Archive for category: General Information

Do you have old, out of style jewelry items that are sitting in your jewelry box that never get worn? Don’t scrap them, re-purpose them!

Gold can be recycled. Jewels can be reconfigured and reset. We can create a brand new jewelry item for you from those old items.

This is a story that happens daily.

A client comes in with a bag of rings, chains and bracelets that they aren’t wearing any more because they are damaged or out of style. They would like to know how we can help them turn their old items into a beautiful new jewelry creation. We specialize in custom, in-house jewelry creation.

Here’s how it works:

Karen will do a consultation to get a feel for the style of jewelry they like. She will then do design work and come back with ideas on how to re-use the metals and gemstones. The process starts with sketches and project parameters (what will be used and any additions that might be necessary.)

Once a design is agreed on, Karen removes all the stones from their settings to get perfect measurements. She then designs the new item using CAD (Computer Aided Design) software for a 3D representation of what the finished item will look like.

Next, a model version of the item is 3D printed in true size and scale, so the client can see, touch and feel what it will look like when worn.

After final approval, the model is cast in the material of choice, stones are set, and everything is detailed and polished.

This is where House of Diamonds is different than other jewelers.

At this stage, most jewelers outsource the entire project for casting and finishing. We do everything in house to make sure the original design intent is maintained. It’s so important to maintain control over this part of the process to make sure that the client’s requests are being met.

It’s also good that we do everything in house for security reasons. You can be confident that the stones in the finished product are actually the stones that you originally brought in.

Karen and our master jewelers work hard to make sure the new item is finished exactly the way the client was hoping for. And you should see the joy on their face when they see the new item! The before and after pictures do a great job of showing what is possible.

 

If you were born in July, then the ruby is your birthstone.  The ruby is among the most highly prized gemstones.

Did you know that large rubies are harder to find than large diamonds, emeralds and sapphires? As a result, the value of a ruby increases with size more than any other gemstone.

The word ruby is derived from the Latin “ruber,” meaning red. This name was once used to describe all red stones, including red spinel, red tourmaline, and red garnet.

The Mogok valley of Upper Burma is famous for the finest and rarest rubies of all. The most sought after color is a deep red called “pigeon blood red.” Another major source of rubies is Thailand. Both Thailand and Burma regard the ruby as their national stone.

Rubies have had many legends associated with them.  They were once believed to contain the “spark of life.”  In Asia, the ruby was thought to be “self-luminous” and they called it the lamp stone.

Because of their rarity, there are very few famous large rubies.

At House of Diamonds, we have a beautiful selection of natural rubies for you to consider for yourself or for that special someone with a July birthday!