Van Cleef & Arpels is a French high-jewellery brand which was founded in 1986 by a Dutch diamond cutter Alfred Van Cleef and his father-in-law Salomon Arpels. They are the pioneers of the famous “invisible setting” or more known by Van Cleef & Arpels as Serti Mysterieux. The true meaning is as a “Mystery Setting”,…
The colour wheel of gemstones is an exciting palette to choose from. But sometimes too much choice can be confusing! How often have we loved a piece of jewellery in a show case, but when we try it on, it just doesn’t look as good? When shopping for jewellery we usually desire to buy jewels…
A marriage is a sacred celebration. No matter where you are in the world, a marriage is celebrated with utmost joy and excitement. Whilst every culture and region around the globe has their own traditions, few aspects remain a constant part of the extravaganza. The bridal trousseau, which all the guests and well-wishers as well…
The dawn of Art Deco design style originated in France, circa 1910, just before World War I. It is also commonly called “Deco” which derives from the French word Arts DĂ©coratifs. A decade later, through the 20’s and 30’s, this form of art flourished in the United States of America and all over Europe inspiring…
Queen Elizabeth II’s Royal Collection defines heirloom jewellery best. Although some of the Queen’s oldest jewellery dates back to the 16th century, most of it is believed to be from the 19th and 20th centuries. She inherited vintage pieces from her mother, grandmother, and previous generations. She also received gifts from key birthdays, her wedding,…
A new trend in engagement rings was sparked last year, all thanks to a handful of celebrities. Ariana Grande, Megan Fox and Kylie Jenner were spotted with not just one big rock on their finger, but two! This “two stone” ring ingeniously names itself a “Toi Et Moi” ring. The Toi Et Moi ring is…
As calm and serene as the sea, Aquamarine is the sister of the ever-famous Emerald and lesser-known Morganite and Heliodor. Part of the Beryl group, it is better known for its transparency and beautiful light blue tones. Similarly, the colour range is just like the sea, varying from blue to slightly greenish. Ancient Greek mythology…
A Pretty Paragraph Pink Sapphires have long been the second narrator in the story of sapphires. Working hand-in-hand with its close sibling the blue sapphire, the bubblegum delicacy in the current market is a coveted gemstone. However, before we discuss the end, we must first explore the beginning. So let’s explore: The Pretty Pink Sapphire….
A Family Affair Quartz, Quartz, Quartz. Probably one of the most popular family of gemstones ever found. Ever heard of: Amethyst? Citrine? Lemon Quartz? Smoky Quartz… Jasper? Well, here’s a tiny surprise for you. Yes you may have guessed it they are all quartz. In fact, by definition Quartz is a chemical compound of silicon…
The Birthstone of September and Its Misconceptions September is the month of the Sapphire. In the presence of such a great stone, a meta-analysis is not enough to cover the vast name “Sapphire”. Previously we introduced Sapphires based on their Origin: Madagascar and Ceylon(Sri Lanka). Therefore, at this stage, people require a micro-analysis for a deeper understanding of…
The Discovery Morganite was founded and named by the world-famous gemologist George Frederick Kunz in honour of his good friend and avid gemstone collector, J. Pierpont Morgan. Popularly, Morgan was the founder of the now Financial Partnership Company J.P.Morgan Chase. As Kunz was undergoing an expedition in Madagascar in 1910, he discovered the rose-pink stone….
The Name: Sea Water The Gem of the Sea; the alluring aquamarine is a stunning gemstone from the beryl(Be3Al2Si6O18) family, with an ancient lineage. The name of this sparkling wonder is of Latin origin with, the Latin words for sea water, “mare aquam” directly translating into the sea water coloured aquamarine. The birthstone of March…
The Misrepresented Zircon Zircon, chemically known as ZrSiO4, is the oldest mineral of the earth originating from all three different rock types: igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary. Zircons also have an immense variety of facts such as: being in the tetragonal crystal system, being doubly refractive and having a high birefringence. Despite these facts, the most…
What are Garnets? Garnets in the gem-world are the most underrated gemstone, with the general population’s perception skewing due to the use of garnets to imitate other gemstones, yet is not as valuable. However, Garnets also have a certain beauty to them, allowing them to don some of the world’s most famous pieces of jewellery…
What are Tourmalines? Tourmalines are a type of gemstone from a group composed of boron-silicate minerals, coming in a variety of different colours. They also contain different elements such as magnesium, sodium, aluminium, iron, potassium and lithium. The individual minerals have different chemical compositions but share a common crystal structure, allowing for their plethora of…
A beautiful and unique 5 carat purple Ceylon sapphire, a collector’s stone for sure! The Name: Ceylon Ceylon was initially known as CeilĂŁo, a name given to Sri Lanka by Portuguese colonisers in 1505. The British then re-colonised the land in 1798, transliterating CeilĂŁo into English as Ceylon. Sapphires found in Ceylon were originally famous…
A Valuable Insight As children we are all told that we should “learn something new every day”. Keep this in mind and read on as we provide you a lesson and an insight into sapphires. Common Sapphires When heard, the word sapphire brings an instant association with a valuable, vivid and vibrant blue gemstone. The…
An Introduction Spinel has a lower hardness than both sapphire and ruby on the Mohs’ scale of hardness. Its uniqueness derives from its presentation in many colours, sharply pointed crystal shape, and natural sparkle. These characteristics make it similar to diamonds, due to both being in the cubic crystal system. They also are a major…