Category: unheat rubies
Transform your jewellery: Ruby to Garnet Ring
We’ve had a client come to us, looking to change his centre gemstone from its existing ruby cabochon to another suitable gemstone. It is in fact, often easier to change the design of the ring, keeping intact the feature gemstone. However, the original design of this ring made it simple enough to find a suitable replacement gemstone that was similar in shape and size so that they owner could enjoy a new look for less!
Below: BEFORE changing the centre gemstone
Below: The “After” shot.
The basic design of the ring had not changed. Our craftsmen did have to subtly amend the ring slightly to suit the new Cabochon. But what a world of difference it makes to the entire ring when the feature gemstone is a clear, beautiful piece as seen below.
Yes, the owner decided to ditch his Ruby Cabochon for a stunning Garnet Cab.
An incredibly eye-clean Garnet Cabochon makes this piece an instant eye-opener! Garnets make for great jewellery as they rank high on the MOHs scale of hardness. They are generally durable and garnets come in a variety of colours! With colour ranging from purple, red to bright fiery orange and intense green, what’s not to love about the garnet?
Stunning Mandarin Spessatite Fine Jewellery
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.
Spinel Engagement Ring
With so many choices of gemstones out there, why stick to just sapphires for an engagement ring?
Spinels have long been used in fine jewellery. With lustre and brilliance that is comparable and sometimes even rivals that of sapphires, it is not surprising that its popularity has been rising in recent years as people become more aware of this precious gem. Unlike sapphires, spinels are typically unheated as well.
Since ancient times, spinels have long been used on royalty crowns and jewels. And back when technology was not as advanced, people often mistook spinels for corundums (sapphires/rubies) because of its high lustre, being very similar to sapphires.
As far as hardness on the MOH scale, spinels do not fall far behind sapphires, which makes them just as suitable as engagement rings and rings that one would wear on a more regular occasion.
Set in 18K rose gold that beautifully complements the deep red of this spinel, this spinel engagement ring is definitely one of a kind.
