Custom matched set of Emerald jewellery

A custom matched set of Emerald jewellery. The task was to source and handcraft an Emerald ring to match a pair of earrings we had customised awhile ago.

The design brief: to create a design that shared similar design elements to the pair of earrings, but for both ring and earrings to have the possibility of being worn on their own. So that neither looks lonely when worn singly. But when worn together as a set, it does not look overpowering or heavy.

Emeralds are very often oiled and having significant inclusions. Oiling is a process that helps fill out cavities that often appear at the edge of the girdle. By immersing the emeralds in oil, oil enters the gemstone from the tiny cavities that exist at the edge of the girdle. The oil will fill out the cavities within the gem. Once the cavities are filled out with oil, it makes the inclusions and cavities less obvious, thereby improving eye-clarity of the gem.

Since it is common for Emeralds to have significant inclusions, it is easy to assume that prices should be relatively affordable. However, this is not so. Main reason for this is due to scarcity of the rough material. Despite the relatively high premium these green gemstones are commanding, it does not stop prices from climbing. A glance at the tip of the iceberg situation of gemstone availability, sourcing and mining here: https://www.gemresearch.ch/news/2022/02/23/dramatic-rise-in-price-for-fine-gemstones-as-high-end-ruby-emerald-and-sapphire-sales-soar

Read on below:

Emeralds are believed to empower the wearer with intellect and wisdom, and develops a person’s logical thinking and arithmetic skills.

Below is the 3 piece emerald jewellery set. Custom matched set Emerald and coloured stone jewellery requires a fair bit of luck and effort. It was not easy to do a “colour matching” as the pieces were sourced at different times and not from the same lot. Nonetheless, a relatively well-matched set in terms of colour and design.

Read more about above pair of Emerald earrings right here: https://heritagegemsfinejewellery.com/2021/05/18/may-birthstone-emerald-earrings/

Rare unheated ruby and diamond ring

Just exactly how rare is an unheated ruby? Regardless of its origin?

Much has been said and written about the differences in value between an unheated and heated ruby. In addition, there is also a category reserved for “glass-filled” or “lead-filled” or “lead glass-filled” rubies. These 3 terms pretty much mean the same thing, which essentially means, rubies that have been filled with high-lead-content glass, which made the rubies appear more transparent after the treatment process. Filling ruby material with lead glass enabled what would have been nothing more than material specimen mainly used for gemological studies; definitely nothing of decent commercial value. In addition, filling gemstones with lead glass actually adds carat weight to the material. What does this mean for end consumers? Essentially, consumers will pay more for glass instead of gemstones. More can be read about lead-filled rubies here: https://www.gia.edu/doc/SP06A2.pdf

Heated rubies in our present, modern-day gemstone and jewellery market have become more commonplace because it remains a fact that unheated, 100% natural rubies oftentimes, have a lacklustre and dull appearance. Ruby material is heated to improve the colour and clarity of the rough and ultimately, the polished gemstone. It is important to recognise this because it impacts the price differences between heated and unheated rubies and the market premium accorded to unheated rubies. Without the heating process, commercial quality rubies would have a lot more eye-visible inclusions, opacity and dullness, which would result in these rubies being unable to be sold at fair prices or worse, not sold at all.

Unheated rubies as mentioned above, are typically heavily included with a dull appearance. To understand it in a nutshell, as this article aptly describes: “Very few of the recovered rubies are of high enough quality to be sold on the market. In fact, only about 1% of all corundum found is gem quality. Of those rubies, only a fraction remains untreated.” https://thenaturalrubycompany.com/education/ruby-characteristics/ruby-rarity-value/

Let’s all take a moment to consider this statement: of the 1% of all corundum mined from earth being gem quality, only a fraction of this 1% remains untreated and unheated.

“Gem quality” usually means a gem has the aesthetic appeal to the human eye. Eye-clean, with even colour tones throughout the gemstone, with good brilliance and lustre.

Seen below is a rare unheated 1+ ct ruby, set in diamond halo with 18K Natural Gold. It is becoming increasingly difficult to source for eye-clean unheated rubies that are facetted and polished with a nice finish and cutting symmetry. In addition, unheated rubies are almost always presenting themselves in a somewhat dull and lacklustre appearance, oftentimes looking somewhat cloudy.

To find a ruby that checks the following will involve more than just luck:
1. Unheated
2. Eye-clean
3. Lively appearance with fair – good brilliance. Not dull and not cloudy looking
4. In a properly facetted, well-proportioned symmetry

Unheated Tanzanite Earrings Heritage Gems

Unlike the vibrant blue, violet, purple Tanzanites that most jewellery lovers are used to seeing in stores, unheated Tanzanites are not as common. Featured below is a pair of unheated Tanzanite earrings.

These gemstones display flashes of blue, periwinkle, cool grey tones, earthy yellow green tones that sparkle underneath. Unheated Tanzanites are however, not a common sight. Unlike most precious coloured gemstones, Tanzanites are typically and usually loupe clean – which make them so easy to love. Tanzanites in general also have very good dispersion, and strong pleochroism. Pleochroism is a term used by gemologists to describe the myriad colours seen in the same gemstone when viewed from different directions. This makes for a very alluring optical dazzle for any gemstone and jewellery lover.

Tanzanites, as the name suggests are mined predominantly in Tanzania. This limited source renders in Tanzanites being at least 1000x more rare than diamonds. Due to it’s small scale of source location, gemologists believe that in the next 2 to 3 decade to come, there will be no more Tanzanite rough left to mine. After the sour has become depleted, there will be no more first-hand owners of this gem and will become precious heirloom material.

These unheated tanzanite earrings are set in a classic design that never gets old, easy to pair with just about any attire. Dress them up, or dress them down. Wear these ear studs with your hair up or down, it will be sure to impress.

Read more about our previous customised Tanzanite jewellery here:

Below is some brief information about Tanzanites:

https://www.gia.edu/tanzanite

Whimsical, bespoke and fun cocktail earrings

Did you know that fun cocktail earrings and jewellery is not just limited to engagement and wedding jewellery? It was truly a unique and bespoke piece of jewellery for a client whose style and personality is reminiscent of a time past yet ever so modern. A fairly abstract mix of jewellery is what our client loves to match-and-wear.

The gemstones were handed down to our client from her grandmother. Up until the time she met us, she was unable to decide what to do with her coloured stones! That’s when she enlisted our help So we started with the design discussion and consultation stage. Ideas flowed and what resulted was a whimsical, bespoke and bold piece of jewellery that she could wear with all her other jewellery handed down from her grandmother, in one great eclectic mix.

Fun cocktail jewellery hold special meaning to its owner. Who ever said fine jewellery is strictly limited to engagement and wedding occasions only? 🙂

As with every piece of handcrafted jewellery that goes through the hands of our artisans here at Heritage Gems, right from drawing board to the final piece that ends up in our clients hands, great care is taken every step of the way.

Work in Progress Photos

From the jeweller’s bench, artisans delicately handcrafts the pieces that come together to make the complete jewellery.

Before you know it, we’ve handcrafted a stunning, whimsical pair of earrings in a beautiful colourway of gold, black and red.

Voila! A pair of bold, whimsical earrings that our client is very happy with! Customised bespoke jewellery doesn’t have to be overpriced nor overly grandiose in design. It just has to be fitting and paired just right for its owner.

This is the beauty of customised pieces and what sets customised jewellery apart from ready-to-wear pieces. Customise your jewellery with the correct artisans and you will have a stunning piece of jewellery that fits like a glove and accentuates your best features.

Our client review below:

If you are considering to customise a bespoke piece of your own, a piece specially crafted for yourself, contact us at 97716923. It’s an obligation-free consultation.

inspiration on other projects that are also fun cocktail pieces? Click below:

Thank you for the shout-out Channel News Asia!

It is never a dull moment when it comes to choosing a fine coloured gemstone for your bespoke piece of bridal jewellery.

Head on down to Marina Bay Sands this weekend and enjoy our exclusive promotion of $300 off the project’s bill when you customise your bespoke piece with us this weekend. Valid only from 26 – 29 October, at the Singapore Jewellery and Gem Fair 2018.

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https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/style/singapore-jewellery-gem-fair-sjgf-2018-engagement-rings-wedding-10857054