zaffiro Archives | gioiellis.com

All about sapphires

Published on September 16, 2023

Anello in oro con zaffiro di 11,11 carati, rubini e diamanti. Copyright: gioiellis.com

Things to know about the sapphire, one of the most beloved precious gems, as well as stone of the month of September ♦

Sapphires have always been associated with romance and royalty. No coincidence that one of the most famous is the St. Edward’s Sapphire, which dates back to the 11th century and is set on the Imperial State Crown, one of United Kingdom crown jewels, while a more current example is the engagement ring with a sapphire 18-carat donated by Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer, spent a generation later by his son William to Kate Middleton.

Anello a fascia in oro bianco 18 carati, pavé di diamanti e zaffiro ovale — Band ring in 18k white gold, pavé diamonds and oval sapphire

Natural sapphires are precious stones widely used in jewelry. But there are not only natural stones: increasingly often are in use sapphires created in the laboratory, even for industrial or decorative purposes. Sapphire is a very hard stone: it reaches 9 on the Mohs scale. This stone is, therefore, the third hardest mineral in the world, after the diamond that reaches 10 and moissanite at 9.5). This is why sapphires are also used as optical components, high-resistance glasses, wristwatches, very thin electronic wafers, such as insulating substrates in electronics, integrated circuits and blue LEDs.

Anello con zaffiro del Madagascar, oro, diamanti — Tamara Comolli, ring with Madagascar sapphire, gold, diamonds

This type of stone from a gemmological point of view is a corundum (if it is red would be a ruby). Range color is from very pale blue to deep indigo, and the most appreciated is cornflower blue, not too pastel and not too navy blue. But the sapphire has a range of natural colors, gray, yellow, pale pink, orange, green, purple and brown: they are classified fancy, and some of these are very rare, for example, Padparadscha (in Sinhala means lotus flower ), of an intense orange-pink. The classic areas sapphires mines are Ceylon, Burma (Mogok), Madagascar and, to a less spread, Cambodia (Pailin), China, Kenya, Laos, Nigeria, Tanzania, Thailand, United States (Montana) and Vietnam . Until seventies Australia covering 70% of world production but the quality was not rewarded by the market because these gems were too dark or too green.

Anello con zaffiro di 25 carati su titanio. Copyright: gioiellis.com — Ring with 25 carat blue sapphire on titanium by Ena Iro. Copyright: gioiellis.com

How to choose: according to Gia (Gemological Institute of America) a sapphire has generally a more affordable price than a ruby, an emerald or a diamond because are less rare. The best quality is the one that has no inclusions visible from a distance of 15 cm must by naked eye. But there are always exceptions: some inclusions, microscopic and called flower, milk or silk, can give an almost velvety appearance, which accentuates the beauty and consequently the value. One must also take into account star variety: needle-like inclusions of rutile depicting a star on the surface of the gem, which are most noticeable thanks to a good cut, and appear as six or 12 spokes evenly spaced and straight.

Un anello con zaffiro Padparadscha, simile a quello della principessa Eugenia — A Padparadscha sapphire ring, similar to Princess Eugenie’s

Cuts: the most common ones are oval and cushion, but under 1 carat can be found easily even brilliant cut sapphires, emerald and princess. But before you choose is essential to examine the stone under different lighting remembering that blue sapphires take a better look under a fluorescent light, while rubies prefer a light bulb.

Anello Sinopé in oro bianco, diamanti, zaffiro e tanzaniti — Cartier, Sinopé ring in white gold, diamonds, a 5.03-carat shaped Ceylon sapphire and lapis lazuli

Anello con zaffiro Art Déco — Art Deco ring with sapphire

L'anello di fidanzamento di Kate Middleton — Kate Middleton’s blue sapphire engagement ring

Anello con zaffiro rosa ovale e diamanti. Prezzo: 56.000 dollari — Ring with oval pink sapphire and diamonds

Anello Serpente, con zaffiri invisible setting e zaffiro ovale — Snake ring, with invisible setting sapphires and oval cut sapphire

How much is your stone worth?

Published on July 30, 2023

Campus

How much are the stones in your jewels worth?

Raise your hand if you don’t have at least one jewel with colored gems and have never wondered how much that stone is really worth. Amethyst or ruby, emerald or citrine, sapphire or moonstone: there are not only diamonds. But how much are colored stones worth? How much is a ruby worth? Or an emerald? Or, again, aquamarine? If you want to know how much the gem you have set on the ring is worth, or in a necklace, earrings or bracelet, read here. We try to explain in a simple way what are the characteristics that determine the value of a colored stone.

Filippo G&G, pietra ametista e di diverso tipo — Filippo G&G, gems of different types

Of course, there is immediately a fairly obvious aspect: in general, the value is determined by how rare a gem is. A ruby, always in principle, has a higher value than a simple citrine quartz. But this is only a starting point. In fact, it is not said that in reality this is the case. Let’s see, instead, what are the criteria that guide the evaluation of a precious or semi-precious stone.

Anelli con pietra di colore by Bulgari — Bulgari gemstone rings

The starting point is that the value of a colored stone depends on several factors, not just one. Hence, the estimated price doesn’t just depend on the weight and volume of a stone. So, as we said, it is not even the type of stone that determines its absolute value. If you have a ring with a sapphire, it is likely to have a value greater than that of a moonstone. Probable, but certainly not. For example, diamonds are also used in industry, since they are the hardest material that exists. And, of course, the diamonds used to cut ceramic tiles are not of the same quality as those found in jewelry. This is to make it clear that the same type of mineral can have very different qualities.

Orecchini in oro, diamanti, gemme colorate — Earrings in gold, diamonds, colored gems

The 4C
As with diamonds, precious colored and semi-precious stones are also valued for the classic 4C: color, clarity, cut (in English cut) and carat weight (which also determines the size). But among these 4C the first is the most important: the color. Of course, let’s talk about colored stones.

Gemme per Liaison de Couleurs — Paul Wild, gems for Liaison de Couleurs

Color
For precious (emerald, ruby and sapphire) or semi-precious (all others) colored stones, the color is assessed with three different criteria: hue (name of color), tone (darkness and brightness) and saturation (vividness) . The relationship between hue, tone and saturation is the most important aspect for evaluating a colored stone. This is why emeralds (or rubies, sapphires, etc.) are not all the same. In general, when a gem has a more saturated color it will also be darker. To obtain a more saturated color, the stones are often subjected to particular processes: for example, they are subjected to intense heat, radiation, or treated with chemicals (not harmful). Natural stones, untreated, have a higher value, obviously with the same appearance and weight.
But if you want to observe what the exact color of your stone is, pay attention to the light source: a light bulb that illuminates with yellow hue, for example, can make your stone appear in a different shade than the natural one.

The duPont Emerald, anello con smeraldo colombiano di 9,11 carati — The duPont Emerald, ring with a 9.11-carat Colombian emerald

Clarity
Usually the stones, some in particular such as emerald, are not as clear as a glass crystal. Clarity measures the degree of internal or surface transparency. Inside the stones there may be inclusions, that is, small imperfections, traces of other minerals that can determine their value. Usually, the fewer inclusions there are, the more the gem has value. But, be careful: if they offer you an absolutely clear emerald, look at it with suspicion. It could be synthetic. In contrast, amethysts are generally free of inclusions. Other stones, on the other hand, are appreciated precisely for their inclusions: for example, the cat’s eye. Or the star sapphire, which has that particular reflection precisely because it has a rather rare inclusion.

Zaffiri e rubino — Blue, pink, yellow and ruby sapphires

Carats (weight)
Size matters. Of course, the color is important, but if the gem is tiny … The weight of the colored stones is indicated in carats. Yes, but what is it equivalent to? Quickly said: a carat is about a fifth of an gram. A gem with higher carats will generally cost more than another smaller, if the quality is equivalent. But the proportion is very different: amethysts are also found in relevant sizes, even over 100 carats and, therefore, the difference between different sizes and weight is relative. Large rubies, on the other hand, are very rare: in proportion, their value with respect to weight will increase more than that of amethyst.

Anello in oro bianco con acquamarina taglio ovale e diamanti — Paolo Costagli, white gold ring with an oval cut aquamarine and diamonds

Cutting
It is not easy for anyone who is not a gemologist to judge whether the cutting of a stone is correct. But you have to know that in evaluating a gem it also matters how it was cut. The light, in fact, will be better reflected and will make a well cut stone brighter. Proportions, symmetry and polishing are the main aspects. On the price of a gem, however, its shape has less influence, if it is one of the classic cuts used, such as brilliant, emerald, shuttles, etc. A good cut can enhance the nuances of a colored gem. An imperfect cut can, on the contrary, depress its beauty. And do not think that the cut is a simple operation performed automatically: each stone is different from the other and a cut that is good for one may not be suitable for a similar one, but not the same.

Anello con rubino birmano a forma di cuscino, di Harry Winston. — Burmese Ruby Cushion Ring by Harry Winston

The country of origin
Last thing to consider: the stone passport matters. There are mines that have a better reputation and average quality than others. And, therefore, in evaluating the stones it is also important to know what the origin is. Burmese rubies are more valuable. The emeralds of Colombia are the most requested, followed by those of Zambia. The now unavailable blue sapphires of Kashmir are the most sought after.

Bracciale con ametista, rubini birmani e diamanti su argento e oro — Bracelet with amethyst, Burmese rubies and diamonds on silver and gold

Citrino con taglio StarBrite da 29,96 carati di John Dyer & Co — 29.96 Carat StarBrite Cut Citrine by John Dyer & Co

Anello della collezione Aristocrat, in oro bianco e diamanti, alessandrite taglio brillante — Ring from the Aristocrat collection, in white gold and diamonds, brilliant cut alexandrite

Orecchini in oro bianco, topazio e diamanti — Tamara Comolli, earrings in white gold, topaz and diamonds

Anello con zaffiro star di Ceylon su ceramica orange e grigia — Ring with Ceylon star sapphire on orange and gray ceramic

Anello con zaffiro del Kashmir e diamanti — Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring

How to choose a sapphire ring

Published on April 5, 2023

Campus

How and why to choose a sapphire ring? Useful tips for buying a ring (but also a necklace, bracelet earrings) with sapphire ♦ ︎

The blue color is beautiful: it is that of the sea, of the clear sky, and also of the most precious sapphire. But you probably know that sapphires are a stone that is found in other colors, such as yellow, pink, purple. But how to choose a sapphire ring? And how much is a sapphire worth? If you are not an expert there are some aspects that you can take into account before buying a sapphire ring (but the same goes for a necklace, earrings or bracelet). Here are some useful tips, which can help you make the right decision if you want to buy sapphire jewelry.

Anello con raro zaffiro blu non riscaldato taglio cuscino di 12 carati

1 Check the provenance. Knowing where a stone comes from is essential. For example, for sapphires, the origin of the stones is particularly important. Sapphire is extracted in many parts of the world, but not all stones are the same: there are the very rare sapphires from Kashmir, or from Burma (Myanmar) or mined in Sri Lanka. They have different prices. For example, the mines of Kashmir (India) have been exhausted for a century and, therefore, sapphires with that origin are very rare and very expensive. They are also generally considered to be of a superior quality: their color is particularly intense, saturated, with a velvety light that seems to come from within. Burmese sapphires are also similar, but have more glassy, transparent, clear reflections, with a vivid color. Finally, Sri Lankan sapphires are very bright, with an almost liquid reflection with purple points. They also often have a particular crystalline texture that gives a different color intensity when turning the stone in front of a light. Sapphires from Sri Lanka look fresher and more modern than those from Burma or Kashmir. But sapphires are also mined in Thailand or Vietnam, or in Africa, for example in Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, Madagascar and even in Montana (United States).

Shaun Leane, anello con zaffiro di 10,53 carati

2 Warm or unheated. In most cases, sapphires (as well as many other stones) have been heated to make the color more vivid and the gems more transparent. It has been a practice that has lasted for centuries, so don’t be scandalized. If a stone has not been heated and boasts an intense color, however, it is also of greater value. And if a sapphire is not natural and has not been heated, it is usually a quality that is underlined (and charged for) at the time of sale. Normally the stones are always accompanied by the certificate of a gemological institute. Warning: heating the sapphire is not the only way to make the stone better and more salable. Another system consists in filling the micro invoices with synthetic material with the addition of dyes. In this case, however, the stones can be damaged by an acidic substance, for example during cleaning, for example a soap or lemon juice. Therefore, before buying a sapphire, always ask if it has been treated and with what method.

Anello in oro bianco con zaffiro Ceylon, non scaldato, taglio rettangolare di 33,40 carati

3 What color. Sapphires are not all blue, the most prized color. There are also yellow, orange, red, purple, green and pink sapphires (one particular particularly fine variety is called padparadscha) and there are even colorless gems like diamonds. In general, however, the value of the stones depends a lot on the intensity of the color. The more the color is intense without compromising the brightness, the more the stone is precious.

Anello con zaffiro rosa naturale circondato da diamanti

4 Beware of defects. If you buy a sapphire ring and the stone is of a certain size it will be easier to check if there are any inclusions inside (and usually very likely to be). The inclusions can be, for example, clear filaments of rutile, which make a stone less precious. Not only that: in some cases these inclusions can threaten the solidity of the stone. If the inclusions are very visible, the price of a sapphire can drop substantially. With one exception: if the inclusions form a kind of star reflected on the surface, a fairly rare phenomenon, in that case the sapphire has a higher value.

5 Make a comparison. Even if a sapphire ring looks beautiful to you, ask to compare it in the light with other jewels. Your jeweler certainly has other sapphire jewels available and a comparison between different stones will make you discover, for example, if the color of your stone is more or less intense. Furthermore, as with diamonds, the quality of the cut matters a lot: usually for sapphires a round or oval cut is preferred. Large stones are also offered with a sugar loaf shape.

Anello con zaffiro taglio pan di zucchero e diamanti by Viren Bhagat

6 Look at the cut. One of the aspects that can enhance or depress the value of a gem is the cut. A good cut can make a big difference, giving more brilliance to the stone and reflecting the light evenly over the entire gem. Badly cut sapphires also have a lower value. How do you know if a stone is cut well? In fact I am an expert gemologist can immediately see the defects and identify the technical cause of a failed cut. But if you expose the stone to light and compare it to similar ones, you may notice differences in the reflections: choose the brightest.

Anello in platino con zaffiro giallo di 6,01 carati

Spilla in oro e diamanti con zaffiro viola

Picchiotti high jewelery with a flowered sapphire

Published on January 26, 2023

Showroom

Anello con zaffiro di 9,45 carati, diamanti, zaffiri blu

Sapphires and an evolution of the jewels of the Xpandable collection, which adapt to the volume of wrists or fingers: Picchiotti at Vicenzaoro presented various novelties, always in the top-of-the-range jewelery category. Jewels that add to the new collection of reversible, two-sided pieces that can be worn on different occasions, which we have already described here.

Bracciale reversibile in oro, diamanti, madreperla

The high jewelery of the Maison of Valencia, which enjoys deserved fame on many foreign markets, could be summarized by the flower-shaped ring with a 9.45-carat sapphire in the center, surrounded by white diamonds and other blue sapphires. This is perhaps one of the most significant examples of Picchiotti, who loves to combine a creativity that can be defined as pictorial with goldsmith craftsmanship.

Anello a forma di fiore con zaffiro di 9,45 carati, diamanti, zaffiri blu

Another maxi sapphire, weighing 9.27 carats, is mounted on a ring from the Xpandable collection. But it is unique, not only for the quality and weight of the stone, but also for the particular setting: seen from the side, the ring presents a series of diamonds that make the volume even more precious. Speaking of Xpandable: the collection is enriched with other increasingly rich pieces, with the combination of diamonds of different sizes, with a thin gold border that delimits the volume of the jewel.

Anello della linea Xpandable con zaffiro di 9,27 carati e diamanti. Copyright: gioiellis.com

La particolare incassatura vista di lato. Copyright: gioiellis.com

Anello della linea Xpandable con diamanti taglio brillante

Anello della linea Xpandable con diamanti taglio brillante e baguette

How hard are jewelry stones?

Published on December 3, 2022

Campus

How resistant are the stones of your jewels? Can they be damaged easily?

The hardness of gems is measured by the Mohs scale. The name derives from the German scientist Friedrich Mohs, who conceived it in 1812. The Mohs scale assigns a grade from one to ten to the degree of hardness of the stones. In this way, you can know which ones are more delicate, for example, which scratch or break more often. It is an aspect that is best known to avoid nasty surprises: knowing how hard the stones of your jewels are is also useful for cleaning. For example, an opal is not as strong as a ruby and should be treated with greater delicacy.

In short, generally when someone buys a piece of jewelry they don’t ask you if it will be tough enough to withstand occasional bumps. Yet it is a question that is best to ask yourself, especially if the stone is mounted on a ring, a jewel that is more easily subject to contact with other materials. But the same goes for earrings or necklace if these jewels have stones.

Diamante taglio cuscino di Jack Reiss. Il diamante è l'elemento più duro in natura — Diamante taglio cuscino di Jack Reiss. Il diamante è l’elemento più duro in natura

Although we tend to believe that a stone is incredibly more solid than any common object of everyday life, this is not the case. The gems of your jewelry could be fragile stones, at risk of being scratched or even shattered in some unfortunate circumstance. Even the diamond is absolutely not safe from all danger. Fortunately, Mohs took the trouble, almost two centuries ago, to measure the hardness of different minerals, including precious stones. It is therefore possible to know the degree of hardness of the stones with some certainty.

Pietra	Durezza
Diamante	10
Rubino	9
Zaffiro	9
Alessandrite	8.5
Crisoberillo	8.5
Topazio	8
Spinello	8
Smeraldo	7,5-8
Andalusite	7.5
Hambergite	7.5
Acquamarina	7,5-8
Goshenite	7,5-8
Berillo	7,5-8
Morganite	7,5-8
Granato demantoide	7-7,5
Ametista	7
Tormalina	7-7,5
Quarzo	7
Kunzite	7
Citrino	7
Danburite	7-7,5
Iolite	7-7,5
Rubellite	7-7,5
Tanzanite	6,5-7
Peridoto	6,5-7
Granato	6,5 - 7,5
Diaspro	6,5-7
Axinite	6,5-7
Crisoprasio	6,5-7
Corallo fossile	6,5-7
Agata	6,5-7
Spessartite	6,5 - 7,5
Occhio di tigre	6,5-7
Zircone	6,5 - 7,5
Diasporo	6,5-7
Eliotropio	6,5-7
Tsavorite	6,5 - 7,5
Onice	6,5-7
Corniola	6,5-7
Calcedonio	6,5-7
Rhodolite	6,5 - 7,5
Sillimanite	6,5 - 7,5
Labradorite	6 - 6.5
Pietra Luna	6 - 6.5
Giadeite, giada nefrite	6 - 6.5
Amazzonite	6 - 6.5
Opale	5.5 - 6.5
Ematite	5.5 - 6.5
Lapislazzuli	05-giu
Turchese	05-giu
Ossidiana	5-5,5
Malachite	3,5-4
Corallo	03-apr
Perla	2,5-4,5
Chrysocolla	Di 2 - 4
Ambra	2-2,5

The Mohs scale was initially based on ten readily available minerals. This ranking was subsequently completed and is now an important indicator for those who buy a stone. But be careful: it is a special scale. For example, a corundum (such as ruby) is twice as hard as a topaz, but a diamond is nearly four times harder than a corundum. What you see on this page is a table that summarizes the hardness of the main stones. At the head is the diamond. Immediately after there are rubies and sapphires. Then … Federico Graglia

Set di spinelli di diverse sfumature di Paul Wild — Set con spinelli di diverse sfumature di Paul Wild

Sotheby’s sells a record sapphire to Moussaief

Published on November 12, 2022

news

The sale of Magnificent Jewels was included in Sotheby’s Luxury Week, a series of auction sales that began in November 2020, between Geneva, Hong-Kong and New York. Result: 98.4% of all lots sold above the minimum estimates, and over 56% above the maximum estimates. The overall number of bidders increased by more than 80% from the same sale last year and by more than 126% from the same sale last year, but phone and room deals were also stronger than in the previous year. last year. Additionally, the number of new entrants more than doubled from last year for the equivalent sale. Another interesting fact: strong increase in participants under the age of 40, more than double the number of those who took part in the equivalent sale in 2021.

Zaffiro rosa con taglio cuscino di 20,58 carati

That said, the jewelry auction in Geneva also marks the record price per carat for a cushion-cut Burmese pink sapphire (90,622 per carat) weighing 20.58 carats. It was sold to Alisa Moussaieff, the mind and driving force of the jewelry house of the same name, for 1.8 million dollars, tripling the maximum estimate. Record price per carat also for a blue sapphire of Burmese origin ($ 137,525 per carat) set on a diamond ring weighing 20.16 carats, among the shoulders of Cartier diamonds sold for 2.8 million to Assil, a trading company gems of New York.

Zaffiro di 20,16 carati e diamanti su anello firmato Cartier

Another highly appreciated jewel, a record for Jean Schlumberger’s pieces, was a pink sapphire of Ceylon origin on a diamond brooch from the collection of Fiona Thyssen Bornemisza. The cushion gem weighing 92.01 carats has a frame of intertwined branches surrounded by small pear-shaped blue sapphires and diamonds. Made by Schlumberger in the 1950s, the brooch sold for $ 1.7 million.

Spilla di Jean Schlumberger con uno zaffiro rosa di 92 carati, diamanti e zaffiri blu

Overall, Sotheby’s fifth series of Geneva Luxury Week auctions reached $ 69.3 million, including a $ 14.2 million watch auction. A curiosity: sales also included the chassis of Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari F2003-GA, one of the most important sports cars of all time, sold for 14.8 million dollars, making it the Formula 1 car of ‘ it was the most valuable modern ever sold.

Anello con diamante vivid yellow di 37,50 carati, The Mouwad Empress

Anello con zaffiro di 12,73 carati e diamanti

Coppia di diamanti ovali di 20.03 e 20.19 carati venduti per 4,2 milioni di dollari

Anello di Cartier con diamante di 33,13 carati D Colour, VVS1 Clarity, potential Type IIA, venduto per 2,8 milioni di dollari

How to clean gold and precious stones

Published on July 30, 2022

Campus/ORO

How to clean gold, diamonds and other precious stones? Here is a quick guide with what you need to know about how to clean your jewelry ♦

Of course, a very precious jewel must be kept with care and, frankly, if it has a great value, even emotional, it is better to take it periodically to the jeweler, who can also check its state of health: it happens, for example, that the stones can be detached. , or that the surface is covered with scratches. But it is not always necessary. You can (indeed, must) clean your jewelry periodically, just like washing your laundry. A jewel, in fact, is almost always in contact with the skin and is covered with an opaque patina due to the natural fat that comes out of the pores, and even worse it can be ruined by perfumes, creams and lotions used regularly. Here, then, are the tips for cleaning jewelry to perform at home.

Unlike silver, for example, gold does not blacken over time, but it can easily accumulate dust and dirt. The same goes for diamonds which, of all gems, have the greatest ability to retain organic fragments. And so jewelers are horrified when customers bring rings to tighten or widen, earrings to fix, and wonder why they don’t wash them like their clothes. You can restore the luster of jewelry by yourself, just a few household tools and a few ingredients.

1 Pour a few drops of liquid dish soap into a bowl of water that is just over warm, but not hot. Gently mix. Even if normal tap water works well, for even better results, you can use soda-free soda water: carbon dioxide gives rise to a process, carbonation, which in surfactants, i.e. detergents, helps to dissolve dirt. and accumulated debris. Do not use very hot or boiling water because some stones, such as opals, pearls and corals, can break with a rapid and drastic change in temperature. Then, soak for about 15 minutes to allow the solution to penetrate otherwise hard-to-reach cracks and crevices.

2 Gently scrub the jewelry with a soft bristled toothbrush, the softest possible (there are specific products, but a toothbrush or eyebrow brush will be fine), to avoid scratching the surface. Attention, stiff bristles may remove the top layer in the case of gold plated or galvanic treatment jewelry. Particular attention should be paid to very sensitive and soft stones, such as opals, or pearls.

3 Rinse in running water (always lukewarm) to remove the last residues, remembering to cover the drain plug with a pasta or metal filter coffee sieve. Domestic accidents are more frequent than imagined and even the ring or earrings in the sink pipe are a classic! One last consideration. Let the jewelry dry completely before wearing it again: if it is still wet, even slightly, it can retain moisture on the skin and cause mild skin irritation.

There is another method, that of toothpaste, useful for traveling or for everyday jewelry

1 Mix a small amount of toothpaste and water in a bowl to make a smooth paste.
2 Scrub with an old soft-bristled toothbrush.
3 Rinse thoroughly.

But if the dirt remains, before trying more radical methods such as boiling water or ammonia, which we strongly advise against, it is best to consult a professional.

Crieri on the rainbow

Published on May 12, 2022

Rings/bracciale/Showroom/COLLANE

The discreet charm of the visible range of colors, that is, that of the rainbow, is transversal. Sooner or later everyone looks up to admire the arch in the sky colored by shades ranging from yellow to blue. An attraction that jewelers certainly do not shy away from, who in turn offer their own version of the rainbow suitable for wearing. One of these is the new Rainbow line by Crieri, a company from Valenza that offers an unprecedented tennis set. It should be added that the Piedmontese Maision is a specialist in tennis-type jewelry, even if it later expanded its offer to traditional jewelry as well.

The Rainbow line, in this case, is made with the use of multicolored sapphires set and placed next to each other and set around a circle with a rose gold setting. At the moment there are three jewels offered in the colors of the iris: an eternity-type ring, a necklace and a tennis bracelet.

Anello in oro rosa e zaffiri multicolori

Collana in oro rosa e zaffiri multicolori

Why precious stones are heated?

Published on December 26, 2021

Campus

Rubino birmano color sangue di piccione non riscaldato da 6,41 carati, montato su un anello in oro giallo e bianco di 18 carati, circondato da diamanti, progettato da Forms

Precious and semi-precious stones in the great majority are heated at high temperatures. Or subjected to radiation. That’s why ♦

If the precious stones warm your heart is perhaps because in turn have been heated. Not from your eyes, but from an electric furnace which can reach 1,600 degrees. The thermal treatment of precious and semiprecious stones is known to jewelers and gemologists, but little known to the general public, that is, those who buy jewelry that flaunt jewels of deep red, deep blue sapphires, aquamarines transparent. In fact, the colored stones that are sold as natural are a small minority, most end up in the oven, without the intervention of a chef. We see, then, what is the heat treatment of gemstones.

Un sacchetto di rubini estratti in una miniera birmana

Warm color
The stones are heated above all to bring out the colors. During treatment the stone is heated to very high temperatures (up to about 1600 degrees Celsius). At this temperature the inclusions (small amounts of other minerals) present in the stone melt and add their own color to the stone. Usually, therefore, the heated stone becomes darker, of a more intense hue. This is the case, for example, of rutile in the blue sapphires. There are also sapphires, known as Gouda, which are extracted from the ground milk and white sapphires turn blue when heated. Even the rubies are almost always heated (except exceptions): with the heat the aluminum oxide in the stone creates a new crystalline structure and the chromium is combined in a different way, allowing a better shade of red. Another effect of the heat is that it can improve the transparency of the stone, thanks to the destruction of any gas or fluid inclusions.

I rubini sono stati messi in un recipiente al centro del fuoco, dove vengono riscaldati

How to find them
Do you have a ring with a natural stone or heated? The question should be: what does it matter? But if you are curious to know, you must contact a gemologist with a microscope. And even so will not be easy to find out. The gemologists, however, can examine the internal state of the stone, inclusions, and look for signs of heat treatment. In general, if the stone is perfect or has exceptional value, or has been treated.
What stones are heated
Here the stones more easily end up in the oven: amethyst, citrine, ametrine, aquamarine, tourmaline, topaz, sapphire, ruby, tanzanite, blue zircon.

A sinistra, una tanzanite prima di essere riscaldata. A destra, la tanzanite dopo il trattamento con il calore

Irradiation

In addition to being heated, precious and semi-precious stones can be subjected to radiation. The question is: are they dangerous then? No, no problem: they are under strict control, just like when you go to the hospital for a chest screen. And, in any case, before leaving the laboratory the stones are checked to ensure that they do not emit dangerous radiation. After all, many gems are naturally subjected to radiation when underground. The irradiation that takes place in the laboratory serves to strengthen or change the color. A stone often subjected to radiation is blue topaz, which in nature is found with a very light shade. Often the two treatments, the thermal and the radioactive one, are combined: each one manages to improve a different aspect of the stone.

A sinistra, un rubino naturale. A destra il rubino dopo essere stato riscaldato

rubino non trattato e1544889019119 — Un rubino non trattato: notare le inclusioni e la luce irregolare

Online jewelry, Christie’s in goal

Published on September 25, 2021

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Anello di diamanti Harry Winston di 5,03 carati

Until a few years ago, buying jewelry costing thousands of dollars online was just a fantasy. Today it is reality, as evidenced by the sale of Christie’s September Jewels Online, which reached a total of 3.2 million dollars with a total budget of 140% above the lowest starting estimate and with 91% of the lots awarded. The sale saw global participation with registered bidders from 32 Oaesi and attracted 20% of first-time subscribers.

Leading the sale were white diamonds offered without reserve, including a 5.03-carat Harry Winston diamond ring, which sold for $ 175,000, and 3.13-carat and 3.01-carat diamond stud earrings, which had made $ 137,500.

Anello con zaffiri e diamanti di 12,32 carati

The sale also achieved excellent results for jewels with sapphires, the birthstone for the month of September. A 12.32-carat sapphire and diamond ring sold for $ 106,250, a diamond, sapphire and emerald ring for 50,000, sapphire and diamond earrings sold for 30,000, and a retro gold and sapphire bracelet for $ 20,000.

Collana Alhambra di Van Cleef & Arpels con madreperla e onice

Orecchini in oro giallo e diamanti di Van Cleef & Arpels

Anello di Oscar Heyman con diamante fancy yellow e diamanti bianchi

Sapphires win at Sotheby’s auction in Geneva

Published on May 12, 2021

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The tiara that belonged to the Savoy family, former royals of Italy, focused attention at Sotheby’s auction of Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels in Geneva (totaled 56 million). The tiara sold for $ 1.6 million, one of the highest prices paid for such a piece of jewelry in recent years. The tiara was also advertised by Sotheby’s using an original marketing tool: it was possible to virtually wear the tiara through Instagram (this happened 22,000 times). The jewel, in natural pearls and diamonds, was most likely given to Maria Vittoria dal Pozzo on the occasion of her marriage to Amedeo I of Savoy, Duke of Aosta in 1867.

La tiara composta da perle naturali e diamanti

With their mix of magnificence and intimacy, tiaras have an X factor that transcends times and cultures. This tiara encapsulates all the pomp, power and presence associated with royal jewels and over the past couple of weeks, it has captured the imagination of collectors and Instagram users alike. The price achieved today is testament not only to its exceptional craftsmanship and the quality of its materials which makes it a true work of art, but also to its historical and emotional resonance.
Benoit Repellin, head of Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva

Benoit Repellin, responsabile dell'asta Magnificent Jewels di Sotheby's a Ginevra — Benoit Repellin, responsabile dell’asta Magnificent Jewels di Sotheby’s a Ginevra

But the tiara was not the only jewel to attract the attention of collectors. A 55.19-carat Kashmir sapphire (the largest gem of its kind ever up for auction) did even better. The gem is paired with another 25.97 carat sapphire: the stones are mounted in a 1930s diamond brooch, which belonged to Maureen Constance Guinness, Marquise of Dufferin and Ava. The jewel was sold for over $ 3.9 million.

zaffiro ovale e uno a forma di cuscino del peso rispettivamente di 5519 carati e 2597 carati 1 — Spilla con zaffiri di 55,19 e 25,97 carati

The auction also recorded the sale of a group of seven jewels from an important collection owned by the nobility, with large diamonds and precious stones, many of which were set in spectacular designs by Harry Winston. 100% of the lots in this collection found buyers, reaching a whopping 19.8 million dollars, well above the pre-sale estimate (10.9 – 16.5 million). Among the most important pieces was a Harry Winston sapphire and diamond necklace, which holds a detachable pendant with a 111.73-carat cushion-shaped sapphire of Ceylon origin and royal blue color, sold for 4.7 million dollars.

Harry Winston, spilla-pendente con smeraldo e diamanti

Collana di perle naturali, diamanti e rubini

Anello con raro diamante rosa arancio vivo fantasia a forma di pera del peso di 5,04 carati,

Harry Winston, collana di diamanti con grande zaffiro a forma di cuscino da 111,73 carati

Harry Winston, collana di diamanti, 1973

Anello con diamante blu intenso di Graff

Napoleonic jewels at auction with Christie’s

Published on March 31, 2021

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Octagonal step-cut sapphires, rose and old-cut diamond, gold, circa 1800. Photo: courtesy Christie's

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Christie’s is a British auction house founded in 1766. It was born, therefore, three years before Napoleon, who came into the world in 1769 and died in Sant’Elena on May 5, 1821, 200 years ago. The anniversary also finds a sort of celebration in the world of jewelry, with the sale of the spectacular sapphire and diamond set that belonged to the adopted daughter of the French emperor and general, Stephanie de Beauharnais, Grand Duchess of Baden (1789-1860). The set will be among the attractions of the Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction, scheduled in Geneva on 12 May.

It consists of nine pieces, including a tiara, a necklace, a pair of earrings, two pendants and brooches, as well as a ring and a bracelet, offered as individual lots. A total of 38 sapphires from Ceylon were used to create this set in the early 1800s. The collection also includes the important sapphire crown of Mary II, Queen of Portugal, set with an extraordinary Burmese sapphire in the center.

Octagonal step-cut sapphire, single and old-cut diamonds, gold, circa 1800, ring size 6½. Photo: courtesy Christie's — Octagonal step-cut sapphire, single and old-cut diamonds, gold, circa 1800, ring size 6½. Photo: courtesy Christie’s

The reconstruction history recalls that Napoleon I in 1796 married Josephine de Beauharnais, Stephanie’s aunt, born on August 28, 1789. Her mother died two years later and Stephanie spent her first years with the nuns in the French countryside. Soon after her aunt’s marriage to Napoleon I, she joined them and grew up in Versailles and Paris. A month before her marriage she was adopted by Napoleon and she became the imperial highness of her princess Stephanie Napoléon and she was then able to marry on 6 April 1806 with Prince Charles of Baden. Together they had five children: two boys, who died at an early age, and three daughters.

Bracelet, octagonal step-cut sapphires, old-cut diamonds, gold, circa 1800. Photo: courtesy Christie's — Bracelet, octagonal step-cut sapphires, old-cut diamonds, gold, circa 1800. Photo: courtesy Christie’s

A record in writing, found between the boxes of jewels, stated that these sapphire jewels were given to Stephanie by her cousin Hortense de Beauharnais. Such an origin is very likely. In many paintings Hortense, and her mother Empress Josephine, can be seen wearing precious belts. Furthermore, Hortense’s financial papers, which are kept in the Napoléon archive in Paris, give evidence of her fortune between 1817 and 1837, the year she passed away. They show that she left Paris in 1816 with little money, but a lot of jewellery.

Crown, octagonal step-cut and oval-shaped sapphires, varied old-cut diamonds, gold, 1850s. Photo: courtesy Christie's — Crown, octagonal step-cut and oval-shaped sapphires, varied old-cut diamonds, gold, 1850s. Photo: courtesy Christie’s

After Stephanie’s death in 1860 the sapphire parure described as ‘necklace, pendant, earrings, 7 pins and a belt’ was inherited by Stephanie’s second daughter, Josephine, Princess of Hohenzollern Sigmaringen. Under Napoléon’s court, belts decorated with precious stones were part of any jewellery parure, as fashion dictated that the waist was very high on dresses and court ladies needed a belt which was placed just under the décolleté.

Earrings, pear and cushion-shaped sapphires, old-cut diamonds, gold, circa 1800. Photo: courtesy Christie's — Earrings, pear and cushion-shaped sapphires, old-cut diamonds, gold, circa 1800. Photo: courtesy Christie’s

It seems the belt was remodelled into a bandeau-tiara and a bracelet by Princess Josephine, who died in 1900, aged 83. In her will, she left the sapphires (necklace, bandeau-tiara, earrings, pendants and bracelet) to her eldest son, Léopold (1835-1905). At this point, Stephanie’s sapphire parure was joined by another spectacular sapphire jewel: a crown with detachable brooches from Queen Maria da Gloria of Portugal (1819-1853).

Pendant, octagonal step-cut sapphire, old-cut diamonds, gold, circa 1800. Photo: courtesy Christie's — Pendant, octagonal step-cut sapphire, old-cut diamonds, gold, circa 1800. Photo: courtesy Christie’s

Maria was born in 1819 in Rio, where her family, the Braganza dynasty, took refuge when Napoléon I invaded their kingdom of Portugal. Her father Pedro, King of Portugal and 1st Emperor of Brazil, abdicated the crown of Portugal in her favour in 1826. Therewith, Maria da Gloria became Queen of Portugal at the age of seven. She died in 1853 after having given birth to 11 children. Her seventh child Infanta Antonia (1845-1913) married Léopold, Prince of Hohenzollern Sigmaringen in 1861, and it is believed that their union united the two sapphire parures.

Brooch, octagonal step-cut sapphire, rose and old-cut diamonds, gold, circa 1800. Photo: courtesy Christie's — Brooch, octagonal step-cut sapphire, rose and old-cut diamonds, gold, circa 1800. Photo: courtesy Christie’s

Necklace, octagonal step-cut sapphires, rose and old-cut diamond, gold, circa 1800, 40.5 cm, black fitted case. Photo: courtesy Christie's — Necklace, octagonal step-cut sapphires, rose and old-cut diamond, gold, circa 1800, 40.5 cm, black fitted case. Photo: courtesy Christie’s

Brooch, oval-shaped sapphire, old-cut diamonds, gold, circa 1800. Photo: courtesy Christie's — Brooch, oval-shaped sapphire, old-cut diamonds, gold, circa 1800. Photo: courtesy Christie’s

Pendant, oval-shaped sapphire, old-cut diamonds, gold, circa 1800. Photo: courtesy Christie's — Pendant, oval-shaped sapphire, old-cut diamonds, gold, circa 1800. Photo: courtesy Christie’s

Sotheby’s puts a large Kashmir sapphire on sale

Published on March 30, 2021

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Spilla con zaffiri e diamanti degli anni Trenta, con il più grande zaffiro del Kashmir mai apparso in un’asta e che sarà battuto a Ginevra il prossimo 11 maggio: è una gemma ovale da 55,19 carati, assieme a un altro zaffiro del Kashmir a forma di cuscino del peso di 25,97 carati

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Big, beautiful and expensive jewels and gems: Sotheby’s has planned a rich spring for collectors of exceptional pieces. The auction house has put on sale, for example, gems weighing over 100 carats, a psychological limit that attracts the attention of those who love or invest in precious stones.

The fascination for large gems goes back centuries. Shrouded in mystery and steeped in legend, these stones have been treasured by rulers, while also prized for their presumed magical powers, and even sometimes feared for being cursed. In recent years, by virtue of the market’s increasing connoisseurship, we have seen demand for these gems grow fast and far beyond the traditional pool of collectors. These new buyers are looking for different kinds of stones, and this is reflected in the great diversity of this season’s offering, which range from unmounted world-class diamonds and diamond-led jewellery, to pieces with noble provenance and signed jewels marrying colourful gemstones with the extraordinary craftmanship of renowned houses, such as Cartier and Harry Winston.
Gary Schuler, world president of the jewelry division

Part of this small group of exceptions is a brooch with sapphires and diamonds from the 1930s, with the largest Kashmir sapphire ever to appear at auction and which will be auctioned in Geneva on 11 May: it is a 55.19 carat oval gem. , along with another cushion-shaped Kashmiri sapphire weighing 25.97 carats. The jewel was part of the collection of Maureen Constance Guinness, Marquise of Dufferin and Ava (1907-1998). The estimate is 2-3 million dollars.

Spilla con zaffiri e diamanti degli anni Trenta, con il più grande zaffiro del Kashmir mai apparso in un’asta e che sarà battuto a Ginevra il prossimo 11 maggio: è una gemma ovale da 55,19 carati, assieme a un altro zaffiro del Kashmir a forma di cuscino del peso di 25,97 carati

With their mining history dating to just a few short years at the end of the 19th century, Kashmir sapphires are among the rarest coloured gemstones known to man. Coveted for their unique set of characteristics, including their unrivalled, rich cornflower blue hue, their soft, velvety texture and the fact that they retain their lustre in any light, these gems have over the years acquired an almost legendary status. Kashmir sapphires of over 30 carats are a very rare occurrence, so the appearance of a gem of 55.19 carats – the largest ever to come at auction – is an important event. Hailing a distinguished provenance and set as a stunning brooch alongside another Kashmir sapphire, it will undoubtedly evoke much interest among collectors.
Benoit Repellin, head of Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva

The Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels auction also includes other exceptional sapphires, such as the sapphire and diamond necklace, which supports a detachable pendant with a cushion-shaped 111.73-carat Ceylon sapphire and royal blue color. Another necklace with sapphires and diamonds, on the other hand, is signed Harry Winston, and dates back to around 1969. The jewel has a detachable pendant set with a cushion-shaped 126.43-carat sapphire of Ceylon origin.

Collana con zaffiro di 111,73 carati di Ceylon

Another highlight of the auction will be Harry Winston’s brooch / pendant combination with emeralds and diamonds, circa 1974, with a 104.40-carat pear-shaped emerald of Colombian origin. Also on sale is another brooch / pendant with emeralds and diamonds, set with an 80.45-carat step-cut emerald of Colombian origin. Among the prominent pieces there are diamonds, such as the ring with a 40.08 carat emerald-cut square diamond, color D, Flawless, type IIa and a diamond ring from the Noble collection, Harry Winston Set, with a diamond a 43.24 carat pear shape, color D, clarity VVS1, type IIa Est diamond. Also by the American jeweler a diamond necklace, circa 1973, with eight pear-shaped diamonds weighing between 3.77 and 20, 72 carats, for a total of 280 carats.

Spilla/pendente con smeraldi e diamanti, incastonato con uno smeraldo tagliato a gradini da 80,45 carati di origine colombiana

Spilla/pendente con smeraldi e diamanti di Harry Winston, circa 1974, con uno smeraldo a forma di pera da 104,40 carati di origine colombiana

Harry Winston, collana di diamanti, circa 1973, con otto diamanti a forma di pera di peso compreso tra 3,77 e 20,72 carati, per un totale di 280 carati.

The virtuous design of Ferrarifirenze

Published on December 29, 2020

Showroom/Rings

Anello in oro giallo e diamanti della collezione Twist Twist

Ferrarifirenze jewels, gold and precious stones with a classic made in Italy workmanship ♦ ︎

Ferrarifirenze, the name is written in this way, all joint, it is easy to guess where it is based. The young company, chaired by Giulio Ferrari, focuses on the combination of art and technology. The result is the search for soft, rich shapes, which translate into highly processed jewels. Gold and precious stones are the starting point for creating collections that stand out and boast, let the company know, competitive prices.

Gold, precious stones and a good composition are the ingredients of the Ferrarifirenze menu.

Anello fiore in oro rosa e diamanti, con petali mobili

Although young, the brand is distributed in over ten countries and focuses on exports. Take a look at the jewels. For example, the Sun collection with rings made up of 38 small petals, each individually attached to the ring’s stem: a rather laborious job, which requires craftsmen at the height. Also because the petals in question are movable: if it turns upside down, the elements move and close, like a daisy during the night. The Trottola line, instead, includes a ring with a small chain that wraps around the hands, coordinated with a pair of earrings with the same shape, while the Twist Twist collection composes the jewels as if they were flowers enclosed by petals.The Twist Twist collection, in particular, is inspired by the decorations of the Italian Renaissance, by the architectural details of the Tuscan villas. Matilde de Bounvilles

Anello in oro giallo con diamanti bianchi e brown

Orecchini in oro rosa 18 carati e diamanti

Bracciale in oro rosa 18 carati e diamanti bianchi

Sicis’s game of fantasy

Published on November 9, 2020

Rings/alta gioielleria/Showroom

The exuberant imagination of Gioia Placuzzi, Sicis art director, has resulted in a new series of jewels. It is a series of seven rings of high jewelery, with the name of Tesserae collection, which do not bother to break the traditional schemes to navigate in absolute freedom. As always, alongside gold and precious and semi-precious stones, the jewels are also made with the use of the micro mosaic technique, the Sicis specialty.

Anello con zaffiro giallo di 11,70 carati

By creating these pieces we imagined important jewels to wear on special occasions, which can also be worn with ease, in our normal day, vibrant and extremely versatile.
Gioia Placuzzi, Sicis art director

The Secret Garden ring, for example, uses a 7.66-carat Fancy Yellow diamond. A rare gem, surrounded by a delicate flower frame in diamonds, white and yellow, and micromosaic: tiny tiles that can only be used by the very expert hands of the Maison’s artisans. Furthermore, the ring can be broken down into two jewels, with or without micromosaic. Another eclectic piece is Life, the name of a ring with a large 9.31-carat peridot. Around the stone there are small hemispheres elaborated in emerald green and purple amethyst micromosaic, all surrounded by diamonds and pink sapphires. Joyful, on the other hand, is a ring that sports a yellow sapphire of 11.70 carats from which, like rays, micromosaic elements, micro tesserae in shades of yellow, blue topaz and diamonds.

The Infinity ring has a 9.25-carat emerald-cut tanzanite in the center, which enhances the facets of its color between blue and purple and is surrounded by stylized butterfly wings. Concentric designs made with fine micromosaic miniatures, an intricate three-dimensionality of shapes and colors. These rings can also be disassembled, for a multipurpose use: the central element with the stone can be worn alone or completed with a micromosaic dress.

Anello Secret Garden con diamante fancy yellow di 7,66 carati

Bozzetto dell'anello Joyful — Bozzetto dell’anello Joyful

Super sapphire Royal Blue at Sotheby’s auction

Published on September 29, 2020

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Lo zaffiro birmano Royal Blue non riscaldato di 118,88 carati e l'anello con rubino birmano di 6,41 carati

While the West zigzags in an attempt to avoid coronavirus blockages, in the East a climate of normality is returning. It is no coincidence that the sales of luxury goods have restarted, as evidenced by the auctions of Magnificent Jewels. Sotheby’s after announcing the sale in a single lot of a 102.39 carat D Color Flawless Oval cut diamond, with the unreserved offer formula, on 7 October offers another rarity in the mythical world of 100 carat stones: one 118.88 carat unheated Royal Blue Burmese sapphire. This is the largest Royal Blue Burmese sapphire offered by Sotheby’s in the past two decades. The gem estimate has not been given, but it is for sure at six zeros.

In the same auction it is also interesting to observe the interest in jewels of two avant-garde designers: the Forms brand, which features a spectacular Burmese ruby, and Nicholas Lieou, virtuoso of pearls.

We are excited to present another exceptional season of Magnificent Jewels, and offer some of the world’s finest gemstones – a 118.88 carat Burmese sapphire, one of the largest Burmese sapphire ever offered at Sotheby’s, and a 6.41 carat Unheated Burmese ‘Pigeon’s Blood’ ruby ring designed and mounted by FORMS, sourced from important private collections. The jewellery market has proven to be highly resilient, with our clients in Asia eyeing the best quality jewels on offer. This auction is distinguished by invaluable treasures that will surely dazzle collectors across the region and beyond.
Wenhao Yu, Vice President, Jewelery, Sotheby’s Asia

Anello con diamante vivid blue di 4,84 carati

Anello con giada e diamante pink di Nicholas Lieou

Antonini’s Extraordinaire novelty for Voice

Published on August 6, 2020

Rings/alta gioielleria/Showroom

Antonini, anello della linea extraordinaire in oro rodiato nero, zaffiro di 7,8 carati e pavé di diamanti

The preview of a piece of high jewelery that Antonini will present at Voice (12-14 September), the event that replaces Vicenzaoro with a format adapted to the circumstances. It is likely that the Vicenza mini-fair-summit, in reality, is not prodigal about new collections, given that in the spring the jewelry companies remained stopped due to the lockdown dictated by the covid. In the meantime, however, here is one of the new features that will be presented.

It is a high jewelery ring, which is part of the Extraordinaire line, the top of the range of the Maison of Milan Antonini. The jewel is a unique piece, a ring in which a 7.8-carat blue sapphire shines in the center, mounted on black rhodium and surrounded by small diamonds. The ring joins the other pieces of the Extraordinaire line presented in January, however centered on the use of emeralds. Other unique pieces made with blue sapphires, however, have been presented in past years.

Anello della linea Extraordinaire 2019 in oro satinato e zaffiri

orecchini della linea Extraordinaire 2020 in oro, diamanti e zaffiri — Orecchini della linea Extraordinaire 2020 in oro, diamanti e zaffiri

Anello della linea Extraordinaire 2016 in oro, zaffiri e smeraldo

Francis Chiu, Thai message

Published on March 29, 2020

Rings/alta gioielleria

The precious jewels by Francis Chiu, signature of the classic Thai design ♦ ︎
It is no secret that much of the jewelry and high jewelery of large European Houses is made in Thai workshops and factories. The manual skills of the craftsmen of the Asian country, combined with a lower labor cost, has led several brands to rely on the industrious Thai workers. But, apart from producing jewels for third parties, what are they capable of doing? It is worthwhile, as an example of the ability to create jewelry of great value, to look at the work of Francis Chiu.

His professional history began in 1999. When most of the Thai jewelry companies focused on mass jewels, Francis Chiu chose to create an exclusive jewelery brand in Asia, for the most demanding public. Today its jewels are also appreciated in the West and are also sold through international auction houses. They are jewels based on large and considerable precious stones, from rubies to sapphires, to which jade is added. Around these stones, always of great impact, the jewel is built. The style is classic, sometimes with some concession to oriental taste. Margherita Donato

Anello con giada cabochon, rubini e diamanti

Anello con rubino, diamanti e zaffiri gialli

Anello con rubino taglio a cuore e diamanti

Classico anello con rubino e petali in diamanti

Orecchini pendenti con smeraldi e rubini

Orecchini con smeraldi taglio a goccia, diamanti e perle

Leo Pizzo dedicates a collection to Venice

Published on February 2, 2020

Rings/COLLANE

Collezione Venezia, collier con diamanti, dettaglio

Leo Pizzo loves Venice, the city famous all over the world: a unique place, custodian of many works of art and unfortunately threatened by climate change. La Maison in Valenza dedicates to the lagoon city a collection inspired by carnival masks, romantic bridges and the canals that make it up. And if Venice is full of interesting aspects, of culture, of romantic glimpses, the Leo Pizzo collection that is dedicated to the city is just as rich.

The jewels are made of 18 carat gold and include necklaces, rings and earrings. The shape of the jewels takes up some details of Venetian architecture, such as the Moorish-style clover motif, which is inspired by the original Gothic tunnel of the Doge’s Palace. Pear-cut diamonds also serve to compose rings of a floral nature. White and pink gold, white diamonds and pink sapphires are the elements with which the collection is made: even the colors are reminiscent of those of the buildings of the ancient floating city.

Anello e orecchini in oro bianco e diamanti

Collezione Venezia, collier con diamanti

Awesome Takat

Published on January 14, 2020

Showroom/Rings

From India to New York: Takat jewelry as maharaja style is an opulent dream of many women ♦

Haji Nisar Ahmed Takat, descended from an ancient Indian family of carvers of precious stones, he founded the brand that bears his name in 1955 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. From the merchants of stones, in what is the jewelry capital of India, Takat became jewelry brand known around the world. And in 2000, Rayaz Ahmed Takat, nephew of Ahmed Haji, opened the third seat of the trading company in New York, while Irfan Ahmed, another grandson of the founder, has opened an office in Hong Kong.

Anello con zaffiro burmese ghiaccio e diamanti

This premise to explain to those unfamiliar with this company, that it is an international player, accustomed to offer jewelery for a Western audience and not just for the rich Indians. The style of their jewelry, as you can see on this page, is rich, often with massive stones, but in many cases the Eastern tasteful decoration takes second place. Or, rather, there are both types of jewel: the one with hyper-decorations reminiscent of the inside of the Mughal era architecture, but also one that privileges the individual beauty of a stone, without adding tons of squiggles. You can choose. Margherita Donato

Orecchini chandelier con rubini e diamanti