Changing a design in changing times
28th January 2022 - Customer location: Blenheim, Queensland
This is a ring remodel that started back in September 2021 that I have just finished. It took a long time to design around the existing gems but that was not the main issue that caused delays. Sourcing materials was.
The two shoulder tapered baguettes were extremely difficult to source in a good pair in the size and shape we required. It was not until after quite a few months of rejecting pairs that I finally found that really good pair I was after.
Before I write more about that here are the main details of the ring:
.83 carat cushion cut diamond from the previous ring
2 tapered baguettes sourced to match with a total diamond weight of .41 carats
.60 carats of additional accent diamonds
total diamond weight of the ring 1.84 carats
recycled 18ct yellow and palladium white gold from customers jewellery
In this crazy world of COVID many companies are closing for good. Those suppliers that remain are hampered by manufacturing issues that are compounded by transport issues etc etc.
All of this is forcing prices up when you can find good material. More and more dealers are relying on overseas stock which is no good for me as I need locally available material to reject or approve.
For someone like myself that requires very specific materials for custom designs natural high quality gems are getting much harder to source in Australia. Which leads me to my next subject.
Something readily available - lab grown/created diamonds
“Just looking at the stone (lab grown diamond) with a loupe is not enough as the synthetic diamonds look just like a natural diamond. Diamond testers are also useless because they identify the stone as diamond but cannot differentiate whether it is natural or synthetic.
Absolute foolproof identification involves sophisticated spectrometry in order to study the minute difference in the internal structure of the stones being tested.”
This week was memorable for not only the completion of this ring but it was also the first time I have ever sold a lab grown/created diamond. The couple that purchased this over a carat diamond read my article about my thoughts on lab grown diamonds and were happy to proceed making an informed purchase.
Article from 2020: My current thoughts on “Lab grown" diamonds
My policy going forward will be to not identify the choice of my customers to purchase either natural or lab grown/created diamonds from me. That is their business to reveal not mine.
If I do however offer for sale a lab grown/created diamond it will always be very, very, very clearly marked/identified/described as lab grown. This diamond was laser inscribed as ”Lab Grown”.
Have a great weekend.