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How To Choose The Right Shape For Your Diamond Ring

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 23:54:11 GMT

Buying a diamond ring is one of the most thrilling experiences in the world of jewelry. As Marilyn Monroe once sang, diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and we think she is absolutely right!

Whether searching for a diamond engagement ring , wedding ring or just a diamond ring because you want one, there are lots of different elements to consider from ring size to cut to carat weight/carat size to gemstone diamond color and more. The factor that we are going to focus on today is the diamond shape.

If you don’t know your princess cut from your cushion cut, then you have come to the right place! Here is a guide that will assist you in choosing the right diamond shape and diamond size, with plenty of information that you can take with you on your next visit to your favorite jeweler.

What Is The Difference Between Diamond Shape And Diamond Cut?

This can be a confusing question to answer because diamond cut is sometimes used to refer to the shape of a diamond! The reason for this slight confusion is that each shape has a more technical name that contains the word ‘cut’ in it, such as round brilliant cut, for example.

If you know a little about diamonds and that they are graded and priced on the 4Cs, then you’ll know that cut is one of those 4 Cs (along with carat, clarity and color).

The cut of a diamond refers to all of the facets, dimensions, symmetry and reflective properties of the stone rather than simply what shape it is. For example, a heart-shaped diamond might be cut deep or shallow, brilliant or dull. These factors do not affect the shape of the diamond, which is a heart! They do, however, affect the cut.

The art of diamond cutting is very skillful. The craftsman will examine the rough diamond, see any inclusions (flaws) and decide on what shape to cut to maximize its brilliance and value. Essentially, the finer the cut of a diamond is, the greater its level of brilliance is going to be which makes for a higher diamond price.

When buying a diamond, you should first select what shape you desire and then you can start to work toward finding the most appealing cut of that particular shape.

The shape of a diamond refers exclusively to the outline and external figure of the whole stone. For example, round, pear-shaped and cushion all refer to actual shape and appearance.

Different Diamond Shapes

Diamond shapes fall into two major groups - round diamonds and fancy shapes. The most traditional and popular cut is the round brilliant diamond but there are some fabulous choices in the fancy shapes that in ring design can be a solitaire center stone, used as side stones or in a cluster stone ring.

Here are descriptions for all the most popular diamond shapes commonly available in jewlery retailers today.

Asscher Cut Diamond

An Asscher diamond is a stone that has a distinct square shape with deep trimmed edges that give the impression of cropped corners.

Baguette Cut Diamond

As the name suggests, a baguette diamond has an elongated shape. You will find that rectangular shape baguette stones are generally available in two styles, tapered or straight.

Cushion Cut Diamond

If you want something romantic with a classic structure, then the cushion cut diamond is the one for you. It is generally a rectangular or square shape with delicately rounded corners. Cushion cut diamonds offer a huge amount of sparkle, with four to eight facets in its pavilion.

Emerald Cut Diamond

Emerald shape stones are step cut diamonds that draw in and reflect a huge abundance of white and colored light. They are comprised of 39 rectangle facets that descend downward and ascend outward to create a shimmering beauty.

Heart Cut Diamond

This unique shape is exactly what its name suggests! It is a beautiful heart shape that can stand as a literal symbol of love between partners or simple love for oneself!

Marquise Cut Diamond

Marquise diamonds are known for giving off an antique, regal vibe thanks to the oblong nature of the stones with pointed edges and rounded corners. They are different to oval diamonds as they more closely resemble an American football.

Oval Cut Diamond

We all know what an oval shape is, but there is something about oval diamonds that look and feel more sleek and chic. It is all about achieving maximum sparkle with a soft silhouette and beautifully balanced curves.

Pear Cut Diamond

You will also see a pear shape diamond described as a teardrop shape. It has a pointed top that extends out to fuller, more rounded bottom, just like the perfect juicy pear!

Princess Cut Diamond

Princess cut diamonds offer strong, angular lines that are one of the sharpest-looking stones in the family of fancy shapes. They are set in square or rectangle cuts and have the overall look of a sparkling inverted pyramid.

Radiant Cut Diamond

Radiant cut stones are one of the newer diamond shapes, only originated in the 1970s. The radiant shape features intricate facet patterns that really work to emphasize the stone’s brilliance. The face is structured with sharp, square edges that allow light to reflect from every possible angle to dazzling effect.

Rose Cut Diamond

Another where the name tells you everything. The rose-cut diamond is intended to resemble the petals of a delicate rose. This was one of the first diamond shapes to ever be created, and because of this, it is usually cut by hand with fewer facets than more modern shapes. It tends to look a little bit different than other diamonds that you might be more familiar with.

Round Brilliant Cut Diamond

The round brilliant is a true enduring classic in the world of diamonds, a beautiful, classic stone that possesses the perfect balance of symmetry and proportion from every single angle.

Trilliant Cut Diamond

This is the only diamond on this list that is a wonderful and unique triangle shape. It has three equal sides that come together to create a really bold, sharp look that has intense brilliance some other more conventional shapes are unable to create.

Tips For Choosing The Right Shape

Finding the perfect diamond for you will depend on a combination of personal preference and the size and shape of your hands and fingers. Follow this guide to see which shapes and cuts might be best suited for you.

Small Hands And Short Fingers

Those with smaller hands and shorter fingers will benefit from wearing the likes of pear-shaped, marquise-shaped and oval-shaped diamonds. The good news is that oval diamonds are currently on top of the recent trending jewelry lists!

These stones are the most flattering on short hands and fingers because they create the illusion of a more slender hand.

These diamonds also tend to have a larger surface area than others, so you can achieve the look of a bigger diamond with a smaller carat weight.

Wider Fingers

Fancy diamond shapes, like ovals, marquise-shaped diamonds, teardrop diamonds, radiant cuts, or emerald cuts can create the illusion of a longer, slimmer hand.

You may want to consider a larger diamond to complement your wide fingers. If you choose a lab-grown diamond you can get a bigger diamond for your budget.

Long Fingers And Thin Hands

If you are blessed with having slim hands and long, elegant fingers, then the good news for you is that you don’t need to worry about recommendations from anybody but your own heart!

People with this combination of features are able to wear any shape of diamond and look equally beautiful. Any diamond shape works wonderfully with thin fingers.

Square Fingers And Hands

Those with more square hands and fingers need diamonds that are going to create the illusion of a more slender, long body part, and this means that oval cut, pear cut and round cut will certainly do the job. These shapes all boast very soft silhouettes that can help to counteract the natural squareness of your hand.

You should avoid square-shaped diamonds like princess cut and Asscher cut, because this kind of shape is only going to amplify the blockiness of your fingers.

Large Knuckles

For larger, more prominent knuckles, something like a round cut diamond can never look out of place. The roundness of the stone will fit in with the wider, large nature of your hands, and can also cover a lot of surface area to make the rest of your hand look smaller and more delicate in comparison. Any stone that is universally flattering will work well with large knuckled hands!

Don’t forget!

Choosing the perfect diamond for you is not just deciding on a shape. We made a quick mention of the 4Cs and all of these should be taken into account whether you are buying a single stone for a bespoke piece of jewelry or have your mind set on a particular ring style.

You need to consider color grade, diamond clarity grade and weight (size) as well as the cut grade. Much of what drives a diamond’s value cannot be seen with the naked eye, so always buy a diamond that has a GIA Certificate that details the 4Cs.

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Why Choose Sterling Silver Jewelry?

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 17:54:10 GMT

Along with gold, silver has been used as a staple of jewelry making for thousands of years. Although having a slightly lower value than gold, silver was highly prized by the Ancient Egyptians and Ancient Greeks with the wealthiest adorning themselves in jewelry of all sorts.

Today, sterling silver jewelry is often seen as gold’s poorer cousin it is still a precious metal and is made into all types of jewelry from necklaces to hoop earrings to diamond engagement rings .

Some people simply prefer silver to the different colors of gold (except perhaps white gold). Some people are allergic to gold so silver is a great alternative and above all, silver is way more attractive and valuable than base metals.

Sterling silver deserves a place in any high quality jewelry collection. So, if you are looking for your next great statement piece and you are trying to decide which metal to opt for, then buying sterling silver jewelry is one of the best things that you can do right now, both in terms of its affordable price and the direction that current jewelry trends seem to be going in.

What is Sterling Silver?

The obvious question is “what is the difference between fine silver and sterling silver?”.

Silver is 99.9 percent pure silver. Although beautiful and only suffers minimal tarnishing over time, it is generally too malleable and soft for jewelry. Enter sterling silver. Sterling silver is actually a metal alloy. It contains 92.5 percent pure silver and 7.5 percent copper. As an alloy, sterling silver is much harder and more suitable for uses such as jewelry.

This 92.5 percent silver content gives rise to the name 925 silver, the term to which sterling silver is often referred and which is stamped on silver pieces as a hallmark.

Even though the addition of copper doesn’t compromise the color of sterling silver it does make it more liable to tarnishing than pure silver.

Sterling silver should not be confused with other types of silver used in jewelry making which include nickel silver, Argentium silver and Tibetan silver. Also watch for items described as silver-plated. These will be made from a base metal with a really thin coating of sterling silver.

Here are the best reasons to choose 925 sterling silver jewelry:

1. It Is Durable And Light

Silver jewelry is a great choice for those who are looking for something that is lightweight but still durable and strong for carefree wear. If you are looking for jewelry that you can wear often without too much worry about damage, then silver is not a soft metal.

So sterling silver necklaces will not dent or scratch easily and are a practical choice that can be worn every day, sterling silver earrings will not warp or bend out of shape, equally, bracelets will keep their shape and sterling silver rings can withstand daily wear.

There is no reason why sterling silver jewelry should not last a lifetime when you know how to properly care for it and wear it safely.

2. It Is Easy To Customize

Sterling silver is a metal that is very affordable, and also very workable, which means that jewelers can enjoy a lot of freedom in the pieces they create. You will find that a lot of the most experimental and modern jewelry is made from silver because it is the most versatile in terms of craftsmanship.

It can be used from highly delicate pieces made in filigree to heavy chain links. It lends itself equally to grand statement pieces as well as experimental trendy items.

3. It Is Very Versatile

One of the best things about silver jewelry is the fact that it goes with any kind of outfit for any kind of occasion. From a casual weekend party with your closest friends to a black tie formal gala event, sterling silver is something that is always going to elevate an outfit and provide that shimmer of elegance that you are looking for in your personal style.

The neutrality of silver’s color means it can be mixed and matched with all other colors and also with other metals. Wearing mixed metals is back in trend and you can create depth when you mix sterling silver with white gold, platinum and titanium and it provides a lovely contrast to yellow gold and rose gold.

4. It Looks Great With Any Gemstone

Sterling silver complements any kind of gemstone of any color.

From classic diamond engagement rings to emeralds to sapphires to rubies and every other kind of stone that you can think of, there is just something about the glamorous neutrality of sterling silver that makes it the perfect choice to really let a stone shine.

And, of course, the more beautiful a gemstone or diamond ring you have, the better and more valuable a family heirloom it will make to pass on to the future generations of your family. That is one of our favorite things about jewelry in general: the pleasure that it gives you to collect and wear in the present, and then the satisfaction of being able to pass on something so precious when the time comes.

5. Sterling Silver is Hypoallergenic

We’ve already mentioned that some people are allergic to gold but there are also allergies to base metals that are used in jewelry making.

Nickel for example is a commonly used metal in costume jewelry and it is often added to pure silver to improve its malleability and make it stronger. 10 - 20 percent of people are allergic to nickel and it can lead to horrible symptoms like irritated skin, itching and stabbing pains.

Other metals like brass can also cause different kinds of skin reactions like redness, blistering and swelling, so you want to avoid cheaper metals even though they might be tempting for your budget.

Sterling silver is hypoallergenic so you can wear pieces of sterling silver jewelry without the risk of irritation or, even worse, infection. This quality is particularly important in earrings where the risk of allergic reaction is always much higher.

6. It Is Very Easily Finished

The fact that sterling silver tarnishes is its one disadvantage. But, sterling silver can be easily plated or coated with an anti-tarnishing agent to provide that extra level of protection against normal wear and tear and to reduce its sensitivity to air and water.

You will often find sterling silver pieces that are coated in rhodium, which gives them an attractive high gloss finish as well as making them tarnish-resistant. Rhodium coating takes a little extra time at the jewelers, but the finished results are worth it. You might also see sterling silver being plated with pure silver, and this extra layer helps against tarnishing and also provides an extra boost of brightness in the metal.

You should clean sterling silver jewelry regularly to remove any signs of tarnishing that will make it look dull.

7. It Is An Affordable Choice

If you want to build a collection of fine jewelry, it is much easier to build it in sterling silver than gold. Silver is far less expensive than gold - up to 75 percent cheaper per ounce.

Silver is the cheapest of all precious metals.

It is not only affordable for you as a consumer but it is also cheaper for artisan jewelry designers to work with so there is a much greater range of designs and styles available than in gold. There is less cost in wastage for the designer so they are more likely to experiment with unique designs in silver than in gold.

No matter where you are and how you choose to wear it, there is just something about sterling silver jewelry that makes it a timeless and seamless addition to any outfit. In the world of jewelry, sterling silver is undoubtedly the reigning king of versatility.

Build a timeless and luxurious jewelry collection and elevate your personal style by choosing an array of unique sterling silver jewelry by Luxe Fine Jewelers.

Choosing The Perfect Engagement Ring: Step By Step Guide

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 23:33:47 GMT

One of the most important purchases in life is an engagement ring. Whether you are the person doing the proposing going for a complete surprise or are the significant other who is shopping for the ring together choosing the perfect diamond and ring is something that can take a lot of time and a lot of homework.

When you visit a jeweler for engagement ring shopping , it’s easy to be completely overwhelmed by the massive choice. It is very helpful to have a little knowledge of some of the basics before you start to look at engagement ring styles and wedding bands. These basics include things like diamond quality. diamond shapes, ring settings, carat size, and ring design.

To help, we have put together this handy guide that will hopefully lead you to discover your perfect dream ring. Here is a step-by-step guide to choosing a quality diamond engagement ring so that you have some idea of what you are looking for when you step foot inside the jewelry store.

Set A Budget

The first and arguably most important thing that you should do is set a sensible and strict budget for the ring. The old-fashioned rule was that the proposer should spend a month’s salary on the ring, but nowadays you can find great rings for both much less and much more than an average monthly wage! It’s up to your circumstances and preferences as to the budget you set.

An engagement ring can set you back anything from $500 to $50000, so it is important that you lay out your restrictions before jewelers start to suggest carat weights and flawless brilliant cut gemstones that are simply out of your price range.

A good way to go about this is to educate yourself on what influences the price of a diamond and a piece of diamond jewelry / This knowledge can also help you understand where you can build flexibility into your choice and stay within your budget. For example, should you sacrifice carat weight in preference for a superb cut?

If you go to your jeweler with a clear budget in mind and let them know as soon as the process starts, then they won’t waste your time in offering you different diamonds and setting styles that you can’t afford. They will still be able to present you with lots of types of rings to ensure that you find the right ring both for your personal preference and your budget constraints.

Find A Good Jeweler

Once your budget is set, the next step is finding the best jeweler in your area for what you need. Unfortunately, there are some jewelers out there who are more interested in making a big profit than providing a worthwhile service, so make sure that you ask around among friends and family for referrals.

A good quality jeweler who cares about their customers will always provide a full and thorough service that involves making sure you have the right ring finger size using a ring sizer (you would be amazed by the number of people who don’t know their true ring size) or will offer a resizing service to ensure the best fit.

If you decide to go with a local independent jeweler rather than a big-name national chain, then you may find that they are more willing to entertain offers and be more flexible with their pricing. Always be respectful when discussing cost with a jeweler, because after all, rings will always have a base value that can’t be dipped under for the sheer carat size and amount of gold being used!

If you are going to shop online, be sure to understand exactly the level of service the jeweler offers. It is quite a different experience working with websites than with brick-and-mortar retailers.

Consider The Style Of Ring You Want

If you are buying a ring for somebody else, then you need to think about what they like, as opposed to being swayed by current trends and popular choices.

If all of her jewelry at home is yellow gold, then consider that when selecting a precious metal. The same can be said for white gold, rose gold, and other types of metal such as platinum that might be a favorite.

You might decide to choose the gemstone that is your prospective fiance’s birthstone if you are not necessarily set on a diamond engagement ring. This adds a touch of personalization to make the ring even more special and meaningful.

Also, consider the time period that speaks to them. It could be classic, it could be vintage, it could be mega glam. They might like the stark geometric lines of Art Deco or the more organic and sinuous Art Nouveau. The perfect ring may be a cushion cut diamond in a halo setting surrounded by small diamonds or pave diamonds. The world is your oyster, so it is essential to find something that completely fits the brief.

Another option when it comes to style is whether you want a ready-made ring or something bespoke. Many modern jewelers offer a bespoke service where they will create a ring from scratch. It can be a design you have already sketched out or have in mind, or they might produce a design upon consultation with yourself. A bespoke ring can be truly customized with your choice of precious metal, diamond shape, and design.

Decide on A Setting

Once you have your budget set and you have established a connection and understanding with your jeweler, it’s time to start bringing together all of the elements that you want.

One of the main features is the setting of the ring, which is also known as the mount. It attaches the stone to the ring and keeps it in place. There is a wide range of settings that you can choose from.

If you like simple, then solitaire and oval engagements are perfect choices. If a larger, shinier diamond is the star of the show, then a halo setting might be more appropriate.

Your jeweler can describe the differences between prong, channel, bezel, and bar settings explaining the benefits of each which may be enhanced security for the stone or the way it shows off stones to their best advantage. They can also help you understand which setting may be better for an emerald cut over a round brilliant.

Consider The Four Cs

In terms of making sure that you select a diamond that is suitable quality and worth the price that you are paying, you need to pay attention to the group of features that are collectively known as the four Cs.

The 4Cs are the measures used by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) to grade and qualify the quality of every diamond. Every diamond sold in the USA should have a GIA certificate.

The 4Cs in order of importance are:

Cut - refers to the quality of the angles, facets, proportions, and finishing details of the stone in question. The more precise the cut, the better it can sparkle, and the more expensive it will be as a result. The better the cut, the more fire, scintillation, and brilliance the diamond will give off. The main thing to note is that cut is not the same as the diamond shape. Diamond shape refers to the geometric outline of a diamond and shapes are either round or fancy cut. Fancy shapes include emerald, princess, cushion, heart, oval, Asscher, baguette, and marquise cut. Whatever the shape, it still has to be cut.

Color - refers to how colorless the diamond is. The better, more coveted diamonds are those that look completely clear to the naked eye without any hint of a yellowish hue. It is also important to remember that this only refers to clear diamonds, not diamonds that are intentionally colored like blue, green, red, etc.

Clarity - a stone should be eye-clean. This refers to how ‘clean’ the diamond is in terms of inclusions and blemishes. These are natural marks within the stone that make it harder to see through. The more inclusions there are in a stone, the less it will be able to interact with the light and therefore will look a little bit dull.

Carat - the unit of weight that is used for diamonds and is surprisingly the least important factor. The higher the carat, the more you are going to have to pay except that a large diamond that is poorly cut or full of inclusions is not as beautiful as a smaller, clearer stone. This is the most subjective area of diamond buying and the four Cs because you can find just as many stunning smaller diamonds as you can larger ones. When it comes to carat size, go for the best stone that is within your price range even if of a smaller weight.

Diamond Alternatives

A diamond engagement ring might be the most coveted but sometimes there is a reason to go a different route. You might choose other gemstones for sentimental reasons, such as rubies, sapphires, amethysts, or emeralds. Or, there may be other concerns such as the ethical and environmental issues of diamond mining. It may be a question of budget.

There are alternatives to Earth mined diamonds. One is lab-grown diamonds. These are produced in controlled laboratory conditions and are completely traceable to their point of origin. Only an expert can tell the difference between a real natural diamond and a lab-grown stone and hardly ever with the naked eye.

Another option is moissanite, a naturally occurring mineral that is reproduced synthetically. Both moissanite and lab-grown diamonds are cheaper than natural stones so if your wish for a flashier ring, or a piece of bling, then synthetic diamonds will give you a greater size for less money.

And finally ...

This process may seem a little long but remember, this is a purchase of something especially important, a ring that your intended will wear every day for the rest of their life. Use this guide and you will choose a stunningly beautiful ring, the best quality you can get for your budget and something you will both love.

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Unique "One Of A Kind" Jewelry Pieces

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 20:11:24 GMT

If you’re looking for a statement jewelry piece, you wouldn‘t want anything less than something that is described as one-of-a-kind. One-of-a-kind jewelry is wearable art and is a wonderful way to express your individuality. Our focus at Luxe Fine Jewelry is crafting unique, one of a kind pieces that express your individuality and style.

What is One-of-a-kind Jewelry?

Sometimes referred to by its initials - OOAK - this item will be typically designed and made by an artisan jeweler. Every piece of one-of-a-kind jewelry is unique and special because each is handcrafted individually and no two pieces are the same.

Any type of jewelry can be one-of-a-kind from the traditional necklace, rings, earrings, and bracelets to less common items like toe rings, anklets, and body jewelry. It can be fine jewelry made from precious metal and gemstones using a variety of quality materials from rose gold to moonstones, and sterling silver and garnets. Or, it might be fun and funky, produced with materials like plastic, beads, leather, and wood.

Our showcases at Luxe are filled with One of a kind pieces we have designed and crafted or if you have something particular in mind we would love the opportunity to bring your vision to life.

The Importance of One-of-a-kind Jewelry

In today’s world of fast and disposable consumerism, unique pieces of handmade jewelry are a reminder of the value we should place on quality craftsmanship. Artisanal pieces are the antithesis of mass-produced jewelry and your purchase represents your investment in creativity and skill.

One of the most important factors of any piece of jewelry you wear, whether it‘s your diamond engagement ring or amethyst chandelier earrings is that you love it. Knowing you have a truly unique item handcrafted with the highest skill and respect for the raw materials only adds to the emotion.

One-of-a-kind jewelry should have a timeless appeal. It should tell a story and showcase the jeweler’s art as well as show off the material to its very best.

Take a look at our current one-of-a-kind collection of jewelry .

One-of-a-kind Peridot Necklace

This stunning necklace is made from deep green peridot. Each free-form slice is polished in Idar Oberstien in Germany. The lobster clasp is hand-engraved 18-carat yellow gold.

The Peridot gemstone is a crystalline form of the mineral olivine which is also a good indication of its name because it offers a more lime-yellowish-green than the deep green of an emerald. Unlike other gemstones, peridot has just one color although it will vary according to the iron content.

Peridot is the birthstone for August and is a symbol of harmony, health, and peacefulness.

This necklace brings vibrancy and new life to outfits of neutral colors, working particularly well with white, cream, grey, navy, brown, and black.

One-of-a-kind Black Diamond Lozenge Ring

This one-of-a-kind ring adds more than a touch of drama to your hand. Not only is the focus of this ring a stunning black diamond of 2.69 carats but its unusual lozenge shape is more than eye-catching. It sits in a colorless diamond frame on a white gold band adding even more fire to its appearance.

Black diamonds are one of the toughest forms of natural diamond and are known as carbonado. The black color comes from inclusions of minerals like graphite. Black diamonds although usually completely opaque glisten due to diamonds "Adamantine" luster and will dazzle in a dim candle lit room or a blindingly sunny day.

Styling this ring is very easy. Black goes with everything. Whatever outfit you choose to wear it with, it’s going to add a brilliant touch of style and chicness.

18 Carat French Cut Diamond Band

You might wonder what makes this a one-of-a-kind ring? It may look like a simple band of white gold set with five diamonds but it is that they are French cut that makes this an outstanding piece of jewelry. In the French cut, a cut dating back to the 14th century, the stone is either square or rectangular. It has a high crown and the facets are triangular in a criss-cross pattern.

In this ring, the setting enables a full view of the diamond profile enabling more of the brilliance and sparkle to be on show.

This ring makes a statement as an engagement ring or an everyday ring. It is easy to match any outfit of any color and any style. Such a ring also works well with other types of rings when worn together. Also, imagine the marvelous effect of this ring and a pair of simple diamond studs.

18 Carat Yellow Sapphire Rose Cut Band

If you’re looking for a truly unique ring, this fabulous handmade ring certainly fits the bill. The ring is crafted with seven rose-cut sapphires, each individually framed in yellow gold. Faceted to resemble the petals of a rose in full bloom, a rose-cut gemstone has a flat base and domed top with distinctive triangle facets.

Sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum and the yellow color is due to its iron content. The color of yellow sapphires can range from greenish-yellow to orange-ish yellow with every hue in between. Our beautiful ring is definitely on the citrus side.

Known in India as Pukhraj there is a great deal of symbolism and mysticism attached to yellow sapphires. Sacred Veda textbooks link yellow sapphires with harmonious married life and happy families.

This rose-cut band is great for a boho look but can look very stylish with a simple and sleek outfit. Outfits of yellow do not show off the ring to its best so think opposites on the color wheel - green through blue to purple.

Rare Paraiba Tourmaline Necklace

This rare one of a kind tourmaline strand was polished by the world’s finest lapidaries in Idar Oberstein, Germany unlocking the electric color and luster of the freeform beads creating a delicious (almost candy like) palette as evidenced in this tourmaline necklace. To add to the beauty of this statement piece, the clasp is a lobster claw set with yellow pave diamonds.

Tourmaline comes in a wide array of colors and for this showpiece, we have chosen rare electric bluish green tourmaline from Mozambique described as cuprous (copper bearing) or Paraiba harkening from the first discoveries in Brazil. As you can see from the picture, the color is not solid but is variegated so the slices here range from a lesser saturated green to an electric Vivid bluish green. In crystal terms, tourmaline stands for protection and grounding and it is the birthstone for October.

Styling green jewelry is fairly easy and the fluidity of the shades of green tourmaline means it can work with bold block colors and print in both casual and formal outfits. Our tourmaline necklace complements all the colors in your closet.

Come back to visit us often here at Luxe Fine Jewelry as we are always looking for gorgeous new arrivals and exclusive offers to add to our collection.

Why Buy Jewelry Anyway?

Sat, 01 Jun 2019 17:50:44 GMT

What is the significance of jewelry?

With all the things in life to spend our hard earned money on why would we want to spend it on jewelry? Luckily being in the jewelry industry for over thirty years I have a lot of insight on the subject. The simple answer it seems is because jewelry celebrates milestones in our lives. However, when celebrating milestones there are lots of other ways to commemorate them such as a vacation or a new car in lieu of a jewelry purchase. So where does jewelry have a favorable advantage over the other numerous choices we have? Firstly, jewelry is timeless and will be with you for your lifetime and is something to be passed down to your children or heirs. While a new car is initially fantastic as it ages it will depreciate and eventually be traded in on another one or sit in a garage and forgotten. The vacation while you are in the moment soaking up the sun and drinking a margarita is fantastic and sometimes just what the doctor ordered to recharge our batteries. However once the vacation is over the memories are on a flash drive or the pictures are stored on our phones and soon forgotten. A piece of jewelry on the other hand can be enjoyed daily for the rest of our lives if we choose.

Every week I help a customer who has inherited a piece of jewelry from a family member and their reaction is always the same....that piece is priceless to them and is a permanent reminder of their loved one. Words can't describe the gleam in the eye of a daughter or son who puts their parents ring on for the first time after we size it to fit their own finger.......it truly is a special moment. Jewelry is very personal it is crafted in precious metals.......the precious metals communicate with us...they get warm and absorb our body heat. The pieces we choose often represent our personalities...they can be bold, edgy, conservative or whimsical. If I had to choose from one possession of mine to save if my house was engulfed in flames the decision for me would be simple.......I would save my diamond wedding band and leave the classic cars and other possessions to burn.

My First Blog Post

Wed, 01 May 2019 00:00:00 GMT

I have finally decided to take the plunge and add a blog to my site. I always wanted an easy way to share information with visitors and I'm super excited to start this journey. Keep coming back to my site and check for updates right here on the blog.

For my first blog post I felt it important to address the confusion surrounding "Lab Grown" diamonds and dispel misconceptions and simply provide the facts. You can read my post about lab grown diamond here

What Is A Lab Grown Diamond?

Wed, 01 May 2019 00:00:00 GMT

What are lab grown diamonds and what do they mean to me the consumer?

Firstly "Lab Grown" diamonds are DIAMONDS they are real, they are composed of carbon (just like Earth mined), they test positive for diamond with a diamond tester they are nearly identical to their Earth mined counterparts except that they are created in a controlled laboratory environment over a period of weeks whereas Naturally occurring diamonds are found deep in the Earth that took millions of years to create.

Lab grown diamonds are "Grown" currently with the two main processes being the CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) method and HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) method. The CVD method utilizes very high heat and methane gasses and a diamond seed crystal but is absent of high pressure.
The HPHT method uses machines "Presses" that more closely replicate the environment deep in the Earth where natural diamonds are formed. HPHT diamonds are subjected to extremely high pressure and temperature utilizing proprietary mixes including graphite to grow the diamonds.
At LUXE we focus on the HPHT diamonds as they are more "transparent" and generally always colorless. In a recent article published by the GIA their scientists noted "With CVD-synthetic, there is always going to be an internal strain. HPHTs look more transparent." It is important to note that nearly all the stores in our market offering LAB Grown diamonds are selling primarily CVD grown diamonds.

Both diamond types CVD and HPHT are classified as TYPE IIA. TYPE IIA diamonds are diamonds that are chemically pure (essentially 100 percent carbon) and are generally colorless. If a TYPE IIA diamond has body color (typically gray or brownish tint) it comes from growth defects not an impurity like nitrogen in Earth mined diamonds that causes yellow or boron and hydrogen that causes blue or violet. TYPE IIA diamonds occur naturally and are seen in Earth mined diamonds also but they are much rarer in Earth mined and are typically colorless, exhibit brown hues and very rarely the coveted pink body color. The likely reason lab grown diamonds are TYPE IIA is that the growth environments are controlled, the growers are eliminating nitrogen and any other unwanted gasses that contribute to body color (typically yellow). Diamonds forming in the Earth can't be selective as to what gasses and other changes they will encounter over the millions of years they are forming.

So with the science of lab grown diamonds explained in brief what does all this mean to me the consumer? Well firstly LAB GROWN diamonds to reiterate are real diamonds they just aren't mined, they are grown. Lab grown diamonds like their naturally occurring counterparts come in a vast array of color and clarities and are "Graded" on the same scale and terminology as Earth mined diamonds. Many naysayers would like the public to believe that the growing of diamonds is a simple mechanized process of hitting a button and in a few weeks you get a repetitive consistent diamond of the same size and quality. Well that simply is not true! If it was as simple as hitting a button all LAB GROWN diamonds would be D Flawless. What is important to take away from this (I will expound on this further in future blog posts) is LAB GROWN diamonds are real diamonds and are a great choice for some who desire a larger or higher quality diamond when comparing to Earth mined diamonds. We sale the LAB GROWN diamonds up to 50 percent less than a comparable Earth mined diamond.

The last thing I want to convey in this blog is that whatever you choose Earth mined or Lab Grown it is critical that you are fully informed and educated on what you are purchasing. Having shopped many competitor in our market we have found that most don't fully disclose that you are buying a LAB Grown diamond. I am a Graduate Gemologist and have spent years working in major gem grading laboratories including six years with the world's authority GIA/GEM TRADE LAB. Education is key and disclosure on what you are buying. At To quote Warren Buffet "If you don't know jewelry, KNOW your JEWELER!"