Fancy. Color. Diamonds. Yep, that’s a gemological term! Any diamond that isn’t your typical crystalline white color is likely considered a “fancy color”. Yellow, blue, green, red, chocolate, champagne… the list goes on. Fancy colored diamonds are less common for most folks to choose for a central engagement ring gem, but they are real dang cool and we love it when we do get to work with a client to select one. For those considering a colored diamond engagement ring, we tapped Emily Duke of Diamond Envy. She’s the first person we call when we are on the hunt of a fancy colored diamond and she’s here to give us all a little background on How Fancy Colored Diamonds Work! ![]() What are the most popular of colored diamonds? Yellow was the gateway to color for most people. “Canary diamonds” as they are often called, are still very popular along with brown or “chocolate” diamonds (Levian’s trademarked term.) They are more abundant in nature and are therefore, a very affordable option for diamond lovers. Thanks to impressive auction results over the past decade, along with some celebrity attention, pinks and blues are also quite desirable. They are much rarer though, so prices are significantly higher - a collector’s item of sorts. Are colored diamonds more expensive than traditional colorless/near colorless diamonds? Yes and no. Colorless and natural colored diamonds are both valued based on rarity. As I mentioned above, yellows and browns are mined frequently so their prices are generally lower, especially compared to a D (colorless) flawless diamond. Very rare colors though, like green, purple and red are so rarely discovered that they can sell for over $1 million per carat, blowing colorless diamonds out of the water! Of course other factors like carat weight and color intensity can affect price too. What is your opinion of lab created colored diamonds? Lab created diamonds are interesting. Right now they are being touted as an eco-friendly and conflict-free alternative to mined diamonds - but that might be a whole separate conversation to have. As far as their beauty? I can’t say for sure. I would say that because they have the same chemical makeup, they can be just as lovely. Color treated diamonds though, to me, are just not as incredible as the real deal. Many are “coated” with a color that can wear off or chip. Others are heat treated to get better color. Part of the intrigue of natural colored diamonds is that Mother Nature combined these rare forces to give us unique jewels. Is there a specific shape and color combo that you see time and time again? Diamonds with natural color are a challenge to cut. From the rough, the cutter wants to bring out the most color. Rounds are best at reflecting white light so the shape is best for colorless diamonds. Brilliant cut fancy shapes (cushion, oval, radiant, pear, marquise) bring out the color best. We see a lot of yellow radiants because they produce strong color. As far as fashion and demand, we’re seeing a pretty big surge in cushions and pink just keeps gaining popularity. Yellows will probably always have a place in the business though because they are pretty and affordable. Is there a specific shape and color combo that you think is amazing that the general population just hasn't tapped into yet? I think chameleon diamonds are just absolutely insane. They change color and scientists aren’t completely sure why. How cool? They are priced really well too but that likely won’t last if we see a spike in demand.… maybe it’s just because my favorite color is green! My other thought on this has to do with saturation. I think it’s interesting that most shoppers only want really strong color. A nice fancy light pink oval? So dreamy. Plus, they’re way more budget friendly than fancy intense or vivid options. What are your favorite setting designs for a colored diamond? I’m not a fan of the halo when it comes to colorless diamonds, but when you put some bright whites around a colored diamond, the color really pops. I think a traditional three stone is also nice for the same reason. There’s something so chic about taking a classic style and adding your own twist - in this case, a colored diamond center. How long have you been working with colored diamonds? Why did you choose this avenue? Our founder grew up in the business and he’s had his own wholesale company for over 15 years. He started out cutting colorless diamonds, but when he came across natural colored diamonds, he fell in love. I started in the industry just 3 short years ago but I’m hooked too! For us, color is exciting. Each stone is unique and special. There’s so much to learn and see. We have an affinity for rare. Since starting in colored diamonds, we’ve added emeralds, sapphires and rubies to our inventory. We focus on each stone individually. If it’s extraordinary, we’re interested. We always joke that it’s hard to sell because we have a hard time parting with something so beautiful. It can be a challenge to find natural colored diamonds in retailers across the US and the world, so we decided to share our passion with everyone. In 2013 we launched DiamondEnvy.com to bring our rare inventory to the web.
0 Comments
![]() Dudes, meet GEM HUNT. This is the place your girlfriend goes on the internet when she’s hunting down the best engagement ring styles for her secret engagement ring Pinterest page or indulging in some online hot diamond materials before moving on to her next task in Asana. Editor Catherine Cason founded GEM HUNT after becoming engaged a few years ago. She is witty, irreverent, fun, and knowledgeable so we asked her to share some sage advice with you. Dear Men,
Congratulations, you are looking to get engaged. I will be straight with you being engaged is awesome — all champagne bubbles and fun. That said, The terms "cut" and "shape" are sometimes used interchangeably both among jewelry experts and jewelry shoppers. There is a significant difference, so we thought we would lay things out for you in two quick lessons: 1. There's No "C" in "Shape"Here are some of the most common diamond shapes you will encounter on your search. People often confuse shape with "cut" which is one of the 4 c's of diamond grading. Cut refers to proportions, shape just means... well, shape. Check out these shapes. Want to know more? If you have any questions you are welcome to contact us for help. 2. The 4th C is for "Cut"![]() The cut of a diamond refers to the proportions and angles of the facets in a ROUND BRILLIANT. Much like the cut of a suit, it is a major factor in the quality of the diamond. This chart shows the proportions that make the best use of a diamond's refractive index to bounce the maximum amount of light upwards and into the eye. A well cut diamond will appear brighter, more lively and will capture the eye. Do you really need to memorize this chart? No. But you should definitely double check the chart of a diamond that you are buying against this standard. This chart only applies to round brilliants. If you are looking for a cushion cut diamond, radiant cut diamond, emerald cut diamond, princess cut diamond, the gorgeous oval cut diamond, or maybe even an Asscher, marquise or pear cut diamond, or any of the other shapes, things can get complicated. Please drop us a line for a free double check or a quick consultation. with care, The Birds ![]() In a sea of fashion bloggers there are but a few standout jewelry bloggers. Chief among them, Gem Hunt. On the average day, Gem Hunt reports on all things hip while eating diamonds for breakfast. Us Little Birds? Well, we are usually deep into diamond selections and proposal planning. So GH interviewed LB on how to make sure you and your finance are on the same page when to comes selecting the perfect engagement ring! 4. Would you want to design something together or would you want to surprise me out of the blue? Known for their insatiable appetite for well-cut carbon and rock solid fine designers, Gem Hunt's Intagram is quickly becoming a must-follow...
In an extended podcast, Sean from Menprovement and Little Bird discuss engagements, diamonds, strategies, and culture. When should a man propose? Is two month's salary still an appropriate starting point for the ring budget? Should you always get a GIA report with your diamond? Listen to the podcast here. The podcast also comes with a fantastic article on other commonly asked questions, as well as a guide to getting optimal value on a diamond. There's an excerpt from the article below.... You can read the entire article here, Question 8) Are diamonds really that common? Ring sizing has its own chapter in the book of advice on buying an engagement ring. So as part of your ring education, check out this definitive guide on how engagement ring sizing works. 1. Understanding Ring Sizing By NumbersHere in the US the ring sizes are based on a numerical scale. These numbers are based on the circumference of the inside of a band, expressed in millimeters. Sizes start at about a 3 (teensy) and go up to about a 15 (giant). The difference from one whole ring size to the next a matter of 2-3mm in the circumference of the inner part of the band, where it touches your finger. The difference between a comfortable ring size and one that either falls off or causes you to panic it’s so tight could be the matter of a 1mm difference in the inner ring circumference. You’ll see half sizes (size 5.5), quarter sizes (7.25) and even “loose” and “tight” sizes, which are basically like an ⅛ size increment. For example a “tight 6” is basically a 5 ⅞. The vast majority of people have a ring size somewhere between 4 and 12. For those of you abroad, we cover European ring sizing later in this post.
3. What is Her Ring Size?The average woman’s ring finger is a size 6, for a ring that is about 2-3mm wide. When you go to a jewelry store, most women’s rings in the case are either 6 or 6.5, and the bands are all about 2-3mm wide with a few exceptions. The vast majority of engagement rings will be in the range of 5.5 - 6.5. Of course it’s not uncommon to be smaller than a 5.5 or larger than a 6.5, but almost all engagement ring orders in the US fall in this tight range. These size differences vary by very small amounts. For example, the difference between a 5.75 and 6 ring size is so so so so slight. Just eating too much salted popcorn can cause your fingers to swell more than a 1/4 size the next day. So don't get stuck in the weeds on sizing. If you know she's somewhere between a 4 and a 4.5, stay with the larger end and you'll be ok. Making adjustments after the fact is totally normal. That said, if a ring were a basic t-shirt: Small hands: 4.5-5.5 Medium hands: 5.75-6.5 Large hands: 6.75-7.5
Look for designs that you have never seen before. Talented artists can make a timeless concept look new and fresh by treating the subject in a new, inspired way.
Nature inspired designs can be very elegant but they can easily become cheesy when designers are not intentional and thoughtful with how they present the natural elements they include. We keep our eye out for the best examples of nature inspired designs, so feel free to drop us a line for some inspiration! You can also head on over to the Little Bird TOOL BOX where you can peruse libraries of images curated by Little Bird engagement ring consultants in order to help bolster your visual vocabulary. LOVE, The Little Birds ![]()
Bezel describes a gemstone setting style. A bezel is a soft, thin frame of metal that secures a diamond or gemstone - unlike prongs, which are more like little tiny fingers of metal holding a gemstone in place. Aside from the striking visual beauty of a bezel, they are also built for comfort. The bezel setting is smooth and won’t catch on your cashmere sweater as easily as a prong set ring.
Bezel settings are often considered the darling of bold and jewelry design. However, bezels are extremely prevalent in ancient jewelry design - more so than prong settings. Roman, Byzantine and Etruscan designs feature bezels. So while you often see bezel-set rings filed under “Modern”, the concept is old as time. There are lots of different ways to use a bezel setting in fine jewelry. A bezel setting can encompass a single central gem, or you can find multiple bezel settings all in a row that compose an eternity style band. You’ll also see small bezel-set diamond details in many Art Deco style rings. No matter how you bezel-it-up, it’s good to know these main points about this setting style:
You can also head on over to the Little Bird TOOL BOX where you can peruse libraries of images curated by Little Bird engagement ring consultants in order to help bolster your visual vocabulary. Best wishes! - LITTLE BIRDS ![]()
Sapphire is the most popular colored gemstone for engagement rings. The rich blue has symbolized fidelity since the Roman Empire. Sapphire is a type of gemstone called Corundum. The gemstone is very durable, only diamond is harder. Though sapphire comes in a rainbow of colors, the most popular color is a rich, saturated blue. Yellows, greens and peaches are also at the top our list.
Here’s what to look for when browsing for your ultimate sapphire engagement ring:
Avoid stones with worn facets (they will look smudgy instead of crystal sharp) and stones with any chips on the edges. Avoid stones with stripes of color (called color zoning) or stones with strange patches of very intense blue. That could be a sign of color treatment - but not necessarily. You should always ask about color or heat treatments when you are buying a stone. Unheated sapphires are rarer, and not necessarily better. Sapphire looks great with either yellow or white gold, and especially good with some diamond accents. The refined and elegant contrast of sapphire and diamond was hugely popular in the Deco era and there are endless and spectacular examples from the time that would make wonderful engagement rings. Follow the board below to see spectacular sapphire rings that were chosen by Little Bird engagement ring consultants and gem experts. If you ever have a question about sapphires, treatments, diamonds or engagement rings in general, please drop us a line! We are here to help. You can also head on over to the Little Bird TOOL BOX where you can peruse more libraries of images curated by Little Bird engagement ring consultants in order to help bolster your visual vocabulary. Best wishes! - LITTLE BIRDS ![]() Have you noticed any weirdness in the air? We are pretty reasonable people. We like science. We read our horoscopes every once in awhile, but we take it with a big grain of salt. HOWEVER… Mercury is seriously retrograde right now and we are feeling it. Mercury moving in a retrograde (backwards) direction is an optical illusion caused by the different orbital speeds of the Earth and Mercury as they go around the sun. During the times that Mercury is appearing to go backwards, many people here on Earth report that communication and travel are more difficult and prone to annoying complications. I can’t speak for the experiences of people on Mercury. Are you currently shopping for an engagement ring? If you are, here’s some advice from two professional engagement ring consultants. Mercury may be in retrograde, but you don’t have to let these common engagement ring pitfalls ruin your day.
Okay, ring hunters, best of luck out there! Love, The Birds Oh, one last thing: If you are booking tickets for any kind of travel (for a destination proposal, perhaps) double check that you are buying tickets for the right date. For example, if you want to fly on October 25th don’t book tickets for November 25th by mistake. |
Archives
March 2021
Categories
All
|