Larsen Jewellery - Engagement Rings

Trapezoid Diamond Engagement Rings

Lars — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 02:11:00 +1100

A trapezoid diamond has four sides and is similar to a triangle with one point missing. Trapezoids are available in both brilliant and step cuts; each giving a unique look so it is recommended to view both options during your diamond appointment.

Trapezoids are most often used to frame a centre diamond on the left and right sides, creating an angular three stone effect. It works best when the centre stone is of emerald, princess or asscher shape as each of these has flat sides for the trapezoids to sit against.

In terms of proportion, the trapezoids should be smaller than the centre diamond, even if just slightly.

Trapezoids are becoming an increasingly popular option in diamond engagement rings, and offer a great alternative to baguette and trillion cuts, which are often used for the same purpose.

For those wanting diamonds to frame their oval or cushion cut centre diamond, crescent trapezoids are the answer.

The longest edge of a crescent trapezoid is curved inwards, which allows the stone to sit comfortably against rounded diamonds.

To view a selection of beautiful trapezoid diamonds, or to try on a range of diamond engagement rings, please contact Larsen Jewellery in Sydney 02 9223 2006 or Melbourne 03 9662 3005.

GIA Certified Diamonds

Lars — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 02:00:00 +1100

The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) was established in 1931 and is the world’s foremost authority on diamonds, coloured gemstones, and pearls.

GIA’s certifications are therefore highly trusted within the jewellery industry and purchasing a GIA certified diamond ensures a safe purchase.

“GIA exists to protect all purchasers of gemstones, by providing the education, laboratory services, research, and instruments needed to accurately and objectively determine gemstone quality.”

The term ‘The 4 C’s’ was created by the GIA, as well as the D-Z colour scale and Flawless to I3 clarity scale.

Larsen Jewellery specialises in custom made diamond rings, as well as the sale of loose diamonds and coloured gemstones certified by the GIA.

To view a range of GIA certified loose diamonds, as well as their certificates, please contact Larsen Jewellery in Sydney 02 9223 2006 or Melbourne 03 9662 3005.

Three Stone Trio Diamond Rings

Lars — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:37:00 +1100

Rings featuring three gemstones, usually diamonds are known as three stone or trio diamond rings. This kind of design is commonly used for engagement rings and can be created using any shape of diamond or coloured gemstone by the expert Jewellers at Larsen Jewellery in Sydney and Melbourne. Your design options are endless and upon appointment we can show you a beautiful selection of diamond to choose from to create your own unique ‘trio’ design.

A vital element to consider is that the two gemstones placed on the outer-sides match each other perfectly in terms of colour, cut and overall look; otherwise one stone will clearly stand out from the other which is not ideal. The centre gemstone, however, can completely differ from the side gemstones without taking away from the design.

Another recommendation is to keep the side gemstones proportionately smaller than the centre stone, even if the difference is only slight, as this will keep the attention on the centre stone which should always be the main focus.

The wonderful thing about choosing a three stone ring is that you have the opportunity to incorporate colour into your design, without sacrificing a diamond. For example, you could use a diamond for the centre stone and then add your favourite coloured gemstones such as sapphires or coloured diamonds on either side.

If coloured gemstones aren’t for you, keep the design elegant and classic by selecting all white diamonds. You can then play around with the many different combinations of diamond cuts that we have available for you.

If you appreciate antique design, or are passionate about the art deco movement then a few simple additions such as mill grain detailing and diamond placement added by our jewellers will turn your trio diamond ring into a work of art.

To view our large range of three stone diamond ring designs, or to arrange an appointment to view a selection of diamonds and coloured gemstones, please give us a call on 02 9223 2006.

White Sapphire / Colourless Sapphire

Lars — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 22:15:00 +1100

Sapphires are widely known for their generous and beautiful colour range.

One of the lesser-known varieties is White Sapphire, which is a great gemstone option to be used in replace of diamonds. White Sapphire is most commonly known as Colourless Sapphire and is sometimes heat treated to remove any unwanted undertones of yellow, blue and grey. Naturally occurring White Sapphire is significantly more valuable than its treated counterparts.

As with all sapphires, it is very strong and durable, making it a perfect choice to be used in fine jewellery.

One of the largest sources of White Sapphire is Sri Lanka, however it can also be found abundantly in Africa and the Middle East.

White Sapphire can be cut and polished in the same way as diamonds, to give them brilliance and ensure they refract as much light as possible. The way the gemstone is cut is the most important factor and will determine its overall sparkle.

If you would like to view a range of loose White Sapphire gemstones within your budget, Larsen Jewellery can happily assist you. We specialise in custom made fine jewellery and can provide you with un-biased advice on what to look for when purchasing a loose diamond or gemstone.

To make an appointment, please contact Larsen Jewellery in Sydney: 02 9223 2006.

Diamond Prices

Lars — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 03:29:00 +1100

Asking the price of a diamond is akin to asking the price of a car, it depends on many factors.

The price of a diamond is largely determined by the carat size, colour, clarity and cut of the individual stone and whether or not it has been certified. There are also certain stones that are significantly more expensive than others due to their rarity, such as pink and blue diamonds.
Every individual diamond is unique and will be priced accordingly, based on its overall quality, grading and characteristics.

A recommended way to receive more information on pricing is to contact a reputable Jeweller that specialises in the sale of loose diamonds.

Once you have viewed a selection of diamonds, you will find some elements to be more important to you than others. For example, you may prefer to have a larger diamond and step down one grade in colour, whereas others may prefer a smaller stone of higher colour grade.

It is also recommended that you choose the diamond, within your price range that catches your eye the most during a viewing. When comparing a $1,500 diamond with a $10,000 diamond, you may well find that you prefer the overall look of less-expensive stone. In other words, sometimes it’s best to choose your stone visually than to worry about what its particular specifications are.

Another strong influence on diamond pricing is the cut grade. The cut grade represents how well the stone has been cut to reflect light and create sparkle, which is the most important contributing factor of them all. Even the highest grade of diamond will look dull if cut poorly. The highest cut grade is ‘Excellent’.

Larsen Jewellery’s talented team of diamond experts can assist you in making an educated decision when purchasing a diamond. Upon a no-obligation appointment they will show you a selection of loose diamonds to choose from, all within your price range and at competitive workshop prices.

To make an appointment please call Larsen Jewellery in Sydney on 02 9223 2006.

Bezel Set Diamond Engagement Ring

Lars — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 03:19:00 +1100

A Bezel-set diamond is one that is completely surrounded by a border of metal, framing the stone along the outside edge. Bezel settings are classic and neat in design and are favoured by those who want to branch out from the traditional claw settings.

Not only does this setting look great, it is also the most secure way to set a diamond. Claws can require re-tipping over time, whereas Bezel settings are incredibly hard-wearing and contrary to popular belief, will not subtract light flow or brilliance from a well-cut diamond.

Another benefit is that this type of setting will not catch on delicate garments or long hair.

Larsen Jewellery in Sydney and Melbourne specialise in custom made engagement ring design. You have the benefit of choosing your own diamond personally, then the exciting task of designing your ideal ring design with the help of your very own expert Jeweller.

If you are after a Bezel setting for your engagement ring design, you also have the liberty of deciding on the width of your bezel ‘frame’ and how much metal you wish to border your diamond.

Another fantastic option for those who like the bezel-set look is a semi-bezel setting. A semi-bezel is when your diamond is only partially bordered by metal, for example the top and bottom of the stone are bordered, whilst the top and bottom side are left open.

To see some examples of a semi-bezel setting, please view the following Larsen Jewellery designs:

Angel
Waterlilly
Orion
Azure Trilogy
Venus

To see some examples of a bezel setting, please view the following Larsen Jewellery designs:

Bliss
Royale
Champagne
Sunburst
Sunburst II
Aqua Sunburst

Princess Cut Diamond Ring

Lars — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 05:35:00 +1100

Larsen Jewellery in Sydney and Melbourne are the experts in custom made engagement ring design. With an extensive range of Princess cut diamond ring variations to choose from, you are sure to find your dream ring to be cherished for a lifetime.

Princess cut diamonds are one of the most popular diamond cuts available today. When cut correctly, their Brilliance will demand attention and awe.

Princess cut diamond rings are also unique in the fact that they fit in both the ‘modern’ and ‘classical’ categories.

When it comes to the setting, there are many options available. It is strongly recommended to take the wearer’s personal style into consideration when making this decision. Here are some examples of the looks that can be achieved:

Understated elegance:
A four claw open ‘V’ solitaire setting, tapering inwards towards the diamond.
Inspiration: The ‘Eclipse‘ design, by Larsen Jewellery.

Vintage belle:
A four claw solitaire design, tapering gently at base and featuring delicate hand-engraving on all visible surfaces.
Inspiration: The ‘Bella’ design, by Larsen Jewellery.

Sophisticated glamour:
A four claw setting, featuring dazzling Brilliant cut diamonds, bead set half way around the band.
Inspiration: The ‘Amore Princess’ design, by Larsen Jewellery.

Modern chic:
A wider band of flat-profile, featuring a bezel setting to surround the entire diamond.
Inspiration: The ‘Bliss’ design, by Larsen Jewellery.

To view these designs and more, please call Larsen Jewellery in Sydney: 02 9223 2006.

Black Diamonds

Lars — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 03:42:00 +1100

Larsen Jewellery specialises in custom made fine diamond jewellery. We can create your dream piece of jewellery to the highest standard of workmanship, involving you in the entire process.

Whether you’re after loose diamonds, an engagement ring, wedding rings or a gift for someone special, our team of expert Jewellers can happily assist you.

Diamonds come in a dazzling array of shades, from classic whites to rare pinks and yellows. The beauty of black diamonds, however, is somewhat underestimated by buyers and many people are still unaware of their existence.

More recently, celebrities such as Carmen Electra, Lauren Conrad and Sara Thompson – fiancé of Australian swimmer Geoff Huegill, are placing black diamonds into the spotlight by using these precious black gemstones in their engagement and dress rings. This in turn has sparked a new trend which is making black diamonds, also known as ‘Carbonado’, the latest and most coveted gemstone of choice.

Black diamonds are slightly more porous than white diamonds, although they are very strong and are therefore a great choice for engagement and wedding rings. They are made of the same crystalline structure as white diamonds, with the difference being its inclusions of Carbon Graphite, Magnetite and Hematite; creating a dramatic change of colour in the stone. Shades range from a dense black, to weaker charcoal-black hues.

Being opaque in clarity, they absorb light rather than reflect it, meaning they don’t sparkle in the same way other diamonds do. Regardless of this, they are mysteriously elegant and have a certain intrigue that no other gemstone can replicate.

They are also very budget-friendly, costing significantly less than white diamonds.

For more information about black diamonds, or to arrange an appointment to view a range of these precious gemstones, please call Larsen Jewellery on 02 9223 2006.

Pear Cut Diamond Ring

Lars — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 04:15:00 +1100

The Pear cut diamond, also known as the tear-drop cut was created using the best elements of both the Marquise and Oval shaped diamond cuts.

The Pear cut diamond ring is not as common as a Round or Princess cut diamond ring and is therefore a perfect option for those wanting something unique and different.

The team of expert Jewellers at Larsen Jewellery in Sydney and Melbourne can show you a selection of beautiful Pear cut diamonds to choose from, which you can then have set into your personally customised ring design.

It’s important to select Pear shaped diamonds based on the highest cut and symmetry grades to ensure the stone is as symmetrical as possible and demonstrates fire or ‘sparkle’. Lower cut grades tend to show darkness in the centre of the stone which will in turn negatively affect even the most brilliant diamonds of the highest colour and clarity.

Another element to consider when choosing a Pear cut diamond is the width to length ratio. There is no ‘correct’ ratio but rather it is a matter of personal taste. The longer, narrower cuts can look fantastic in earrings and pendants; whereas the shorter and wider cuts are a wonderful choice for a Pear cut diamond ring or engagement ring.

Peridot Gemstones and Jewellery

Lars — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 05:59:00 +1100

Peridot is a precious lime green coloured gemstone. The most abundant source of this gemstone is Peridot Mesa, on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona. Other sources of Peridot can be found in Myanmar (Burma), Pakistan and China. One of the earliest documented Peridot deposits was discovered in ancient times, in Zebirget, Egypt. Peridot was also used in history to adorn medieval churches.

It is a form of the olivine mineral and forms under extreme heat and pressure, such as in volcanic rock during eruptions and more rarely in fallen meteors. Its colour scheme ranges from a yellow-green colour, to dark grass-green. Brown tinted variations are found, but are not as desirable.

Peridot gemstones smaller than three carats are affordable and easily sourced. Stones larger than this become significantly higher in value. Stones above ten carats are rare to find and are expensive, although they are reasonably affordable in comparison to most other gemstones of large carat size.

Peridot is vulnerable to temperature change and therefore should only be cleaned using dishwashing liquid and warm water.

The vivid green hues of Peridot gemstones are great for statement pieces such as dress rings and earrings. For more information, or to book an appointment to view a range of loose Peridot gemstones to suit your budget, please call Larsen Jewellery in Sydney on 02 9223 2006.