The Tradition of Eternity Rings

The glimmering eternity ring or eternity band is a stunningly beautiful ring form. These rings normally have stones all through the band and seem to go on forever. Eternity rings are a very popular design and very often used for special occasions including weddings and engagements. This endless circle of gleaming stones symbolizes more that what a solitaire ring does. This ring represents the eternal bond of love which two people have promised to each other. They hope of have a deep bond of love with commitment that will be strong through the ages.

Eternity rings have a row of gemstones along the entire circumference of the band and these gemstones are usually identical to each other. The metal is not a focus in this ring and the gemstones are highlighted in the best possible way. Eternity bands are made of precious as well as semi precious stones. These rings also have gemstones like rubies, emeralds, diamonds and sapphires. The diamond eternity bands are the most famous and used most commonly. Since the diamond is touted to be forever it becomes a perfect companion for the concept of eternity bands. It is believed that the first diamond eternity ring was created by DeBeers around 1960 and has been a hit product ever since.

Evidence has been found which shows that the unique eternity rings may date back to the Egyptian era. Interestingly even though at that time these rings were not used a wedding rings they still were used as a token of love and eternal life. Jewelleries have been found from that era which shows rings with stones along its entire circumference. In the ancient times a popular design was a snake holding on to its own tail.

In today’s world however you can make stunning bands of eternity rings with diamonds and other precious stones. The metal of the eternity band can also be chosen by you. You can customize the band, use stones of different colour, and get gemstones of the size you like. In recent times the men like to use the eternity ring for milestone anniversaries rather than for marriages. Sometimes men also gift an eternity ring to their wives when they have their first baby, this is done to signify their own circle of life. This ring is also considered as first choice in case of marriage anniversaries since it can signify the years spent together.

I believe eternity rings will continue to be a hot favorite due to their beauty, significance and charm in the future too.

Variations of Diamond Settings

Diamonds are set in rings in various formats. The settings help in creating the functionality and aesthetics of your jewellery. Here are the most popular settings used by jewellers and ordered by customers.

Bezel Setting

In bezel setting the diamond is set within a thin metal rim. This rim holds the gemstone in place very firmly and is a very secure type of setting. Bezel settings can encircle the gemstone fully or partially as deemed correct. This is a recommended setting for people with active lifestyles.

Tension Setting

In this setting the gemstone is set in between two walls of metals and seems to be floating. This setting also ensures that the gemstone is clearly visible. However since this setting is not very secure hence jewellers normally use a prong or bezel setting underneath the gemstone to increase security.

Prong Setting

In this setting the gemstones are held in place with prong-like metal claws. The prongs can be of different shapes but the major benefit is that most of the stone is clearly visible. Unfortunately there is also this drawback that it snags on clothing and other materials. There are blunt prongs and lower-set prongs to take care of the snag setting but still is not foolproof.

Halo Setting

A main centre stone and concentric circle around that gemstone is the way to make a halo setting. This setting makes the centre gemstone look larger than it actually is.

Channel Setting

In this setting gemstones are set one after another in a line into the grooves of the shank. A channel is made in the band of the ring where the gemstones are set. This is a very secure setting with no chances of snagging on clothes.

Pavé Setting

In this setting gemstones are held together with metal beads or prongs but the prongs protrude as less as possible. This gives the ring a continuous bed for a sparkle effect. In this bed the centre stone is popped out a little to give it better brilliance.

Flush Setting

In this setting the gemstone is set into a hole in the band. This setting is set in a very ‘flush’ manner and is very secure.

Cluster Setting

This setting has a cluster of gemstones which is done to give an appearance of a large diamond. The cluster can have stones of same sizes or may have a bigger centre stone.

Bar Setting

In this setting the gemstones are placed between vertical metal bars. This is slightly different from channel settings as in this setting gemstones are exposed from two sides.

Split-Shank

In this setting the shank or the band of the ring splits into two just a few millimetres before the stone setting area.

Let us know which one of these settings is your favourite.

The Different Shapes of Diamonds

Diamonds come in different shapes and can look quite different from each other. In this topic we find out about all the shapes and how they affect their appearances.

Round Cut / Brilliant Cut

This is the most commonly found cut type of diamond. As the name suggests the diamond looks round around its girdle in this cut. This is very famous because due to the cut mechanics the diamond shines or glitters more than any other cut. Since this is round the potential light entry and exit points are infinite hence maximizes the brightness. This is the most common shape for an engagement ring diamond as both user and jeweller prefer this shape. The jewellers like this shape the most since it is easy to incorporate a round stone in the design of jewellery.

Princess Cut

This is believed to be first created in the year 1980 and is the most popular fancy diamonds shapes. This is also used in engagement rings second only to the brilliant cut shape. This is a shape which can be easily used in rings and is the second most popular for rings after the round shape.

Oval Cut

This is a shape which is almost equally brilliant to the round diamond. However, the benefit in oval diamonds is that it can give an illusion of bigger size which the round diamond does not give.

Marquise Cut

This shape is like the ball of Rugby game and again has good brilliance. This shape has the maximum surface area in any diamond shape. This diamond often seems bigger than its actual size.

Pear Cut

The pear shape is as the name suggests like a pear and has a tapered point at one end. The pear shaped diamond is difficult to create as this shape should have very good symmetry. The pointed end should like perfectly with the apex of the rounded end. The curve from the apex to the pointed end should be uniform.

Cushion Cut

This is a square type of shape with round edges which looks like a pillow. This shape was the most popular a few centuries ago but now the round diamond is most popular. The advancements in cutting techniques have also resulted in recent gain in popularity.

Emerald Cut

The emerald cut diamond is called so because it is cut into a shape which is like how an emerald is cut. The emerald cut has a large open table top and has step cuts in its pavilion. This cut does not shine a lot but has a mirror effect mixing with light and dark planes.

Heart Shaped Cut

This is a unique shape and rather than brilliance of diamond or shine it focuses on the significance of its shape. This shape is popular in solitaire pendants and rings. One thing to remember is that for using this shape the diamond must be at least 0.50 carats or more otherwise it is difficult to perceive the shape.

Bracelet and Anklet Style Variants

Bracelet and anklets are a style statement any day and anywhere. Both of these fashion accessories can be stacked and still look good. Ankles are often an overlooked part of the body to jewel up and anklets are a good option to beautify them.

Since both of them are on moving parts of your body comfort and strength are equally important. Knowing about different variants of bracelets and anklets will also help you choose more confidently. There are some bracelets which can also be worn like anklets. Here are the most common forms of bracelets and anklets.

TYPES OF BRACELET

Bangle and Cuff Bracelets

As the name suggests bangle bracelets are round and solid bracelets which you wear like a bangle but are much loosely fit than bangles. These can be stacked and are normally made of metal.

Cuff bracelets have a clasp in their construction so you do not have to slide them up your wrist. These clasps or gaps work in such a way that gives you a lot of ease while wearing or opening these bracelets.

Charm Bracelets

These are normally simple metal chains and have a special meaning to the wearer. These are even handed down generations even if they are not always made of precious metals. Some families add mementos and bracelets through the generations. If you feel like it you can also make them with precious metals and gemstones. Anklets can also be fitted with charms but normally that becomes uncomfortable, therefore not a popular system.

Tennis Bracelets

Tennis bracelets are normally thin and flexible. These are often studded with diamond and have a clasp. These are normally made in precious metal and are studded with gemstones. People normally like them as they are style statements and also very comfortable.

Gemstone and Pearl Bracelets

Gemstone bracelets are somewhat more casual and it is advisable to wear them accordingly. People normally use gemstones to mix and match colours with their personality or dress. There can also be a combination of diamonds with gemstones to get dramatic contrast. If not sure which gemstones to use with diamond use the stone of your birth month.

Pearls can also be used in bracelets and they do come in a variety of colours to mix and match with your style. Anklets are there which use diamonds or pearls and if you want that type of anklet just make sure the clasp is very strong.

ANKLETS

Anklets are normally fashioned from simple chains and give an added style to your feet. Here are some common chains which are used in anklets and bracelets to add elegance.

Bead Chains

These have metal balls liked with chain or wire.

Box Chains

This is a boxy design wherein square links interlock to create a popular chain.

Anchor chains

This chain has double links as connection to portray a heavy and sturdy appearance.

Cable Chains

A simple upright oval links create this flat chain.

Byzantine chains

Links interlocked in layers in the pattern of a rope.

Heart Chains

This is a very sweet and feminine design where heart shaped links gets connected to make a chain.

Curb or Cuban Chains

This is the popular chain style for men wherein in links lie flat but the chain can be thin or wide as per choice.

Figaro Chains

This chain uses small links interspersed with a larger oval-shaped link to make a pattern.

Tension Setting for Jewellery

Tension Setting for Rings

Gemstones are set in jewellery in various ways and tension setting is one of them. This type of setting uses a single gemstone or diamond between two walls of metal and holds it there under pressure. This is quite a striking system of putting a gemstone in a ring as it makes the precious stone seem like it is hanging in air. In this setting the metal on both sides of the stone holds it in place by its girdle only and this gives the stone hanging in air illusion.

However this setting is quite risky as any slight damage to the tension creating walls can result in loss of diamond/gemstone. It is recommended by jewellers that if tension setting is to be done it should be done in platinum. The reason for choosing platinum is due to its hardness. Gold and silver is not a good choice for tension setting as they are softer metals.

There is a modified way of using tension setting which uses a support below the gemstone or diamond. This support safeguards the security of the diamond if there is any damage to the walls. Jewellers often find themselves modifying tension settings to add the abovementioned support on gifted jewellery.

This setting should not be used if one uses jewellery regularly as the risk of losing gemstones in this setting is high. This is especially true since the stones used in this setting are normally 0.5 carats or more, naturally the loss of stone will hurt you more. The second biggest problem is that the stone can be intentionally removed without any special tools. Hence the chances of theft are more with these types of rings.

Despite all the risk the tension set rings are the talk of the town as they look superbly dramatic. Since there are no metal below the stone light travels through the stone easily and gives it a grand sparkle. The diamond is showcased and can be seen from all angles.  If you are using a good diamond this setting can truly bring out its beauty. If you want to make a grand statement this is the only type of setting which can do that without using a very large stone.

The Brilliant Cut Diamond

Diamonds are with us for a very long time but they were not always coveted for jewellery purposes. Even in the Middle Ages people knew that diamonds are very hard and this persuaded the rulers to wear them to show they are as tough as diamonds.

The Table Cut

Previously the diamonds were cut in a way known as the ‘Table Cut.’ This was a simple cut and was square type in nature. However, the aristocracy started liking the diamonds and gemstones more as a symbol of beauty and wealth. This is when the new cuts began to emerge mainly to fit jewellery designs. This created the revolution which gave us the modern brilliant cut.

A Diamond Standard

Some people say that someone in Venice named Vicenzio Peruzzi had created the first brilliant cut around 1680. However, there is no existence of Vicenzio Peruzzi on further studies at all.

If we talk about written proof we get David Jeffries who was a renowned English jeweller in 1750. He wrote a book where he described his ideal brilliant cut. He described it as having high angles and somewhat rounded corners. This design would make the diamond long but his designs were not implemented immediately as at that time diamonds were sold by weight. Cutters wanted to keep as much weight as possible and good symmetry was also difficult due to hand cutting.

Re-cut the diamonds!

The brilliant shape and symmetry was gaining popularity rapidly and in the meantime mines in India got depleted in the 18^th century. At this time the old and ugly table cut diamonds were re-cut into smaller brilliant cut diamonds. However since these were not very perfectly cut in the first place the cutters made brilliant cushion cuts from these diamonds mainly rather than round pieces.

Diamond Factories

All of the problems of hand cutting brilliant cuts were gone when the diamond industry adopted industrialization. Steam power was used to cut the diamonds now instead of horses. A steam-powered bruiting machine was invented by Mr. Henry D. Morse which created perfectly rounded diamonds every time. This saved a lot of time and labour costs. Most factories in Europe took up this technique and used machines to create round diamonds. These huge supplies of round diamonds were known as old European diamonds.

Despite industrialization cut was still not perfect and advance of industrialization brought the idea of a perfect sparkle on the board. Frank Wade and Marcel Tolkowsky found out how this can be achieved and they gave us the brilliant cut we see today. The ideal brilliant cut has 57 sides and has the correct angles to reflect all light out of it.

This brilliant cut is now the best and costliest cut possible for a diamond. This is mainly because of its tremendous sparkle and round shape. Jewellers find it easy to fit round stones in jewellery.

The brilliant cut diamond is the most popular diamond because of its round shape that can easily fit many jewelry designs. The compact design makes it also great value for money.

The Princess Cut Diamond

In an effort to find a good diamond for your engagement ring people ends up having to choose between a brilliant cut and princess cut. The princess cut is the second most popular cut for diamond since it looks great along with cheaper prices. The square and clear top oozes elegance and royalty when worn in any finger.

The Princess Cut History

There is specific time, place or person behind the princess cut. There were other shapes too before the princess cut we know today. A ‘profile cut’ diamond made by diamond cutter Arpad Nagy from London was called the ‘Princess Cut’ by him. It was around 1979 when the present Princess cut diamond first appeared from the hands of Ygal Perlman, Betzalel Ambar, and Israel Itzkowitz.

The Rise of the Princes Cut Diamond

The princess cut diamond has become famous quite fast due to its cheapness which comes from high yield. The round brilliant cut loses around 50% of the stone while making the cut however, the princess cut retains 80% to 90% of the rough stone. This means low wastage and more profit for the diamond cutter. This diamond also is normally fitted in a ring by its corners which are good for the diamond cutter. This is because the diamond cutting gets extremely difficult around the edged and sometimes slight imperfections form on the corners.

This profit in turn goes to the customer as the diamond is cheaper than the brilliant cuts. This diamond can also be arranged side by side to give an illusion of one large diamond. The side by side settings looks very seamless with princess cut diamonds hence is a good choice for alliance rings or baguette’s. Since the cost is low customers can buy large stones with the same budget. Therefore if you are looking for a large yet elegant stone this is the cut you should go for.

Renowned Expensive Jewelleries

Jewelleries are being created since ancient times and some are as much as 100,000-years-old. Some people feel jewellery is a symbol of love, others feel it is a form or expression, and yet another group may feel it is a decorative art.

Here we check out the most expensive and renowned jewelleries made in the recent past.

The Winston Blue

The Winston Blue diamond of 13.22 karat is set in a ring flanked by pear-shaped diamonds of 1 karat each. This huge flawless diamond was first bought by Harry Winston in 2014 but later auctioned at Christie’s auction house in Geneva for 23.8 million dollars.

The Perfect Pink

This is a stunning 18K rose and white gold ring featuring a 14.23 karat emerald-cut intense pink diamond. This ring also has emerald-cut white diamonds on each side of the pink diamond. The ring was auctioned by Christie’s for 23.2 million dollars. This is one of the costliest jewellery sold in Asia.

Chopard Watch

This is a type of Swiss luxury watch which is normally encrusted with gemstones. This encrusted watch features 874 diamonds of various sizes and colours, the largest of which is of 15 karats. This watch also has a mechanical system to move three of the large diamonds apart to show the dial. The watch was sold at 25 million dollars to the purchaser.

The Hutton-Mdivani Necklace

This is a necklace which was worn by many famous people. Noteworthy owners are the princess Nina Mdivina and Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton. This was created by Cartier and has a string of 27 emerald jadeite beads. This necklace also has a clasp studded of rubies and diamonds. The current price of this item is 27.4 million dollars.

The Sunrise Ruby

This rare Burmese ruby is named Sunrise Ruby since it was found towards the east of the world. Cartier made a ring out of this ruby of 25.9 karats. This ring saw intense bidding wars and ultimately was sold for $30 million.

The Fascination Watch

Graff’s Diamond made this versatile and extravagant piece of jewellery watch. This is a bracelet cum watch which has 152.96 karats of Graff’s diamonds. The main central piece has a pear shaped flawless diamonds of 38.13 karats. This main diamond can also be worn as a ring as the diamond can also be detached and put in a particular ring. The cost of this bracelet cum watch was 42 million dollars.

The Graff Pink Diamond

This rare pink 24.78 karat diamond was also owned by Harry Winston. This diamond was cushion cut and mounted on a rose gold and platinum band. The ring also has other baguette diamonds. This ring was sold at a price of 46.2 million dollars.

L’Incomparable Necklace

This necklace is created by Mouawad and is the most valuable necklace in the world. This necklace also boasts of the world’s largest internally flawless diamond of 407.48 karat. This diamond is known as the incomparable diamond as it is one of a kind. This is however a yellow diamond and is set with 203 karats of other smaller diamonds. The cost of this extravagant necklace is 55 million dollars.

The Pink Star Diamond

This is a rare vivid pink oval diamond of 59.60 karats. This is set in a ring and sold at 72 million dollars.

Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond

This is a deep blue internally flawless diamond of 31.06 karats. This diamond was a part of Austrian and Bavarian crown jewels. However Graff bought the diamond in 2008 for 23.4 million dollars. Then Graff removed 4.5 karats of the diamond giving it more clarity. Ultimately the diamond was sold to a Qatari royal family for 80 million dollars.

Royal Jewels of India

India has a rich heritage and culture which captivates travellers from across the globe. Our mythology and history depict a common interest which is India’s love for gold jewellery.

The love for jewellery in India is due to the fact that India had a steady supply of precious stones. Many types of gems were found in India and have been traded by traders from various parts of the world. Golconda mines were the main suppliers of diamond for the world until diamonds were discovered in Brazil 1725. Many famous diamonds like the Nur-Ul-Ain were found in Golconda mines.

Jewellers like Arpels, Cartier, Van Cleef and Chaumet started to work for India’s Emperors and Maharajahs since gemstones were abundant. This time created jewellery mixing Indian colours, motifs, and forms with European elegance and techniques. These jewels then became royal heirlooms and were handed down through generations. Some of these jewelleries were lost, stolen, and auctioned off.

Luckily some of these pieces have survived to let us know the craftsmanship and inspiration behind these jewelleries. The skill of the lapidaries and the inspirations for these jewelleries are women into India’s extraordinary history.

Here are a few of the extravagant jewellery used by tsars, maharajahs, kings and queens.

The Baroda Pearls

This necklace of pearls was in the collection of Khande Rao Gawkar who was the Maharajah of Baroda. This necklace was composed of seven strands of perfectly matched and graduated natural pearls. The necklace was later inherited by the flamboyant second wife of Maharaja, Sita Devi.

The Baroda Pearl necklace was eventually auctioned off in 2007 by Christie’s in a two strand guise. The auctioned necklace had two strands with the largest and perfect pearls which are matched in lustre, colour, size, and shape. The original Baroda Pearl necklace is with the Indian government but one strand was missing and this two stranded necklace was recreated using that lost strand.

The Patiala necklace

This is an Art Deco necklace which was made by Cartier under orders from the Maharajah of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh, in 1926. It is believed he went to Cartier with a truck full of exquisite jewels so that it can be made into a ceremonial necklace. This necklace is made of platinum and studded with 2,000 diamonds including a central yellow 926.25 carat diamond.

The necklace was stolen once but was restored with substitute stones to its former glory by Cartier. It is now in the vaults of Cartier.

Star of the South

Another piece in the collection of the Maharajah of Baroda, Khande Rao Gawkar is the necklace named Star of the South. There is a 129 carat Brazilian diamond in that necklace along with an English Dresden of 78.53 carats.  The Dresden and the Star of the South both set in a triple-tired diamond necklace. The second wife of the Maharaja, Sita Devi inherited the necklace after the king died.

Emerald necklace of the Maharajah of Nawanagar

The Maharajah of Nawanagar made an emerald and diamond studded necklace with the help of Cartier. This necklace has 20 large Colombian emeralds along with small round diamonds. The emeralds are emerald-cut and the diamonds are brilliant-cut. The emeralds in the necklace alone add up to over 300 carats.

The Love of Gold Intensifies

Marriages in India require a lot of gold ornaments and whenever there is a marriage arranged parents start shuttling between jewellery stores to buy jewellery. This has been a tradition in India for as long as history can provide data for. This is a part of ‘stridhan’ which is woman’s wealth and provides security to the women in case of untoward situations of divorce or death. This tradition is significant in some places wherein people weigh their daughter and match the gold amount as per her weight. In today’s world women are working and have financial security, so this custom is not necessary anymore but it is still ongoing because Indians love gold. Indians even buy jewellery years ahead of a marriage just because the price of gold has fallen or is predicted to rise sharply. The situation is same in every part of India and this behavior is easily seen just before festive and wedding seasons.

The festive months for Hindus run from October to December and weddings season also falls around this time which produces a phenomenal amount of gold sales. In India gold ornaments are even gifted to near and dear ones during festivals and weddings irrespective of the religion.

The World Gold Council reports that urban Indians are looking for contemporary designs for daily use. Affluent youth are seeking modern yet heritage and culture reflecting designs which represent the wearer. This shows that the love of gold has not died down in the youth and the trend will continue with the new generation. Still today newlyweds are given so much gold that is difficult for them to wear comfortably. Peasants still store their savings in jewellery or other trinkets. Tycoons seek redemption at temples by offering gold to god. The rich still wear gold chains and rings to show his affluence. This love for gold in India does not seem any way lesser than decades earlier and we believe it will continue to grow in the near future.

Rare Blue Diamond Found in Africa

Shiny, transparent, and crystalline rocks fetch huge prices. Yes we are talking about diamonds which are inherently and eternally beautiful. Diamonds have always been an exquisite item to adorn jewellery and are equally expensive.

Recently a 122 carat diamond was dug out of Cullinan mine in South Africa. This diamond is the size of a strawberry and weighs slightly less than three pounds. This exceptionally rare blue diamond costs over 60 million pounds. This mine is famous for spilling out such large colourful stones occasionally.

This price is estimated by the fact that earlier last year an earlier similar blue diamond was sold at approximately 51 million pounds. Therefore it is estimated that this stone will fetch around 60 to 62 million pounds. The shares of the owner company Petra Diamonds rose by 8% after the news of the discovery spread. Also remember that these prices are just for the rough stone cutting and polishing costs will add to this cost for the buyer.

The blue colour of the diamond comes from the trapped boron particles in the crystalline structure. The price a blue diamond is proportional to how richly blue it is. Blue is the second most rare diamond after red and finding a rock of 122 carats is again very rare.

Interestingly these high priced gems are believed to be cursed as all such owners met ill fate while in possession of such stones. The deep blue Hope Diamond was held by various owners all of whom got killed or went bankrupt. So, we need to wait and see what luck this new blue diamond brings to its owner.

At this moment this diamond is kept at a secret location under heavy security. This marvellous blue diamond will be cut, polished, and eventually sold in a secretive auction at Johannesburg.