Customised Fine Jewellery

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Unheated Tanzanite Earrings Heritage Gems

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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

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May Birthstone Emerald Earrings

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Emeralds are the birthstones of May babies. Featured below is a pair of beautiful Emerald May birthstone earrings with fairly high levels of transparency, lustre and cleanliness, all of which, is rare to find in a certified matching pair of insignificantly oiled Emeralds.

Level of inclusions in Emeralds:

As most gemstone and jewellery lovers are possibly aware, the level of inclusions in an Emerald gem is something every Emerald lover will have to accept. Emeralds are a naturally highly-included gemstone. It is nearly impossible for an Emerald to be loupe-clean. Having said this though, a fairly eye-clean, highly-transparent Emerald is highly prized. The transparency of a gemstone is assessed by the absence of any type of cloudiness, “milkiness”, and inclusions within the gem. An example of a gem that almost always and usually exhibits high levels of transparency is the Tanzanite. One could almost describe the transparency level of a Tanzanite as being “glass-like”.

Practical longevity in design aesthetic:

Seen below is an exquisite pair of May Birthstone Emerald earrings. If you have been following us for awhile, you would have realised that we lean towards; and prefer creating jewellery with designs that have practical longevity. Now, this does not mean boring. It means creating pieces that one could wear with almost anything and for any occasion, day and night. In trying to create designs that do not date quickly – this means designs putting ourselves in the mindframe of our client and hearing their design preference and needs. Practical longevity means different things to different people. For some, it could mean having a design that they could see themselves gifting it to their daughters or sons. For others, it could be setting it in a design that goes well with most of their apparel in the their wardrobe. Often times, our designs transcends time and generations.

We marvel at that soft luminous glow emanating from the emeralds. Photos below are taken in natural daylight, with no photo edits.

The luminous blue-green glow in a pair of insignificant-oiled Emerald earrings
Stunning Pair of Green Emeralds that has a nice lively appearance to the gem
Pair of insignificant oiled Emerald Earrings

Rarity:

Set in a petite floral-esque design, a pair of certified insignificant-oiled Emerald earrings is rare and not easy to source. With more focus on diamonds and emeralds and less on gold work, the final piece is a sight for sore-eyes.

Check us out on Instagram @heritagegems for more videos on this pair of Emerald earrings:

Some of our previous works here below:

AquamarineEngagementRing1
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Aquamarine – the March birthstone

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The March birthstone, Aquamarine, is highly prized for its vibrant clear blue colour. Reminiscent of the sky’s blue, even though Aquamarine in Latin means “sea water”. Aquamarines make for very attractive fine jewellery pieces due to its vitreous lustre, which means it has a shiny, glass-like appearance. Hues and shades of Aquamarine ranges from pale, sky blue to pastel shades of green blue. Prized Aquamarines have hues leaning towards the vivid blues of Swiss Blue Topaz. However shades like these from current mines are considered extremely rare.

See below a beautiful Aquamarine engagement ring, we recently customised with a French Micropave setting and featuring a princess cut peekaboo diamond. This piece is designed in a modern-vintage style which is elegant and timeless.

Aquamarines may be a March birthstone, but it is celebrated and worn by women, celebrities and royalties the world over. It has a beautiful, shiny lustre that easily wins the hearts of many.

Unknown to many, it is not often heavily included. GIA classifies Aquamarines as a Type 1 Clarity level. This means these gemstones are often eye-clean. Other types of gemstones also classified as Type 1 Clarity level include Tanzanites, Tourmalines, Morganites, and Blue Zircons. So, simply put, an Aquamarine that has visible inclusions will normally result in a price drop.

View more videos for this Aquamarine ring on our Instagram (@heritagegems) here below:

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Comparison of Spinel quality

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If you’ve been searching for coloured gemstones at various gem and jewellery stores, you might have wondered why some stones appear more sleepy than some and you wonder if you might have remembered them incorrectly especially when comparison takes place across different stores and often, on different days and times.

Below we share a video of 2 spinels taken using the same iPhone, taken in succession on the same day. With the first 2 frames showing 2 individual stones and the last frame showing both Spinels taken in the same frame.

Spinel #A

On initial comparison, the first Spinel, Spinel A appears well-cut, with good clarity and appears to be decently lively looking. Imagine you see this gem in person at a jeweller during your search process and being quoted $X for this piece.

spinel #B

Separately, you view Spinel #2, Spinel B, on a different day or perhaps on the same day, but at a different time, from a different jeweller. This piece does appear to be more lively. Although, based on memory, you were pretty sure the first piece was probably as lively and probably had as much sparkle as the 2nd piece you are currently seeing. And when you ask for the price on this 2nd piece, you are told a price that is considerably higher than the first. You then begin to wonder if you’re being fleeced.

Searching for your coloured gemstone of choice can seem daunting at first, but if you’re in the right hands, it is in fact a fun and educational process.

Comparing both Spinels

Now, in fact, when you watch both pieces taken in the same video (see last frame), placed side-by-side, it becomes instantly apparent the difference in sparkle, lustre and brilliance between both pieces.

A fine quality coloured gemstone with lively appearance will seem to have light radiating from within the gem. At some points, depending on light angles, fine quality coloured stones can be as sparkly as a diamond!

Comparison in lustre and brilliance between 2 spinels.

Need help on finding fine quality gemstones? Drop us an email: heritagegems@gmail.com or WhatsApp +6597716923. We’d be happy to assist.

green sapphire ring
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Mysterious Green Sapphire Proposal Ring

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They came to us looking for a bespoke yet uniquely designed engagement ring. The main request was that the gem had to be an unheated sapphire. Not only does the centre gem have to be one-of-kind, the design must not only be special, yet classy.

The customisation process for this endearing green sapphire ring

It was truly a pleasure to work on this piece. Unheat green sapphires that are finely faceted, loupe clean, with such a beautiful intense hue are rare. 

A bespoke engagement ring fitting for the lady of the hour. At Heritage Gems, our art pieces go through a period of idea brainstorming and discussions, working not only with our jewellery artisans but together with whom the piece is intended for. Every small detail of jewellery, not left out of consideration and design discussion. It is an enjoyable process, both for us as jewellers, our clients and also our jewellery artisans. 

Featured below is an assymetrically-designed unheated green sapphire engagement ring. The bride-to-be was searching for that special stone, set in a design that was uniquely her. She said she was keen on a sapphire, but not in the usual colours. She did not know during the initial stages of the gemstone / design consultation that she wanted a green sapphire. She was however, open to trying on several colours. After trying on several shades and colours, she found herself more drawn to our unique shade of green in this particular Sapphire. It was not long before her heart was set on this piece. 

When it came to ring setting, she knew she did not want the usual halo design ring. “Surprise me!”, she said. And I’m pretty sure we did. 

What design options did we suggest? – Design consultation needs

Design brainstorming ideas were tossed and Mr B. said he was quite sure Ms S. would want something that was somewhat unconventional, yet aesthetically pretty and definitely a design that was timeless. They did not want a design that was unique, overly bold / trendy , but would soon quickly become dated. 

And so it was decided that an asymmetrical design was the best and most timeless way to spruce up a symmetrically-shaped gemstone. The final product was a a dreamy, mysterious green sapphire engagement ring.

At Heritage Gems, our customisation process of engagement rings and significant occasion jewellery is never taken lightly.

If you’d like for us to create a unique yet charming proposal ring that she cannot say no to, drop us an email at heritagegems@gmail.com or better yet, give us a call on 97716923.

Unheated Green Sapphire Engagement Ring
Side view of uniquely designed engagement ring

Stunning Green Sapphire and Diamond Ring in 18K Gold
Mysterious Green Sapphire and Diamond Ring

View more videos of this beautiful unheated Green Sapphire ring right here on our Instagram (@heritagegems). If you like our work, drop us a comment on our Instagram and let us know what you think! ^_^

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Whimsical, bespoke and fun cocktail earrings

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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:

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Imperial Topaz Gold Ring

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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.

Imperial Topaz Ring in 18K Natural Gold
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):