Tag Archives: Diamond Cut

The Unique History of Indian Diamonds

April 12, 2013 2:40 pm , Leave a Comment , Raymond Lee Jewelers

Most people who think of diamond mines automatically think of places such as South Africa, Congo and Zaire. However, amazingly enough, diamonds were first recognized and mined in India. Furthermore, those who buy Indian diamonds are not only getting a high quality, priceless product; they are also helping indigenous women make a living.

Vintage rose gold and diamond engagement ring

Diamonds’ Exotic History

Diamonds are not particularly beautiful when they are pulled out of a mine. They are usually covered in dirt and may even have dirt particles inside of them. Even the world’s most famous diamonds must be cleaned and cut to better reflect light and beauty. They must also be polished. In India, this task is taken on by a relatively small handful of women in a tribal village in Gujarat, a state in Western India. These women specialize in cutting the small diamonds that you will find in earrings, rings, bracelets, pendants and anklets.

2 carat diamond halo earrings

The most common type of Indian diamond cut is the Rose cut. In fact, it is thought that many Western style cuts originally came from the Rose cut. However, diamond cutter of time past put a greater emphasis on keeping a diamond as large as possible; today, most professional cutters are more concerned with beauty rather than diamond weight.

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18K White Gold Diamond Tennis Necklace

Diamonds have a long and interesting history that started in India and has now graced people the world over. While India no longer mines large quantities of diamonds, it is estimated that over 80% of the world’s diamonds are cut by tribal women in this exotic land. Whether you have a Rose cut, Princess cut, Cushion cut or some other type of diamond, consider the beauty and exotic nature this stone represents and appreciate all that went into not only finding it but also turning it into a unique work of art.

One of Our Favorite Large Marquise Engagement Rings

March 23, 2013 10:38 am , 1 Comment , Lizrlj

Marquise engagement rings had their first heyday in the late 70′s and early 80′s. The elegant, elongated shape, combined with the fire and sparkle that only a brilliant cut affords made this diamond cut enormously popular for engagement rings. The settings then tended to combine the cut with yellow gold and possibly a smattering of channel set accent diamonds. However now, we see a trend in women who sell engagement rings with marquise cuts – or better yet, bring in their diamonds to upgrade their wedding set. And while sometimes our clients like a totally different cut and shape, sometimes all it takes is a new setting to breathe new life into a cherished diamond. This stunning 5 carat marquise needed a little zsush – so it met a gorgeous platinum setting studded with .5 ctw of round brilliant diamonds and .93 ctw of baguettes. Of course, pictures and descriptors don’t do this deco inspired beauty justice – so we’re sharing video!

Posted in: engagement ring Boca Raton, Engagement Ring Eye Candy, engagement rings, sell diamonds boca raton , Tagged: Boca Raton Florida, Colored gold, diamond, Diamond cut, EngagementRing, Jewelry, Shopping

National Proposal Day Engagement Ring Eye Candy!

March 20, 2013 12:05 pm , Leave a Comment , Lizrlj

Welcome to a special edition of engagement ring eye candy – we’re celebrating National Proposal Day! We can’t wait to hear the “she said yes” stories our grooms-to-be will tell us – we’ve sent “home” quite a few of the most gorgeous engagement rings Boca Raton has to offer! Luckily, there are plenty more where they came from, and today we’re paying homage to our favorite engagement rings in the store. If you’re a regular reader, you know we’re not shy about playing favorites (especially when they rotate pretty much daily). But these particular rings stand out above the rest. No matter how long they’ve been in our case or window, we can’t help slowing down whenever we walk past. It’s only a matter of time before they find their soulmate on the left hand of lucky ladies, but until then, they’re all ours – and yours – to ogle!

3 Carat Emerald Cut Diamond Engagement Ring

3.5 Carat Princess Cut Diamond 3 Stone Engagement Ring GIA Certified, princess cut engagement ring

3.5 Carat Princess Cut Diamond engagement ring

5 carat emerald cut engagement ring, emerald cut engagement ring, emerald cut with emeralds

5 carat emerald cut engagement ring with invisibly set emerald halo and diamond shank in platinum

graff engagement ring, marquise engagement ring, 4 carat engagement ring, graff diamond

Graff 4 Carat Marquise and Pear Shape Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring with GIA report

Posted in: engagement ring Boca Raton, Engagement Ring Eye Candy, engagement rings, Wedding Wednesday, Weddings , Tagged: Boca Raton, Boca Raton Florida, diamond, Diamond cut, EngagementRing, Jewelry, Shopping, wedding

Spotlight on: Jamie Wolf

March 15, 2013 10:32 am , 1 Comment , Raymond Lee Jewelers

Being a ballerina is glamorous and exciting. When you are on stage, the world is your audience, because you are in the spotlight. Jamie Wolf knows all too well, how it feels to be the center of attention. She has stepped out of one spotlight and into another one.

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She is not dancing anyone, but she is still making beautiful things. After 10 years of dancing, swirling and being on stage, Jamie has put her feet to rest, and her hands to work. She is now designing gold jewelry. Jamie’s jewelry is handmade out of Manhattan, New York.

According to Jamie, being a jewelry designer has similar qualities of being a ballerina. Both hands and toes are critical to the performance. Jamie specializes in engraved pattern designs and brillantly cut stones. She loves beauty, femininity and balance. These are the qualities she put into making her jewelry.

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Wolf’s line of jewelry has caught the attention of some famous celebrities such as Halle Berry and Julia Roberts. Practice makes perfect. What Jamie didn’t know before, she definitely knows now, and that is not to sell yourself cheap.

Her next line of jewelry is coming up in the spring. It will feature a sizeable collection of cognac and white diamonds. Wolf says she’s going to create at least 10 unique set of necklaces, and perhaps seven pairs of earrings, and distribute them to various cities.

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She wants to give her customers variety, style and uniqueness. Her designs include 18kt gold teardrop earrings with cognac diamonds, white moonstone ring with diamonds, 18kt gold earrings with amethyst stone, 18kt gold bracelets with diamonds and rose cut woven earrings.

This is just a small peek at what fans, critics and customers can expect from the Jamie Wolf jewelry collection. Anyone with good taste and a love for fine jewelry can appreciate the quality and care Wolf puts into making each piece of jewelry.

Posted in: Designer Jewelery, jewelry boca raton, Raymond Lee Jewelers , Tagged: diamond, Diamond cut, Earring, gold, Halle Berry, Jewellery, Julia Roberts, Manhattan

Spotlight On: Candlelight Diamonds

March 8, 2013 10:53 am , Leave a Comment , Raymond Lee Jewelers

18K White Gold 1.69ct Round Brilliant Engagement Ring with GIA Report

What is a Candlelight Diamond?

A candlelight diamond is a special antique-cut diamond. It is a cross between an Old Mine Cut diamond and a Modern Oval Cut Diamond. The cut was popular from the latter part of the 19th century and into the beginning of the 20th century. The Mine Cut is deep and produces large facets. The result is a more subtle, softer romantic sparkle.

You may wonder why the candlelight diamond is named as such.

In the early 20th century, before the use of electric lights became widespread, the practice for proposing marriage was to pop the question over a romantic dinner. Soft music, wine and candlelight was the setting. After the meal was finished, the table cleared and another glass of wine was poured, the hopeful groom presented his chosen bride with a small box. She would open the box, say “yes”, and the gentleman would place the ring on her finger. The diamond would dramatically catch the glow of the candlelight in the room, so much so that the surrounding diners would notice and glance the couple’s way, smiling. Hence the name candlelight diamond.

The candlelight diamond is also referred to as a cushion or pillow-cut paved diamond. Either square or rectangular in shape, the rounded corners and sides give a cut that resembles a tiny cushion. In contrast to today’s more bold, geometric cuts, the candlelight diamond whispers faintly of Old World grace and charm.

There has been a recent surge in reproducing the cushion cut in diamonds for engagement rings. Some say this can be attributed to jewelers who have been affected by a challenging economy. An impressive cushion cut diamond can be purchased more reasonably than some of the more fiery,brilliant cuts. Others say it is because of the softer romantic sparkle.

We tend to agree that it may be because of both reasons.

Rebecca M for Raymond Lee Jewelers, South Florida’s premiere source for buying and selling luxury watches and designer jewelry.