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Diamond

“I am fascinated by diamonds. When I put diamonds on my hands shake.”

-Debra Messing

Famous diamonds throughout history

April’s birthstone has a long, storied history as an object of desire dating as far back as the 4th century BC. Historians believe this is when diamonds first started to be traded in India. Diamonds were found in rivers and streams, coveted by the wealthy classes. They eventually made their way to Europe in trading caravans among other exotic treasures and became popular with the ruling classes.

Up until the late 1800’s, diamonds were predominantly found in alluvial deposits. First discovered in India, then found in Brazil in the early 1700’s. The 1866 discovery of diamonds in South Africa was the beginning of modern diamond mining.

Natural fancy colored diamonds

Most people don’t realize that diamonds come in all colors of the rainbow. They are most often colored by trace elements, but natural radiation or certain inclusions within the stone can cause green or black respectively. The rarest of all colors is red, and these diamonds can sell for well over 1 million dollars per carat.

One of the worlds most famous diamonds, the Hope Diamond, is blue. Originally known as the Tavernier Blue, this gem has been bought, sold, stolen, recut, and sold again multiple times. It eventually made it’s way to the Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC where it can now be seen among other fantastic gems. It is believed to be cursed because of it’s checkered past, and it also happens to fluoresce blood red under ultraviolet light. If history is any indicator, this diamond’s story is far from over.

Serpenti necklace by BVGARI

For better and for worse, diamonds have played an important part in the history of humanity. They have been symbols of empire and royalty; fortunes have been won and lost because of their beauty. They hold inside them a window to the past and a promise of a future with love everlasting. If you would like to learn more about diamonds, or are interested in a beautiful piece of jewelry to commemorate a special occasion in your life, I’m at your service. Your own diamond journey can start right here. ❤

makamaegemsandjewelry@gmail.com
(808) 757-5537
153 East Kamehameha Ave
Ste 104, #195
Kahului, HI 96732
United States

Earrings From the Cruise

Earlier this year I had a client come to me with a problem; she had purchased some beautiful tanzanite earrings while on a cruise, but after wearing them several times, she decided that the stones were just too big for her ears.

2.13ct and 2.17ct Trillion Cut Tanzanite

She decided she would like two matching pendants made from the stones, one for her and one for her daughter. We talked over design options, and after narrowing them down I came up with some renderings she could choose from.

She settled on this design, and I determined the best way to make the pendants would be to create a 3D CAD model as the stones were slightly different in size and not calibrated.

Once she approved the final design, the next step was for it to be 3D printed in wax, then cast in 14kt white gold. After finishing the castings, and carefully setting her delicate stones, the pendants were ready.

She chose 14kt white gold wheat chains to compliment the pendants. This style is one of my favorites for pendant chains as they are strong, elegant, and do not kink.

Together we envisioned a clean, modern design that showed off the beauty of her gemstones above all else. With her input throughout the design process, I was able to create some beautiful pieces she was delighted to have.

Aquamarine

March’s birthstone always reminds me of the ocean, and it get’s its name from the Latin word for seawater. Legend has it that aquamarine was the treasure of mermaids, and this gem possessed the power to protect it’s wearer while at sea. It was believed that this stone would sometimes wash ashore, having fallen from the jewel boxes of the seafolk.

The Dom Pedro: The world’s largest cut aquamarine gem.

Aquamarine is the planetary stone of Pisces, the star stone for Scorpio, and is closely associated with the moon. Throughout history, this gem was given as a gift to represent a pure love, rather than lust in a relationship.

Water in which aquamarine was submerged was also used to treat a wide variety of ailments in ancient times, such as illnesses of the heart, liver, stomach, mouth, and throat.

It is written that aquamarine had a calming effect on it’s wearer; it could calm the storms in the sea of your mind, if you will. It was also known to reduce the effects of poison as well as increase intelligence.

Queen Elizabeth wearing her aquamarine parure.

The most valuable of all aquamarines come from Brazil, but it can also be found in Kenya, Nigeria, Madagascar, Zambia, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afganistan, and Russia. Some aquamarines from Mozambique and Zambia can rival the color of fine Brazilian aquamarine.

At 7.5 to 8 on the Moh’s hardness scale, aquamarine is quite durable and well-suited to everyday wear. Take care to avoid chemicals such as alcohol or ammonia, as they can damage your stone.

Aquamarine and diamond bracelet, by Cartier.

If you love aquamarine as much as I do and you are interested in a special piece of jewelry or more information, please message me. I am happy to help. Same if you would like to get me an aquamarine for my March birthday:D I hope you enjoyed learning about this amazing gemstone, and you can also learn more on your own at:

https://www.gia.edu/aquamarine

Amethyst

If amethyst is your birthstone or if you just love it’s color like me, you are in good company; throughout history amethyst has been a stone of royalty. Adorning kings, queens and high priests, it was once considered more valuable than diamonds.

Queen Mary of the England wearing her Amethyst parure.

Legend has it that this purple variety of quartz was created by the Greek God of wine, Dionysius. In anger, he had unleashed furious tigers on a beautiful young maiden named Amethyst. Before the tigers attacked, he transformed Amethyst into a statue of pure white quartz to protect her. Feeling remorse for his drunken behavior and bad decisions, Dionysius poured out his goblet of wine on the statue. Poor Amethyst probably wasn’t thrilled, but these things happened in ancient Greece. She became a beautiful violet-purple statue with a gemstone named after her. It is believed that Amethyst has the power to protect its wearer against the negative effects of alcohol.

The Duchess of Windsor’s amethyst bib necklace, designed by Cartier.

On rare occasions, amethyst and citrine(another variety of quartz), appear together in the same crystal. This fascinating gemstone is known as Ametrine, and is often used for one of a kind designer cuts.

If you would like any more information about this amazing gem, or if you are interested in a special piece of Amethyst/Ametrine jewelry, send me a message. I would be happy to help. You never know, it could protect you from your own bad decisions while celebrating your February birthday!

You can also learn more on your own at:

https://www.gia.edu/amethyst

Garnet

Spessartite and Rhodolite Garnet

Did you know that garnet comes in every color of the rainbow except for blue*? Most are different shades of red, but they also come in a variety of oranges, grape, and the rarest of all, green. There is even a garnet that changes color in different types of light!

Tsavorite and Demantoid Garnet

Certain varieties of garnet have more brilliance than a diamond. They look like they are glowing. Legend has it that Noah had a lantern carved out of a garnet crystal on his ark to light the way for him and the animals through the darkness. Traditional folklore also associates garnets with good health.

I’d be happy to help any of you January babies design a special piece of jewelry, so don’t hesitate to contact me with any ideas. It doesn’t have to be your birthstone either; you can just like them a lot like me, and it is good luck to wear one. If you want more information about this wonderful gemstone, send me an email or message. If you want to learn more on your own, check out:

https://www.gia.edu/garnet

*Some extremely rare blue color-change garnets were discovered in the 1990’s.