Let's Talk Diamonds, White Sapphires And Moissanites

Well Happy Birthday to me!💟🎉

I love gemstones, I think for the right reason. Not for their monetary value but for their connection to mother nature wherein they are created over billions of years ... combined with the modern artistry of wo/man whose skillful hands find, cut, and polish them to best show off their exquisite beauty.

For my birthday I got a set of the huge white gemstones I covet, namely a 4-carat brilliant-cut diamond eternity ring and matching 4-carat diamond stud earrings🤥 ... well to be truthful, not exactly diamond gemstones, but white sapphires. Remember my motto? First a dreamer, then a realistic!

Diamonds would cost a fortune, about $110,000+ for the diamond ring and around $33,000 for the stud earrings. Frankly, it's a foolish sum of money for a regular person to spend.

Although there are distinct differences in shine between diamonds and other white gemstones (a/k/a diamond alternatives) such as white sapphire and moissanite, the latter two are gorgeous substitutes for the wildly more expensive diamonds, so a gal won't have to hock her home nor do without her sparkle!

Photo: Italo Jewelry

White sapphire (corundum, a 9) and moissanite (silicon carbide, a 9.25) are right behind diamonds (carbon, a 10) on Moh's Scale of Mineral Hardness and therefore durable to set in rings. What follows are reasons you might consider white sapphire or moissanite over a diamond when buying a bigger stone ... and I'll briefly contrast their appearances.

The only reason to not buy a diamond is its greater expense IMHO. The big stones over 2 carats put too many zeros on a credit card which would send many of us into debt! In comparison to diamonds, white sapphire and moissanite gemstones are cheap, especially for a big size. All 3 white gemstones (diamonds, white sapphires, and moissanites) have a lovely sparkle, yet they sparkle differently.

In terms of brilliance (white sparkle) and fire (color sparkle), a diamond outshines white sapphires and has warmer flashes of light (a/k/a glitter; shine) than both white sapphires and moissanite which both have a cooler tone. Brilliant-cut diamonds have a rainbow of shine. White sapphires have a grey or silvery sparkle. Compared to diamonds, moissanite, too, has a cool, bluish brilliance and compared to white sapphires, more fire.

Don't buy a ring gemstone below an 8 in hardness if on a budget as you might have to replace it.

Moissanite's high refractive index (how light bends and passes through a stone) will make it sparkle across a room like no other gemstone, so if you're looking for a huge wow factor (like flashing people across a room😄), you can't go wrong with moissanite. 

Like diamonds, diamond alternatives can be either natural (white sapphire) or lab-grown (white sapphire and moissanite). There are enough white sapphires in nature to mine whereas moissanite is so rare that all moissanite in jewelry is lab-grown. Since white sapphires can be either natural or lab-grown, the seller is required to state which one you're buying. My birthday ring and stud earrings are lab-grown white sapphires, which doesn't bother me as I know what I'm getting for less money. Lab-grown gemstones are chemically and physically identical to the gemstones created in nature. They are less costly due to lower demand and production costs.

Each of the 3 gemstones has its own unique beauty. With a good stone cut and jewelry design, you'll enjoy wearing the less in-demand stones without going broke, and only a jeweler will detect which of the 3 is on your finger, neck, or ears. I'm getting loads of compliments and having fun with my great big blingy stones that don't cost a fortune!

Critics (usually people who sell diamonds) will tell you that white sapphires and moissanites don't hold their value like diamonds, but if you haven't paid an arm and a leg for them what do you care? What's more, jewelry isn't an investment as you'll rarely make but often lose money when reselling pieces. Luxuries, including jewelry, are things of beauty, never investments!

Another negative you'll hear is diamond alternatives look fake. But they don't if you expand your idea of beauty. Remember: I love all gemstones! White sapphire and moissanite only look fake if buyers try to pass them off as diamonds. They don't look fake as white sapphires and moissanites!! Girrrlll, can't we love all 3 stones!?🙂

Here's where I got my white sapphires. What's your favorite diamond alternative and why?

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The Ocean Sapphire and Diamond Suite from the House of Mouawad has 241.54 carats of Sri Lanka sapphires and 156.61 carats of colorless diamonds total.

Today's blog is pure eye candy! One of my favorite luxury items to browse is fine jewelry, and I don't limit myself to only what I can afford. The to-die-for Mouawad jewelry suites are for sale, yet few of us could buy them. If you truly love precious gems, you want to see the top of the line. I love big rocks, especially the flawless, translucent, and spectacular color kind! Who doesn't? The benefit of living in Manhattan is I'm within walking distance of master jewelers and famous jewels ... and why deny myself the joy of seeing and sometimes trying on the pieces? After all, when I walk into the Met or Smithsonian for a look, I don't expect to walk out with a painting. It's the appreciation of beauty, as well as, quite an education! So come along and browse with me ...

The Carmen Lucia Ruby is 23.10 carats, and the Chalk Emerald is 37.8 carats.

The extremely rare Burmese ruby has a rich red color known as pigeon's blood, and the top-tier clarity and the bluish-green hue of the Columbian emerald make it one of the world's finest. Both are in the National Gem Collection at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC.

The Marie Antoinette earrings weigh 14.25 & 20.34 carats respectively, and the Bismarck Sapphire, designed by Cartier, is 98.57 carats.

Queen Marie Antoinette sent her jewelry for safekeeping to Belgium and onto her native Vienna one year before being guillotined in 1793 during France's Reign of Terror. Her nephew, the Austrian Emperor, gave the jewels to her only surviving daughter, Marie-Therese de France upon her release from captivity and arrival in Austria. The earrings may have been bought by Napoleon III for his wife Empress Eugenie and eventually ended up at the Smithsonian where they are today.

The magnificent blue sapphire on the right has perfect clarity and transparency and is the quality of sapphire we ordinary people wish we could buy! It is set with 312 brilliant and baguette-cut white (i.e., colorless) diamonds. Thankfully it is also on view at the Smithsonian for all to see.

The Divine Muzo and Pear Emerald Suite is from the House of Mouawad - The necklace emerald is 72.40 carats, the bracelet is 54.38 carats, the ring is 53.11 carats, and the earrings are 41.12 carats.

This glamourous emerald suite is not in a museum. More information about the pieces is here.

In its 300 years of history, the Hope Diamond (below) had 3 sizes and several owners including France's King Louis XIV. Later during the Reign of Terror, it was stolen and cut down to its present size of 45.52 carats. Finally, jeweler Harry Winston bought it in 1949 and in 1958 gave it to the Museum of Natural History in Washington DC, and yes siree, Bob, Louie, Harry, I've seen it!

On public display - The Hope Diamond - It had 3 names ...

Although it takes the artistry of wo/man to enhance the beauty of gemstones by expertly cutting and polishing them, as well as, a good eye for design setting, it all starts with Mother Nature, and isn't she a marvel? We also should think about the miners (and villagers) who search for, dig and extract the rough stones, and who throughout history were exploited and not paid fair market value for their finds. If we can't undo the past, certainly we can do better in the future to pay and treat people fairly. Let's take care of Mother Nature, her bounty, and one another.💎                                                   

Models of the Hope Diamond in its 3 sizes as the Tavenier at 115 carats, the French Blue at 69 carats, and as the Hope Diamond at 45.52 carats

And now, let's have even more fun. I'll select a few of my favorite pieces owned by someone and not just any random someone, but namely, Queen Elizabeth II, who has a huge, priceless jewelry collection, some of it personal and some of it falls under the Crown Jewels -- estimated value to be around $4 billion dollars. However, The Crown Jewels are not insured and therefore have never been appraised. 

The Coronation Necklace (passed down from Queen Victoria) -- and always worn by Queens and Queen Consorts to open Parlament; and the King George VI Victorian Suite -- given to his daughter as a wedding gift. Wow and wow!!

So what will you wear tonight, Debra 😁, um Your Majesty ... diamonds, sapphires, rubies, or emeralds? And oooh, which set of diamonds, sapphires, rubies or emeralds???

The Queen Mary Diamond Fringe Tiara worn with her Diamond Festoon Necklace😍; and Queen Victoria’s Crown Ruby necklace and Ruby Pendent with the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara.

Daughters, granddaughters, Debra 🤥 and the spouses of sons and grandsons get to borrow one of Queen Elizabeth's tiaras to wear on their wedding day, as well as, at special events. I'd be thrilled to simply try on my favorites if you stumble upon my blog, Your Majesty!

Burmese Ruby Tiara and the Baring Ruby necklace and Queen Mary’s Ruby Cluster Earrings; Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara. P. Eugenie's emerald and diamond drop earrings were a wedding gift from the groom.

Below is Queen Victoria's Sapphire Coronet, a piece I hope gets permanently donated to a museum. Designed by Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert (about 1842), the coronet was passed on to great-granddaughter Princess Mary as a gift from her father, King George V. Her descendants sold the coronet but it was bought by a wealthy someone who allowed it to be exhibited in 2002 at the Victoria and Albert Museum. It would be sad if this piece of history forever disappeared into a private collection and became unavailable for public viewing. 

BTW, if I borrowed the gorgeous Mauawad Ocean Sapphire and Diamond Suite at the top I'd feel and look like a Queen, minus the state dinners to wear them to ... unless the Queen decided to invite me to attend one of hers. While Across the Pond perhaps my new royal girlfriend will let me take a look at those lovely Crown Jewels!😁💂

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Cabochon Cut Gemstones

Photo: 1stdibs - A cabochon cut emerald 

Cabochons are smooth, polished gemstones without facets. They are often cut with a convex (rounded and bulged), i.e. a dome with a flat bottom. A cabochon cut is the earliest known method of cutting gemstones into jewelry. Not until the 13th century were gemstones first cut into facets.

Photo: Raf Jewels - ruby

Nowadays transparent (light passes through) stones are usually cut faceted, whereas translucent (some light passes through) or opaque (no light passes through) gemstones are good candidates for cabochons.

Some of the reasons for cabochons include 1) enhancing a gemstone's color or texture; 2) highlighting its unique inclusions or optical effects; and 3) turning softer stones into jewelry that would fracture if cut into facets.

Tsavorite (a green garnet) cabochon

Below are several more cabochon cut gemstones. Some are costly, others are less pricey depending on rarity and demand for the stones. Clearly natural gemstones are lovely at every price point. Who cares how common it is?

1) Chatoyancy (a cat's eye); 2) Asterism (the star effect) - Real star corundums (sapphires or rubies) are rare and expensive.

(3) Adularescence - has a glow when light bounces off of it (a moonstone); (4) Iridescence - changes color with moment (a white opal); and 

(5) Aventurescence - has a twinkling shine (pink and green aventurine) - These stones can be chiseled into hearts, ovals, other shapes, or left as free form.

According to Barlows Gems, the shape of a cabochon can be symmetrical, calibrated, or free form. "Symmetrical" means a cabochon is mirror imaged on both sides. "Calibrated" is a term used for rounds or ovals as they are standard sized stones measured in millimeters. "Free form" cabochons have no definite shape like the aventurine stones shown above↑.

Photo: Barlows Gems

Now that we'd discussed what cabochon gemstones are and I've shown you a few types, would you splurge on a cabochon? In jewelry do you like cabochon stones: a) better; b) the same as; or c) not as much as faceted cut stones? Tell us why.

Photo: Gem Select

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Emerald Jewelry Gifts At Macy's

Hey Macy's, you get me. You had me at "hello!":)

Everybody's heart flutters in response to certain luxuries. Some folks gawk at designer bags; for others it's high fashion clothing; and yet others love couture shoes. Or sometimes the temptation is luxe perfume or makeup. I get it! ~ I'm an under buyer; nonetheless, my hot ticket item is jewelry ... and Macy's knows it! They respond by sending me their jewelry sale catalogs. (I bet you don't get them, do you?) 

I see what I want for Christmas on the latest cover. Unfortunately, it will remain only a wish ... since the tab adds up to a huge chunk of change. Do the math: A budget buster even after applying a 30% discount! 

Still perusing and admiring are free! So let's take a look at the beautiful emerald set on the front cover. For sure, some-lucky-body will get more than sugarplums dancing in her head ... and find these sparklers under her tree. Will it be you?

1) Macy's Emerald (15 ct. t.w.) & Diamond (2-1/2 ct. t.w.) 16" Statement Necklace in 14k White Gold -- Utlra classic! 

2) Brasilica by EFFY® Emerald (9/10 ct. t.w.) and Diamond (1/6 ct. t.w.) Pear-Shaped Ring in 14k White Gold, Created for Macy's - How about created for THE SAVVY SHOPPER ... ahhh, doesn't it have a nice ring to it?:)

3) Macy's Emerald (6-1/2 ct. t.w.) & Diamond (1/8 ct. t.w.) Drop Earrings in 14k White Gold -- Jeminy Cricket Christmas, gorgeous! Also should've been created for muah, but someone forgetful forget to tell the universe!

Save for a small stone in a Christmas bell charm, I don't own any emeralds. They are rarer and thus more expensive than diamonds per carat. Emeralds register an 8 on the Mohl's Hardness Scale of gems; their relative sturdiness make them suitable to wear as necklaces, earrings and rings. They are the birth stone for May babies.

As the Savvy Shopper, allow me to throw you several consolation bones. Many people can't afford the stunning set (above and to the right sans ad copy) without mortgaging their home, but we can find pretty emeralds to get something of the effect of the pricey set. Macy's has a big inventory combined with promotions to fit every budget ... a reason I like their fine jewelry department. You can find a lovely piece and honest customer service at Herald Square and online. Here is a budget friendly pick that will produce a stellar effect for less: 

Macy's Emerald (1-1/5 ct. t.w.) & Diamond Accent Curved Bar Stud Earrings in 14k Yellow Gold - Quite a respectable size! Drop earrings make the effect of smaller stones appear larger.

Other emerald beauties for under $400 (on sale). If you miss one promotion, simply wait for another, as they return during the year:

 
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Queen Victoria's coronation ring

Queen Victoria had smaller hands then her predecessor, King William IV, so her carnation ring of a large sapphire, rubies and diamonds was made just for her. She left the ring to the Crown. It is part of the Crown Jewels.

Big rare Ceylon blue sapphires are rare in nature, making them expensive. What a shame to cover it up with rubies and close it off with diamonds. I wouldn't do a thing to this ring to preserve history. The ring has much British symbolism, but a better setting would show off the loveliness of all the magnificent top-notch stones.

As commoners much lower on the wage-food-chain, we don't have the luxury of poor jewelry design. A piece of fine jewelry we save up to buy becomes a waste if we don't love and wear it. What's more, many of us can't afford big, perfect stones. So the most important factor to consider is good jewelry design. How the stones are set and arranged matter. 

Don't worry. When you see good jewelry design you recognize it!

And guess what? With good design, less perfect stones can look stunning. A ring sparkles on a finger. Earrings glitter on the ears. A splurge without emptying a wallet is possible for a savvy shopper! So trust your eyes and your gut. Only buy what you love.

Diamonds (made of carbon) rate a 10 on the Mohl Scale of Stone Hardness. Sapphires (blue corundum, a mineral made of alumina and oxygen) and rubies (red corundum) are a 9, while emeralds (made of beryllium) rate an 8. All are hard enough for jewelry. Diamonds are common and plentiful in nature. Emeralds are rarer, followed by rubies, then sapphires. You should buy the gem you love not what costs the most. Why? Because jewelry is not an investment. And diamonds are not rare, but a demand created by marketing, beginning in the 1930s. Once you pay for a diamond ring and bring it home, it loses about half of its value.

The ruby and diamond pendent, belonging to Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain, a gift from her grandmother, Queen Victoria.

Ruby and diamond pendent neckless created for Macy's. Not nearly as pricey as the Queen's, (the ruby and diamonds are smaller and less perfect),  yet beautiful.

Still  jewelry with good design looks gorgeous. Gems catch the light and sparkle when the work of nature (which takes 1000s of years) is improved by a skillful human hand.



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