The term Pave diamonds comes from the French verb ‘paver’, or ‘to pave’. The idea is to set the stones so close together that no metal shows through - but the way a master actually accomplishes this is to pull tiny prongs out of the heated metal to hold the stones in place. Really, just about anything paved in diamonds sounds good to me…And this band is a perfect example! See the full listing here. 

Appraisals and Value

I know I do these posts occasionally, so I’m sorry if they get boring. It just totally drives me up the wall! Saw this ring for sale on Craigslist for 9.5K. It’s an attractive design, so I became interested. They say it appraised at 20k in the last month, and that they only bought the ring in June. They strangely say they bought the ring first, then the center stone - this is strange because generally these types of rings are designed specifically for the center stone. If they’re not, you have gaps between the center stone and the ring that are unattractive. But, back to valuation. If it appraised at 20k, then they paid 7-9K, at most. I also notice a total lack of disclosure on carat weights. So they’re trying to sell a used ring for more than they purchased it for just a few months ago! Guess they believe there’s a sucker born every minute! 

Oh yeah, and all sales are final! so when you take it to a jeweler like me and find out how ripped off you are, you’re stuck with it! Cute! 

I’ve always been a fan…

of the “push” gift idea. Really, any excuse to purchase fine jewelry is great by me! But commemorating a child’s birth is especially important. When Celia was born, Alex got me (ie I picked out for myself - I am a gemologist after all!) a beautiful pair of earrings that I picture giving to Celia to wear at her wedding. Check out Babble’s list of who got what for giving birth. Some of these celeb’s seem to have gotten it right. Others, not so much! A handbag? Really Tori? 

Trending Up

What’s new and hot in jewelry? Here are 4 styles you’ll be seeing hit the pavement in the coming months:

1. Big Beautiful Gold. After playing second fiddle to white metals for the past several years, gold is back in a big way. And big and chunky is the way to go. But with gold prices sky high, look for pieces like this necklace from Robert Rodriguez. Or this bangle I got from Kendra Scott. Her pieces come up on Gilt.com for a fraction of the price!

2. “Alternative” Metal. With the cost of raw materials heading ever higher, many designers have looked to different materials to create their art (a trend started years ago by David Yurman by the way). Check out these super chic wrap bracelets by Chan Luu (this one in Amazonite and leather). Also look for materials like horn, bone, and stone.

3. Diamonds diamonds diamonds. Diamond prices are up this year, despite slow sales at the retail counter. Popular pieces include eco friendly rings like this “diamond slices” piece from celebrity darling Monique Pean. Also look to this designer for very ‘high’ end of alternative materials!

4. Go Green! Coming in a variety of gemstones that you’ve probably never heard of before, green is color of summer. Look for prasiolite, tsavorite, green quartz, and green sapphire along with more traditional stones like emerald and peridot. These knotted green turquoise earrings by Devon Leigh are right on trend! 

babybirdistheword asked:Hi Gillian, 
Hoping you can help me with a question about jewels :) I’d like to get a ring made with my soon-to-be baby’s birthstone - at the moment he’s going to be an April baby (yay diamonds). But it’s looking more and more like he might be a May babe, which is emerald right? I’m not all that in love with the look of emerald rings… I think they tend to look a little old-lady-ish! Do you have and suggestions on what would be a nice, modern, youthful setting?? Thanks in advance!!
Well, you are lucky! I’d definitely take either diamonds or emeralds over most of the other gemstones! If your little one holds out for May, keep in mind that emeralds are very soft for everyday wear. With regular wear, they often chip and may have to be replaced. That’s why I would recommend going with a setting that will protect the stones a bit more, like a channel setting. Something like this is lovely AND protects the stones from wear. It also works great if you plan on having more children (and rings). You can have another ring made with the next child’s birthstone and then stack the rings. Another modern setting that will protect the stone is called a bezel. This will work well with a emerald if you want only one stone, i.e. the emerald. The metal makes a circle around the stone to hold it in place and protect it. Simple and modern.

And finally, if you want more of a cocktail type ring (you don’t plan on wearing it everyday, but more for special occasions), I just love the halo designs right now! More of classic feel, but very contemporary, these designs do a great job of showing off a colored center stone. 
Hope that helps salvage the emerald from old lady status! They really are fantastic stones when seen in the right setting! 

Remembering Liz

Elizabeth Taylor once famously wrote, “I adore wearing gems, but not because they’re mine. You can’t possess radiance, you can only admire it”. This could be said of Elizabeth herself. Elizabeth Taylor was, of course, a stunning beauty and amazing actress. She was also a lover of gemstones. She recognized and appreciated their beauty, while understanding that they are, in the end, just rocks. 

I previously wrote here about The Krupp Diamond that Liz owns. It really is one of my favorite “famous” diamonds. She also owned the Taylor/Burton Diamond, a 69.42 carat pear shaped diamond that is of D/ Flawless quality (it’s doesn’t get better than that!). Richard Taylor bought that stone for her in 1969, and it went on tour at Cartier’s soon after. It’s not known exactly what he paid for it, but well in excess of a million dollars. The story is that he bought it over a hotel pay phone in southern England, repeatedly having to put more change in not be cut off during negotiations. Liz later sold it after their divorce for $5 million. 

And then there is La Peregrina. This is a pear shaped white pearl, and one of the largest pearls ever discovered (203.84 grains). It was discovered in Panama in the mid 16th century, and given to the King Phillip II of Spain, who presented it to his wife, Queen Mary, as a wedding present. Richard Burton paid only $37,000 for it in 1969, and of course gave it to Liz. She lost it soon after in her hotel room at Cesar’s Place in Las Vegas. She tells of walking back and forth across the floor feeling for it with her feet, and trying not to tip off Burton that something was amiss. She then saw her Pekinese chewing on a small bone, and realized she hasn’t given the dog a bone. She pulled the pearl out of the dog’s mouth, thankfully not damaged! 

Queen Mary of Spain wearing La Peregrina, and Elizabeth Taylor Wearing La Peregrina. 

Jewelers around the world will be clamoring to get their hands on her estate. I can only imagine the press that will surround the selling of her jewelry. In life she was an amazingly charitable woman. I’m sure with her passing these gems will do the same, and fund some amazing charities. 

Rest in Peace Elizabeth Taylor.