When a blue sapphire ring is not an engagement ring

A sapphire ring does not necessarily always have to be an engagement ring.

And so a client of ours decide to pamper herself with an unheated sapphire ring. She was looking for a nice medium vibrant blue. After viewing our selection of unheated sapphires, she set her heart on a particular piece of cushion shape, 2.16ct blue sapphire. It really is very pretty both under natural daylight and artificial shop lighting.

Not quite sure of the design she wanted, we provided her some design options that would complement both herself and something that would work for the gemstone itself. (i.e.: not all designs are suitable for every gemstone as it depends on the shape and colour of the gem).

She wanted something suitable for more regular wear but nothing too ostentatious – yet still sparkly and pretty. Somewhat like a cocktail ring or dressier, but nothing too chunky.

After discussions and measurements, she had finally decided on the design of her ring.

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Come meet us at Marina Bay Sands Expo from 3rd – 6th July 2014

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Deep Ocean Blue Sapphire Ring (Heated)

There is romantic appeal in such a deep mysterious shade of ocean blue sapphire. And surprisingly, this sapphire ring is not unheated. Yes, Heritage Gems does have access to heated sapphires as well.

Though heated, this particular shade of blue is not what one would typically see at a highstreet/mainstream jeweller. It is unique deep mysterious blue. Our client said “I feel calm when I see this colour”.

Heated blue sapphires normally offered at your mainstream jeweller are usually an intense, almost bright blue shade. Some would describe these shades as somewhat artificial looking.

Again, one of the main reasons why we do what we do. We are passionate about colours. Coloured sparklers are intimately fascinating. As an engagement ring, the lady of the hour decided she wanted a simple and evergreen style that could last her for years to come and a style she could wear for even the most simple of occasions.

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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

 

 

In The Press – Indonesia Tatler Society 2014

It is an honour for Heritage Gems to appear in the front pages of the annual Indonesia Tatler Society magazine.

Grab your 2014 copy now!

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Rubellite Tourmaline Ring

Just what lengths would Heritage Gems go to, to ensure your piece of bespoke jewellery is truly fine quality? No matter big or small, our aim is to provide the best quality for your dollar.

Featured below is a small rubellite ring. Though small, it is of exceptional colour and extremely eye-clean – i.e.: fine quality. For those who are unaware, rubellite tourmaline is generally heavily included. About as heavily included as emeralds.

This piece however, is 100% eye-clean.

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Nice colours for Rubellites should include the raspberry overtones, making it special and differentiating it from the mainstream pink tourmaline. As seen in the above photo, this piece has a captivating raspberry hue. “Raspberry” colour has indicated by Pantone.

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Commercial Quality Rubellite Tourmaline

 

Above is an example of commercial quality Rubellite Tourmaline. Colour and lustre is not quite spectacular and also notice the large inclusion across the middle of the gemstone.

 

Beautiful Unheated blue sapphires are rarer than you think

Colour-matching service is exclusive only for our special VIP clients.

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Our client had informed us he was looking for a unheated sapphire ring to match his wife’s existing earrings. Colour matching in 100% natural unheated gemstones is extremely difficult, especially when sourced at different times. Simply because no two natural colours are the same. Similarly, no twins are exactly the same, – there’s always a slight difference.

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This ring is special in its colour. 100% eye-clean, this 2.12ct sapphire is almost electric blue under natural gentle morning sun. One of our most remarkable pieces by far. Unheated, of course.

Our client has a keen eye for fine quality gems. His “budget” allowed for even dark, royal blue sapphires. However, he simply insisted on a medium, almost electric-blue sapphire ring for his wife, to match her existing earrings. We needed some time.

After much sourcing and hunting, we found this that thankfully met his requirements.

When you need to propose with a gem possibly rarer than diamonds…

Why propose with a boring colourless diamond when you can mark that special occasion with a gem that is possibly more rare than a diamond?

Frankly, is one diamond that is D colour, IF clarity that much different from another D colour, IF clarity? At most jewellers, you would have at least 2 of the same “D, IF” quality to choose from. Main difference is possibly only in size/shape.

True to Heritage Gems quality, this piece features a 5.04ct unheated blue sapphire. Our client wanted to propose with no less than an unheated blue sapphire. He found his answer with us. After some deliberation on the choice of sapphire and design, our client decided that the sapphire he had chosen was stunning on its own. Hence, he picked a timeless and elegant design, as seen below.

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In a nice deep royal blue with such stunning lustre, set in 18K white gold, flanked by icy-white diamonds that is eye-catching even from a distance.

Fine Quality Unheated Blue Sapphire Engagement Ring

Blue Sapphire Engagement Rings are fast gaining popularity, especially since Kate Middleton was proposed to with one.

Requesting for a blue sapphire sounds relatively simple enough. And how hard can it be to customise that special, ideal engagement ring? But there are actually several considerations to be thought through before settling on that ideal piece.

  • Shade of blue: Light blue? Medium Blue? Deep? Inky Blue? Royal Blue?
  • Fine quality should be evenly-toned and well-saturated colour.
  • When viewing the loose gem, pay attention that as the gem is tilted/rocked from side-to-side, that there is colour throughout the entire gem. Commercial quality sapphires tend to have colour-banding/colour-zones whereby certain parts of the gem are colourless.
  • Why are sapphires with colour-bands/colour-zones considered commercial quality? It is common for sapphires to exhibit these streaks of blue, due to the way the rock is formed. While this does not affect the integrity of the gem, it certainly does not enhance the aesthetic beauty of the gem. Hence, a market premium is paid for well-saturated and evenly coloured gems.
  • Unheat or Heat?: Again, this is entirely a matter of personal preference. However, heated sapphires are easily found and beautiful heated sapphires are plenty abound. So, if one is able to chance upon a aesthetically beautiful gem that is 100% untreated and unheated, it would add to the value of the gem. 
  • What is your choice of metal?
  • What style of ring? What sort of design? This will affect budget too.

Featured below is a custom-made, eye-catching medium-blue unheated sapphire ring set in 950 pure platinum, with E-F diamonds. Notice how the sapphire seems to glow from within! Very good lustre and brilliancy, evenly-toned with a strong medium blue hue. This eye-catching piece is a stunner even without the aid of direct light source.

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*Photo above taken indoors with incandescent light.

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All photos and videos have been taken under natural daylight (unless otherwise specified). No filters or artificial photoshop or enhancement done to the photos and videos.

RARE Rubellite Tourmaline Ring

The Rubellite Tourmaline is a special kind of Tourmaline that has that characteristic raspberry hue. It is uncommon for a Rubellite Tourmaline to be eye-clean. Similar to Emeralds, Rubellite Tourmaline is classified by GIA as a Type III gemstone – meaning that it is generally accepted that these gemstones have many natural inclusions. Hence, if a Type III gemstone is eye-clean, it is a fine quality material which would naturally be accompanied by a larger price tag.

 

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Photo taken in natural daylight

This featured Rubellite cocktail ring is a stunning 8.31ct, 100% eye-clean Rubellite, which is absolutely RARE. Surrounded by 2 cts natural untreated accent diamonds, set in solid 18K white gold, it makes for a stunning piece to wear for that special occasion. This is a statement piece that will definitely get you compliments.

Price: SGD9,800 only