Princess Anne's daughter to wed

Zara Phillips engagement ring

Rather than opt for an antique or a family heirloom, Mike Tindall had a bespoke diamond and platinum engagement ring made by a jeweller.

In the centre is a single, solitaire diamond sitting on tens of pavé set diamonds on a split shank or band made from platinum.

Experts said it was impossible to estimate its worth without knowing the quality of the stones and the identity of the jeweller.

What is love? Knowing the value of diamonds

NEW YORK One engagement ring costs $1,000. Another is $10,000. You may wonder why there's an extra zero if you can't tell them apart. For anyone mulling the big question on Valentine's Day, the cost of the ring can weigh just as heavily as making the commitment. The romance of the affair can make it hard to ask blunt questions about whether you're getting a good deal. But failing to do so could mean paying thousands more than necessary.
The average amount spent on an engagement ring last year was about $3,200, according to The Wedding Report. Several factors can move that price up or down, including the shape of the diamond you pick. Then there are the four Cs - carat, clarity, color and cut, the last of which refers to the stone's overall craftsmanship. You should be able to compromise on one or more areas to save and still get what you want.

You'll also want to consider where to get your diamond, and whether the stone is certified. So don't buy into the idea that price shouldn't matter when it comes to love. Here's what you should know.

First off, don't confuse carat with karat. The latter refers to the purity of gold, while a carat measures a diamond's weight. A one-carat diamond weighs about as much as a paper clip and is smaller in diameter than an eraser on a pencil.

Most diamonds you see are a carat or less, although high-end jewelers carry heftier rocks.

Prices jump substantially with size. So a one-carat diamond won't be merely double the price of a half-carat diamond.

A half-carat engagement ring at Tiffany & Co., for example, costs $3,200. If you move up to a one-carat in the same model, the price nearly triples to $9,200. Go for a two-carat version, and it's $28,200.

So if you can't afford a one-carat ring but fear a half-carat is too small, try playing around with the ring design. A ring with three smaller stones will still cost thousands less than a single one-carat diamond ring.


Clarity & color

A diamond's clarity doesn't refer to how clear it is, but to the stone's natural characteristics such as stress fractures and other blemishes. These marks often are only visible when magnified. So even if a diamond is graded as "flawless," you may not be able to differentiate it from diamonds with lower clarity grades. There will be a huge difference in price, though.

For a full list of clarity rankings, check the Web site of the Gemological Institute of America (www.gia.edu), which issues diamond grading reports. Or, check out our website: www.exaurum.com

Tiffany & Co. unveils newest 'Blue Book'



The Tiffany "Majestic" diamond necklace from the "Blue Box Collection" features round brilliant and pear-shaped diamonds set in platinum. Photo Credit: Tiffany & Co.

New York—Tiffany & Co. has revealed its latest "Blue Book," the retailer's annual presentation of its most spectacular diamond and gemstone jewelry designs.

Sent out to customers each year since 1845, the Blue Book catalog was designed by founder Charles Lewis Tiffany to entice customers to visit his store.

The brand has continued in the tradition with its latest Blue Book, which features a collection of jewelry that is varied in design but unified in its display of exceptional diamonds and gemstones.

This year's collection includes the Tiffany "Majestic" necklace, a design inspired by the splendor of royal jewels. According to Tiffany & Co., it took more than a year to procure the more than 300 pear-shaped and round brilliant stones that form the necklace and over 700 hours to create. The sparkling stunner features a bevy of diamond florets set in individually crafted platinum mountings surrounding a 30.31-carat, E color, internally flawless detachable diamond drop.

Diamonds are also showcased in a selection of glamorous rings as well as the book's "Fringe" necklace, a design of fluid lines and motion that features a 20.01-carat, D color, internally flawless diamond in a rectangular modified brilliant cut. The design is accented with 61 round-, 33 cushion- and 30 marquise-cut diamonds in platinum.

The retailer, which has lately been promoting its yellow diamonds in consumer fashion magazines, has highlighted the stones in its Blue Book as well via a triple-drop pendant with three rare fancy vivid yellow diamonds: a rectangular-shaped, 13.09-carat yellow diamond and two approximately 6-carat yellow diamonds that are among the most sought-after stones in the world, Tiffany says.

Colored gemstones of esteemed origin are on full display, too, including pieces crafted from highly coveted Kashmir sapphires, vibrant tourmalines and rubellites, tanzanite and kunzite.

Having published decades of Blue Books, Tiffany has built up an archive that has come to form a detailed chronology of the brand's role in American design, with past books chronicling some of the French and Spanish Crown Jewels reset into Tiffany designs, jewels that won gold medals at the world fairs of the late 19th century, as well as dazzling examples of 1920s art deco jewelry and cocktail-style pieces from the 1940s and '50s, among much more.

10 timeless and classic pieces of jewelry to add to your jewelry box


When overhauling your entire wardrobe is out of the question, it's still possible to update your look with the help of key accessories. But the pieces you wear needn't be so trendy that they have to be replaced each season, either.

By choosing classic pieces of jewelry, you'll be able to add a touch of glam to your existing wardrobe and can count on them to last you season after season. We checked in with Gino Priolo at Ex Aurum Jewellers, to find out which pieces of jewelry you should consider adding to your collection.


1. Pearls
Pearls are one of the earliest known gems to be coveted by man. From ancient Greece, when brides wore pearls to promote wedded bliss, to royal weddings throughout history, pearls have long been the symbol of accomplishment and status. Soft, sensuous, lustrous and smooth, their beauty embodies the very essence of a woman.

Suitable for women of all ages, pearls are the most sporting of gems and are the easiest to wear. Their versatility is equally as appropriate with blue jeans as with evening gowns. Their luster flatters all skin tones by creating a warm radiance. While color is a matter of personal preference, white pearls tend to look best on fair skin and cream tones are more flattering on darker complexions.

2. A gold chain
A 14 or 18K gold, 18-inch chain is a staple in a classic jewelry wardrobe as it can be worn alone or with a matching gold pendant. It is the perfect accompaniment to minimalist styles and monochromatic outfits, from knits to more tailored, structured styles. Since Roman times, these pieces have been winding their way around necks. Generally speaking, the less cluttered the neckline, the more elaborate the necklace can be.

3. A diamond solitaire pendant
The diamond solitaire pendant is "the little black dress of necklaces," in that it is the most versatile of all necklaces. Sitting in the hollow of the neck, there is nothing prettier. It pairs with anything from a white shirt to a strapless gown.



What about earrings? Bracelets? What kinds of pieces should you look for when you want a timeless look?

1. Pearl studs
The white seven-millimetre pearl stud goes with absolutely everything and is the single most versatile, no-fuss earring for everyday use. It complements every face shape and goes from nine to five and all through to evening.

2. Diamond studs
Equally at home with sportswear as evening dress, diamond stud earrings light up the face and are totally elegant and appropriate in any situation. For everyday use, a half carat is best.

3. Hoops
A silver or gold 14K medium-size hoop earring is a pleasing shape for most faces, and is as perfect with a business suit, as it is with a white shirt, or black turtleneck sweater. It adapts to more casual weekend wear as well.

4. A silver cuff
Elsa Peretti's silver cuff – sleek minimalism at its best – has been a Tiffany's best seller since the bracelet debuted in 1974. It goes anywhere with anything, and looks particularly great with black and grey. It is the perfect accent to unstructured suits and knits.

5. A gold link bracelet
A gold link bracelet is essentially a daytime look that has been around for hundreds of years. It is a great investment because it is always in style, can be worn with business and casual attire and will be worn for decades to come. Yellow gold is great with any color, and white gold is best for women who prefer to wear a lot of black and gray.

6. A tennis bracelet
When Chris Evert dropped her diamond bracelet on the tennis court in 1987, this bracelet (known as "the line bracelet" for 50 years) gained its current classically essential status. Now called the tennis bracelet, it's is as versatile in the daytime as it is elegant in the evening hours.



How do you decide between yellow gold and white gold and sterling silver?

Historically, gold has been associated with things of beauty and wealth. Prized for its rarity, gold is one of the most durable and flattering materials for jewelry, as it brings a warm glow to the skin.

White gold, like moonlight, casts a coolness. Its look is modern and urban, but versatile enough to lend itself to many interpretations.

Silver is considered a little more youthful and therefore may not be as versatile as gold.

Jewelry Trends 2010-2011

Jewelry Trends 2010 – 2011






Coming out of the recession that made us all a bit nervous and tightening our pocketbooks... we have pared down to a simple way of looking at things. Big and bold gives us two distinct feelings when it comes to our jewelry: Extravagant and safe. These are the feelings that played out during these tough economic times and now we have a different feeling ahead of us... a sense of relief, a sense of balance and beginning.

Whenever we feel as consumers that the time is right for paring down, we focus on simple designs and simple, warm colors. Plain metals and eco friendly materials: wood, bone, simple and soft semi-precious stones with Earth colors and a simple palette will prevail for 2011. This is our breathing room. This is our nervousness winding down. Gone are the statement necklaces of the past two years and in with the thinner, yet charming and graceful strands. Creativity will overrun our need for security and gentle pairings of blackened metals and all natural materials: pearls, bamboo and recycled media will tone things down considerably.

Pearls will be the big player as we see them with different eyes than ever before. They will convey a sense of hope and simplicity with tones that will match anything in your wardrobe. If the recession keeps us as consumers from buying everything we want and making smarter choices, we will have to go with what we can get the most mileage from. I know one very positive thing: we needed this recession. We needed to correct the overdone hype and over-the-top, crowded marketplace with designers that are not taking themselves too seriously! I welcome the very simple, yet creative work that will be here for us this year.

QuickStart Report

Whether you are a collector, a fashionista or a specialty shop retailer, knowing what fashion jewelry trends are current and coming is vital and then being able to duplicate the trend at a fraction of the designer or retail pieces is essential. After much market research and trend-spotting, I have compiled a list of the jewelry trends for 2011. In summary;

- Antique, Vintage, Retro & New Combinations
- Dramatic, unique, unusual necklaces (simple... yet exotic)
- Ornamented Bracelets
- Eclectic Natural Look
- Crystal, Rhinestone & Venetian Art Glass (...mainstays...)
- Black, Grey and Neutrals
- 2011 Color Predictions (you'll love the blues)
- Faux & Real Pearls
- Over-The-Top Rings (not gaudy, but daring)
- Enormous Hoops and Chandelier Earrings
- Green Eco Aware Movement (tastefully delicious)

London—Pieces from a renowned collection of jewelry once owned by Wallis Simpson, the infamous Duchess of Windsor, will hit the auction block at Sotheby's in late November. But first, the jewels are embarking on an international tour.

Included among the touring items are a number of Cartier creations, a jeweled Van Cleef & Arpels purse and a series of silver items and medals that were once property of Edward VIII. The pieces are currently on display in London and will move on to Hong Kong, Moscow, New York and Geneva before a Nov. 30 auction, where they are expected to fetch around $4.7 million.

The Sotheby's auction will mark the first time the Duchess of Windsor jewels have returned to market in 23 years, back when the auction house sold the items as part of an auction that fetched $50 million.

The collection is renowned both for its exquisite jewels from the great European jewelry houses, as well as for the story that they tell of a romance that led Edward VIII, who became king in 1936, to abdicate the throne of Great Britain.

An American socialite, Simpson was once divorced and married a second time when she began a relationship with Edward VIII, then Prince of Wales. Months into his reign as king, Edward caused a national scandal, declaring that he would give up the throne to marry the now twice-divorced Simpson.

The pair became the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and the jewelry they commissioned over the years illustrates key events in their historic relationship. Included among the auction pieces are a Cartier onyx and diamond panther bracelet designed in 1952; a flamingo brooch featuring rubies, sapphires, emeralds, citrines and diamonds, bought in 1940; and a number of inscribed designs.

A heart-shaped emerald, ruby and diamond brooch by Cartier features the initials "W.E.," for "Wallis and Edward," and commemorates the pair's 20th wedding anniversary. Another Cartier diamond bracelet is studded with nine gem-set Latin crosses, each representing special moments in Simpson's life from 1934 to 1944.

Today, the Duchess of Windsor jewels remain the most valuable single-owner jewelry collection ever sold, Sotheby's said in a media release.
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About Fluorescence

What is fluorescence?

Fluorescence is the visible light some diamonds emit when they are exposed to invisible ultraviolet (UV) rays. On a GIA diamond grading report, fluorescence refers to the strength, or intensity, of the diamond's reaction to long-wave UV, which is an essential component of daylight. The light emitted lasts as longs as the diamond is exposed to the ultraviolet light.

Is Fluorescence common?

Yes. Of the diamonds submitted to GIA over the past decade, approximately 25% to 35% exhibit some degree of fluorescence. However, only 10% of those show strengths of fluorescence that may impact appearance (i.e. strengths noted on laboratory reports as medium, strong, and very strong). In more than 95% of the diamonds that exhibits fluorescence, the color seen is blue. In rare instances, the reaction is yellow, white or another color.

What impact does fluorescence have on the appearance of a diamond?

GIA studies show that, for the overwhelming majority of diamonds, the strength of fluorescence has no widely noticeable effect on appearance. In many instances, observers prefer the appearance of diamonds that have medium to strong fluorescence. In rare cases, some diamonds with extremely strong fluorescence may appear hazy or oily; fewer that 0.2% of the fluorescent diamonds submitted to GIA exhibit this effect.

Does fluorescence compromise the structural integrity of the diamond?

No. A diamond that fluoresces has the same integrity as one with no reaction to UV. Submicroscopic substitutions and/or shifts in the diamond structure can cause fluorescence as well as prevent it. Nothing in either instance inherently weakens or is bad for the diamond.


Excerpt provided by GIA Gem Institute of America