Imperial Topaz Gold Ring

Published on June 17, 2019May 19, 2021 by Heritage Gems Fine JewelleryLeave a comment

What is the most valuable type of Topaz?

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.

Golden 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):

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Rare Tsavorite and Diamond Engagement Ring

Published on September 11, 2018October 15, 2020 by Heritage Gems Fine Jewellery1 Comment

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?

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?

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.

Vintage style engagement ring

Published on May 10, 2018October 15, 2020 by Heritage Gems Fine JewelleryLeave a comment

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

See our original post on the making of this ring here! Bleu Spinel in Custom Blended 18K Natural Gold

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!

Something old, Something New

Published on April 13, 2018October 21, 2020 by Heritage Gems Fine JewelleryLeave a comment

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.

“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. Keep

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:

Tahitian Pearl and Diamond Ear Drops

Published on October 2, 2017May 21, 2018 by Heritage Gems Fine JewelleryLeave a comment

A stellar pair of Tahitian pearls and diamond cluster ear-drops. At 13mm diameter, this pair of Tahitian pearls are of AAA, fine quality with no blemish and very good reflective lustre. Specially sourced on a commissioned basis, this pair of perfectly round Tahitian pearls are of superb quality.

Factors that affect price of pearls:

Roundness: Pearls are classified according to perfectly round, semi-round, oval, button, baroque, cercled (yes, you read that right. There is no spelling error – it is not circled).
Shine/Lustre: Excellent mirror-like lustre, very good lustre, good lustre, average lustre and weak lustre.
Surface: No imperfection/blemish, minimal imperfections, imperfections and important imperfections

Size also plays a big role in price point. Assuming all other assessing factors of quality being the same, the larger the pearl, the more expensive. For example, a 15mm pearl that is perfect round with very good lustre and no blemish would command a much higher price than a 15mm pearl that is semi-round, average lustre and has imperfections.

The pair of Tahitian pearl ear drops were commissioned to complement our client’s existing Tahitian baroque pearl necklace and we must say it is stunning.

The design of the pearl earrings were conceptualised from the natural environment of the ocean where oysters and corals are a part of the natural landscape.

At first glance, it seems the diamonds have been randomly clustered into a somewhat irregular shape. However, on closer look, one would realise there is actually symmetry to be found in the design and the placement of the diamonds. It makes for a very natural piece of art one would wear on herself.

Pls join us at the Singapore International Jewellery Expo 2017 this July.

Published on July 5, 2017July 7, 2017 by Heritage Gems Fine JewelleryLeave a comment

Stunning Mandarin Spessatite Fine Jewellery

Published on January 7, 2017May 24, 2018 by Heritage Gems Fine JewelleryLeave a comment

Garnets have good hardness and durability and come in various colours. The gemstone & jewellery industry dedicates a special mention to the Mandarin Spessatite, which ranges from a orange to yellow-orange to deep reddish-orange or a deep orange-red colour. And within this special class of garnets called the Mandarin Spessatites, there is a special locale that produces that signature Tangerine Orange colour. These are the ones from Namibia. In a class of its own.

Namibia produces Spessartites that come in a bright, fiery orange colour. Pure tangerine orange. Not too much yellow, not too much red. Just pure orange, like Tangerines.

It is the Manganese compound that gives the gemstone that bright orange colour. It is best to view Mandarin Spessartites in daylight, as viewing them in yellow light or store light might result in the Spessartite looking more warm in tone than it actually is, making it seem more “orange-y” than it really is.

Below is a stunning, customised set of Mandarin Spessartite jewellery.

What Mandarin Spessatites are famous for is their high lustre, brilliance and best of all, they are normally unheated and untreated. While Mandarin Spessatites do come with some natural inclusions visible to the eye, it is possible to source those that are relatively eye-clean.

Visit us at the Singapore Jewellery and Gem Fair 2016

Published on October 31, 2016October 31, 2016 by Heritage Gems Fine JewelleryLeave a comment

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Unheat Pink Sapphire Ring with Heart Detailing

Pink Proposal Ring

Published on August 29, 2016May 29, 2017 by Heritage Gems Fine JewelleryLeave a comment

A proposal ring does not have to be blue.

Pastel pinks make for pretty and romantic engagement rings. Seen here is a round, unheat pastel pink sapphire, flanked by 4 pieces round diamonds set in a wave design with a heart-shape detailing on the cross-section. In 18K white gold.

Petite and dainty yet fuss-free, this design is evergreen which allows most of the attention to be focussed on the unheat pink sapphire.

Pink Tourmaline Princess Cut Diamond Earrings

Pink Bridal Jewellery

Published on August 29, 2016July 4, 2018 by Heritage Gems Fine JewelleryLeave a comment

Pink Tourmalines make for great jewellery. Ranking 7-7.5 on the MOHs hardness scale, tourmalines can be set into rings, earrings, pendants and even bracelets.

Let us not get confused with the MOHs hardness scale. For example, diamonds that rank a sturdy “10” on the hardness scale, does not mean that the diamond is invincible. It merely means that it is scratch-proof. Diamonds are however, not chip-proof or break-proof. The MOHs hardness scale merely shows the ability of a certain material/mineral to scratch another softer material/mineral. This means that if one were to bring a hammer down on a diamond or say knock a diamond on a fairly hard material or at a sharp angle (perhaps a metal/stainless steel joining commonly found around the house), that diamond can be chipped or crack lines can occur.

Below is a pair of oval shaped Pink Tourmalines set into a modern, yet stunning piece of art great for regular wear. And no, we do not require a halo of diamonds surrounding the centre gem for every piece of jewellery we create.

With Princess cut diamonds totalling close to 1 ct in total weight, this pair of earrings is also created as part of bridal jewellery set. No, your bridal jewellery does not necessarily have to be white nor colourless! Add that pop of colour to your white gown and definitely stand our from the crowd, in a unique yet beautiful way.

Category: precious gems

Imperial Topaz Gold Ring

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