Alessandrite

The treasure of Omi Privé

From Burma to the USA: the surprising stones and jewels of the Maison Omi Privé ♦

The rubies of Burma are the most precious. No wonder, then, that in the country of Southeast Asia are born expert gemologists. As Omi Nagpal, descendant of a family of stones traders for five generations. But the political climate, to say the least, from many years is not conducive to Burma. So Omi and his wife Preeti have emigrated to the United States with a handful of gems in your pocket. The experience in precious stones has become over the years a luxury jewelry brand, Omi Privé, based in Los Angeles. Now the company is led by the son of Omi, Niveet. Without deviating from the style that has at its center, (guess what?) very large, rare and bright gemstones. Also very uncommon: in addition to rubies, sapphires there are, the iridescent alexandrite stones.

Anello con opale, tsavoriti, diamanti
Ring with opal, tsavorites, diamonds

Note that the emphasis is not only about the stones: the majority of the stems for Omi Privé rings, explain to the House, they are specifically formed from drawn wire, a method that dates back to Roman times. This system forms a thick, without porosity. Stated this, just take a look jewels to be impressed by the quality and quantity of precious stones used. They would envy even to the cave with Aladdin’s treasure.

Anello in oro rosa, tanzanite di 4,79 carati, zaffiri rosa, diamanti
Ring in rose gold, 4.79 carat tanzanite, pink sapphires, diamonds
Orecchini con pietra luna, tormalina Paraiba, diamanti, acquamarina
Earrings with moonstone, Paraiba tourmaline, diamonds, aquamarine
Collana con pendente di tormalina e diamanti
Necklace with tourmaline and diamond pendant
Orecchini con pietra luna, diamanti, spinelli rossi
Earrings with moonstone, diamonds, red spinels
Anello con pietra di luna, apatite e diamanti
Ring with moonstone, apatite and diamonds
Anello con pietra di luna, zaffiri e diamanti
Ring with moonstone, sapphires and diamonds
Anello con crisoberillo, occhio di gatto e diamanti
Ring with chrysoberyl, cat’s eye and diamonds

Mark Henry, the alexandrite jewelry




The jewels with the rare alexandrite stone by Mark Henry: the stones change color from day to evening ♦

About the enigmatic stone called Alexandrite we talked about here. It is a rare chameleon stone, because it changes color according to the light to which it is exposed. If you like, you can go on Fifth Avenue, in New York, and knock on the door of Mark Henry. Behind the double name is Mois Medine, who created this company specializing in jewelry based on the ultra rare stone (and expensive).

Anelli con alessandrite, indossati
Anelli con alessandrite, indossati

The opportunity to play on a gem from the color-changing led the Maison to focus almost exclusively white gold and diamonds: neutral colors that enhance the green hue, that can fade in the dark and in red during the day. Although for some piece you are provided a version in pink and yellow gold. In a large majority, in addition, the Mark Henry jewelry are rings, to which is added some pendants. This is because the alexandrite is rare but, at the same time, can be used in pieces with a good carat weight. In short, very traditional jewelry in form, but at the same time rare for the elements used. Prices are not known, but they have many zeros. Of course, Mark Henry also makes jewelry with other gems, such as paraiba tourmaline or diamonds.

Anello in oro bianco e tormalina paraiba
Anello in oro bianco e tormalina paraiba
Anello in oro bianco, diamanti, alessandrite
Anello in oro bianco, diamanti, alessandrite
Anello in oro bianco, diamanti e alessandrite taglio smeraldo
Anello in oro bianco, diamanti e alessandrite taglio smeraldo
Ciondolo in oro giallo e alessandrite
Ciondolo in oro giallo e alessandrite

Anello in oro bianco, diamanti e alessandrite
Anello in oro bianco, diamanti e alessandrite

Apex Alexandrite Ring
Apex Alexandrite Ring







Takat, the design which comes from India

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Takat, brand which won the prestigious Best Design Jck Award, has a history that comes from afar: Haji Nisar Ahmed Takat, was descended from an ancient family of Indian craftsmen stonemasons. In 1955, he opened his first workshop of carving and polishing in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. In 1976, with the help of the children Siraj Ahmed Takat and Rafeeq Ahmed Takat, opened a small office in the city and began buying and selling of precious stones.

Anello in oro giallo e bianco, diamanti, smeraldo
Anello in oro giallo e bianco, diamanti, smeraldo

In 1994, Siraj and Rafeeq began to exhibit in gems and jewelry trade shows around the world, from Hong Kong to Tokyo, Tucson, from Chicago to Vicenza, Milan and Dubai. Up to open an office in New York City. Despite this, Takat remains a family company. The winner of the prize jewel is a necklace with a reversible tanzanite cut shield from 18.73 carat round diamonds and marquise cut diamonds. For those interested, it costs 25 thousand dollars.

Anello con rubino naturale e diamanti
Anello con rubino naturale e diamanti
Anello con diamanti champagne e morganite
Anello con diamanti champagne e morganite
Orecchini con diamanti bianchi per 7 carati e diamanti fancy yellow
Orecchini con diamanti bianchi per 7 carati e diamanti fancy yellow
Orecchini com smeraldi taglio a goccia
Orecchini com smeraldi taglio a goccia
Collana con diamanti e tanzanite di oltre 186 carati
Collana con diamanti e tanzanite di oltre 186 carati
Anello eternity con zaffiri blu
Anello eternity con zaffiri blu







High jewelery with alexandrite in the collection by Rubeus

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Nataliya Bondarenko is playing the most important match in Milan. And it is getting lasted eight years: since the former tennis player of the Russian national team founded Rubeus, a high-end brand, which from the Italian design capital wants to conquer the world.

Anello con alessandrite
Anello con alessandrite

Rubeus is not only a jewelry brand, but also a fashion and leather goods brand. But with unique pieces sold at a price with five zeros. For bags, for example, Nataliya Bondarenko considers Hèrmes to be a competitor. Indeed, she proposes Rubeus as something more exclusive.
Orecchini con alessandrite e tanzanite
Orecchini con alessandrite e tanzanite

Rubeus has opened a showroom in the center of Milan, in the luxury shopping area. And, in addition to clothes and bags, it also offers jewelry, always of the highest quality. Although Nataliya Bondarenko, in addition to being the founder of Rubeus, is also a designer, for the jewelry collection she has relied on one of the best French creators, Frederic Mané.
Collier di Rubeus, oro bianco, diamanti, alessandrire
Collier di Rubeus, oro bianco, diamanti, alessandrire

The result is a collection of unique pieces that have in common a rare precious stone: alexandrite. It is a rare variety of chrysoberyl, which changes color according to the time of day. Or rather, it appears red when illuminated with artificial light and green when illuminated with sunlight. Rubeus jewels enhance the stone with a design reminiscent of a stellar explosion. And the prices of these jewels are also stellar: an effect that is desired.
Anello in oro bianco, diamanti, alessandrite
Anello in oro bianco, diamanti, alessandrite

Spilla in oro bianco, diamanti, alessandrite, rubini
Spilla in oro bianco, diamanti, alessandrite, rubini
Anello in oro bianco, diamanti, coppia di alessandriti
Anello in oro bianco, diamanti, coppia di alessandriti

Collier in oro bianco, diamanti, alessandrite, rubini
Collier in oro bianco, diamanti, alessandrite, rubini







Alexandrite, chameleon stone





Alexandrite, a stone that changes color and is therefore highly sought after. And it is also one of the stones of the month of June. Did you know? ♦ ︎

Belle de jour, Belle de nuit: no, it is not Catherine Deneuve, but a rare gem, alexandrite, also known as chameleon stone because it changes color depending on which it is exposed. Green grass under the sun, it becomes purple (raspberry for the most magnificent examples) near a lamp or a candle, thanks to the inclusions of chromium and iron, elements that are respectively even in rubies and in sapphires. Unfortunately, the alexandrite is not often found and not even in high quality. From the point of view of gemology this stone is a variety of chrysoberyl and the few copies they end up in the hands of collectors of precious stones, rather than being used in jewelry. When alexandrite is used for rings, necklaces or earrings, are usually small gems that once worked barely exceed the carat.

Anello con diamanti e alessandrite
Anello con diamanti e alessandrite

They cost like diamonds. Sure, there are exceptions, which are evaluated as a diamond of the same size. For example, the stones that have cat eye inclusions over 4 carats. The purest and most transparent gems are cut faceted, those with inclusions to the naked eye instead are mounted as cabochons.

Alessandrite: di giorno ha un colore blu petrolio, di sera i riflessi sono rossi
Alessandrite: di giorno ha un colore blu petrolio, di sera i riflessi sono rossi

History. The alexandrite was discovered in Russia, in the Urals, in the mid-nineteenth century, but today they are also found in Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Burma, USA, India, Madagascar, Tanzania, Tasmania. The largest faceted alexandrite of 21 century weighing 66 carats and belongs to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington.

Beware of fakes. In circulation there are many imitations of the same gem or of synthetic corundum and spinels with alexandrite’s properties. More transparent than the natural forms, they also have different hues: change from red violet to purple blue.

Anello con alessandrite: nell'immagine, i due colori che assume secondo la luce che attraversa la pietra
Anello con alessandrite: nell’immagine, i due colori che assume secondo il tipo di luce che attraversa la pietra
Anelli in oro giallo, diamanti, alessandrite
Anelli in oro giallo, diamanti, alessandrite
Anello in oro bianco, diamanti e alessandrite
Anello in oro bianco, diamanti e alessandrite
Anello con alessandrite
Anello con alessandrite
Alessandrite: verde di giorno, rossa di sera
Alessandrite: verde di giorno, rossa di sera
L'esemplare di alessandrite esposto allo Smithsonian Institute di Washington
L’esemplare di alessandrite esposto allo Smithsonian Institute di Washington
Anello in oro e diamanti con alessandrite taglio cuscino sfaccettata di 7, 81 carati
Anello in oro e diamanti con alessandrite taglio cuscino sfaccettata di 7, 81 carati
Anelli con alessandrini sintetiche
Anelli con alessandrini sintetiche
Alex. Anello in oro bianco, alessandrite, tsavorite, diamanti bianchi
Alex. Anello in oro bianco, alessandrite, tsavorite, diamanti bianchi







Tenzo, the precious soul of Russia




The extraordinary, and rare, jewels by the Russian Maison Tenzo ♦ ︎
Alexander Tenzo is anusual figure in the world of jewelery. He is Russian, he opened his Maison in St. Petersburg in 1996 when he was not yet 30 years old, and specialized in the trading of precious stones and gems: a passion that was born during the visit of ruby ​​mines in Sri Lanka. He loves very much the colors of stones like spinelli, crisoberillo, green garnets, rubellite, alexandrite. His Russian soul leads him to create theatrical jewelery, with strong contrasts, sculptors. Like other great jewelers, Tenzo makes a few pieces and conceives them from the quality and, above all, the character of the stones. This adds fantasy to the design of form, tradition, passion, craft skill that encompasses the very popular enamel technique in Russia, or micro pavé. One of his points of reference is the Russian jeweler, Carl Fabergé. Gold is often twisted, embroidered, sometimes transformed with unparalleled nuances, often to infuse vintage air. In addition to boutique in 7 Rentgena Street in St. Petersburg, his jewels can be found (with some luck) in Switzerland, Heimperg, New York and London. Alessia Mongrando



Anello con rubellite di 12 carati della Nigeria
Anello con rubellite di 12 carati della Nigeria
Particolare di una spilla con pietra luna intagliata
Particolare di una spilla con pietra luna intagliata
Anello con occhi di gatto e alessandrite
Anello con occhi di gatto e alessandrite
Orecchini con granati, oro, platino
Orecchini con granati, oro, platino
Orecchini con smeraldi e diamanti
Orecchini con smeraldi e diamanti
Anello con diamante rosa e diamanti bianchi, oro ossidato per donare un aspetto vintage
Anello con diamante rosa e diamanti bianchi, oro ossidato per donare un aspetto vintage

Anello con smeraldo intagliato e diamanti
Anello con smeraldo intagliato e diamanti