Now please remember my great grandfather, who founded our original business in 1893, arrived in Cape Town from Lithuania in the 1880’s.  He was a watchmaker by trade and rented a room in a boarding house in Long street where he sat on the bed and repaired watches.  Now 4 generations and 118 years later we are still in the jewellery business in Cape Town.

It turns out that Lazerus was a private in the Cape Peninsular Garrison Regiment during The Great War under Officer Commanding Colonel Woodhead and was awarded this medal at its conclusion.  This unit was formed in 1914 and finally wound up in 1922.

When I asked this gentleman what he wanted for the medal he explained that knowing the medal had been returned to a Pinn ancestor was enough for him.  As you can imagine I was speechless and glowing with pride at the same time.  I had a great time showing this extremely kind gentleman some of the memorabilia and photographs we have on display at our showroom of this marvellous bygone era.

Written by
Jeremy Pinn

Called the Sun-Drop, the 110.03-carat gem has wowed not only those lucky enough to

Jerry Hall holds the Sun-Drop Fancy Yellow Diamond.

catch a glimpse of it, but even experts tasked with grading it.

John King, the chief quality officer of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), said from California this week that it was “one of the most beautiful and rarest I’ve ever seen”.

King has been in the diamond grading industry for more than 30 years and, despite the GIA analysing and grading over two million diamonds a year, described it as a highlight of his career.

He said the Sun-Drop was something he would “definitely remember” after overseeing the process of putting it through rigorous tests.

“The rarity of a naturally occurring diamond like the Sun-Drop is just astronomical … it has been graded Fancy Vivid Yellow, the highest colour grading for a yellow diamond,” said King.

“It’s really rare, really unusual at that size, that depth of colour. You don’t find those often.”

King said whoever bought the diamond could consider themselves privileged.

The Sun-Drop, the world’s largest pear-shaped Fancy Vivid Yellow, will be auctioned by Sotheby’s in Geneva in November. Spokesman Marie-Beatrice Morin said the diamond was cut and polished by Cora International in New York, one of the world’s leading manufacturers and diamond dealers.

Morin said the Sun-Drop “comes to the market with an estimate of between $11-million and $15-million”.

The diamond was taken on a three-city tour earlier this year, including being put on display at London’s Natural History Museum.”

Article taken from The Times Live, written by Werner Swart, 23 October 2011.

Insperation of Jewellery Design

I can not speak for everyone, but when I design for our clients, it starts with the stone,

27.16ct Round Tanzanite

and getting to know your client a bit.  Speaking with them, asking what there life is like. Things like hobbies and family life is always my first question.  Do you mountain climb, and if yes, do you want to do it with your ring on?

Here is a great example of how nature was the inspiration for this ring.  We must always take in consideration of the centre diamond or gemstone.  Here the client wanted to use a Tanzanite, a very large round (and deep Tanzanite).  She did not need it to be very practical, as it would just be a show piece, seeing that they have many high social obligations.

She loves flowers, and gardening is her hobby, and lucky for me, she had no intentions

Purple_daffodils_by_Terri Anderson

on wearing it while gardening.  I remember seeing a photo of purple daffodils.  Searching the (so great) internet, I found them within 5 min, on a art website and the photograph is by an artist Terri Anderson.  When I looked at it, I know this would be perfect.

She (client) is very happy with the results, and already owns some “flower” jewellery and this fits perfectly with them.  A showpiece it is indeed, but as I said before, where what makes you happy, and don’t forget that Jewellery should be fun.

Flower design Tanzanite and Diamond ring in 18ct White Gold

Involve the girl.

Yes, it is very romantic to surprise her, but every girls taste is not the same as her boyfriends.  A well as you think you know her, trust me, she would have picked something else.  If you do want to surprise her, speak to your Jewellery, about setting the diamond in a basic solitaire ring.  Try to negotiate that he will buy back that setting at the price you paid, when you return with your fiance to redesign her dream ring.

Budget

Budget

Decide the budget before you start doing anything.  The rule use to be 2 x your monthly income.  Remember this is just a old fashioned, old school benchmark.  Decide what you can afford! The choice is yours.  The great thing about having a budget is, that the jewellery you decide on, will know what he can do for you (for that amount).  If you don’t like what he can offer you, go see other jewelers, surf the net, or ask a friend to recommend some one. Remember, it is your money to use where, and on what you want.

Know what you are talking about.

Before you start your search, do your homework.  Get to know diamonds!

There is 4 things that determine the cost (value) of a diamond.   They are know as the 4 C’s

Carat (weight, measured in carats)

Clarity (what imperfections are inside diamond)

Color (does it have a yellow tint to it, or is it white)

Cut (2 sections here, one the shape, round, square, and so on.  The other factor is, when they cut it, did they cut it with good proportions, so that the light is reflected best

Then in my book there is a 5^th C

Sample of GIA certificate

Certification of Diamond

Never, ever buy a diamond without it, if you don’t know the person you’re buying from.  Certifications are there to tell you what you’re buying.  Independent certificates (meaning not from the jewellery, means that some one (not getting a salary from the jeweler) graded it and certify that the diamond has those characteristics.

These are my top tips,

M

She was known for many great things.  Talent, beauty also, being married many times, and strange friendships, with the likes of late Michelle Jackson. Lets not forget winning many awards.

Mostly, she was know (to me) for her Fantastic Jewellery Collection.

She was given the honor Dame Elizabeth Taylor by the queen of England in 1999.

Taylor was born Feb 27, 1932, in London to American parents. Considered one of Hollywood’s greatest stars of all time, she was married eight times.

They were Conrad Hilton, Michael Wilding, Michael Todd, Eddie Fisher, Richard Burton, Richard Burton (again), John Warner and Larry Fortensky.

Burton and Taylor

It is not known what she owns, but let me putt it this way.  She has loaned her vast collection of Bulgari jewellery back to Bulgari for there exhibit to celebrate there 125^th anniversary of the first store in Rome.

Most of her Bulgari pieces she got from “the love of her life” Richard Burton (she also married him twice).

In 2007 she had Christies Auction off 3 or her couture pieces.

The men in her life understood her love for serious bling and took every excuse to please her. She said in her book, “I mean, how many young women get a set of rubies just for doing something wholesome like swimming laps? Or win a diamond ring at Ping-Pong with their husband…? Well, I did, and for all of these memories and the people in my life I feel blessed.”

Bulgari Emerald and Diamond piece

The best known gifts from him includes the 33.19 carat Asscher-cut  Krupp diamond

Elizabeth Taylor wearing the Taylor-Burton Diamond in a necklace by Cartier featuring a number of smaller pear-shaped diamonds.

(1968) and the  69.42 carat pear shaped Taylor- Burton diamond (1969).

The latter cost Burton over $1 million. The diamond was later sold for $5 million. The proceeds went towards the construction of a hospital in Botswana.

She did many great things for Aids Research, care and education.  Her charities are know all over the world.

She was involved with Whittman-Walker Clinic http://www.wwc.org/hiv_aids_services/

The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS foundation:  http://www.elizabethtayloraidsfoundation.org/

and   http://www.amfar.org/

She truly was a Star, and might be gone, but she will never burn out!

Rest in Peace  Dame Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor Sapphire and Diamond Set

Pearl Neckpiece

Ruby piece

Prince Albert gets engaged

Albert II Prince of Monaco has asked for the hand of our beautiful, talented Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock.  They got engaged during the 2010 World Cup, while in South Africa attending the games.

They will be wed on the 2nd of July 2011, in an outdoors wedding held at the Palace.

Here is the official release as per the Prince’s Palace of Monaco (taken from there Website)

“The civil wedding will take place on Friday 1 July at 5pm in the Throne Room of the Palace of Monaco. It will be celebrated by Philippe Narmino, Director of the Judicial Services and President of the Council of State.
Philippe Narmino is the Ruling Family’s Registrar.
The religious ceremony will take place on Saturday 2 July at 5pm in the Main Courtyard of the Palace of Monaco, where Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Bernard Barsi.
The gates to the Palace will remain open to enable some 3 500 guests to be seated for the ceremony, which will be broadcast on giant screens.

The official dinner, followed by a ball, will take place at the Oceanographic Museum

On this occasion, Friday 1 July and Saturday 2 July will be public holidays.”

The Engagement Ring is truly one to fit a Princess.  It makes me proud that the Princess is from South Africa, and that the Ring is so beautiful.

The ring was created by the Parisian jewelry house Maisson Repossi and features a pear-shaped diamond in the center, set in gray gold with round diamond brilliants surrounding it.  Pear Shapes are not often asked for.  Making this ring truly one of a kind.

In the early days it was used to show your wealthy and station in the social network. The early jewellery was made from bones, stones , shells and wood.  Only later did cultures start to store there wealth in there Jewellery, that they could carry, (wear) with them.  Jewellery was then also used as currency to trade with.

We use jewellery today to celebrate events, like Engagement, and landmarks in our lives.  We also show what “group” we belong to.  By wearing a cross, or a Jewish Star of David.  Only in the 19th Century, did it develop into Art.  Where craftsmen like Peter Carl Fabergé made items, that had little function, but a vast amount of beauty.

Jewellery was worn for personal adornment from the early days.  The word Jewellery is from the word jewel that was derived from the Old french word “jouel” dating from the 13th century.  This leads back from the Latin word “jacale” meaning plaything.

Plaything!  I like that.  That takes the pressure off!  So many of our client experience pressure and anxiety when they buy there first piece of jewellery.  Buying, or and designing your jewellery should be fun!  Playing with textures and colors.  Being a Designer, I find it fun, to “translate” what a client wants into something wearable and beautiful.  Jewellery is after all not that serious.  If in 10 years you don’t like your ring anymore, have it redesigned.  We Redesign our homes, and our clothing changes with our age, and fashion.  Why do we think our Jewellery should stay the same for 50 years.

So lighten up, have fun, and re use your diamonds and other gemstones.  Redesign your ring or pendant, and just have fun!  That is what I believe is the “place” of Jewellery in today’s world.  To have fun, to show the world your humorous side.

M

Pink Diamond

Why o why do this happen over and over again.

I got a phone call from a lovely Lady in Western Cape, South Africa, and her story is that of many people lately.

She purchased a ring from an Auction site (well know one) and when she had it valued, she found out that the Diamond was treated and not a natural Fancy Pink.  Well she only paid R10 000.00 for a 1 ct stone (if it is too good to be true, then it is).

Well she cut her losses, and decided she loves it anyway, and had it sized (at the same jeweller that just informed her it is a treated diamond).  Well when she got it back the Pink color was gone, and she is stuck with an ugly brown diamond.

She can’t get any reaction for the selling on the Auction site, and the Jeweller takes no responsibility for anything.

How do you avoid this – Buy from a credible jeweller, someone who can’t lose their good name.  Look for a company that has been in the industry for a long time, and that wants to stay in business for a long time.

Explaining the difference between natural and treated diamonds

Natural and treated color diamonds are two completely different products that operate on two completely different market.

Natural fancy color diamonds area product of nature formed by millions of years of crystallization.They are the most prized diamonds by jewelry. A natural color diamond is unique and rare, and their price reflects this.

Treated diamonds are man-made and artificial. Mainly, lower quality white diamonds are used to synthesize a given color. Treated diamonds, though rich in color, are mere imitations mass-produced and sold at low-cost.