Month: January 2021

2020 : A Challenging Year

Few people would argue that 2020 has been a challenging year for everyone. Like many small businesses running a ‘non-essential’ shop, we have encountered a fair amount of disruption throughout the year.

Challenges have included showroom closures, clients having to postpone weddings, self-isolation, homeschooling and working from home. But in spite of everything, our team have done their absolute best to work around the many challenges we have all faced in what has become an exceptional year.

We continue to look on the bright side and to count our blessings. Furthermore, we are thankful to our returning clients who have continued to support our business during 2020. Also, we have benefitted from our online work. In particular, our website where we continue to feature many of our bespoke jewellery designs.

Looking back through 2020 we have helped many local and international clients with bespoke engagement rings and jewellery designs. As our final post of 2020, we decided to feature just a few examples of our work.

All of the following designs were created through the course of 2020. A selection of commissions we have worked hard to complete in this challenging year.

Some of our clients we were fortunate enough to meet whilst open. Other clients we worked with remotely online, by phone, Zoom or via emails.

1 : Bespoke Soundwave Ring

The Bespoke sound pattern ring features an engraved representation taken from an iPhone voice recorder. We featured the sound pattern ring on our blog post at the start of 2020 after adding it to our online shop.

2 : Two-Carat Diamond Bubble Ring

Early this year, we created an incredible 2-carat diamond bubble ring for one of our lovely clients. We photographed the Bowery ring before sending out the completed ring. Few people would dispute the impressive show of our dazzling diamond bubble rings.

3 : The Orion Ring with a Lab-Grown Diamond

Many of our existing clients know our passion for ethical diamonds. As a result, we introduced a service to source any lab-grown diamond by request.

One of our first lab-grown diamond commissions featured a 1.66 carat lab-grown diamond set into our Orion engagement ring design in 950 Platinum.

4 : Bespoke Blue Sapphire and Diamond Ring

This stood amongst our favourite commissions from the last year. Six blue sapphires surround a central 4.5mm diamond—all held within a truly gorgeous Platinum ring design. This design features within our bespoke ring portfolio on our website.

5 : Twist Diamond Shoulder Ring

Inspired by our ‘Destiny’ engagement ring, this six claw engagement ring design features are interwoven diamond shoulders with a dramatic effect. Few diamond shoulder engagement rings offer such dazzling beauty as this design.

6 : Contemporary Square Band Engagement Ring

Handcrafted with a 0.95 carat Princess cut diamond at the centre, we created a contemporary ring design for our client. A tall ‘Tiffany” style setting rises above two round diamonds. With clean lines and plenty of sparkles, the band featured a squared profile for a truly modern look.

7 : Square Double Halo Engagement Ring

We handcrafted an incredible square double halo engagement ring, set with an ethical ‘Canadian’ origin diamond. Made in 18ct Yellow Gold, the ring featured a square double halo and just under 1 carat of diamonds. In addition, we created a gently curved shaped wedding ring to sit neatly alongside.

8 : Oval Cabochon Opal Necklace

We created a very simple Opal necklace for one of our lovely clients. In addition to intricate and elaborate CAD designs, we enjoy working on simple classics with a timeless look and feel. Here, we set a 5.5 carat Opal into 18ct Yellow Gold.

9 : Bespoke Oval Blue Sapphire 3 Stone Ring

Later in 2020, amidst the calamity of the Covid Pandemic, we worked on a beautiful version of our ‘Isabella’ trilogy diamond ring design. Styled with a central Oval blue Sapphire, this version of the ring featured an East-West orientation of the Sapphire between two round diamonds.

10 : Alexandrite Solitaire Ring

During the Summer of 2020 we continued to create new ring designs, even during lockdown while our showroom closed. Many of our new clients reached out via our website or social media and we continued to work on brand new jewellery commissions.

The above ring commission featured a large Alexandrite set into the Unity engagement ring design. We particularly loved the variation of purple to brown colours on moving around the gemstone.

11 : Interwoven Blue Sapphire and Diamond Ring

During 2020 we created many full and half eternity ring styles. One of the rings we created featured an interwoven design set with an alternating combination of diamonds and Blue Sapphires.

12 : Emerald-Cut Blue Sapphire and Diamond Trilogy Ring

For our final design of 2020, we created an incredible three stone ring design made in Fairtrade Gold. Styled with a wedding ring friendly setting, our clients chose an incredibly coloured bright Blue Sapphire set between dazzling white diamonds.

Looking Ahead to 2021

Just like yourself, we are now looking forward to positive changes coming in 2021. Despite ending the year in Tier 4, we continue to work safely from our Ryde showroom until we can re-open to members of the public.

We look forward to seeing new and familiar faces in 2021. We would like to thank all of our clients for their patience this year and wish everyone a safe, healthy and happy New Year for 2021.

The post 12 Bespoke Jewellery Designs from 2020 appeared first on Serendipity Diamonds Blog.

What does I1 mean?

I1 clarity describes the clarity of a diamond with small inclusions visible to the naked eye. I1 clarity diamonds offer an affordable alternative to high clarity diamonds which demand much higher prices. An understanding of clarity grades will help before buying an engagement ring.

Where does I1 clarity fall within the scale of clarity?

I1 clarity diamonds fall nine places below the highest clarity grade possible for a diamond. According to the presence or concentration of clarity characteristics within a diamond, the GIA diamond clarity system ranks diamonds. Many jewellers refer to these characteristics as inclusions. For this reason, I1 represents “Included 1.”

Lower clarity diamonds fall into either I2 or I3, the latter of which represents the lowest official clarity grade possible for a diamond.

There are 11 clarity grades in the GIA system of diamond grading. They are Flawless, Internally Flawless, two categories of Very Slightly Included, two categories of Slightly Included, and three categories of Included. A clarity characteristic of the clarity grade is based on its size, number, position, nature, and colour or relief.

For more information visit https://www.gia.edu/

Examples of I1 diamonds

We grade diamonds using a 10x loupe. As a result, I1 clarity diamonds reveal noticeable inclusions. In fact, inclusions appear visible even to the naked eye. However, they rarely diminish the brightness of a diamond. In contrast, I3 diamonds interfere with the passage of light through a diamond. As a result, I3 diamonds appear less sparkly and bright.

Example of an I1 clarity diamond. A small white feather and other clarity characteristics appear within the south-west position of the image.

Best diamond shapes for lower clarity diamonds

I1 clarity lends itself well to round brilliant-cut diamonds. Alternatively, they suit Princess cut diamonds. Owing to brilliant faceting, inclusions often appear disguised by facets. In contrast, Emerald or Baguette-cut diamonds can be less forgiving due to their step faceting.

What are the benefits of I1 graded diamonds?

There are two main benefits of buying an I1 diamond. Firstly, cost. I1 graded diamonds demand lower prices than higher clarity grades. Secondly, the presence of clarity characteristics acts as a blueprint for your diamond. As a result, knowing the position of each inclusion makes your diamond instantly recognisable.

The post I1 Clarity Diamonds – What Does I1 Mean in Diamond Grading? appeared first on Serendipity Diamonds Blog.