Tag Archives: Gemologist
ImageFASHION, November 2024
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10/21/2024 in Editorial, FASHION
Tagged Bulgari, Cartier, CZ, David Yurman, Diamonds, Elizabeth Taylor, Gemologist, Gemology, gold, jewellery box, jewellery case, jewellery expert, Jewelry, Leah Alexander, Mejuri, Moissanite, Octavia Elizabeth, Pandora, platinum, sterling silver, Tiffany, travel, travel jewellery case, Van Cleef and Arpels, Wolf
FASHION, September 2024
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08/02/2024 in Editorial, FASHION
Tagged aquamarine, blue sapphire ring, coloured gemstones, Diamonds, engagement rings, eternity bands, FASHION, Gemologist, jewellery, jewellery editor, jewellery expert, Jewellery trends, jewellery writer, Jewelry, Lab Diamonds, pink sapphire, ruby, tanzanite, three stone ring, toi et moi, tourmaline, tsavorite garnet, two stone ring
FASHION, Summer 2024
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06/05/2024 in Editorial, FASHION
Tagged Baroque Pearls, Freshwater Pearls, gem expert, Gemologist, Gemology, jewellery, jewellery editor, jewellery expert, jewellery writer, Jewelry, Pearl Bracelet, Pearl Earrings, Pearl jewelry, Pearl Ring, Pearl Watch, Pearls, Saltwater Pearls, South Sea Pearls, Summer, Summer Jewellery, Summer Jewelry, Tahitian Pearls
FASHION, Winter 2024
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Tagged Buying Diamonds, Diamonds, engagement rings, FASHION, Francesca Amfitheatrof, Gemologist, GIA, jewellery, jewellery editor, jewellery expert, Jewellery Wardrobe, jewellery writer, Jewelry, Lab Diamonds, Louis Vuitton High Jewellery
Katherine James Jewellery Custom Content, March 2023
How to Evaluate Coloured Gemstones like a Gemologist
The process of evaluating Diamonds and coloured gemstones are worlds apart. For example, when experts examine Diamonds they are primarily looking for how well they reflect and refract light, which leads to their trademark brilliance and sparkle. This is why a Diamond’s cut is often considered its most important value factor. However, when grading nearly every other type of gem, it’s their colour that makes them special, and therefore their colour which is considered their most important and value-enhancing characteristic.
Grading colour in a gem is divided into three categories: hue, tone and saturation.
Hue
Hue is simply the dominant colour that appears to your eye and where it falls on the colour wheel. For example, a Ruby may be graded a “very slightly purplish red” or a Sapphire could be listed as “violetish blue.”
Tone
Tone is considered the degree of lightness or darkness of a colour. If you imagine a scale of white to black with all shades of light to dark grey in the middle, where on that scale would the gem fall? Tone can be described as any of the following, and can also be designated by number: very light (2), light (3), medium light (4), medium (5), medium dark (6), dark (7) or very dark (8). The best tone for most gems is considered in the 5-6 range or medium to medium dark.
Saturation
Saturation is considered the strength or intensity of a gem’s colour and is perhaps the most important colour factor considering personal taste for various hues and tones can vary widely. When judging warm colours, including yellow, orange and red, you’ll want to consider how “pure” the colour of the gem is, or whether it has any brownish tint, and if so, how strong that tint is. When considering cool colours, such as blue, green and violet, you’ll be looking for a greyish tint, instead. Saturation can be described as any of the following, and can also be designated by number: brownish/greyish (1), slightly brownish/greyish (2), very slightly brownish/greyish (3), moderately strong (4), strong (5), and vivid (6). The best saturation for gems is considered in the 4-6 range or moderately strong to vivid.
Cut
Diamonds are often laser-cut with extreme precision in order to achieve perfect proportions that will lead to ideal brilliance and sparkle. However, coloured stones are often cut by hand and are done so in order to best show off their colour. Since a gem’s colour can vary drastically from stone to stone within the same species (and sometimes even within the same gem) cutters will sometimes vary proportions in order for a gem’s face up colour to be as ideal as possible. For example, a dark stone will benefit from a shallower cut, which will allow more light into the stone and give it a brighter appearance. On the flip side, a light stone cut with deeper proportions will intensify the face up appearance of its colour. The latter is especially common with coloured Diamonds.
While coloured stones are naturally far less brilliant than Diamonds, it’s favourable for them to still have as much light reflection as possible. At least 25% of the surface of the gem should reflect flashes of light back to you when you tilt or rotate it under a direct light source. Good stones will have 40-60% light return, very good stones 60-75% and excellent stones will have over 75%. Areas that do not reflect light are known as light leakage, and will either be dark with “extinction” or nearly transparent with a “window.”
Proportions and Finish
As noted above, cutting proportions are not nearly as strict when it comes to coloured gems. However, the most important factors to look for in a coloured gem include an overall eye-pleasing effect, which includes a symmetrical shape, even sides and corners and a smooth, polished surface with sharp-looking, aligned facets.
Clarity
Some coloured gems are naturally more included than others, which is due in part to how their crystals form in the Earth and sometimes how they’re mined, as well. When judging coloured stones for clarity (including their lack of natural inclusions) it’s important to consider which of three clarity types they fall into. For example, as a Type III, it’s expected that a “slightly included” Emerald will have a much lower clarity level than a “slightly included” Aquamarine, which is a Type I. The following are how some of the most common coloured gems are judged for clarity, taking their natural and typical form into account:
TYPE I (typically eye clean or slightly included): Aquamarine, Blue Topaz, Green Tourmaline, Blue Zircon, Kunzite, Morganite, Tanzanite
TYPE II (typically slightly to moderately included): Alexandrite, Sapphire, Ruby, Garnet, Iolite, Peridot, Fire Opal, Amethyst, Spinel, Pink Topaz, Pink Tourmaline
TYPE III (typically slightly included to severely included): Emerald, Red Beryl, Watermelon Tourmaline
Comments Off on Katherine James Jewellery Custom Content, March 2023
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Tagged coloured gemstones, Custom Content, Email Newsletter, gem expert, Gemologist, GIA Gemologist, jewellery, Jewelry
Katherine James Jewellery Custom Content, June 2022
The Magic of Moonstone
While Moonstone may sound like something that’s found in space (or at least in a meteorite) it’s actually the most well-known member of the feldspar mineral family, which also includes Amazonite and Sunstone.
Moonstone’s most famous trait is its adularescence, which makes it a phenomenal gem, similar to Opal or Star Sapphire. While Opals display play-of-colour, Moonstone’s phenomena is a misty glow that makes the surface of the gem appear to glow. It’s a unique effect, usually seen in a blue hue, that rolls across the gem depending on angle you view it at. Appropriately, the original name for Moonstone was actually “Adularia,” which came from a city in Switzerland, Mount Adular, which was one of the first sources of the best quality Moonstones.
The most valued type of Moonstone is transparent, colourless, eye-clean, and features a vivid blue adularescence. In some cases, adularescence can also feature striking rainbow colours. It’s also possible for Moonstone to exhibit other phenomenal effects, including asterism, like Star Sapphires, and chatoyancy, like Cat’s Eye gems. If that wasn’t versatile enough, they can also be found in a wide variety of colours, including white, yellow, brown, grey and black. They’re most often cut into beads or cabochons, however they can also be carved into various shapes and cameos, including popular face of the moon designs.
Its beautiful colours and special effects have always ensured Moonstone’s wide fanbase, especially as one of the birthstones for June. However, it was particularly popular during the Art Nouveau period (1880-1915) including the Arts and Crafts movement, and again in the 1960s. The seemingly mystical and watercolour-like stone was perfect for the dreamy and romantic jewels of the time with floral and astrological themes, including those by late 19th century designers such as René Lalique and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
Like many gems, the best qualities of Moonstone are often found in Sri Lanka, however other sources include India and Myanmar. Moonstone is a 6-6.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, making it a softer gem that should be worn and stored with care in order to avoid scratches and cleavage (splitting), especially when wearing it in a ring. Overall, Moonstone is a lovely dream of a gemstone with mystical qualities which have been appreciated throughout history. Regardless if you have a June birthday or not, it’s an excellent addition to any gem lover’s collection.
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Tagged Custom Content, Email Newsletter, Gemologist, Gemology, jewellery, jewellery consulting, jewellery writing, Jewelry, Moonstone
Katherine James Jewellery Custom Content, May 2022
What are Ceylon Sapphires?
The island of Sri Lanka continues to be one of the world’s most important sources of Blue and Fancy-Coloured Sapphires.
Sri Lanka, Island of Gems
Ceylon is an old name for the South Asian island now known as Sri Lanka. Located in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is a small pear-shaped country with a population of approximately 22 million people. It’s a primarily Buddhist nation with a rich cultural heritage which includes being part of the ancient Silk Road. Extraordinarily, it has long been known as the “island of gems,” as it enjoys ideal geological conditions that has led to it being incredibly abundant in high quality jewels. In fact, the island is one of the world’s richest concentrations of gems, including 40 different mineral species.
Source is important when it comes to gemstones because it can add historical context, the idea of scarcity, and the specific geological conditions of each location often affect the most important characteristic of a jewel, which is colour. Since Sapphires are found in more places in the world that the rest of the “big three,” which also includes Emeralds and Rubies, you’ll sometimes see source listed with Sapphires more often as a way of distinguishing their value, as well as describing their colour.
500 to 600 years ago, Sri Lanka was actually located in the middle of an ancient supercontinent. While seemingly the plot of a movie, this true slice of its history means that millions of years ago, perfect levels of pressure and heat ensured Sri Lanka would be rich in metamorphic gems for millions of years. Due to erosion, most of Sri Lanka’s gems are found in alluvial deposits, which refers to locations that are away from their original rock formation, such as riverbeds and streams.
What makes Ceylon Sapphires so special?
Sri Lanka has been supplying the world with fine quality Sapphires for over 2000 years, and some historians believe it is actually the world’s very first source of Blue Sapphire on earth. Along with Kashmir (which is no longer in operation) and Myanmar (also referred to as Burma), Sri Lanka is known for producing some of the world’s finest qualities of Sapphires in every colour. (A certain famous Blue Sapphire and Diamond halo engagement ring features a 12 carat Blue Ceylon Sapphire.)
Similar to Rubies, Sapphires that are sourced from metamorphic rock tend to be the most prized because their environments are low in Iron, which allows the gems to maintain a vibrant, bright hue. Iron is generally more prolific in basalt rock conditions, such as those in Australia, and tends to give Sapphires a darker tone and greenish tint.
Which colours are Ceylon Sapphires available in?
While gemstones can vary in tone and colour regardless of where they’re sourced, Blue Ceylon Sapphires are generally thought of as having an ideal violet-blue to blue colour, often referred to as “cornflower blue,” which is lighter and brighter than most. Any Sapphire which isn’t blue is considered a “fancy-coloured Sapphire” in the trade and Sri Lanka is famously considered a producer of the widest range of fancy colours in the world, including top quality Yellow, Pink and Purple varieties. It is particularly famous for Star Sapphires and Padparadscha Sapphires, a pinky-orange variety which gets its name in part from the Sinhalese word for lotus flower.
While there are tests that can be performed by a gemologist and organizations such as the GIA to determine the geographic source of a gem, keep in mind that one of the many unique traits of coloured stones versus Diamonds is how they are mined. Coloured gems are often sourced in a much more independent and artisanal manner, versus having large corporate structures behind them which track their every move. So, by their very nature, coloured gems, including Sapphires of every colour, tend to pass through many hands, sometimes even in border towns, and pinpointing the exact, original source can be tough for anyone to 100% guarantee. While geographic terms need to be used as accurately as possible, it’s important not to lean on them too heavily, and instead, use them to further inspire your love of jewellery, its history, and the stunning variety of colours they possess.
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Tagged ceylon sapphires, coloured gemstones, Custom Content, Email Newsletter, Gemologist, GIA, jewellery consultant, jewellery history, jewellery writer, padparadscha sapphire, sapphires, Sri Lanka
Katherine James Jewellery Custom Content, January 2022
Pantone Colour of the Year 2022: Very Peri
Be ready to fall for Very Peri, an optimistic hue to start the new year
For over 20 years, the Pantone Colour Institute has released their colour of the year, based on a mind-bending collection of global research. To arrive at the lucky hue, experts examine a number of influential factors, including fashion and textile trends, new artists and exhibits, popular travel destinations, technological developments, film and other forms of entertainment in productions, social media platforms, upcoming sporting events, socio-economic and political conditions, home furnishing, product packaging, and really, all other matters of design.
For 2022, the Institute has named a completely new colour, which they’ve dubbed Very Peri—undoubtedly a play on periwinkle blue. While institute says the colour is considered part of the blue family (which is often used to communicated stability) but with a violet-red undertone, it is clear that this shade is in fact, purple!
According to Pantone, the choice represents an “altered landscape of possibilities, opening us up to a new vision as we rewrite our lives. Rekindling gratitude for some of the qualities that blue represents complemented by a new perspective that resonates today, Very Peri places the future ahead in a new light.” Clearly inspired by the world’s hopes and optimism for finally putting the daily worries of the pandemic and overall isolation behind us, other inspirations for the shade include the growth of digital art and design, including the rise of NFTs, the new “dynamic virtual world” (hello, Metaverse), gaming trends, and the overall fusion of the colours of our physical world with those we see on-screen.
If all these ideas of a new, virtual world have you feeling a bit lost, the good news is that the colour Purple, while perhaps a bit polarizing for some, is undoubtedly imbued with a feeling of fun, vibrancy, and overall frivolity and richness. After all, it’s a symbol of royalty and rarity, and also can be seen as the coming together of two distinct colour families: red and blue.
It’s a refreshing symbol of optimism for the future that is much welcomed, especially when you consider the shades forecasted by the institute in recent years, including a very industrial-sque pairing of grey and yellow, and a basic, banker’s blue.
Of course, we think the most exciting part of Very Peri, is how it will translate to our jewellery boxes! After years of blue and pink gems dominating the market, a return to purple feels fun again. While Amethysts, which were once considered of the rarest and most-sought after gems will likely come back into fashion in a big way (look for all saturations to return to glory, from a pale lavender to the richest purple), we also have our eye on Purple Sapphires, which have been extremely uncommon in the past if only because they were in the shadow of their royal blue counterparts, as well of course, for Kunzites and Tanzanites. Both are a rarity in the gem world, which customers are clicking to more and more in order to add massive future value to their collections, with Tanzanite in particular likely to soon ride a new wave of fame, thanks to their limited availability (with only once source, many experts agree they are likely to disappear altogether in the near future.)
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Tagged Amethyst, colour marketing, coloured gemstones, Custom Content, Email Newsletter, Gemologist, jewellery, jewellery writing, Jewelry, Pantone, purple gemstones, sapphire, tanzanite
Katherine James Jewellery Custom Content, July 2021
The Universe Stone
Why Opals are still one of the world’s most mysterious gemstones
The History of Opal
There’s no question that Opals are one of the most unique gemstones on Earth. For centuries, their phenomenal qualities have been compared to some of the most majestic and mysterious entities in the world, including galaxies, volcanoes, fireworks, and of course, true love. In ancient Rome, the gem was given the name “Opalus,” meaning precious stone, and they considered this rare gem, which they were absolutely fascinated by, the pinnacle of ultimate love and hope.
“Some opali carry such a play within them that they equal the deepest and richest colors of painters. Others…simulate the flaming fire of burning sulphur…and even the bright blaze of burning oil.” –Pliny, a Roman scholar, 75 AD
Throughout history many have been convinced that the kaleidoscopic colours often seen in Opal made it the most valuable and powerful gem of all. They compared it to the power of the whole universe, since it contained the hues of every other precious stone. This phenomenal effect is referred to as an Opal’s play-of-colour and the shades displayed, as well as their pattern, can greatly affect an Opal’s value.
How to Evaluate an Opal Gemstone
When it comes to value, the most important factor is how bright and vivid its play-of-colour effect is, and how well it stands out against the rest of the gem, without any cloudy or milky haziness. Next in importance, is how many different colours are displayed. An Opal which includes the entire spectrum of the rainbow is very rare, with red and orange being the most rare and desired hues, and green and blue generally considered more common. For example, even if an Opal only shows one or two colours, but displays large patches of red, it is still considered quite desirable.
An Opal’s background colour or “base colour” can also vary widely and have a huge effect on its value. White Opals with subtle play-of-colour have been the mainstream in the Western world for decades, and are surely one of the most common varieties which make up the bulk of commercial quality Opal jewellery. However, White Opal is available in excellent qualities, with the best having sharp and vivid play-of-colour with a full spectrum of colours and a crisp pattern.
What is the Most Valuable Opal?
Opals with very dark background colours, which appear an opaque black in reflected light, including green, blue, brown, dark grey and actual black are all considered Black Opals, and are the most prized of any specimen. Since their dark base colours are ideal for showing off vibrant play-of-colour, they’re considered the crown of the Opal world, and exceptional specimens can rival any other gem and sell of tens of thousands of pounds.
However, Opals can also have a transparent to translucent background (often referred to as “Crystal” or “Water” Opals), as well as a wide range of yellow, orange and red base colours, which are Fire Opals. Keep in mind that not every Fire Opal contains play-of-colour, but their vibrant hues, which is believed to be caused by trace iron oxide, still make them quite valuable and sought-after.
Opal’s Play-of-Colour Patterns
If all the colour possibilities weren’t complicated enough, Opals are also evaluated for the patterns of colour they display. This ranges from minimal phenomenon, which looks like small dots of colour and is referred to as “pinfire,” to large patches or “flashes” of play-of colour to the most desired, which is “harlequin.” Harlequin play-of-colour is the most even and well-balanced, and of course also the most rare and valuable. It shows large, near-rectangular-shaped patches of colour, which are uniform and tightly arranged, like a checkerboard or actual harlequin diamond pattern.
What is “Common” Opal?
Play-of-colour refers to ‘precious’ Opal, but not every Opal displays this phenomena. “Potch Opal” or common Opal, are stones without play-of-colour, but can still come in a variety of beautiful colours, including Peruvian Pink and Blue Opals, and are often still used in jewellery and other fine objects.
One of the characteristics which makes Opals so unique in the gem world, is that they do not have a crystal structure. Instead, they are considered amorphous, and contain a high percentage of water. If you were to look at a precious Opal under 30000x magnification, you would see a perfect, symmetrical stack of tiny spheres made of silica, which is composed of silicone and oxygen. The uniformity of this stack of spheres is what allows light to be broken into spectral colours, which creates an Opal’s trademark rainbow play-of-colour effect. Opals that have an irregular grouping of spheres of all different sizes are common Opals, and do not display phenomenon.
How to Clean and Care for Opals
Since Opals contain a lot of water, they can be prone to damage from moisture-loss. If they’re exposed or stored with excessive heat, dryness or bright light, they can suffer from crazing, which appears like a host of tiny spider web-like cracks on the surface of the gem. Instead, always store them in a dark, cool place and preferably in a silk pouch, which will not only protect them from being scratched by other jewels, but will also protect their moisture content. Since nearly all Opals are cut as cabochons to show off their play-of-colour, they must be worn with care since as a softer gem (they’re a 5.5-6 on the Mohs Hardness scale with fair to low toughness) they can be prone to damage if accidentally hit or scraped.
Overall, it is clear that Opals are a highly complex gem with one of the widest ranges of value in the gem world. Their status as a non-crystalline, phenomenal gem, which scientists are still not 100% sure how or when they were formed still makes them one of the most mysterious and alluring jewels, with a mystical history, passionate fanbase and enormous scale for value. Undoubtedly, regardless of how you take your Opals, they have an indisputable and highly revered place in any jewellery collection.
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Tagged coloured gemstone, Custom Content, Email Newsletter, Gemologist, gemstones, jewellery, Jewellery cleaning, jewellery writer, Opal
Katherine James Jewellery Custom Content, May 2021
How to Choose an Engagement Ring
Whether it’s a surprise or a shared decision, here’s how to choose an engagement ring which will stand the test of time.
Consider Your Partner’s Other Design Choices
While most people focus on the centre stone of their ring, the truth is, the setting is what will truly set the tone for your new, important jewel. Once you feel confident about the style of setting you’re looking for, everything else will fall into place. So, is your partner one for antiques or do they love sleek, contemporary looks? Keep in mind, that if they have a very active lifestyle or one that requires them to be a bit tougher on their hands, something modern (even if it’s an antique reproduction) might fit their daily life best.
If you don’t automatically know which aesthetic suits, don’t sweat it. Instead, look to the design details they’ve chosen in other parts of their life, such as their choices in furniture, tableware, other housewares, favourite clothes, etc. If they tend to love frilly, romantic details with pretty prints, florals, lots of colour and sweet touches, chances are similar details in their engagement ring will light them up. Antique styles with engraving, fanciful prongs, fancy-cut gems, and even some colour are all great features you can consider.
On the flip side, if their home, wardrobe and other favourite items look streamlined with a simple colour scheme, and modern and sophisticated details (think: colour blocking and stripes) something very refined, simple and elegant is likely more their speed. Consider a monotone colour palette, bezel settings, subtle Art Deco styles, and slick, contemporary details. Of course, these may feel like two extremes and there is plenty of room in between which can allow you to find the perfect combination of varying details which will fit your beloved to a tee.
Keep in mind, when it comes to clothing and other jewellery your partner may have, everyone likes to change it up and try new styles and looks, so these can be a bit misleading when trying to find their true personal style. An engagement ring is something they’ll potentially wear every single day, and needs to be quite classic in some ways, so it will complement their other wardrobe pieces. For the best idea, think of what their absolute favourite items of clothing are, the things they wear the most, and the stores they love to visit and even window shop at. Taking a sneaky peek at their Pinterest page, if they have one, can also be a great way to help you capture their true, overall taste.
Take a Colour Cue
Choosing a coloured gemstone as the centre stone or accent stones can be a really special way to make an engagement ring feel extra personal and customized to your partner and your relationship. There’s a chance they may have mentioned that this is their preference, or that a standard Diamond is not their style. Of course, that will certainly make it easier, but if not, you can consider the above style hints, again. If you partner is super classic and loves really glamourous details, an all-Diamond design might be best. If they’re more fanciful, artistic or even traditional, something with a bit of colour will likely make them feel extra special.
Birthstones are a great place to start, and again, this can be used as a centre stone or accent stones in a three-stone ring or a halo or on a band. You can also combine your birthstones for a very romantic touch, or even use the stone of the month that you met or will be engaged (or married – if you know that already!) for an extra-creative touch. Of course, if your beloved has a favourite colour, such as Pink, Yellow or Green, or always mentions how much they love a certain ring, such as the Duchess of Cambridge’s epic Blue Sapphire, that is a perfect jumping off point, as well.
Colour also extends to the metal you’ll choose for the setting. While some gems look particularly ravishing in certain metals, choose the style you think suits the above hints, once again. If you’re going for a goes-with-everything monotone look, Diamonds set in Platinum or White Gold are a no-brainer. If you’re looking for something more unique, coloured gems set in an antique Yellow Gold setting can be extra luxe and romantic looking. If you’re not sure, a setting which combines both has been a major ring trend, and will guarantee the ring will match whichever other jewellery your partner owns or will choose in future.
Be Open to Hints
If you’re hoping for a proposal which is a total surprise, you may feel a bit paranoid about giving off even the slightest of hints. However, looking for important clues at this point can make all the difference, and you’ll be surprised what you can pick up on once you start trying to pay extra attention to everything your partner likes and dislikes. Your fiancé-to-be may just be dropping hints of their own which you hadn’t picked up on before! Things to pay attention to: comments they make while shopping, remarks about jewellery or rings of friends, family or celebrities, how they react to proposal or wedding scenes in movies or on TV. Making an effort to be more receptive to their comments can open up a whole new world of details for you. Also, when they do make comments, use the opportunity to ask subtle questions about the details so you can best understand what they are trying to communicate. You won’t be giving anything anyway. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions when you’re both picking out other items, such as housewares, to understand why they like or dislike certain looks.
Friends and family can also be a great resource. If your partner is particularly close to a certain friend, cousin or sibling, they may have even shared what their ‘dream’ ring would look like. They may also help you in clarifying the personal style of your partner. Before you go down this road, just beware of sharing your secret (you may want to spare the specific details of the timeline etc.) if you’re not totally sure they won’t spill the beans. Also, they naturally may impart their own personal style when offering their opinions on various ring looks, so you many want to take their input with a grain of salt!
Lastly, it goes without saying that you don’t want to invade your partner’s privacy. However, there’s a chance they may have chosen rings they love on their Pinterest board, or even saved some pictures to a file on their computer. Investigate these avenues as much as possible without getting too personal (or caught red-handed!)
When in Doubt, Use a Placeholder (and Don’t Panic)
If you just can’t land on a design that makes you feel confident, don’t sweat it: you still have plenty of options. You can propose with a stand-in ring, such as one of these Moissanite options, and allow your future partner to choose their own forever piece later. Another option which can still be very meaningful, is to propose with a band, either streamlined or set with Diamonds or coloured gemstones, which he or she can still wear later as their wedding band.
When it comes to sizing the ring, you can try asking friends or family, or try to secretly trace the inner circumference of a ring your partner already owns and match it up with one of our complimentary ring sizers. As a last resort, an N ½ is one of the popular ring sizes, and nearly every ring can be re-sized later, if need be.
Just remember that many rings can take at least a couple of weeks to arrive, and custom orders can also take up to eight weeks, so plan ahead if you’re trying to meet a special date. At the end of the day, the love and sincerity behind your proposal is what will mean the most to your partner and if all else fails, any ring can be exchanged or returned at KJJ! We’re always here to help you through your decision making process, contact us here to get started.
Comments Off on Katherine James Jewellery Custom Content, May 2021
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Tagged coloured gemstones, Custom Content, Diamonds, Email Newsletter, engagement rings, Gemologist, jewellery consultant, jewellery editor, jewellery writer
Megan Kirkwood 
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