Aquamarine – the March birthstone

The March birthstone, Aquamarine, is highly prized for its vibrant clear blue colour. Reminiscent of the sky’s blue, even though Aquamarine in Latin means “sea water”. Aquamarines make for very attractive fine jewellery pieces due to its vitreous lustre, which means it has a shiny, glass-like appearance. Hues and shades of Aquamarine ranges from pale, sky blue to pastel shades of green blue. Prized Aquamarines have hues leaning towards the vivid blues of Swiss Blue Topaz. However shades like these from current mines are considered extremely rare.

See below a beautiful Aquamarine engagement ring, we recently customised with a French Micropave setting and featuring a princess cut peekaboo diamond. This piece is designed in a modern-vintage style which is elegant and timeless.

Aquamarines may be a March birthstone, but it is celebrated and worn by women, celebrities and royalties the world over. It has a beautiful, shiny lustre that easily wins the hearts of many.

Unknown to many, it is not often heavily included. GIA classifies Aquamarines as a Type 1 Clarity level. This means these gemstones are often eye-clean. Other types of gemstones also classified as Type 1 Clarity level include Tanzanites, Tourmalines, Morganites, and Blue Zircons. So, simply put, an Aquamarine that has visible inclusions will normally result in a price drop.

View more videos for this Aquamarine ring on our Instagram (@heritagegems) here below:

Visit us at the Singapore Jewellery and Gem Fair 2016

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Singapore Jewellery and Gem Fair 2015

In case we have missed you in our mailing list, we would like to extend the invitation to drop by our booth at the Singapore Jewellery and Gem Fair 2015 this Thursday (22 October) – Sunday (25 October) at the Marina Bay Sands Exhibition and Convention Centre.

We are located towards the back of the exhibition hall at booth H117.

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Aquamarine Lapel Pin

Unique in its setting and cut of gemstone, this kiwi-shaped lapel pin is unlike any other.

This particular aquamarine, in a very calming blue is unlike most aquamarines that one sees in shops.

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Custom-designed in 18K white gold, to be worn as a lapel pin on a gent’s coat or jacket, it is beautifully designed as a push-stud concept making it practical and safe for its owner to wear.

For the refined gent who likes getting suited up with a touch of class. Understated finesse is the key word our client was going for in the commissioning of this lapel pin.

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Shop our ready-to-wear collection now!

Our ready-to-wear collection is now available online at Reebonz. Click on this link to start shopping now.  http://www.reebonz.com.sg/event/t11771

Shop online at Reebonz from now till 31 March 2015 or while stocks last. 🙂

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Look for us at the Singapore Jewellery & Gem Fair 2014

We will be exhibiting at the Singapore Jewellery & Gem Fair this 23 – 26 October 2014 at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre.

On showcase will be new collections of sapphires, spinels, rubies, precious tourmalines and fine jewellery.

We look forward to meeting you at our booth C109!

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Nature-inspired Aquamarine & Phosphophyllite Floral Earrings

Part II of of our nature-inspired cocktail jewellery is a pair of Floral Aquamarine Cocktail Earrings.

Aquamarines come in a a few shades of blue. From near colourless to strong medium blue and also light green-blue. The term Aquamarine stems from its Latin counterpart Aqua-marina which means marine colour or colour of the sea.

This design features a pair of diamond flowers flanked by a pair of trillant cut green-blue Aquamarines and long drop Phosphophyllite. Never heard of a Phosphophyllite? That’s because it is an extremely rare gem, almost unheard of in most common jewellery shops. Phosphophyllite can be found in Germany and Bolivia, while it’s finer specimen comes from Bolivia.

During the designing of this pair of earrings, we wanted to feature Aquamarines alongside the diamond flowers. The colour objective of this pair of earrings was to search for a gem that had colour which complements that of diamonds, not compete with it. However, it cannot be too pale as it would result in the earrings looking too bland. We then decided that we could find the right colour with Aquamarines. Other gemstones that were considered but did not qualify were: Morganites, Yellow Beryls and Kunzites. Quite clearly, we were in search of pastel-like gemstones but one that had the right hue and shade of colour.

The next step came when we had to find a gem to complement the Aquamarines as the design was intended to be a pair of long, drop earrings. The colour we were looking for had to match and complement our trilliant-cut Aquamarines. Some colour choices were: Blue Zircons, Apatites and Paraiba Tourmaline. However, these gemstones are typically very saturated in colour and would draw too much attention away from the diamond flowers and Aquamarines. The key-words for this particular design was Complementary Colours.

We then decided on a very rare mineral called the Phosphophyllite. If one ever chances upon it, it would normally be seen in blue-green  colours (sounds similar to Aquamarines, no?) This design was shelved for quite a long time (close to a year) as we were unable to find the correct gem. Till recently, we chanced upon a pair of long drop Phosphophyllite. Right away, our craftsmen began work on this piece.

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Lo and behold, the above pair of earrings, fully completed.

“There is a story behind every piece created by Heritage Gems Fine Jewellery” – Germaine Woo