The Legacy of the Award-Winning Gemstone Jewelry Company Continues with First Place Win in Platinum Jewelry Category
Feldspars are the most abundant minerals in the earth’s crust, and the particular species: orthoclase, that contains moonstones has a history of being worn in jewelry almost as old as civilization. Moonstone is known for its distinct sheen, which ancient Greeks and Romans believed were trapped rays of moonlight. In fact the technical term for this sheen is adularescence; this magical stone was once called adularia deriving from Mt. Adular (now St. Gotthard) in Switzerland where it was once mined. Adularescence is a result of a natural growth pattern of alternating layers of feldspar minerals, orthoclase and albite. This layering causes an interference of light as it enters the stone, reflecting back as the sheen beloved in moonstones, making them appear to glow from within.
Legends say the stone provides good luck, Hindu legend believes it was formed by moonbeams, and in Arab countries, women historically sewed moonstones into their garments to promote fertility. Properties often associated with the moon has been applied to this gemstone, such as romance, femininity, intuition, dreams and love. Long been a favored gemstone in jewelry, designers of the romantic Art Nouveau era, such as René Lalique and Louis Comfort Tiffany, heavily featured moonstone. Like most gemstones, the most prized moonstones contain no visible inclusions; they will also have a colorless, semi transparent to nearly transparent body color with strong vivid adularescence.
Rainbow moonstones also feature prominently in new designs by Omi Prive. Although also a feldspar, rainbow moonstones are from the labradorite species of the group. Labradorite Feldspar is most often associated with mining in Labrador, Canada, but Madagascar is a top source for rainbow moonstone which has a lighter or more transparent body color than traditional Labradorite. Both traditional moonstone and rainbow moonstone’s adularescence is caused by light reflection of twinning planes. With its phenomenal properties, pairing very fine rainbow moonstones with alexandrite accents creates designs that are constantly changing and encourage a deeper examination.
The range of blue hues in this oval rainbow moonstone are drawn out by the surrounding blue sapphire with black rhodium halo and diamond shank all set in platinum.
Round rainbow moonstones are at the center of these unique stud earrings accented with color change alexandrite and black rhodium.
This rainbow moonstone pendant glows from within and is surrounded by color change alexandrite set in 18K rose gold with black rhodium accents.
The runway has shown us a soft new color palette for 2019 that is full of dreamy spring colors. The colors you choose to wear or accessorize with generally sets the mood for the day; be it playful, romantic, timeless or anything in between. Take some spring-time inspiration from these Omi Privé pieces and add some glowing colors to your wardrobe!
Rainbow moonstone and alexandrite earring and pendant suite set in 18K rose gold with black rhodium for a bold edge.
This Merelani mint garnet, diamond and platinum ring truly rings in spring with its unique green hue.
Morganite displays a soft peachy-pink color, which we’ve combined with rose gold accented with diamonds and a marquise cut aquamarine.
Cuprian elbaite tourmaline has an electric blue color that gets its striking appearance from traces of copper.
Lovely pink sapphire combined with 18K rose gold and diamonds is the perfect way to show off your spring style!
And don’t forget the enchanting ocean blue of aquamarine for all of the March birthdays!
As we enter February each year there is a feeling of love all around as we express our affection for others with greetings and gifts. According to some, St. Valentine’s day originated as the Roman festival of Lupercalia, which celebrated the coming of spring, fertility, and the pairing of men and women. Other sources, first attribute the day’s romantic symbolism to Geoffrey Chaucer’s poems mentioning ‘Valentine’ in the 14th century, specifically Parlement of Foules. Interestingly, Saint Valentine purportedly wore an ring, customary for Christian bishops, set with an amethyst and engraved with the image of Cupid, recognized as a symbol associated with love. Recognized by his ring, he was often asked to perform marriages and it is perhaps this anecdote that bolstered amethyst to become the birthstone for February. With time and by the late 1700’s sending Valentine’s cards became a hugely popular tradition. Naturally, as a day to show love and affection, the charming tradition for gifting sentimental jewelry emerged. Today we mostly associate the colors of red and pink with Valentine’s day. So while contemplating what to get your special someone this year, remember when you present an Omi Privé jewelry piece it is a symbol of rarity and beauty that will last for generations.
We’d love to see you in person at one of our upcoming trunk shows.
Lustre
Telluride, CO
Wednesday, March 13th – Friday, March 15th
Belle Cose, Town Square
Jackson, WY
Wednesday, June 19th & Thursday, June 20th
Pantone has announced their 2019 color of the year as Living Coral, described as “an animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energizes and enlivens with a softer edge.” We’re always excited for the color of the year and Living Coral is a vibrant and fresh start to 2019!
According the official Pantone site, “Living Coral emits the desired, familiar, and energizing aspects of color found in nature. In its glorious, yet unfortunately more elusive, display beneath the sea, this vivifying and effervescent color mesmerizes the eye and mind.”
The same could be said for many rare gemstones that represent this mellow pinkish-orange range including; padparadscha sapphire, spinel, tourmaline, imperial topaz and Malayan garnet. Rose gold is also a great compliment as it nearly matches the nurturing color of Living Coral. Read on for ideas on how you can express yourself or compliment your existing wardrobe with the color of the year!
Padparadscha sapphire has a uniquely soft orange-pink tone which sparkles like no other gemstone you’ve seen. This striking gem is a special member of the corundum family featuring a delicate, pastel color, which is best defined as a blend between pink and orange, very similar to Living Coral’s color. In fact its name translates from Sanskrit to “color of the lotus blossom”, another striking organism whose colors mesmerize like Living Coral.
Tourmaline is a gemstone that comes in a seemingly endless variety of shades and colors and in fact can occur in almost every hue. Many peach and pink tourmalines display a hue similar to Living Coral as seen in these beautiful rose gold rings.
Spinel is coveted by collectors and gemologists for its range of hues and spectacular optical properties. Recognized and prized for its hardness, brilliance, spinel comes in many hues and can be a great representation of the Color of the Year, particularly the bold hues of the pinkish Mahenge spinels found in Tanzania.
Imperial topaz and garnet are gemstones that also possess the vibrant and unique tone of Living Coral. Imperial Topaz was discovered in the early 18th century, topaz from Ouro Prêto in Brazil remains today’s largest and preeminent source for both precious and imperial topaz. Colors are said to range like those of the setting sun; found in yellows, pinks, reds, lavender-pinks and peach-pinks. Considered a true collector’s stone, large sized stones are incredibly rare.
Malaya garnet has been a hallmark gemstone for gem collectors due to its rarity. A hybrid of two gem groups, Malaya garnet group is classified as “pyrope-almandine.” Pyrope garnets are predominantly red, while spessartines are orange. Most Malayas exhibit an equal part of pyrope and spessartine in their chemical compositions, which is what contributes to its rare coral color.
Living Coral feels like a fresh and vibrant hue to kick off the New Year and escape the greys of winter and it will definitely energize your current wardrobe!
If you’re making a list – and checking it twice- here are some colorful holiday gift ideas for every personality! Browse until you’ve checked everyone off your list (and maybe discovered a few gifts for yourself as well!)
The person who has a classic style doesn’t want to be too flashy and will choose more subtle pieces. Here we’ve highlighted the three most classic gemstones; sapphire earrings, sapphire ring, emerald ring and ruby pendant. These pieces highlight the center stone with diamond accents for understated classy look.
The glamorous personality isn’t afraid of big and bold statement pieces like a padparadscha sapphire and diamond ring, an exceptional sapphire and diamond ring or a daring necklace featuring a perfectly matched suite of cornflower blue sapphires and diamonds.
Artistic individuals are creative, impulsive, sensitive and visionary. Their creativity can be expressed by unique choices like a tanzanite and pink tourmaline ring featuring a brushed 18K rose gold finish. An award-winning black opal and Paraíba tourmaline pendant or a ring with complementary colors of black opal, tsavorite and a unique hauyne blue halo would perfectly suit the artistic person in your life.
Romantics value femininity and admire soft details such as a flower-like diamond halo surrounding a rare yellow-orange fancy sapphire ring. Warm pink tones as seen in a pink spinel and diamond pendant would compliment a romantic’s heart. They also are at times drawn to darker colors such as a ruby and diamond ring to convey passion and desire.
Carefree personalities want to have fun and express their personality through unique color combinations and whimsy. A purple spinel and pink sapphire pendant, star sapphire earrings accented with alexandrite or blue sheen moonstone and sapphire earrings will delight the carefree. A stunning black opal ring displaying flashes of red, green and blue is complimented with a non-deliberate array of fancy colored sapphires is perfect for this light-hearted personality.
A person with cutting edge style shows their freedom from expectations with unique shapes and color combinations as seen in this black opal and alexandrite ring accented with black rhodium. Push the boundaries with a purple spinel ring paired with alexandrite set in 18K yellow gold. A new take on a 3-stone ring the cutting edge can express boldness with a sapphire and diamond ring with sapphire shank and black rhodium accents.
And don’t forget that special man in your life with a pair of colored gemstone cufflinks. The bold look of sapphire on sapphire, or the sophisticated award-winning cufflinks featuring sapphires surrounded by diamond swirls. And for the more avant-garde, trapiche emeralds accented by black and white diamonds with a matte finish.
The holidays are upon us and that means it’s the perfect season to see Omi Privé in person! Following is our Trunk Show calendar and we hope to see you soon!
Bigham Jewelers Festival of Fine Jewelry
Naples, FL
Thursday & Friday, November 29 & 30, 10am-5pm
Diamond Cellar Holiday Event
Dublin, OH
Thursday, November 29, Friday, November 30, 10am-9pm & Saturday, December 1, 10am-7pm
Hal Davis Jewelers Holiday Trunk Show
Boise, ID
Tuesday, December 4th, 6-8:30pm
Deja & Co. Fine Jewelry Trunk Show
Saratoga, CA
Thursday, December 6, 12pm-8pm, Friday, December 7, 10am-6pm & Saturday, December 8, 10am-6pm
Spinel has long been one of the most under-appreciated gemstones on the market, yet it is coveted by collectors and gemologists for its range of hues and spectacular optical properties. Spinel was recently added as an official birthstone for August, raising its exposure to new heights. Recognized and prized for its hardness, brilliance, and unlike many other gem types, spinel is rarely treated or enhanced in any way. Many believe the name spinel comes from the Greek word for ’spark’. This name suits spinel well since it is a singularly refractive stone and is formed with cubic crystals similar to diamond, which gives this gemstone remarkable brilliance and fire. Watch the video below to see how even rough spinel has an unmatched brilliance.
Spinel comes in many different colors however red and blue are the most notable because for centuries they were mistaken for ruby and sapphire. One of the most famous rubies in history was discovered to not be a ruby at all, but a red spinel. This shocking discovery is what gave birth to the study of gems and gemology. The Black Prince’s stone was given to him in payment for an expensive military campaign, and the “Balas Ruby” became treasured by many English monarchs. This stone, with much appeal and allure is now known to be a spinel.
Spinels are an attractive alternative to ruby and sapphire as the same trace elements that color corundum are also what colors different colors of spinels, which come in an array of colors- ranging from a continuum of intense reds and pinks, down to the cool hues of blue and violet. Chromium causes the fiery red color of red spinels, and a mixture of cobalt and iron colors the striking blue color of stones from Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is a top source for blue “cobalt” spinels, which are sought after for their vivid, intense blue color. In addition, the Mogok region of Myanmar (much like Burmese rubies) is a renowned source for the finest red and hot-pink spinel. While all colors of spinel are beautiful in their own way, red is the rarest in nature and the most valuable. In addition to similar trace elements, and sources that are shared with ruby and sapphire, spinels form in the same metamorphic rock as corundum and are found in the same deposits. Wear a piece of rare history with any of our beautiful spinel pieces or view them in person at an Omi Privé Authorized Retailer.
CUPRIAN TOURMALINE RING TAKES TOP PRIZE IN CLASSICAL DIVISION
The annual American Gem Trade Association Spectrum Awards competition was held in New York City this past week with over 400 entries from jewelry designers and gemstone lapidaries. Omi Privé was awarded five prizes in multiple categories by the esteemed panel of industry judges, which was comprised of both jewelry retailers and designers.
The first place prize for the Classical division was bestowed upon Omi Privé’s 10.23 carat cuprian elbaite tourmaline, Paraíba tourmaline and diamond platinum ring. Bridal Manufacturing Honors were awarded to a suite of three perfectly matched padparadscha sapphires, 7.17 total carats set with diamonds in a 3-stone 18K rose gold ring. Also, in the Bridal Wear category, a 6.12 carat cabochon alexandrite ring designed by Niveet Nagpal, and submitted by Somewhere in the Rainbow Collection was awarded third place. In the Business/Day Wear category a 9.39 carat black opal and Paraíba tourmaline pendant was awarded second place and blue sapphire and diamond cufflinks were bestowed with Men’s Wear Platinum Honors.
“There is no finer recognition in the world of colored gemstones than to receive a Spectrum Award,” stated president and head designer Niveet Nagpal. “This competition is the pinnacle of our industry, to receive five awards is an incredible honor. Accolades such as this validate our passion for gemstones and the designs that they inspire. Thank you to the judges for recognizing my ultimate vision for each individual gemstone and the care we take with our hand craftsmanship.”
Padparadscha Sapphire and Diamond 3-Stone Ring
Cuprian Elbaite Tourmaline and Diamond Ring
Alexandrite Cabochon and Diamond Platinum Ring
Opal, Paraíba Tourmaline and Diamond Pendant
Sapphire and Diamond Platinum Cufflinks