For his now wife, then girlfriend, K took the plunge by selecting a gemstone which he knew would fit her perfectly. A deep forest green tourmaline.
He came to us looking for a green gemstone, needing suggestions that were not Emeralds and not Tsavorites. As we all know, green tourmalines come in a few shades of green. K wanted green, with no blue modifier and no yellow modifier. It was the sweetest thing as he already had an idea of what designs his then-girlfriend would want for her ring.
While the trend at that time was to go for green tourmalines with a blue modifier (the ‘buzzword’ thrown around was teal tourmaline / peacock tourmaline), K knew she wanted a deep forest green colour.
We narrowed down some options and finally found the colour K was looking for.
There is no other way to describe this beauty. Seeing this piece brings a sense of calm and serenity. Deep forest green against a background of diamonds and 18K Beige Gold.
Did you know that Tourmalines come in a huge variety of dazzling colours? This ranges from colourless, yellow, mustard, raspberry red, fuchsia pink, shades of green and blue, turquoise and lagoon.
Beautiful white opal set in 18K yellow gold, with yellow sapphire and tsavorite garnet. Broadly speaking, opals come in a few different base colours. Mainly, in white, blue, black, fire (ie: red, orange, yellow tones), pink and crystal opals.
What sets the opal apart from other gemstones is that we can immediately notice the rainbow of colours displayed on the surface of the gem as we rock the opal back and forth.
Traditional designs see opals often set with diamonds. As with most of our clients, they wanted something that they know our designers do best. Which is to create a unique, yet aesthetically pleasing and it is to be easy to wear. Often times, in an attempt to create unique, unusual pieces of jewellery, what results is an awkward, mish-mash of colours that look odd and clumsy.
The beautiful white of the opal lends a nice base of which to incorporate other coloured gemstones. This opal also has a nice, soft, almost cashmere-like glow that accentuates the colours of the other gemstones. Elegant, refined, yet unique.
While this opal does not have a distinct colour play, the rainbow of colours can be seen spread evenly across the entire gem, which adds to a premium to the piece.
Also, did you know that Australia is not the only country to product opals? Opal sources include Brazil, Mexico and Ethiopia. All of which produce their fair share of beautiful opals in varying colours and hues.
White opal, yellow sapphire and tsavorite set in 18K Yellow Gold pendant
Below features a nesting ring that stacks a beautiful trillion shaped yellow sapphire alongside diamonds and rubies. A beautiful colour combination of yellow, with flashes of red and that extra sparkle from diamonds. We can see how the yellow sapphire and ruby nesting ring looks like, both together and separately.
Nesting rings allow owners a fun way of expressing their personalities through design and colour. There are very few “don’t”s in ring stacking. Feel free to incorporate coloured gemstones in your upcoming ring stack. You could add your birthstones, or select certain coloured gemstones that have a special meaning to you, for example: an anniversary date or month. If it was an anniversary ring, the gemstones could be a combination of both you and your partner’s birthstone. Or, it could also be a family stacking ring, representing birthstones of your partner alongside your children.
Stacking / nesting rings are a great way of commemorating and honouring a certain special occasion or a significant life event. Or even simply a particular coloured gemstone you identify with, despite not having any special significance.
Some folks select their gemstones based on their children’s birth month and corresponding birthstone.
Nesting rings do not need to all fit perfectly. As long as when all the rings are worn, they should create a fairly cohesive look. For example, nesting ring stacks do not all have to be of the same width. As seen in the photos above, some portions of the ruby and diamond ring are of different widths. But as a whole, when both rings are worn, they look like they belong together as a set.
Nesting and stacking rings help us create keepsakes that tell our moments and our stories we hold close to our hearts.
Yes, you’ve guessed right. It is the Imperial Topaz, which typically comes in shades of rich golden yellow, orange, (think sunset colours), to the most prized colour of Imperial Topaz: the pink-red, red hues.
A request came from a client to have a matching Imperial Topaz ring to her current pair of Imperial Topaz earrings (also crafted in-house, by yours truly).
So, we set about sourcing a matching piece of Imperial Topaz for her.
Imperial Topaz Ring in 18K Natural GoldGolden Sunset colour of the Imperial Topaz
We had crafted this beautiful golden sunset-hued Imperial Topaz in our in-house blend of natural gold, with gold purity at 18K (750). Making this ring in the traditional rich shade of 18K Yellow Gold would have been too much of a clash of gold hues with the centre Imperial Topaz.
Prices of Imperial Topaz
Often times, people are of the impression that the Topaz is an easily available, abundantly occurring, hence low-cost gemstone. This is however not at all true. Topazes come in several colours, including deep blue, teal, Swiss blue (bright vivid candy blue), light brown, brown-grey, taupe tones, as well as colour-less. Topazes in all the above-mentioned shades are not overly pricey and can be had for an affordable price. Prices of Imperial Topaz in a nice warm yellow colour for sizes below 5cts can range between USD 600 – 800/ct.
The joy in appreciating the beauty of the Topaz is that it is a naturally eye-clean and usually loupe-clean gemstone.
Imperial Topaz which are of a beautiful golden sunset colour and also those with orange / peach undertones, well-cut pieces will easily fetch prices between USD 900 – 1200/ct in sizes under 5cts.
Additionally, Imperial Topaz in the most rare colours of red and pink-reds will easily fetch prices of USD 3500 and upwards. Sizes above 5 cts are rarely seen.
Natural or Non-natural?
Most Blue and Brown Topazes seen in commercial shops are very often irradiated or heat treated to achieve these shades / colours. However, true Imperial Topazes are never irradiated / heat treated / chemical treated in any way. Hence the term “Imperial Topaz” is reserved strictly for Topaz in that distinctive golden yellow, sunset yellow, red and pink Topazes that are 100% natural with no heating, chemical treatment or irradiation.
Our client did not want for diamonds on her beautiful ring so instead, we decided to craft a ring for her showcasing a beautiful and elegant gallery (notice the curved, flower petal structure on the side view of the ring below the centre Topaz).
Check out a video of this mesmerising Imperial Topaz ring on our client here on Instagram (@heritagegems):
Nothing spells luxury quite like rich green – a rare tsavorite and diamond engagement ring. In a vivid, alluring shade of green. It captures the attention of anyone who sets eyes on it.
What is a tsavorite?Â
As with the Spinel, and Mandarin Spessatite, true gem connoisseurs know the rarity and value of the Tsavorite. It belongs to the garnet family. It ranks 7.5 on the MOHs scale and offers good scratch-resistance.
Forget about ancient history where royalties, maharajahs and maharanis have adorned the emerald in their numerous jewels and crowns in part, because mining technology in the early 1800s just simply wasn’t able to discover the Tsavorite Garnet yet. In today’s world, 99% of all emeralds have some form of oiling or resin enhancement (yes, including those accompanied by certificates from reputable gem labs stating “Minor Oiling”). Often, they are filled with fissures and fractures that it is difficult for one to really appreciate the visual beauty of the emerald (if not for the abundant marketing telling consumers that emeralds are so beautiful).
How rare is the tsavorite?Â
The “downside” of the Tsavorite is that it is twice as rare as the emerald and found often, in much smaller rough sizes as compared to the emerald. With low mining and production of faceted Tsavorites, it is difficult to swarm the commercial mainstream jewellery market with Tsavorites simply because there just isn’t enough to go around. But it does not take one long to realise just how exquisite a gemstone the Tsavorite is. Relative to the emerald, the Tsavorite can withstand small knocks better mostly due to the fact that the emerald has so many fissures, internal cracks and inclusions. Due to these internal crack lines existing in 99% of emeralds, any small external impact (accidental or not) will likely result in the emerald being chipped or broken on the surface.
Tsavorites come in a beautiful range of light green, medium green to vivid and deep intense green and also in the mint shade of green.
Set in our custom-blend 18K Beige Gold, below features a vivid intense green Tsavorite and diamond engagement ring that looks so breathtaking and regal at the same time. We are in love with this piece that is not only timeless in both colour and also design. Truly elegant.
The key to finding a beautiful intense green Tsavorite is to look for one that is as eye-clean as possible. Intense vivid green Tsavorites have a tendency to look slightly lacklustre, especially if the gemstone is not well-faceted resulting in areas of dark/overcast sections. However, good quality Tsavorites usually have a ‘lively’ appearance to them, with good brilliance and scintillates even in natural daylight.
Beautiful vintage style engagement rings never fail to evoke romantic feelings.
Our client very graciously shared her wedding day photos and nothing says love better than a couple with their megawatt smiles, vintage inspired engagement ring and a stunning lace dress.
Beautiful blue Spinels are extremely rare. Yes, equally as rare as the unheated blue sapphire. Blue spinels and most other Spinels are typically non-treated and non-heated. The unique feature about the blue spinel is that it has a very magnetic shade of blue, one that seemingly grows on you rather than simply catching your eye at the first instance. Spinels have long been mistaken for sapphires, or Corundums, because its lustre and brilliance quite resembles the Sapphires.
It’s nice to be able to create your own history and story by customising a vintage styled engagement ring because there’s just something alluring and romantic about it. They make for great photos as well!
Photo Credit: From Client, taken by Daniel Sim Photography
Photo Credit: From Client, taken by Jasper Avenue Sydney
A bespoke customised piece of jewellery to call your own, in a shade of colour that captures your heart and eyes is truly a gift to be enjoyed and appreciated for the years to come.
There’s always something truly memorable and nostalgic about a vintage style engagement ring.
Congratulations to this lovely couple and wishing you both bliss in your journey!
Wanting to redesign your old jewellery into new? Remodelling your old jewellery is easier than you think. There is special meaning in keeping an inheritance, set in a new style to keep with the times.Â
“Something old, Something new, Something borrowed, Something blue, And a silver six pence in her shoe”
An 1883 English folklore recounts that the old item provided protection for the baby to come and for good luck.
Have you recently inherited some of your mother’s or grandparents’ older jewellery? Would you like to wear it as a part of your “something old, something new”? A piece of jewellery that you could both on your wedding day and even after your wedding? Something you could wear daily or even on special occasions?
Older styles of jewellery, while it has its appeal, may not be as easy to wear with apparel of modern, contemporary styles. And sometimes, it requires a little more than a simple cleaning job at your local jeweller. Remodelling your old jewellery or upcycling your old jewellery is the perfect way to update a special memento. It is a way of keeping a part of you that you cherish, in a style that is relevant to you. KeepÂ
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After redesigning, this pieces looks so much fresher and reminds one of Spring. Not at all ostentatious, dressy enough for an occasion, yet, simple enough for an evening out.
Who ever said wearing Jade pieces needs to look dated or old?  😉
Want some vintage design ideas? Or perhaps tips on how to care for your jewellery? Click below:
In collaboration with Bridestory Singapore, we feature a pearl collection for that special day, for that special bride-to-be.
The modern day bride can be ethereal, rustic, romantic without being too OTT if the gown is accessorised with the right choice of jewellery and hair accessories, paired with a beautiful gown and the correct makeup.
Jewellery on your wedding day need not be boring and neither should it clash with your bridal gown and bridal look. When planned properly, it can enhance the bride’s features, and pearls can add that glow to your complexion.
Wearing pearls at night completes the look of elegance without being too garish. A simpler pearl pendant paired with cap-sleeved bridal gown helps even out the proportion of an otherwise empty neckline.
For visuals of other pearl and bridal jewellery available in the bridal collection, pls see:Â Bridal Jewellery Collection
A ring that was customised as a wedding anniversary gift with 3 coloured diamonds to signify the couple’s 3 children.
A style that is unique, yet understated and wearable daily with somewhat of a cool factor and definitely not something off-the-shelf. The lady wanted a design that symbolised the pure, natural love for her family, husband and children, hence the organic-styled design of this ring. As with any family dynamics, there is always undulating up and downs symbolised by the uneven texture of this ring. But at the end of the day, everything comes full circle, symbolised by the circle of this ring.
What is special about this ring is that no 2 sides or faces about this ring is remotely the same.