Larsen Jewellery - Jewellery News & Design Trends

Spinel Gemstones

Lars — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 22:25:00 +1100

Spinel is often confused with Ruby and Sapphire as they share many of the same shades and qualities.

It wasn’t until the 19th century that any distinction was made between them. In fact, many famous Rubies have since been proven to be Red Spinel. The Black Prince’s Ruby which is the centrepiece of the Royal Crown of England is actually a large Red Spinel.

Although the blood-red shades are the most desirable and valuable, Spinel is also commonly found in just about every colour imaginable.

Aside from having an abundant colour range, it is a very strong gemstone which makes it a suitable choice for use in fine jewellery. The only reason Spinel is constantly overlooked in favour of Ruby and Sapphire is due to the fact that many consumers are unaware of its existence.

Burma produces the most outstanding Spinel gemstones, closely followed by Africa.

Because of the abundance of synthetic Spinel, one must always be careful only to purchase this gemstone from reputable dealers.

To view a range of Spinel gemstones in your price range, please contact Larsen Jewellery in Sydney: 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.

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.

Is it spelled ‘Jewellery’ or ‘Jewelry’?

Lars — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 05:45:00 +1100

The most commonly used variations of this noun, meaning precious items of personal decoration, are jewellery and jewelry. The correct spelling in both Australian and British English is jewellery. In American English, the correct spelling is jewelry. Canadian English, on the other hand, uses both variations, with the most popular being jewellery.

Considering these differences, the singular noun jewel is spelled this way across all English dialects.

If you are after a special item of jewellery, whether it be wedding rings, a gift for a loved one, or perhaps an engagement ring, Larsen Jewellery can assist you. We specialise in custom made designs, offering a lifetime guarantee and competitive workshop prices. Please call Larsen Jewellery in Sydney on 02 9223 2006.

Celebrity Engagement Rings

Lars — Thu, 26 May 2011 01:29:00 +1100

Reported engagement ring specs from the world of celebrity.

Jennifer Lopez
Heart cut 6 carat pink diamond, framed with two white baguette diamonds on a platinum band. This famous engagement ring was given to J.Lo by Ben Affleck, sparking a worldwide desire for precious pink diamonds once Hollywood caught on to their exclusivity.

Heidi Klum
Oval cut 10 carat fancy yellow diamond, claw set with a canary yellow diamond pave set band, 2.5mm wide. Seal proposed with this unique choice, which he designed himself as a statement of his love for Heidi.

Beyonce Knowles
Emerald cut 18 carat flawless diamond, set in a Platinum metal band. This striking statement piece was given to Beyonce by Hip-Hop mogul, Jay-Z. There is nothing understated about this talented duo and the ring is a perfect representation of their expensive style.

Mariah Carey
Emerald cut 14 carat pink diamond, featuring one half-moon diamond on either side. The singing diva expects nothing but the best and is known for her expensive taste, so this stunning and unique choice is well suited to her personality and style.

Christina Aguilera
Round brilliant cut 5 carat diamond, with a channel set diamond band. This beautiful and classic design is a rather safe choice for an A-list celebrity; however this design will remain forever stylish.

Kristin Cavallari
Square cut 5.2 carat diamond, with a four claw setting and a channel set diamond band. The diamond band is a lovely addition to the ‘wow factor’ of this modern design.

Katherine Heigl
Pear cut 3 carat diamond, with a pave set band diamond band in Platinum metal. A portion of the Platinum used in Katherine’s band came from her mother’s own engagement ring.

Have the diamond engagement ring of your dreams created for you by your own personal jeweller at Larsen Jewellery in Sydney and Melbourne.