There’s something unmistakable about the gentle glow of a rose-cut gemstone. It doesn’t shout, it whispers. To me, a rose cut is the old soul of diamond cuts – romantic, moody, and perfectly suited to candlelight. In an age where most diamonds compete to dazzle, a rose cut draws you in with quiet confidence. This…
The pear cut, or teardrop shape, blends the brilliance of a round with the elegance of a marquise. I’ve always seen it as a “statement shape” — one that looks confident on the hand and rarely goes unnoticed. When cut well, it can appear larger than its carat weight and flatter the finger’s length. Yet,…
The oval cut combines the sparkle of a round with a refined elongation that sets it apart. From diamonds to sapphires, this shape offers versatility, elegance, and in many cases, better value for size. Yet, choosing the right oval demands attention to proportions, cutting quality, and subtle optical effects that can make or break a…
Imagine a gemstone so perfectly engineered that it can dazzle across a crowded room. The round brilliant cut diamond is just that – a triumph of gemological science and artistry. Renowned for its fiery scintillation and timeless appeal, the round brilliant has become the gold standard for brilliance in jewelry. In this signature column, we…
Checklist: What to Look For When Buying a Round Brilliant When evaluating a round brilliant gem (especially a diamond), keep the following checklist in mind to ensure you’re getting a stone that lives up to its dazzling potential: Aspect What to Look For Cut Grade Prioritize the highest cut grade (e.g., GIA “Excellent” or AGS…
Understanding a gemstone’s hardness is crucial for gauging its durability and scratch-resistance. The Mohs scale ranks minerals from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest) based on their ability to scratch one another. Importantly, the scale is not linear – a diamond at 10 is many times harder than a corundum (ruby or sapphire) at 9. Hardness…
Diamonds stay timeless – oddly enough, their shapes don’t. One decade it’s the sleek geometric lines of an Art Deco emerald cut, next up is the resurgence of the pear-shaped diamond – the very shape Carrie Bradshaw recoiled from when Aidan proposed in Sex and the City. Yes, and the story of diamond cuts is…
Another stone that doesn’t spark any joy in me. I know – not the most cheerful opener from a jeweler. Aventurine has been ruined for me by too many cheap tourist trinkets sold at crazy markups. Honestly, I have sympathy for only one type of aventurine – the blue variety with a “starry night” sparkle….
Bigger isn’t always better. In the world of gems, a small, brilliantly cut stone can outshine a larger dud. We’ve all seen a giant diamond that should dazzle like Rihanna’s stage outfit – yet somehow it looks dull. Why? Because cut is the secret sauce that makes a gemstone come alive. This isn’t just true…
In my jewelry workshops, customers commission diamond pieces for practically every occasion – and sometimes for no occasion at all. As a jeweler who’s seen it all, I can confirm: the allure of a diamond is timeless, and it truly needs no justification. So honestly, you don’t need to read this article. Why look for…