks—but that doesn’t mean it lacks visual appeal. OLED technology underneath the polycarbonate skin that covers the phones entire face gives the 4 megapixel screen a borderless look. The mirror finish gives the phone a sleek, futuristic look.
3. Vertu Signature Cobra
$310,000
This gaudy phone is so exclusive that only eight will ever be made. Designed by French jeweler Boucheron, the Signature Cobra is made with two diamonds, two emeralds and 439 rubies. For buyers who are only filthy rich, rather than obscenely rich, twenty-six of the less flashy (read: no rubies) Signature Python phones will be available for a mere $115,000. Both phones will feature the real draw.
They have frikkin’ snakes on them. Awesome.
2. The Diamond Crypto Smartphone
$1.3 million
One candidate for world’s most expensive cell phone is the Diamond Crypto Smartphone, created by luxury accessory producer Peter Aloisson of Moscow-based JSC Ancort. Its price stems from the platinum body, the cover adorned with 50 diamonds—including eight which are rare blue diamonds. Additionally, the Ancort logo and the navigation key are made of 18k rose gold.
Built on the Windows CE, this most expensive cell also features a high-resolution color TFT display and a 256 bit cryptographic algorithm. This expensive mobile phone is capable of SMS, MMS, E-mail, Internet, WAP, JAVA support and also has a media player.
1. GoldVish ‘Le Million’ Piece Unique
$1.3 million
Guinness World Records certified GoldVish SA’s ‘Le Million’ Piece Unique on January 29th, 2008. The Geneva-based luxury communications company’s expensive mobile phone was designed by Emmanuel Gueit as an addition to the Illusion Collection. The phone is made of 18k white gold and set with 20 carats of VVS1 (only microscopically flawed) diamonds. The phone also features Bluetooth, 2 GB of storage, FM radio, a digital camera and MP3 playback.
Most Expensive Diamond
Diamond-owners rejoice—even in a recession, diamonds command a hefty price. In fact, the first half of 2008 saw a 32% increase in jewelry sales at Christie’s auction houses when compared to sales in the first six months of 2007. They saved the best for last, however, as the world’s most expensive diamond was sold in December of 2008.
The Wittelsbach is a 35.56-carat blue diamond mined in India. The historic diamond was chosen by King Philip IV of Spain as part of the dowry for his daughter, the Infanta Margarita Teresa. Her suitor, Leopold I, later became Holy Roman Emperor and passed the diamond on to his heirs after she died in 1673. When the Archduchess of Austria married Bavaria’s Crown Prince in 1722, the diamond became known as “Der Blaue Wittelsbacher” (The Blue Wittelsbach) after the Crown Prince’s family.
The world’s most expensive diamond sold for $24.3 million, beating a previous record of $16.5 million for a 100-carat diamond in 1995. While the Wittelsbach is the most expensive diamond ever sold at auction—and likely the most expensive diamond ever sold, period—the world-famous Hope diamond would no doubt put the Wittelsbach to shame were it ever sold.
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Most Expensive Ring
If you’re an aging bachelor and billionaire looking to wed someone half your age, you may want to look into expensive engagement rings. One such individual’s proposal to an ex-model involved a $1.5 million engagement ring. That may seem way out there, but it’s not even close to the most expensive ring in the world.
World's most expensive ring
The Chopard Blue Diamond Ring is the ring that makes any other diamond ring look bad. Set with an enormous, oval-shaped blue diamond, the expensive ring also has diamond shoulders and an 18k white gold band paved with diamonds.
Blue diamond is among the most expensive diamonds in the world. It is found among boron deposits, from whence it derives its shade. This particular gem weighs in at nine carats.
The world’s most expensive ring is valued at $16.26 million, enough to put a dent in the wallets of even the wealthiest individuals.
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The Most Expensive Diamond: A Blue Vivid
The Most Expensive Diamond: A Blue Vivid
Perfection is to be found in this stone: a blue diamond sold at $7.98 million, establishing a new record as the most expensive gemstone per carat bought at auction. The buyer is Moussaieff Jewellers of London, a specialist
in rare stones and the stone was sold by a private Asian collector at a Sotheby's auction in Hong Kong.
The 8 minute bidding for the emerald-cut 6.04 carat diamond resulted in its sale for $1.32 million per carat, far higher than the previous record of $926,000 per carat, set by a red emerald-cut diamond, Hancock Red, sold in New York two decades ago.
A carat means 0.2 g. The world's biggest blue diamond is the 45.52-carat Hope Diamond. Still, this is the biggest and rarest vivid blue diamond on offer since Sotheby's Hong Kong auction in 2004, when a similar stone was sold for $ 4.2 million. The rare, vivid blue color of the diamond is said to be induced by the presence of an element called boron in its crystal structure.
"The bidding was fast and furious and you know it's not as if one could go out and buy another one," said Quek Chin Yeow, head of Jewellery Asia at Sotheby's.
"It's as rare as getting a Renoir or a wonderful Rothko. When you look at the stone, it sings. The blue sings. The cutting is wonderful. It has just got such beauty and I mean the fact that it's flawless, it's just an amazing " he said.
The demand for colored diamonds among jewellery collectors is high in Europe, the United States and Asia and blue diamonds come mainly from the Premier Mine in South Africa.
The total sale in Hong Kong's Monday auction was estimated at $ 40.8 million.
An emerald rope-necklace owned by the American songwriter and lyricist Irving Berlin also sold for $2.64 million, including commission, at yesterday's sale.
The Millennium Star
The Millennium Star
detail :
De Beers and the Steinmetz Group has unveiled the world's rarest and arguably the most valuable set of diamonds ever put together to mark the year 2000. Stressing that 'millennia come and go, but diamonds are forever,' the diamond giant's Chairman Nicky Oppenheimer presented the De Beers Millennium Star, a D-color, internally and externally flawless pear-shape, cut to perfect proportions, weighing a hefty 203.04 carats. It is the second largest faceted D-Flawless diamond in the world, the 273.15 carat Centenary Diamond is the first.
The Millennium Star is the centerpiece of the company's Limited Edition Millennium Diamonds collection which further consists of 11 highly unusual blue diamonds cut into a variety of shapes, having a total weight of 118 carats. The diamonds were presented to the world with great theater during an impressive ceremony at the top floor of the CSO's Charterhouse Street complex in London: the Millennium Star was lovingly caressed by the latest James Bond girl, French actress Sophie Marceau, under the approving eyes of De Beers top executives and principals of the worldwide Steinmetz Group of Companies - the craftsmen that designed, planned, and manufactured these exceptional and unique stones.
The team of cutters, who labored in polishing the collection for some three years around the clock, was headed by Israeli-born Nir Livnat, managing director of Johannesburg-based Ascot Diamonds, a member of the Steinmetz Group of Diamond Companies. The Steinmetz Group is known as 'the master' in the field of diamonds and is one the leading customers of De Beers. The Steinmetz Group has several sources of independent mines which supply the rough diamonds. Whenever a large sale, auction or event appears in the diamond business, you can be sure that the Stieinmetz Group is part of it. The Steinmetz Group supports Diamond.com as the Jeweler of the Millennium Diamonds.
Though the general press coverage focused understandably on the Millennium Star and actress Sophie Marceau (who played in the James Bond movie aptly called "The World is Not Enough"), the trade is rightfully excited also about the eleven exceptionally rare blue diamonds, which orbit as sparkling blue satellites around the Millennium Star. Steinmetz explains that each one of these stones came from the famous Premier Mine in South Africa. But blue diamonds of this quality and size are extremely rare and to discover one on any year is an incredible accomplishment, let alone discovering the entire collection. In addition to the pear-shaped Millennium Star, the collection consists of 11 beautiful blue diamonds of different shapes and carat weights, ranging in size from 5.16 carats to a phenomenal 27.64 carat heart-shaped stone, the Heart of Eternity. Each of these 11 blue diamonds will be specially inscribed with a De Beers Millennium number, using De Beers' proprietary branding technique. Livnat explains that the Millennium Star will not be branded, as "it is externally flawless. There is not even a single scratch or burn mark on any of the facets. This is extremely exceptional - and a tribute to the cutters' expertise - and De Beers is therefore rightfully presenting the stone as externally flawless." Thus branding is out for the Millennium Star.
It is expected that some 12-million people will visit the De Beers Millennium Jewels Exhibition at the new Millennium Dome in London. There they will remain on view in a specially designed exhibit for the entire year. It is worth it to pause a moment and reflect on the rarity of blue diamonds. Pre-20th century accounts of great blue diamonds reinforce the trade's historical links with India, the only known early source of diamonds. These accounts tell of diamonds such as Tavernier Blue (now known as the Hope Diamond; 45.52 carats) and the 30.82-carat Blue Heart, which today are valued for their history and mystique as much as for their rare color. These diamonds are famous because of their incredible rarity - only red diamonds are rarer - and the De Beers collection of blues is something that will never be seen again.
In modern times, De Beers Premier mine in South Africa has become the only important source of blue diamonds, yet they make up much less than 0.1 percent of all diamonds recovered at this mine. Of all De Beers South African rough production, however, there is on average only one significant blue diamond mined per year. The best blue diamonds have a beauty that is not comparable to that of any other gem. These are greatly admired and eagerly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs. Of the ten highest per-carat prices paid for colored diamonds at auction, six have been blue diamonds. Some of these unique stones were sold for $550,000-$580,000 per carat. One 20 carat blue stone fetched well in excess of $10 million. "Fancy blue diamonds contain impurities of boron, which result in their blue color. Usually the blue of a diamond is strongly modified by gray or black. Few stones have intense, saturate color," explains Livnat, stressing that "the blue color is often not evenly spread throughout the stone and that, occasionally, parts of a blue stone may be totally white. To get a beautiful pure blue stone is truly a professional challenge."
Natural blue diamonds are much weaker in saturation than the blue objects they are compared to. Blue colors are not overly abundant in nature, although they do occur in certain flowers, fruits, birds, and gemstones. Actual diamond blues, however, are more likely to mimic the blue colors of indigo, ink and steel. Whatever term is used to describe blue diamonds, it is their combination of color, brilliance and rarity that makes them so special. The rough diamond was found by an alluvial digger in the early nineties. It originated in what was then known as Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and was purchased there many years ago by a De Beers buyer on the open market. The stone has been held in deliberate anticipation of this moment, though its polishing took more than three years. Its beauty has now been released by the extraordinary skill of the expert craftsmen, and international team (South African, Israeli, Belgian & American). The cutters received the ultimate compliment when former De Beers Chairman, the late Harry Oppenheimer, undoubtedly the doyen of the diamond industry and who has probably handled more important diamonds in his 70-year career than any other person in the world, described the Millennium Star as "the most beautiful diamond I have ever seen."
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BUY
The most important factor when buying diamond jewellery is to look at the way the diamond is cut, its proportion and symmetry, says Pierre Joubert of The Diamond Club these factors determine how a diamond handles light, if its cut badly it will not have the brilliance. It really is the human factor - the work that goes into the diamond - that makes all the difference. Never compromise on the quality and cut of the diamond.
Buy your diamond jewellery from a reliable source or an established retailer. It is common practice to ask that the diamond be certified by an independent international laboratory such as GIA, EGL, DCLA, HRD, IGI, AGS.
Be extremely cautious when buying coloured diamonds, as it is very difficult to tell if the gem is natural or treated. Coloured diamonds that have been are heated to enhance their hue and could be a budget substitute if the natural one falls outside your budget. They are used more as a fashion item, in this year and out the next. When buying coloured diamonds, as with any diamond, insist on a laboratory certificate.
According to Pierre platinum or white gold surrounding not only enhances the colour of the jewel, but also makes it appear bigger. Yellow or red gold makes the diamond look slightly smaller.
Whether or not to insure diamond jewellery is a personal choice, However if you opt for the former ensure your jewels are covered under all risks.
PRONG VS TUBE TESTING
When deciding between a prong or a tube setting, consider these pros and cons. The classical prong setting allows dirt to collect under the claws more easily, which dulls the diamond, while the tube setting tends to last longer and are less likely to collect dirt. In the end it depends on your personal preference.
THE 4C’S AND THE S
Diamonds are valued according to the 4C`s and the S
CUT: This is determined by the rough stone, the diamond in its natural form. The precision and symmetry of the cut gives a diamond its brilliance, releasing the sparkle within in it, if the cut is well proportioned, then a diamond reflects light internally from facet to facet and disperses it through the crow, or top, of the diamond. I f the stone has been cut too shallow or too deep light escapes from the side facets or the bottom dulling the brilliance.
COLOUR
Diamonds come in many shades, ranging from colourless, white, yellow and brown to more intense colours such as orange, pink, green and black. Of white diamonds the most valuable is the colourless gem, which is called a D colour. The total range is from D to Z which is yellow. In coloured diamonds the higher the intensity of colour and brilliance, the more valuable the stone. For budget purposes look for stones that are slightly tinted as this allows you to purchase a bigger size that creates more of an impact.
CARAT
This measures the weight of the diamond. One carat is equivalent to 0.2g and there are 100 points per carat. If budget conscious consider purchasing diamonds just under half a carat or just under a full carat because the price jumps drastically when it reaches a true half or full carat.
CLARITY
The number of flaws or inclusions within a stone and their position determine the diamonds clarity. These inclusions come from come in the form of carbon spots or fractures, some of which are not visible to the naked eye. Inclusions affect the brilliance of a diamond. The fewer the inclusions, the better the refraction of light through the diamond, and the higher the value. The clarity is also judged by the position of the inclusions, the less obvious an inclusion the higher the value
SHAPE
The more traditional diamond cuts include round brilliant, oval, marquise, pear, heart and emerald. Two new diamond cuts have been introduced the Asher square cut diamond and the Royal Radiant Cut is emerald shaped from the top with the light bursts from inside the stone.
CARE AND HANDLING
Diamonds get dirty easily, but are simple to clean; diamonds attract grease, so use any degreasing agent, like dish washing liquid. A little warm water and a tooth brush to get the sparkle back, says Pierre Joubert. Air dry on a paper towel and then polish with a soft cloth.
If your diamond is grimy and the setting looks dark around the edges, take the piece to a jeweller for a professional cleaning.
Diamonds can get scratched, so don’t put them down on tile or marble. Store them individually in soft, cloth bags
COLOUR GUIDE
WHITE: White diamonds are actually colourless and clear. By far the mot popular gemstones, they come from mines all over the world, in many different shapes, sizes and levels of quality.
BROWN: The least pricey, brown diamonds come in champagne cognac and cocoa. Bright yellow gold, blackened silver and black rhodium platinum are the most common settings for them.
BLACK: Jewellery designers started using black diamonds widely only a few years ago. For contrast, they are usually combined with other gems usually white diamonds and set in platinum or white gold.
YELLOW: Yellow or canary, these are the most popular and expensive coloured diamonds and range from pale to bright. They are often set in yellow gold to intensify their colour.
PINK:
Before the 1984 discovery of an Australian source, pink diamonds were extremely rare now very popular, and still expensive, they range from pale seashell to raspberry and are usually set in pink gold.
GREEN:
Gems for the collector, green diamonds are very rare and very expensive. The colours range from brass-green to green-yellow. Green diamonds are mounted in platinum, gold and blackened silver.
The Moussaieff Red Diamond - Famous Diamond
The William Goldberg Diamond Corporation, famous for outstanding stones like the Premier Rose and the Guinea Star, cut this gem from a 13.90-carat rough. They transformed the piece into a spectacular red diamond weighing 5.11 carats. The GIA states, "It is the largest Fancy Red, natural color diamond that we have graded as of the date the report was issued." The stone is a triangular brilliant, sometimes referred to as a trillion or a trilliant cut. It was cut sometime in the mid-1990s, so its history is still relatively uneventful. Sometime around 2001 or 2002 the stone was purchased by Moussaieff Jewelers Ltd. The firm, while it has no website as of yet, is renowned for multi-million dollar pieces of jewelry and has locations in the United States as well as abroad.
The Moussaieff Red paid a visit to the Smithsonian Museum in 2003, being part of an exhibit titled The Splendour of Diamonds (above photo). The exhibit lasted from June 27th to September 30th and featured a number of other unusual colored diamonds, namely the Millennium Star, the Heart of Eternity, the Pumpkin Diamond, the Allnatt Diamond, the Ocean Dream, and the Steinmetz Pink.