The 1 million pink Prosperity Diamond |
There is nothing like seeing the person you love smiling because of something you did for her. If you want to see that smile on Valentine’s Day, take some time to get her a gift that really expresses how you feel about your relationship. Below are a range of jewelry gifts from rarities to the easily accessible. What they share is that they are all guaranteed to make your loved one beam.
The $1 Million Pink ‘Prosperity’ Diamond
As rare as true love is the Argyle pink diamond. They are mined from a single source, the Argyle Mine in Western Australia. The mine has an estimated 10-year supply left of these pinks then they will be gone forever. The most exceptional and rare diamonds from the mine are sold at an annual tender held in major cities around the world. A select group of diamond dealers are invited in each city where they view the diamonds and place silent bids on the ones that catch their fancy. They learn months later if their bid, or bids, won. At the last tender, Leibish & Co. won six diamonds. One of those was a radiant cut 1.71-carat vivid pink diamond. A skilled diamond cutter removed 0.03 cts. (less than 1 percent) and the color changed to a fancy vivid purplish pink and the value dramatically increased. “We just touched it,” said Leibish Polnauer, the Israeli-based company’s founder and CEO. “But you have to touch it the right way.” If that’s not enough, the now 1.68-carat diamond has a number that is considered extraordinarily lucky in China. Thus, the Prosperity Diamond was born. The diamond is now mounted on a double halo platinum ring and complimented with 0.82 carats of diamonds that adorn the halos and shank, with additional pave set round brilliants on the side of the head. It is available for $1 million and can be purchased at http://www.fancydiamonds.net.
The Jewelry Timepiece
Vacheron Constantin, the world’s oldest watch manufacture, has added to its Kalla family with the Kalla Haute Couture à Pampilles. This couture timepiece revives the tradition of “secret” watches that enabled 19th century watch wearers to check time in an exquisitely discreet manner. Set with a combination of brilliant, princess and flame-cut diamonds, the precious stones conceal a diamond-paved dial. With the subtle motion of four delicate mobile strands, the dial of the Kalla Haute Couture à Pampilles reveals itself on the wrist. The clasp, bracelet and dial are all made of white gold. The bracelet is composed of two diamond-studded ribbons that close delicately on the wrist like a precious jewel. The mechanical movement with caliber 1005 is manually wounded. It retails for $735,000 and is available at authorized Vacheron Constantin retailers.
One-of-A-Kind
There isn’t a woman on earth who doesn’t dream about owning a one-of-a-kind piece of highly crafted and stylized jewelry. Alexandra Mor makes these dreams come true. An example is this 68-carat emerald-cut amethyst ring that’s set with Mor’s signature details of 1mm knife-edged wire and 1.40 carats of 1mm “floating” diamond melee. The platinum mount is set on a 1mm 18k yellow gold band. It is signed by the artist and is priced at $22,000. To purchase go to www.AlexandraMor.com. For any sales inquiries, contact Alon at Alon@alexandramor.com. To make an appointment to visit the New York-based firm, contact Laura@alexandramor.com.
Flowery Timepieces from France
The Flower Pendant
Flowery Timepieces from France
The Swiss are the undisputed kings of watchmaking. However, across the border is the Doubs region of France where the country’s watchmaking industry is centered—often using the same people, technologies and techniques as their Swiss counterparts. One company from the region, Damoiselle D, specializes in ladies fashion watches. The company calls its creations jewelry watches. They feature elaborate, circular shapes that start at the dial and work their way outward along with the liberal use of precious materials and diamonds. The watches are adorned with eight petals meant to symbolize happiness, luck and prosperity The one pictured is from the company’s Rosa line and is made with pink gold with a green translucent “sun” design on the dial, made from enameling. The color symbolizes love, divine wisdom, beauty and immortality. It retails for $20,500 and is available at Place Vendome in Pasadena, Calif.
The Flower Pendant
It’s a classic look that when done well still excites. This delicate flower pendant, known as “Gossamer,” is made with fine natural colored diamond rose cut slices and burnt orange diamonds in the center. It was crafted by YNY Jewels, established in 2006, which focuses on creating a wearable, beautiful line of jewelry that showcases the company’s appreciation for color, design and quality. The Gossamer retails for $12,000. Contact YNY Jewels directly to get a name of a retailer at 212 302 3130 or go to www.ynyjewels.com.
Stackable Marquise Rings
It’s safe to say that anyone who ends all their written correspondences with the word “Love,” has an in depth understanding of the meaning of Valentine’s Day. The jewelry designer who goes by the name, JJ, creates refined, colorful jewelry made from a variety of gemstones matched with precious metals. Her company is JJ Number 8 (the good luck number). Her latest creation is the stackable Marquise Rings made with peach moonstone, orange carnelian, turquoise and of white topaz. The three rings pictured are the orange carnelian and 18k yellow gold ($2,360); the peach moonstone and 18k yellow gold ($2,150); and the turquoise and 18k yellow gold ($2,070). They can be purchased through the company’s website where you can also find retailers that sell the items.
Valentine’s Bead Bracelet
This bracelet is not only a symbol of love and a personal treasure, but it is intended to bring luck and joy to its owner, according to Montblanc. The talisman, made of shining silver beads on a black thread features a single red gold-colored heart. It’s designed to be worn daily. The use of two contrasting materials means that it can be matched to many different outfits and appeals to women who favor gold or silver shades. The Montblanc Valentine’s Bead Bracelets retails for $465 and are limited to 500 pieces with each piece numbered. It is available in Montblanc boutiques worldwide.
Double Heart Beat Black Beauty
With a deep black mother of pearl dial and diamonds in and outside the dial, the Double Heart Beat Black Beauty is the latest from the Frederique Constant Heart Beat collection of ladies watches. Two intertwined hearts form an aperture in the dial revealing the “heart beat” of the movement. The Heart Beat was developed in 1994 to show the mechanical nature of these Frederique Constant watches by having an aperture at the position of the balance wheel. And there’s the symbolism of the twin hearts that represent a shared love on Valentine’s Day. It retails for $3,995 and is available at the Wynn resort and casino in Las Vegas. However, if you can’t make it to the Wynn, the other Heart Beat watches are available at Frederique Constant boutiques worldwide as well as other authorized retailers.
Colorful Resin Creations
Angélique Knafo, creative director and designer for her namesake collection, Angelique de Paris, creates what she calls wearable art. All of her creations are made of resin and incorporates bright colors and intricate designs based on her broad background in art, her 13 years living in Paris and her world travels. For Valentine’s Day, she unveiled the JE'TAIME bracelets in five tonal compositions of mauves, pinks, aquas, caramel and silver--adorned with charms. It retails for $210. Go to www.AngeliqueDeParis.com to find a retailer near you.