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Summer often brings the opportunity to dive into a book or two. If you are searching for the perfect read this summer we have a few suggestions you will want to add to your library and/or coffee table.
Beginning with the “classics” for gem lovers is Jean - Baptiste Tavernier’s "Travels In India, Vol. I", which offers a detailed historical account of the 15th-century French merchant’s travels and acquisition of what is now known as the “Hope Diamond” which he sold to Louis XIV. His travels take him throughout Europe, onto Persia and finally, India and Java. You get a sense of the zeitgeist through the historical descriptions of the ruling empires along with the value of coins, weights, and measurements described in the book which are outlined in an appendix.
Delving into a more contemporary jet set of who’s who is, "Van Cleef & Arpels Treasures and Legends". Pages of photographs of amazing jewels by the house of Van Cleef & Arpels serve to illustrate the inside stories behind the jewels, jewelers, and the people they belong to such as The Maharani of Baroda, the Duchess of Windsor, Princess Lilian of Belgium, Elizabeth Taylor, Marlene Dietrich, Princess Grace of Monaco, Maria Callas, Barbara Hutton and the Countess of Camargo and others. “They are all the heroines of this incredible epic full of rubies, diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.” The book is written by Vincent Meylan, who has written several books on the history of jewels around the world, including "Bulgari’s Treasures of Rome" and "Boucheron: Secret Archives", both of which are equally beautiful and full intrigue.
Another sumptuous publication is, "Cartier" written by Hans Nadelhoffer. Much more than the classic coffee table book, it also explores the designs and lives of the artistic talents of their creators. It includes biographies of the artists of the famous jewelry house, recent history, their famous clients and how the businesses got started.
New on the shelf is this year’s "The Cartier Collection: Jewelry" by Francois Chaille, Michael Spink, Christophe Vachaudez, Thierry Coudert and Violette Petit.This double-volume is strong on images, with more than 600 objects and drawings from Cartier’s vast archives, some previously unseen, and reproduced at actual size. Included is Cartier’s famous “bestiary” of exotic animals as well as more recent rare brooches, necklaces, and bracelets from the 1960s and 1970s.
More recent publications that are sure to take center stage on your bookshelf can be found in this link, to an article published in the NewYork Times this past spring. All of the books selected are very visual and offer insight into the creation of contemporary jewelry designs with an eye towards the East, as told through designers such as Hong Kong based Michelle Ong, founder of the Carnet label, Taiwanese jeweler Anna Huand and Mumbai-based jeweler Farah Khan.
For further technical reading and inspiration, you could not do better than "Looking at Jewelry: A Guide to Terms, Styles, and Techniques", released in June, 2019. "This volume, geared toward jewelry makers, scholars, scientists, students and fashionistas alike, begins with a lively introduction that offers a cultural history of jewelry and its production. The main text provides information on the most common, iconic, and culturally significant forms of jewelry and also covers materials, techniques, and manufacturing processes.”
And finally, your library would not be complete without "Diamonds" by Marijan Dundek. “A practical guide that will be useful to anyone involved with diamonds, whether they already have some knowledge of the subject or are coming to it for the first time." The book contains a wealth of vivid color illustrations and is both highly informative and a delight to browse. Of note is the section on natural color diamonds, written with the expert assistance of Langerman Diamonds. Although natural color diamonds are the rarest and most intriguing diamonds of all and at the top of the diamond industry in terms of value, collectability and rarity, there is in fact not a great deal of published information about this topic available.Therefore, this book is definitely a must have for anyone interested in having the most comprehensive information on natural color diamonds. You can look forward to the descriptions and illustrations of each main color group along with the main factors that determine their quality and value.
So whether you prefer a historical travel log, an artistic coffee table book full of colorful glossy images or more technical reads, there is sure to be something for everyone. Enjoy your summer and be sure to enjoy a good book or two!
by CZ / YDCDL
Image credits: Langerman Diamonds, Amazon, Archive.org
Step into the mesmerizing world of natural Pink diamonds, synonymous of elegance and sophistication. These exquisite gems have stolen the spotlight in the realm of fine jewelry, captivating the hearts of fashion enthusiasts around the globe.
In this article, we’ll explore the enchanting features of Fancy Pink diamonds, uncovering their origins, possible tones, and the growing fascination around them. As we delve into their unique characteristics, you’ll learn how they compare to other popular pink gemstones, revealing the distinct advantages that set them apart.
The Origin Of Their Mesmerising Hues
Fancy Pink diamonds are the result of a remarkable geological process that lasted millions of years. During their formation process, atomic traces of minerals such as hydrogen, nitrogen, or boron were introduced into their crystalline structure, resulting in impressive hues.
However, another scientific theory states that the pink hue comes from a deformation in the crystal lattice of the stone, a phenomenon caused by extreme pressure.
Whichever the cause, thanks to our Earth’s natural transformations, today we get to enjoy the exceptional shades of Pink diamonds.
From delicate pastel tones reminiscent of blooming cherry blossoms to intense, vivid shades that command attention, natural Pink diamonds offer a diverse palette of hues that ignite the imagination.
Rarity And A Growing Fascination
The allure of these unique stones lies not only in their enchanting beauty but also in their rarity.
As luxury enthusiasts and jewelry connoisseurs seek to come in possession of the most exclusive and coveted pieces, the interest surrounding fancy pink diamonds continues to grow. With the recent closure of the renowned Argyle mine in Australia, a significant source of Pink diamonds, their scarcity has skyrocketed.
Pink Diamond’s Unparalleled Properties
Brilliance
The refractive index of a diamond is approximately 2.42. This high refractive index is one of the factors that contribute to the exceptional brilliance and sparkle that diamonds are renowned for. The high refractive index allows diamonds to bend and reflect light in a way that creates maximum dispersion and brilliance, resulting in their captivating play of light and fire. It is this unique optical property that sets diamonds apart from other gemstones and contributes to their timeless allure and desirability.
Hardness
Diamonds are renowned for their exceptional hardness, ranking 10 on the Mohs scale, which is the highest possible rating. This remarkable property makes diamonds highly resistant to scratching and abrasion, ensuring their longevity and durability even with daily wear.
The hardness of a diamond contributes significantly to its value. Diamonds are prized for their ability to withstand the rigors of everyday use without losing their beauty or succumbing to damage. This durability ensures that diamond jewelry, such as engagement rings and heavily worn pieces, can be cherished forever and passed down through generations.
What About Other Pink Gemstones?
Tourmaline
This pink gemstone is often used in jewelry for its vibrant color. Pink tourmaline can be found in various parts of the world, including Brazil, Afghanistan, Mozambique, and the United States. Each location may produce unique variations in color and quality, making it more complicated for the regular customer to understand how to measure and compare characteristics.
Tourmaline ranks 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs' scale of hardness, making it moderately durable, but relatively softer compared to Pink diamonds. With a refractive index between 1.624 and 1.644, pink tourmaline exhibits a good amount of brilliance and light dispersion.
Pink quartz
This mineral showcases a soft, delicate pink hue that does not typically offer much sparkle. There are multiple levels of transparency available, from very translucent to milky opaque or smoky with yellow or brown undertones.
Scoring a 7 on the Mohs scale, pink quartz is relatively durable and suitable for some types of jewelry. However, it is still important to protect it from impact, and best suitable for earrings and low-wear pieces.
Pink Sapphire
The intensity of its color depends on the place of origin and the combination of trace elements present within its crystal structure.
With a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, pink sapphires are very durable and resistant, making them suitable for all kinds of jewelry pieces. However, they are more prone to scratches than diamonds.
Kunzite
Kunzite is quite affordable because it’s relatively unknown although it can be found in many places like Afghanistan, Brazil, Madagascar, and the USA.
Like most color stones, kunzite can be undergo irradiation or heat treatments to enhance its color. Exposure to heat and bright light can cause color in both natural and treated kunzite to fade over time.
Morganite
Most morganite deposits are found in Brazil, but the highest quality specimens come from Madagascar. Typically, morganite enjoys a high transparency with minimal inclusions resulting in clear, polished stones.
Scoring a 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, Morganite is safe and durable enough for jewelry.
Your Best Choice: Pink Diamonds
There are multiple options to choose from to create a jewel with pink gemstones. However, they all fall short when compared to the durability and brilliance of natural Pink diamonds. With sources becoming more scarce while demand continues grows, Pink diamonds keep appreciating in value making them a better financial choice when compared to other gemstones which tend to loose value in the resale marker. Pink diamonds present multiple advantages for their investment potential and as a valuable asset to be passed on for generations.
When purchasing color gemstones, it’s important the buyer requests a professional laboratory report that discloses any enhancements to make an informed decision. Unfortunately for most consumers, it’s hard to find full-detailed information on a finished jewelry piece and it requires additional effort and inquiries to confirm the quality of a gemstone.
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Langerman Diamonds has over 50 years of expertise in sourcing and trading natural color diamonds. Explore our online inventory and contact us to learn more about the purchasing process.