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Citrine Drop Pendant

Posted on 29 October 2011 by tibtv

Inspired from the windows of Monte Carlo. Golden warm sparkle –three inches of faceted citrine briolettes drops from an 18k gold chain. Small round citrines set between the briolettes and a large oval citrine and the end to a total length of 24”.

Totally cool—totally feminine!

Round faceted citrine and smoky quartz briolettes cut by August Mayer, master gemstone cutters, in Idar-Oberstein, Germany.

$3,500.00-

One of a kind, designed by Janet Deleuse

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Platinum

Posted on 29 October 2011 by tibtv

In the late 19^th century, Louis Cartier discovered the valuable metallic properties of platinum and began using it for setting Cartier’s incredible diamonds and gemstones.

Platinum is a rare precious metal found primarily in South Africa and Russia. Not only is it rare, its specific metallic properties are also unique. Platinum is very ductile, one-ounce can produce a wire which measures a mile long and it is so pure that when worn it’s completely hypoallergenic. The metallic properties, which make platinum perfect for jewelry use, are high tensile strength and durability—a secure way for setting precious stones.

Platinum’s greyish white luster will never fade and when scratched the metal will not wear away as gold, therefore the jewelry can last forever. Intricate designs can be created from platinum because of the strength and durability as opposed to gold or silver, which have softer metallic properties.

Platinum is alloyed with other metals, 95% pure platinum when it is used for jewelry will be hallmarked with Pt. 950 in a diamond shaped logo.

1.30ct diamond hoop earrings. $6,300-

Janet Deleuse

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Tiburon CA on San Francisco Bay/ Queen’s Jewels, Russian, British, French Crown Jewels

Posted on 30 August 2011 by tibtv

Mirror, Mirror on the wall—which Queen has the most jewels of ALL?Royal Queens have collected some of the most rare and precious diamonds, gemstones and pearls throughout history. The book “Queens Jewels” by Vincent Meylan, traces some of the royal jewels owned by several queens. Each story is as unique as the queens themselves—you be the judge as to who acquired the ‘best’ and ‘most’.

The Russian Crown JewelsLinked between the east and west, Russia was a crossroads for the trading routes. The south and east was a major source for turquoise, pearls and diamonds that were purchased from the Dutch and French traders. Tsarinas Elizabeth Petrovna and Catherine the Great accumulated and amassed an impressive collection—especially diamonds.

It was discovered in the nineteenth century that the Siberian mines were filled with diamonds, alexandrites, sapphires, amethysts, aquamarines, garnets and tsavorites. With increasingly extravagant lifestyles, the wealthy Russians started manufacturing their own high jewels comminissioning artisans like Faberge, Boucheron and jewelers of the imperial court. During that period, a diamond necklace, now in the Russian state treasury, was created with twenty one round diamonds, the largest weighing thirty two carats and fifteen pear-shaped diamonds, the largest one twenty five carats, was estimated in 1909 at 498,000 rubles—$17,911.00.

Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, the last Tsarina of Russia, had a collection of the most extraordinary jewels that were considered to be the most incredible in all of Europe. What happened to the jewels? They simply disappeared. As the story goes—in April 1918, the Empress trusted the nuns to hide her jewelry, diamond tiaras, a brooch set with more than a hundred diamonds, diamond clasps with pearls and many more –one hundred and fifty-four jewels total. Four months later the nuns learned that Emperor Nicholas II, Alexandra Feodorovna and their five children had been executed. Concerned that the Bolsheviks would search the convent, the nuns delivered the royal jewelry to an old fisherman who had remained loyal to the Romonavs. Buried beneath his wooden floor for fifteen years, the treasures were not found until a relative contacted the political police in 1933. Armed with pickaxes and shovels the police unearthed sealed jars packed with jewelry –and according to the KGB report in 1933, the jewels were valued at eight million dollars.

The crown jewels worn by the Romanovs were property of the state and were transferred to the Kremlin in Moscow for safekeeping. A published detailed inventory in 1926 stated that the collection contained twenty five thousand and three hundred carats of diamonds, (eleven pounds). Also included were four thousand and three hundred carats of rubies, many carats of emeralds and several thousand pearls. Some of the jewels are in the Kremlin’s Armory Museum in Moscow, however, the majority of the collection was dismantled and sold to foreign private collectors.

French Crown Jewels of Marie-Antoinette

Marie-Antoinette, one of the most famous French queens, inherited and collected an enormous amount of impressive jewels and amazingly France does not own one item today.

Arriving in Paris in 1775, Marie-Antoinette was presented with gifts of jewelry from her late mother-in-law, Marie-Joseph of Saxe. The entire jewelry collection was valued at over three million francs—a fortune for the times.

The collection included a parure in perfect white diamonds with several pieces, including a ceremonial corsage, (so large it was sewn on the fabric when worn), pins for holding the sleeves and back panels of gowns, shoe buckles, buttons, earrings, necklace, bracelets and many other smaller brooches, all fabricated in classic diamond motifs of bows, foliage and scrolls. Two more additional parures were gifted, one in emeralds and diamonds and the other in a diamond and ruby set. Strands of exceptional quality and large sized pearls, which included

a six-strand necklace with a matching six strand bracelets, and additional six strand pearl bracelets with diamonds, pearl and emerald bracelet and a pearl strand of twenty three large pearls. A collar necklace and a pair of earrings set with the finest gemstone topaz.

In addition to her inheritance, Marie-Antoinette commissioned several impressive jewels to be made for her from the French Jewelers– Mellerio, Boehmer and Bassange. She became famous for her love of diamonds and pearls—a passion that was part of the French Royal lifestyle –and to her determent.

Her lady in waiting wrote in her memoirs about the fleeing Queen

“I accompanied Her Majesty to a private room overlooking the Tuileries Garden, where we wrapped all her diamonds, pearls and rubies and packed them in a casket. Her Majesty kept only some pearls and a pair of earrings with pear shaped diamonds.”

The ‘jewels in the casket’ were then transported by the Queen’s hairdresser to Brussels and then on to Vienna to her nephew, the Emperor of Austria for safekeeping. Marie-Antoinette’s only surviving child, Madame Royale, was freed and found refuge in Austria with her mother’s family. She was then given her mother’s jewelry. Her cousin, the Emperor, demanded the jewels as payment for her living expenses. Therefore, Marie-Antoinette’s jewels became part of the Hapsburg Jewels and they disappeared a century later when a businessman who befriended the family stole the Hapsburg’s entire jewelry collection.

The few remaining jewels from her mother, Madame Royale willed to her cousin the Count of Chambord, the last surviving member of the senior branch of the French royal family. The Count’s widow wore the pearl necklace in 1883 at a dinner given by the Duchess of Uzes, she wrote, “ The Countess of Chambord wore the magnificent pearl necklace, it had five strands and each pearl was the size of a hazelnut. It had belonged to Empress Marie Theresa of Austria with ten strands originally and five strands were given to Marie-Antoinette, with the remaining five part of the Austrian crown jewels.”

The British Royal Crown Jewels

The crown jewels of Britain are known as one of the most extraordinary and valuable diamond and gem collections in the world today. Yet almost the entire collection was amassed in less than a century after Victoria became Queen in 1837.

The Royal Jewel collection grew as the British prime ministers from the new colonies, stretching from India to South Africa, each gifted Queen Victoria with precious gems and jewels. The emerald parures were valued at four million dollars and the additional diamond, ruby and pearl jewelry was valued at five and a half million dollars.

Duleep Singh, the Maharajah of India, traveled to England in 1849 after the last of his provinces were taken by the British, to present the Queen with a chest of his finest jewels– including the famed Koh-I-Noor or ‘Mountain of Light’ diamond weighing 280 carats. Recut by the Queen’s jewelers to 109 carats; the Koh-I-Noor was centered in her diadem. Queen Mary wore the diadem in 1911 and Queen Elizabeth in 1936.

The largest diamond in the world weighing 3,106 carats (over 21 ounces), was discovered in South Africa in 1905, from a mine owned by Thomas Cullinan. With a price tag of five hundred thousand pounds, the British came up with a solution for purchasing the diamond for their crown. General Botha, Prime Minister of the Transvaal, suggested that the Transvaal Government purchase the diamond and offer it to King Edward VII as a symbol of its gratitude for granting independence to Transvaal by Great Britain.

In 1980 the estimated value for the Cullinan diamonds (cut into five individual stones) were worth approximately twenty-seven and a half million dollars. The Sovereign’s Scepter contains the Cullinan I—the largest of the five diamonds.

The jewelry collection amassed by Queen Elizabeth II included a large sapphire and diamond necklace and earrings, a ruby and diamond necklace with earrings, two strands of large fine pearls and large diamond pendant earrings, a diamond diadem, corsage brooch, two diamond bracelets, a ruby bracelet and a pair of pearl and diamond earrings.

In 1949, Princess Elizabeth was given a deep pink brilliant diamond weighing 23.60 carats with a clarity that had not been seen before, it was set by Cartier as the center of a diamond flower brooch. Her collection increased when she took the throne in 1952. To commemorate her coronation, the government of Burma presented her with large ruby necklaces. King Faisal and King Khaled each gave her large diamond necklaces, the Emir of Qatar gave her a large sapphire and diamond parure and the Emir of Bahrain gave her a pearl and diamond necklace.

While visiting Brazil, Elizabeth II collected large aquamarine jewelry. Her personal jewelry collection was estimated, in the 1980’s, to be over forty-five million dollars.

There are nine crowns locked inside the Tower of London and the most incredible is the Imperial State Crown. Made for the coronation of Queen Victoria in 1838, the Cullinan II diamond was set in the central band with the ‘Black Prince’s Ruby’ which is a large spinel from the Plantagenet Kings and the ‘Stuart Sapphire’ from the Stuart dynasty. The monarch wears the Imperial State Crown once a year for the opening of Parliament.

Janet DeleuseCredits for photos and information:

“Queens Jewels”, Vincent Meylan, Assouline, 2008

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Tiburon CA/ San Francisco Bay: Summer Watches at Deleuse Jewelers

Posted on 17 August 2011 by tibtv

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Bohemian Earrings

Posted on 17 August 2011 by tibtv

Aquamarine and Peridots encircled by perfect white diamonds sway in 18k white gold with dangling seagreen briolette sapphires.

$17,500.00

One off, designed by Janet Deleuse

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Tags: Deleuse Jewelers, Gems, Jewelry, Point Tiburon Plaza, Shopping

Tiburon CA, San Francisco Bay/ Deleuse Jewelers: How Rare is a Ruby?

Posted on 08 August 2011 by tibtv

It has been said throughout history that ‘a fine ruby is a hundred times more rare than a fine diamond’. Jean Baptiste Tavernier, the Frenchman who became the first diamond and gem trader in Europe during the 17^th century, used this term to sell one of the finest rubies ever found. The three main factors determining the rarity of a ruby are it’s pure crystal clarity, uniform lively red color, (without shades of purple or brown) and the carat weight. Rubies have been highly valued and prized throughout history, especially during the rule of the Mughals in the 1500’s.

For more information about Rubies http://www.deleusejewelers.com/birthstones/july-birthstone-ruby

Earrings Pair rounds gem Rubies 2.50 carats total, set in hand-fabricated 18k gold mountings $12,500.00 exclusive, one of a kind Earrings Pair round gem Rubies of 4.25 carats total, set in hand-fabricated Platinum three prong mountings, $21,500.00 exclusive, one of a kind

Ring Oval Gem Ruby 3.06 carat set in hand-fabricated Platinum pierced antique setting (not casted) with .37 carats vs, ef, ideal diamonds, designed by Janet Deleuse $57,500.00 exclusive, one of a kind

Bracelet Fine gem Rubies 2.03 carat set with 1.22 carat diamonds in 18k white and yellow gold bracelet, weighs 45.71 grams $9,250.00 exclusive, one of a kind

Janet Deleuse

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Emeralds for Elephants

Posted on 08 August 2011 by tibtv

As the cities in India expand creating more traffic jams, the age-old tradition of transport– elephants and their masters, are squeezed between cargo trucks, taxis and motor scooters down the narrow streets.

Sixty percent of the Asian elephant population is in India; therefore saving the species is dependent on their survival in India. The elephant’s natural habitat is getting smaller as the farmlands and cities grow larger putting the entire ancient species at risk.

The Wildlife Trust of India has partnered with conservative groups to secure eighty-eight ‘vital corridors’, which has been identified for the safety of the elephants movements. The local communities and governments will be involved in the process.

Auctioning off the emerald jeweled collection by Sotheby’s at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai on October 14, 2011 will raise the funds required for producing the safe corridors. The percentage of profits from each jewel goes towards the World Land Trust’s Indian Elephant Corridor project.

The emerald jewels to be auctioned off were created by ten of India’s jewelry designers. Arzan Khambatta, of Khanna Jewelers created the shown piece with 638 carats of Zambian emeralds.

The World Land Trust in partnership with Gemfield Mining, Jaguar Land Rover and The Gemological Institute of America are working together for raising not only the needed funds, but also bringing awareness to the “Indian Elephant Corridor” project.

Janet Deleuse

Artdaily.org Thursday, July 21, 2011

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The French Blue Book Review

Posted on 08 August 2011 by tibtv

Where did the Hope Diamond come from? Originally named “The French Blue”, the steely grey-blue diamond draws the largest crowd at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C.
http://www.deleusejewelers.com/exhibit-reviews/the-hope-diamond/

Richard W. Wise tells the mystery of the origin of this famous diamond in his illustrated novel about the travels of the French gem merchant, Jean-Baptiste Tavernier. Traveling in the 17th century to Persia and India by ships, camels, oxen, horses, foot and different types of rigged canoes, to purchase the best quality pearls, diamonds and gemstones in the world.

A true story woven with fiction brings his six voyages up close and personal—as if you’re walking through the forest, rolling on the rough seas and negotiating with powerful Persian Princes and Indian Moguls. Surviving the ‘laws of the jungle’ and escaping each time to return to a Paris that has changed in his absence, Jean-Baptiste then learns to navigate the rules of the Cardinals and the French Royalty in Paris.

Jean-Baptiste Tavernier’s journey of forty years told by Richard Wise would make an excellent movie!

Janet Deleuse

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Cascading Diamonds Pendant and Earrings

Posted on 08 August 2011 by tibtv

Sparkling diamonds suspended on narrow bars of white gold resembles a cascade of raindrops catching the light from the sun splashing a rainbow of colors.
Perfect to wear with the little black dress–elegant and simple.

Pendant
Drops 2 ¼” from a 16” chain
18k white gold with 2.99 carat fine vs, diamonds, $9,955.00

Earrings
Dangles 2”
18k white gold with 3.78 carat fine vs, diamonds $10,200.00

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What are Diamonds?

Posted on 08 August 2011 by tibtv

There truly is no sparkle like the sparkle of a crystal clear diamond. We wear them as symbols of love and devotion, they represent wealth and power and they are passed down from generation to generation. Diamonds have their own histories and stories—mythological and mysterious, they have been worn and prized since man found them.

Three billion years old and made of pure carbon, diamonds were created in the earth’s upper mantle under heat and pressure and carried to the earth’s surface by volcanic action. Formed as a cubic crystal with refraction unlike any other mineral, when cut and polished a flawless diamond will refract all the light beams back to the viewer.

Compared to other minerals a diamond is rated the highest, a ten, on the Mohs scale for hardness. Hardness of a mineral refers to the ability to scratch the surface, ten being the most difficult. However, a diamond can chip, cleave or crack easily if it is ‘hit’ at a certain angle with force. Diamonds can also burn at temperatures above 750 degrees Celsius and a sudden change in extreme temperatures can cause internal fractures.

Primary diamond deposits are called ‘diamondiferous pipes’ which are solidified Kimberlite, (a potassic volcanic rock) or Lamproite, (formed from partially melted mantle at depths of over 150 km). Secondary diamond deposits are places where the diamonds have been transferred to from their original source via natural causes. Diamond deposits are found all over the world, including Botswana, Russia, Canada, South Africa and Australia. They are in deserts, frozen tundra and ocean beds.

Flawless diamonds or diamonds with few inclusions are extremely rare and expensive. Impurities causing irregular crystal growths within diamonds are referred to as flaws or inclusions. Only about 20% of all diamonds found worldwide are good enough for jewelry and only about 1% of those are of the highest quality and clear of inclusions.

When diamonds are extracted from the ground they are translucent or opaque and are rough in appearance. The diamond cutter will determine the best shape to cut from each stone to maximize the weight, symmetry and ideal proportions for light refraction. The cutter will then cleave the diamond, which is splitting it along its natural crystal grain, facet the rough diamond and will finish the process with an overall polishing.

A ‘brilliant cut’ is the most reflective of all the diamond cuts. When cut to ideal proportions, the facets start at a central point and radiate towards the edges, there are fifty-seven facets and are referred to as a full cut. A single cut diamond has seventeen facets. Small diamonds called a ‘chip’ is a common misnomer.

Jeff Deleuse, Graduate Gemologist, has written an informative post on how to buy a diamond, which includes the explanation of the 4C’s, cut, clarity, color, and carat.

For Jeff Deleuse’s guide on How to Buy a Diamond, Click here

Janet Deleuse

American Gem Trade Association, Reference Guide, Diamonds, Gemstones, Pearls and Precious Metals, July 2009

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