Black diamonds, or carbonados, are one of the many diamond varieties found in the earth’s surface. Unlike conventional diamonds, which are mined in a variety of locations throughout the world, carbonados have only turned up in parts of Brazil and the Central African Republic. They are also believed to be a couple billion years older than their more commonly known white and colored counterparts.
These unusual grey and black stones get their opaque coloring from high concentrations of impurities and inclusions, such as graphite. In their rough form, carbonados resemble small rock pieces of cast iron or porous charcoal.
Tougher than a Diamond
While loose diamonds are legendary for being impossible to crack, carbonado has gained a reputation for being even stronger. While other diamonds are composed of a single crystal that breaks naturally along a line, a carbonado is made up of many crystals that are fused together. Its stronger structure made it popular in heavy industry since its discovery in the late 1800s.
Black diamonds from Brazil were instrumental in early rock-boring efforts, providing key drill tip components for carving out the Panama and Suez canals, as well as tunnels all over Europe. Carbonado is still used in drill bits for tough jobs today, cutting through rocks that even traditional diamonds would have trouble cracking.
Polished to Perfection
Polished and cleaned up from their original carbonado state, black diamonds can enhance jewelry designs by making a dramatic, yet elegant, statement in both women’s and men’s fine diamond jewelry. Whether framed in sterling silver, brilliant white gold, or yellow gold, a black diamond makes any foundation’s surface come to life with a brilliant shine.
A black diamond creates a dramatic centerpiece for an eye-catching pendant, ring, or for earrings, while smaller baguette-style black diamonds serve as elegant backdrops for sophisticated and delicate settings. When set in white gold and paired with lighter stones or pearls, dark accents of black diamonds add an air of sophistication and timeless quality to even the simplest jewelry piece.
Surprisingly Affordable
Their elegant appearance often leads people to believe that black diamonds are expensive. Thanks to industrial use and heavy demand for clearer stones, however, black diamonds haven’t taken center stage in the global marketplace. Less notoriety and demand actually makes this type of jewelry far more affordable than people think.
Equally misleading is the black diamond’s perceived rarity. Though unearthed in few places, uncertified and certified black diamonds are readily available to customers. Loose black wholesale diamonds can be purchased and turned into custom jewelry pieces at an attractive price, making the black diamond a unique and affordable option for high-end jewelry.
Diamonds, fine jewelry, and engagement rings are prized possessions and it important to protect your purchase with jewelry insurance. Although every order from Brilliance is fully insured during shipment, the responsibility for your purchase is transferred to the customer upon arrival at your address. Jewelry insurance can be purchased through your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, or can be bought separately through a specialized jewelry insurance company.
Most homeowner’s and renter’s insurances automatically include coverage from between $500 to $2,500 for all jewelry items within the home. One option is to add your jewelry or diamond purchase to your homeowner’s and renter’s insurance as an additional item to protect you in the event of theft. However, these policies do not always protect against other events such as loss or damage. Additionally, they may only cover a portion of the value of your jewelry or have certain policies that you need to be aware of such as deductibles, source for replacement, coverage amount, and others. If you select this method of insurance, it is important you ask questions regarding these policies and be knowledgeable of your coverage.
The option that offers the most protection is to add a rider to your homeowner’s or renter’s policy. Before insuring your purchase, the insurance company will request a gemological appraisal, which is a document that provides a detailed description of the item to be insured as well as the replacement value of the item. Gemological appraisals are usually conducted by an expert jeweler or gemologist and can cost between $50-$250. As a unique service to you, Brilliance provides a free gemological appraisal certified by our Master Gemologist with every purchase. This option guarantees enough coverage for your jewelry or diamond. Keep in mind that the coverage rates are often negotiable.
If you do not want to add a rider to your homeowner’s or renter’s policy, or do not currently have insurance, you can also purchase insurance through companies like Jeweler’s Mutual or The Chubb Group that specialize in protecting prized assets like fine jewelry or engagement rings. These companies will also require a gemological appraisal prior to insuring your purchase. Jeweler’s Mutual policies generally cover loss, theft, mysterious disappearance, and damage. Additionally, with Jeweler’s Mutual, you get to work with the jeweler of your choice and not through a dictated replacement company, as other companies require. However, a policy through Jeweler’s Mutual does not usually cover unset stones or loose diamonds. The Chubb Group offers a policy that covers personal valuables such as jewelry. This company has an insurance option that provides full coverage for the itemized amount shown on the policy without deductibles. Additionally, this insurance covers loss and theft world-wide. In addition to the option of replacing your jewelry item, Chubb also allows you to receive a cash settlement instead of replacement. An appraisal is recommended for jewelry insurance and required for items valued above $50,000.
Any insurance company will recommend that you have your jewelry inspected and appraised often to prevent potential losses and to update the replacement value of your items. Brilliance offers this service free of charge to our clients twice a year with our care and maintenance program. You can send your Brilliance jewelry to us for free inspection, cleaning, polishing, and refinishing. This way you will keep your jewelry looking like new and your diamonds set securely to help prevent a loss. Additionally, an updated appraisal can be issued to our clients upon request.
A Brilliance representative can explain your insurance options and can assist you in the process of insuring your purchase. Upon request, we can also fax your jewelry appraisal to your insurance company prior to shipment so that your purchase is insured upon arrival to you. Contact a Brilliance representative at 866-737-0754 to get started.
As the 50th anniversary marking Harry Winston’s donation of the legendary 45-carat Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian Museum passes, the designers at Harry Winston have undertaken the challenge to design a new setting for the famous blue loose diamond. The goal was to create a piece that reflected the spirit of the American people. Three designs have been selected from dozens of sketches, and the winning design will be announced on September 23rd.
Watch a behind-the-scenes video below about the collaboration between the Smithsonian Museums and the Harry Winston designers who created the selected designs for one of the most famous diamonds.
An elegant summer accessory, the pearl is the modern birthstone for the month of June. Considered a symbol of modesty and purity, the pristine gemstone is also said to promote long and successful marriages, and is often given as a gift for the 1st, 3rd, 12th, and 30th wedding anniversaries.
According to an old Indian legend, pearls were formed from dew drops that fell from the heavens into the ocean. Nature’s only organic gem, the pearl is actually derived from the husks of mollusks and oysters. Most are found in the Persian Gulf, on the coast of Japan, in Northern Australia, and off the coast of California.
While the rarest and most precious pearls are pure white, they also occur naturally in a myriad of other shades. Freshwater pearls can be found in cream, pink, yellow, lilac, silver, and gold, and Tahitian pearls are often black. Many others are dyed to produce more variety. When selecting a pearl color, consider the wearer’s skin tone and style preference.
The quality of a pearl is judged by evaluating several different factors:
Luster: This characteristic refers to the intensity of light that is reflected from the surface of the pearl, just as “fire” is emitted from a diamond. Pearls with a higher luster will have a glossier, mirror-like surface, while lower-luster pearls will take on a more opaque matte appearance.
Size: As a general rule, larger pearls have a higher market value because they are cultivated longer in the mollusk. Most freshwater pearls range from 3mm to 12mm in diameter, while Tahitian pearls can measure in at 18mm or larger.
Shape: While the rarest and most valuable pearls are perfectly round, most natural stones are found in near-round, button, oval, drop, or baroque shapes.
Surface:Unmarked pearls with no blemishes or inclusions are extremely rare and command the highest prices. The more marks on a pearl’s surface, the less its value. When evaluating a natural pearl, carefully examine its surface for quality, keeping in mind that small blemishes attest to its natural formation.
Available at Brilliance, classic pearl jewelry includes pearl studs, pearl necklaces, pearl bracelets, and solitaire pearl pendants. These pieces can be worn with casual or formal attire and are much desired gifts. For those seeking a light, versatile piece to add to their fine jewelry collection, the June birthstone is an ideal choice.
Mimicking the green of spring, May’s birthstone emerald is one of the world’s few truly “precious” gemstones – a title held only by the emerald, sapphire, ruby, and diamond. In fact, the best emeralds are prized above diamonds. Emerald is the traditional gemstone for the 20th, 35th, and 55th anniversaries, and is also the most popular colored gemstone in engagement rings.
The emerald was originally prized by the Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, who believed the god Thoth had bestowed the stone to them as a symbol of spring and had dedicated the gemstone to eternal youth. The brilliant green gem was placed on the throats of mummies to protect the souls of the dead. Emeralds were often carved with the image of the Egyptian goddess Isis and the scarab beetle for good luck. Emerald gemstones were later venerated by the Aztecs as a holy stone in 14th to 16th century Mexico. They were also worn in India as a talisman of good fortune and wellbeing.
According to biblical lore, an emerald fell from Lucifer’s brow when he was thrown out of heaven and was transformed into the Holy Grail. The Greek god Hermes is said to have recorded the laws of magic on a tablet made of pure emerald.
In mysticism and healing, the emerald symbolizes purity, truth, and immortality. The stone was believed to bring good luck and health, to calm the seas for travelers, and to bring vigor and renewal to the aged, the sick, and to despairing souls. The Medieval doctor Paracelsus recommended ground emeralds to be ingested as treatment for certain diseases and fevers, and to balance the heart and mind. Emeralds were worn to protect mothers and infants during childbirth. The emerald is also considered an emblem of nature’s beauty, embraced as a favorite by the Greek goddess.
According to one ancient legend, emeralds are a powerful token of true love and devotion. If lovers are true to one another, the stone will supposedly remain dark and vibrant. If the stone turns pale and lifeless, someone in the relationship has been unfaithful to the other.
Emeralds are found throughout the world: in Brazil, Zambia, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, India, Russia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, with the finest mined in Colombia, where emeralds have been found in over 150 locations. The most valuable emeralds are those with the darkest color.
Emeralds are the green form of the gemstone beryl, a mineral that appears in several colors. The stone can range from light to dark, from a pale, sea green to a deep, vivid hue. Emeralds sometimes show inclusions, which are called “jardin” by gemstone experts who value these signs of natural growth. A dark emerald with jardin is still more valuable than a clear, flawless stone of a paler color, although both serve as striking embellishments when set in a fine jewelry piece. For a gemstone that’s synonymous with hope and renewal, you simply can’t go wrong with the emerald.
GENEVA (Reuters) - A flawless vivid blue diamond weighing 7.03 carats sold Tuesday for a record 10.5 million Swiss francs ($9.49 million), the highest price paid per carat for any gemstone at auction, Sotheby’s said.
The rectangular-shaped blue stone, the rarest to enter the international market this year, went to an anonymous buyer bidding by telephone after hectic bidding see-sawed between two callers for 15 minutes.
It was the centrepiece of its semi-annual sale in Geneva, conducted by David Bennett, chairman of Sotheby’s jewelry department in Europe and the Middle East, who said the results showed the market’s resilience despite the economic downturn.
“This is already a new world record price for a fancy vivid blue diamond and a new world record per carat for any gemstone (at auction),” Bennett told reporters. See full article at reuters.com…
Today, we know it as an occasion to commemorate Mom with flowers, gifts, and time spent with family on a spring Sunday. Historically, Mother’s Day dates back to the ancient Greeks, who celebrated a springtime festival in the name of Rhea, the mother of the gods. Early Christians in England honored Mary, the mother of Jesus, on the fourth Sunday of Lent – the period leading up to Easter. This day was later changed to pay tribute to all mothers; churchgoers were encouraged to return to the “mother church,” where families would gather to celebrate what they dubbed “Mothering Sunday.”
The American colonists chose not to celebrate Mothering Sunday. Instead, a mother’s day dedicated to peace was organized in 1872 by an American woman named Julia Ward Howe. In 1907, a teacher in Philadelphia by the name of Anna M. Jarvis began campaigning for a national mother’s day. Her efforts were ultimately successful, and in 1914 the second Sunday in May was declared an official holiday: Mother’s Day.
On Mother’s Day, we celebrate the women who brought us into the world. The occasion offers a nationally recognized opportunity to thank Mom for all the work she put into creating, teaching, and raising you by showering her with love, gratitude, and—in most cases—a thoughtful gift.
Flowers are often the most obvious Mother’s Day gift, reflected by the huge spike in business for florists. But unlike flowers, which bloom and then fade, a thoughtfully chosen necklace, a pair of diamond earrings or a stunning gemstone ring commemorates Mom with a token that will last a lifetime and will elicit a treasured memory every time she wears it. According to a national survey by Momentum Research, mothers identified jewelry as one of the gifts they most like to receive on Mother’s Day, a preference that increases for older mothers.
Some of the most popular jewelry pieces for Mother’s Day include gold, silver, and platinum rings. Gemstone rings and pendants add a splash of color to her jewelry collection. For added significance, you can choose a stone that represents her birth month. And nothing beats the exquisite elegance of diamonds—a tasteful diamond tennis bracelet or diamond ring is a classic choice that’s sure to delight Mom. If your wife or mother is especially fashion-savvy, you may want to explore larger and more unusual styles in rings, bracelets, anklets, or necklaces. Bracelets and rings that bear engraved messages are a personal way to say “thank you” on Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day is about more than just gifts, but a carefully chosen token can help convey just how much Mom is loved and appreciated. You can’t ever repay a mother for the years of hard work she’s put in raising her children, but the perfect fine jewelry accessory can help you make her day.
Widely known as “a girl’s best friend,” the diamond is among the most valuable and classically elegant gemstones on the fine jewelry market. The birthstone for those born in the month of April, the diamond’s unique sparkle can be found gracing everything from engagement rings to fashion jewelry to timeless tennis bracelets. One of the hardest and most durable materials found in nature, the diamond’s permanence makes it a fitting symbol of lifelong loyalty and devotion.
The diamond is deeply rooted in gemstone history, with a long reputation as the ultimate token of love and affection. The first diamond engagement ring was given to Mary of Burgundy by Archduke of Austria, Maximiliam I, in 1477, sparking a tradition that is upheld by most couples to this day. Diamonds are also a favorite for anniversary presents; the gemstone is the traditional symbol of the 10th, 60th, and 75th wedding anniversaries.
Diamonds were first found around 800 B.C. in India, where the gems were used to decorate devotional statues and other religious items. The gems were prized in ancient Greece and were said to embody the fire of constant love. The ability of some diamonds to glow in the dark was considered proof of their magical powers.
Ancient cultures believed that diamonds could heal the mentally ill, ward off evil, bring good luck, and inspire such virtues as courage and generosity in the wearer. Until the 15th century, only kings and rulers wore diamonds as a symbol of strength and bravery in battle. Later stories claimed that Cupid’s arrows were tipped with diamonds, and the gemstone’s link with love and romance was born. Throughout history, diamonds have served a symbol of power, love, and excellence: the French Emperor Napoleon presented his wife with a diamond necklace after the birth of their son.
The quality of a diamond is determined by grading the “four Cs” - clarity, color, cut and carat:
Clarity: The most valuable diamonds are those with perfect clarity, devoid of inclusions and blemishes.
Color: Even the slightest variations in color can account for a significant difference in the quality and value of diamonds.
Cut: Every gemstone’s appearance and brilliance can be improved or impaired based on the virtues of its cut.
Carat: The market value of diamonds is measured in carats based on their weight. One carat is equivalent to 0.2 grams.
In addition to the prized colorless variety, diamonds are also found in a wide spectrum of vibrant colors. Known as “fancy colored diamonds,” these are popular among those who value the strength and durability of a diamond but prefer a more unconventional look.
Diamonds have been mined in India, Brazil, and in South Africa since the end of the 19th century. In the 1950s, a new source of diamonds was found buried in the permafrost of Siberia, and yet another lode has been discovered in Western Canada.
At Brilliance, we offer some of the most premier gem-quality diamonds in the world. Each of our diamonds is carefully appraised and certified by master gemologists to ensure the value and longevity of your investment.
“In like a lion, out like a lamb.” In addition to describing the fluctuating month of March, this is just as true of the Pisces and Aries who claim aquamarine as their birthstone. Aquamarine literally means “water of the sea,” a fitting name for the transparent, blue-green variety of the mineral beryl – the same mineral that makes an emerald.
Ancient legend has it that the original aquamarine was a treasure hidden in a mermaid’s chest until it spilled out and was discovered by humankind. It was traditionally considered a good luck gem for sailors, signifying the sea’s blessing on extended voyages. Said to bring happiness to a new marriage and joy and wealth to any woman who wears it (similar to diamonds), aquamarine is rumored to gain potency by being immersed in sunlit water.
Aquamarines have been worn by kings and queens as far back as the Ancient Egyptians, who fashioned the stones into animal-shaped amulets that would protect their energy and personal strength. The Romans believed the gem would expose evil and cure anything from simple laziness to eye trouble, irregular breathing, and hiccups. In fact, the Roman emperor, Nero, is said to have used aquamarines as primitive eyeglasses to help him see, long before glass lenses existed. In the 19th century, Chinese artists carved bottles and sculptures from large, polished aquamarines.
The popularity of the aquamarine in North America may have begun with a heart-shaped stone given to Alice Roosevelt Longworth, daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt, as a wedding gift in 1906. Shortly after she was crowned Monarch of England in 1953, Queen Elizabeth II was presented with a matched set of aquamarine jewelry.
The sea blue gemstone was originally mined in Madagascar, but today most of the finest aquamarines come from Brazil and Mozambique. The stones that are deepest in color, and thus most valuable, are named after the mines in which they were found, such as the Santa Maria aquamarine that was mined at Santa Maria de Itabira in Brazil.
Aquamarine occurs in a range of shades, from the palest sky blue to the cobalt blue of deep sea water. Its color is clear and even, with few marks or inclusions, and is flattering to almost every skin tone. The stone’s versatility has made it nearly as popular as rubies, sapphires, and emeralds for use in fashion and engagement jewelry. In general, the darker and bluer a stone is, the more valuable, so aquamarines of paler color or with a greenish tinge are less desirable.
In addition to serving as the birthstone for March, aquamarine is considered the official gemstone for the 19th wedding anniversary. It is said to strengthen the mind and bring out courage, and is also reputed to help couples overcome their differences and work toward a lasting, loving relationship.
Just before Christmas, detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department pried open a crate outside a warehouse to find something they had been chasing for months: an 840-pound Brazilian emerald that had been reported stolen.
Now, if they could just figure out who owns it. So far, at least five people have come forward to say it’s theirs.
“It seems like the more we talk to people, the more people claim to have ownership over this thing,” said Lt. Thomas Grubb, who heads the sheriff’s investigative team on the case. “We haven’t determined who’s not a suspect, really.”
Unable to determine who the real owner is, Lt. Grubb decided to keep the emerald locked up while the investigation proceeds. Meanwhile, a Los Angeles civil court is scheduled to hear from different claimants in the case on Tuesday.
Lt. Grubb, who had spent the bulk of his 26-year career conducting narcotics investigations, first got onto the case last September. A distraught man named Larry Biegler had called the sheriff’s office to say that his giant emerald had been stolen from a Los Angeles-area warehouse where he had been keeping it. It was worth nearly $400 million, he said.
Lt. Grubb’s detectives began investigating.
The emerald, they determined, was in the possession of two businessmen named Todd Armstrong and Kit Morrison, whom detectives tracked to a small town called Eagle, in western Idaho. When the detectives arrived in Eagle, Mr. Armstrong was in the process of trying to sell the emerald to a buyer. “We’ve run into a small snag,” Mr. Armstrong says he told his buyer.
The Idaho men said the emerald belonged to them. They said in an interview they paid Mr. Biegler $1 million for diamonds he never delivered. Mr. Biegler had put the emerald up as collateral, they say, for the stones. When the diamonds didn’t materialize, they picked up the emerald from the warehouse in Los Angeles. They showed investigators a stack of documents they said prove their claim. See full article at wsj.com…
Thirty nine round cut diamonds are pave set in this white gold diamond engagement ring setting, accenting your choice of center diamond. 3/8 carat total diamond weight.
“In like a lion, out like a lamb.” In addition to describing the fluctuating month of March, this is just as true of the Pisces and Aries who claim aquamarine as their birthstone. Aquamarine literally means “water of the sea,” a fitting name for the transparent, blue-green variety of the mineral beryl – the same mineral that makes an emerald.
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