Princess Catherine’s Bridal Jewelry

Upon her marriage this morning to Prince William, the former Catherine Middleton now has the title of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge. 

The new Princess’ veil was held in place by a Cartier“halo” tiara, which was lent by The Queen. The tiara was made by Cartier in 1936 and was purchased by The Duke of York (later King George VI) for his Duchess (later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother) three weeks before he succeeded his brother as King. The tiara was presented to Princess Elizabeth (now The Queen) by her mother on her 18th birthday. 

The bride’s earrings, designed and made by London boutique jeweler Robinson Pelham, are diamond-set stylized oak leaves with a pear shaped diamond set drop and a pavé set diamond acorn suspended in the center. Inspiration for the design comes from the Middleton family's new coat of arms, which includes acorns and oak leaves. The earrings were made to match the tiara. The earrings were a personal gift to the bride from her parents for her Wedding Day.

Robinson Pelham also designed and made a pair of diamond earrings for Philippa Middleton, Catherine’s sister. These earrings are more floral in nature to compliment her headpiece during the service.

A tourmaline and diamond pendant and matching earrings were designed and made for Catherine’s mother, Carole Middleton. Two gold stick pins, one with a single gold acorn at the head and the other with an oak leaf, are also worn by the father of the bride, Michael Middleton, and the Bride's brother, James Middleton.

The wedding ring for princess Middleton was designed and made by Wartski, a family owned firm of antique dealers. The ring was fashioned from a piece of Welsh gold that was given to Prince William by The Queen shortly after the engagement was announced.

There will be only one ring, in accordance with the Couple’s wishes.

Wartski is a family jewelry business founded in 1865. Its first establishment was in Bangor and later the business moved to the seaside resort of Llandudno.

Wartski has a history with the Royal Family. It supplied the engagement and wedding rings to Queen Elizabeth’s grandson Viscount Linley when he married The Hon. Serena Stanhope in 1993. They also made the wedding rings (also of Welsh gold) for The Prince of Wales and Mrs. Camilla Parker-Bowles for their wedding in 2005.

Wartski is long-established grantees of the warrants of The Queen and The Prince of Wales.



Article courtesy of JEWELRY NEWS NETWORK

136 Carat Yellow Diamond Found in Russia

Courtesy of Alrosa

Workers in a Siberian mining company in Yakutia have discovered a large diamond weighing more than 136 carats, a spokesman for the republic's Industrial Ministry said on Thursday.

The diamond has a very rare "honey-yellow" color, measures 33 x 23 millimeters, and is of irregular shape. The diamond's worth has not yet been determined.

The diamond was discovered by the Udachninsky Mining Company, which is a subdivision of ALROSA, one of the world's largest diamond producers mining 25% of the world's diamonds.

We will keep fallowing this story and hold our breath to find out the estimated value of it.....

Sotheby's to Auction 10.99 ct Fancy Pink Diamond

Sotheby’s Geneva will auction a 10.99-carat, VS1, emerald cut, fancy intense pink diamond ring on May 17 with a presale estimate of $9 million to $16 million.

“I do not remember the market for colored diamonds to have ever been as strong as it is today,” said David Bennett, chairman of Sotheby’s Jewellery Department for Europe and the Middle East. “This was underlined by the unprecedented results of our last November sale and undoubtedly influenced the owner’s decision to sell this beautiful pink diamond which has not appeared on the market for over 30 years.”

In November 2010, Sotheby’s Geneva sold the Graff Pink, weighing 24.78 carats, for $46.2 million, setting a world auction record for any diamond and any jewel to go under the hammer.

Black by Popular Demand Moody Hues are Hot

While the LBD of your jewelry box may be stud earrings, the color black is as much a necessity as styles themselves. Consider these points: When you want to add drama to an outfit, what color do you call upon? When you want to update a traditional look, what color helps up the edge factor? And when your champagne taste clamors for diamonds, but your beer budget puts high-end stones out of reach, black rocks are an ever-affordable alternative. Dark designs are available in myriad gemstones and metal options—the latter helping light stones pop and dark stones better blend.

18k White Gold Oval Shaped Black Diamond Ring

A single rose cut oval shaped black diamond totaling 1.87 ctw. sits surrounded by a halo of 104 sparkling white diamonds totaling 0.51 ctw. in this unique 18k white gold black diamond fashion ring.

18k White Gold Black and White Diamond Loop Pendant

This unique diamond fashion pendant features a stunning loop design with a 1.34 ct. rose cut black diamond drop surrounded by 22 round black diamonds totaling 0.21 ctw. and 105 brilliant round white diamonds totaling 0.39 ctw. pave set in 18k white gold.

18k White Gold Bypass Black Diamond Ring

Two stunning black diamonds totaling 2.37 ctw. sit surrounded by 96 sparkling round white diamonds totaling 0.51 ctw. in this elegant 18k white gold black diamond bypass ring.

14k White Gold Black and White Diamond Pave Swirl Ring

This diamond fashion ring features a mesmerizing swirl pattern composed of 121 glittering black diamonds totaling 0.48 ctw. and 115 brilliant round white diamonds totaling 0.98 ctw. set in stunning 14k white gold.

18k White Gold Rose Cut Black Diamond Pave Ring

This captivating 2.65 ct. black diamond center is set in polished 18k white gold. It is embellished with 52 lustrous black diamonds totaling 0.38 ctw. and 96 brilliant round white diamonds totaling 0.38 ctw both pave set on the remarkable shank.

18k White Gold Black and White Diamond Halo Ring

This unique 18k white gold semi mount ring features 170 stunning round black diamonds totaling 1.91 ctw. and a halo composed of 16 brilliant round white diamonds totaling 0.55 ctw. surrounding your center stone of choice.

14k White Gold Black and White Diamond Snake Pendant

This Stunning diamond snake pendant is dripping in 289 exquisite black diamonds totaling 1.98 ctw. and 199 brilliant round white diamonds totaling 1.20 ctw. pave set in 14k white gold.

14k White Gold Black and White Diamond Pave Snake Ring

Tempt yourself with this sinful diamond snake ring dripping in 252 exquisite black diamonds totaling 1.69 ctw. and 28 brilliant round white diamonds totaling 0.19 ctw. pave set in 14k white gold.

14k White Gold Black and White Diamond Bridge Band

A 14k black and white gold band is encrusted with 136 black diamonds totaling 1.87 ctw. with a swirl shape overlay of 89 brilliant round white diamonds totaling 0.47 ctw.

Sotheby’s “Magnificent Jewels” auction - realized $39.4 million

New York--Sotheby’s “Magnificent Jewels” auction here realized $39.4 million, the highest total ever realized by the auction house for a spring jewelry sale, Sotheby’s announced last week. 

Held April 14, the auction sold 84 percent by lot and 93 percent by value. The top lot was a emerald-cut diamond weighing 30.52 carats. Estimated at 3,000,000—4,000,000 USD. and Sold for 3,386,500 USD. Accompanied by GIA report no. 2115516430 stating that the diamond is D color, VVS1 clarity, with Excellent Polish and Excellent Symmetry. 

A 3-carat marquise-shaped fancy vivid blue diamond garnered the second-highest bid of the day, bringing in $3.3 million.

Meanwhile, The pear-shaped diamond weighing 20.74 carats, surmounted by an emerald-cut diamond weighing approximately .50 carat, and an old European-cut diamond weighing approximately .85 carat. that was estimated at 800,000—1,200,000 USD. had doubled its pre-sale estimate and Sold for 2,154,500 USD 

It was accompanied by GIA report no. 1122998496 stating that the diamond is D color, VS2 clarity. 

At least 10 bidders competed for a circa 1920 Cartier, Tiffany & Co. diamond jabot pin, featuring One terminal set with a pear-shaped diamond weighing 15.31 carats, the other set with a pear-shaped diamond weighing approximately 2.00 carats, framed by small round and single-cut diamonds, signed Cartier and Tiffany &Co. The larger diamond originally mounted by Tiffany &Co., circa 1900, converted into a jabot by Cartier, circa 1920. 

The pin was estimated at 600,000 - 800,000 USD and sold for 1,986,500 USD, more than double its pre-sale estimate. 

It was accompanied by GIA report no. 2125998478 stating that the 15.31 carat diamond is D color, VVS2 clarity.  

“Collectors are willing to pay a premium for diamonds with charm, and that was a hallmark of today’s sale,” Gary Schuler, director of jewelry in New York, said. “Whether they feature old-world cuts or magnificent and unique colors, the opportunity to compete for these stones is exactly why buyers come to auction.” 




Pictures courtesy of Sotheby’s 
Article courtesy of National Jeweler

Big Bucks: Big Bang!Hublot Watch Covered with 141 Carats of Diamonds

The €2 million ($2.8 million) Big Bang watch from Hublot could be more appropriately called the Bling Bang. The white gold, one-of-a-kind timepiece, which includes a Vendôme Tourbillon movement, contains 637 baguette diamonds and one rose cut diamond on the crown.

All told, the total weight of the diamonds, which are graded Top white / VVS, exceeds 141 carats.

According to Hublot, the task of cutting the stones took 45 gem-cutters in excess of 13,000 hours. Once the diamonds were all cut, they took a further 2,000 hours to set into the piece, which began life as a "light-hearted confidential challenge" between Hublot's CEO and the company’s master gemstone setters.

Such was the amount of work needed to complete the watch; it was only finished the day before BaselWorld 2011 opened, where the watch was shown to the public for the first time.

More than 270 carats of rough diamonds were chosen from a parcel of 1,500 carats sourced from a mine in the Yakutsk region of Russia.

For those interested in seeing it up close, the watch is going on display at the Hublot boutique at 10 Place Vendôme, Paris.

Article courtesy of Idex Online

Chandelier earrings take the stage at the CMA awards

Las Vegas--Celebrities took to the red carpet Sunday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena for the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, accessorizing with chandelier earrings and bold rings.

CMT personality Allison Alderson DeMarcus wore Rhonda Faber Green chandelier Zultanite gemstone earrings, made with 18-karat white gold and diamonds, retailing for $80,000.

Carrie Underwood who was nominated for female vocalist of the year and album of the year, accessorized with Sutra diamond and blue sapphire earrings, valued at $4,800, and a Sutra diamond and blue sapphire ring. 

Country music singer Julianne Hough wore Isharya earrings and a cuff, as well as an 18-karat yellow gold diamond ring by Carrera y Carrera, retailing at $14,650.

Award nominee Taylor Swift donned Neil Lane platinum chandelier earrings and a diamond cocktail ring, while actress Reese Whitherspoon wore the brand’s garnet and diamond drop earrings, paired with a garnet and diamond bracelet.

Article Courtesy of National Jeweler

April's Birthstone - Diamond

April's birthstone is remarkably simple in composition, yet stunning in its unique ability to reflect and refract light into vivid flashes of brilliant color.  The ancient Hindus called the Diamond "Vajra," meaning lightening, both because of the sparks of light thrown off by this gem as well as its invincible strength.  The Diamond is harder than any other substance on earth.


Diamonds have been revered throughout history.  Used to embellish such items as crowns, swords and emblems as well as jewelry, they've even been part of national holidays.   Queen Victoria declared the celebration of her 50th year of reign a "Diamond Jubilee."  Diamonds have also been credited for having certain medicinal properties.  During the middle ages, these gemstones were thought to heal illness, but only if the ailing person took the Diamond into bed to warm it up first!


Formed deep within the earth where there is intense heat and pressure, Diamonds are simply crystallized carbon.  Volcanic activity of centuries ago brought these gemstones to the earth's surface, where they are found either within volcanic rock formations or washed out into rivers.  India is thought to be the first river-bed source of Diamond mining, but today these gemstones are found primarily in Australia, the Soviet Union, and Africa.


No more notable it its uncut state than a plain pebble upon the beach, the true beauty of the Diamond was not revealed until the 16th century, when gemstone cutting and polishing techniques were perfected.  Prior to this time, it was considered taboo to modify the original state of a Diamond.  Today, the value and appeal of this stone depends largely upon how skillfully it is cut and faceted.


A gift of a Diamond is symbolic of everlasting love.  There is no more convincing a promise of an enduring relationship than the brilliant gemstone that has endured in people's hearts throughout the ages.