This Story Rings True

Angela organizes a tray of nine rings representing the designers I am to present, including Icons of America. I am slightly nervous because I don’t give lectures on jewellery as often as I do on child health and CPR At The Heart of The Matter . But I speak authentically, sharing my investigations into gem facts, and stories from a collector’s perspective.

Gems

White Diamonds

First, I am given some beautiful diamond rings to discuss. I show my guests a lovely emerald cut white diamond from Bayco, an American designer. White diamonds are a popular and traditional choice for engagements and weddings. A symbol of purity and everlasting love on account of their color and durability, they do have a certain romance associated with them. Other than various color grades of white, clarity, cut and size, market factors also play a role in the supply chain.

Fancy Colored Diamonds

Yet, the diamonds that hold greater value are fancy colored diamonds due to their relative rarity. The more vivid and pure the color is, the more valuable. Of course, other factors like clarity, cut and size weigh in as well. To illustrate, I pass around a pinkish-purple ring from M and B Private Jewelers and a pink diamond ring from Vihari.

Type IIa Golconda Diamonds

Then there are the exceptional phenomena. Only 2% of all mined diamonds are Type II diamonds, which are devoid of nitrogen. This results in an almost transparent watery effect, with gemologists almost referring to them as C colored diamonds (although the best white color grade is D color). While Type IIa diamonds might also be pink, the blue or grayish ones are Type llb, containing boron. Type IIa diamonds were originally described in the Golconda mines which have since closed. Now the term Golconda remains a descriptive (rather than geographic) term. I am thrilled to pass around a gorgeous Type IIa Golconda diamond from Paolo Cosatagli from New York. Needless to say, it takes awhile before the ring returns from its journey back into the tray.

Jewellery Design

Precious stones

Not every beautiful ring needs to contain a big diamond. Some rings are stunning simply because of their clever design. I show a ring featuring Type A Burmese Jade, designed by Peter Baer by Baerjewels. In addition, I pass around a ring carved with rubies to the likeness of a flamenco dancer by Spanish brand Magerit. I even show a piece by local jeweler, Caratell, which has already been sold, just to illustrate its interesting movement and colorful gemstones.

I have great fun with Moritz Glik whose tagline is #nobodyshakesitlikeMoritzGlik. His designs feature a white sapphire casing, that encloses small precious stones such as emeralds. To me, the shaking mechanism symbolizes dance, life and fun. The stones within may also bear meaning, such as one featuring opals and tourmalines, clearly perfect for an October baby. October’s Opulent Opals

Paraiba Tourmalines

Another ring featuring Paraiba tourmalines in the setting is from local jeweler, Yuli. In this ring, a yellow diamond nestles against a backdrop of small white diamonds studded with small Paraiba tourmalines.

Although the feature stone is a yellow diamond, I am keen to shift the focus to other beautiful stones. For a change, I spend some time discussing tourmalines. I explain that tourmalines come in a variety of colors including red, green and blue, with the most rare being a neon bluish color of the Paraiba tourmaline. Previously mined from Paraiba mines in Brazil, this has now become a descriptive term including similar gems from Mozambique. The important factor is that Paraiba and Paraiba-like tourmalines contain copper. The original Paraiba tourmalines contain more copper and have a more mysterious neon turquoise hue. However both are gorgeous.