Gems Tai Tai

Jade: The Stone of the Son of Heaven

2011-03-09T07:52:00.000-08:00

For thousands of years now, the Chinese have been obsessed with a gem, or some call a stone by the name of Jade... but little do many know that there are 2 sisters in the family of Jade. One is called Jadeite and the other is called Nephrite! So what is the difference?

Jadeite is the kind of jade many tai tais adorn on their fingers that come in the colours of green. They range from Imperial Jade (which simply put, is the colour of a Heineken Beer Bottle) but there is apple green, "vegetable" green, "Pea" green and the list goes on... but, there are other colours of Jadeite. Lavender, red, yellow, brown, blue and even pink. I will touch on this rather sticky topic in detail on another occasion...

Nephrite on the other hand is very understated. It is a stone that many who are inexperienced easily mistake as marble or stone... BUT IT IS JADE! Chinese Jade!

The picture above is a little nephrite seal that dates back to the Qing Dynasty. Just to illustrate how a nephrite might look like...

Jadeite on the other hand looks much more like a gem...

I have chosen to feature a little dainty ring that was given to me by my grandaunt... a proper teochew lady of good family, she was always seen in jade, platinum and diamonds and nothing else. I remember she would always tell me, "A respectable lady must have her jade and she must have a respectable collection!"

The ring is made up of 5 cabochons of Apple Green Jade flanked with tiny little pointer diamonds on the side... 4 to be exact. Though my grandaunt could well afford a bangle made of Imperial Jade quality, she would always say that elegance must be shown in an understated manner. Those who understand it will get it, the old rich, she would say, those who dun, will never get it!

Light Padparadscha Diamond Lotus Ring from the Edwardian Period

2010-12-08T01:00:00.000-08:00

A Lotus in Sunset... in more ways than one

I have been an absolute sinner for not being persistent in my blogging... realization came only when a reader wrote to me to ask for tips for buying a ruby in Myanmar... I wish him my very best in finding the gem of his dreams.

Not that I am finding excuses but much has been happening on the personal and "professional" front. Nonetheless, I still found time to pick up delightful pieces like this Edwardian piece from the States (god knows how it ended up there but who cares right?)

It is a collapsable lotus diamond ring with a light padparadscha center... I don't think anything gets more exciting than this. How apt in terms of symbology and gemological meaning... brings a smile to my face.

Every collapsable petal of the lotus has 3 flower cut vintage diamonds and there are about 24 petals... so there are a whole lot of old diamonds. The center has been changed because it is new... the person that has changed the center must have been someone who knows about gems because Padparadschas' colour is "Lotus in Sunset". I think the rest should remain unsaid.

Enjoy!

Gems: Colour, Clarity, Cut & Carat

2010-09-22T18:37:00.000-07:00

I was having tea with some friends when the subject of the 4 Cs came up. Mind you, we were not talking about the 4 Cs in the male species of homo sapiens but the 4 Cs of Gems!

I chose this gem to illustrate the 4 Cs because it is a classic dilemma for many...

Colour:

Colour is extremely important. A good colour... though this gems is not Kashmir Blue, it is a decent cornflower blue from Ceylon. What is most important is that the colour is natural. With the wide array of treatments available for gems these days, I would prefer something natural but not as saturated in its colour. If I were so caught up with have the right colour, I would just buy a lab created one with the perfect colour.

Clarity:

Many collectors are happy with a gem that is eye clean. Meaning that you cannot see any visible flaws when you look at it with your naked eye. For me, Colour and clarity are very important factors to pick up a stone (besides the obvious: That it should be natural). Many collectors also look at gems with a lens that has a 10 times magnification. I use a 20 times magnification lens. Which shows how clarity is important to me. I go for stones that are loupe clean. Meaning that you cannot see any prominent inclusions in the stone.

Cut:

Different gems have different classic cuts to me. For rubies: Cabachons are the best. Mind you, many have the impression that cabachons are mean for gems that are not gem quality or this is a cut meant for gems that are inferior quality. I for one have seen gem quality cabachons and that are mind blowing. Why do you think premium grade rubies are called pigeon blood red? Have you seen a faceted drop of blood from a pigeon?

I prefer sapphires to be in cushion cut. Cushion cut is the classic cut for Sapphires while emeralds should be in table or emerald cut. For emeralds to be cut in the emerald, they have to be of a certain quality in colour and clarity. For those who know their gems, they will understand that it is hard to find an emerald that is a rich colour and clear enough to be cut in the emerald cut.

Another point that I think is important is the proportion of the cut. To me, it is important that the cut is proportionate and there is a decent thickness for the girdle of the gem. Otherwise, the gem gets damaged easily during setting.

Carat:

For this C, I only have one motto: The larger the better! Provided they satisfy all of the above Cs because at the end of the day, Size is important is to many women.

Many collectors have an unspoken rule... that is stones that are worthy of collection should be 3 Carats and above. Now, the reason why I chose this particular stone to feature is because:

Colour: Cornflower blue, from Ceylon (Natural)

Clarity: Loupe Clean

Cut: Cushion (excellent proportion with a nice thick girdle)

Size: 2.94 Cts

My point is... there is no hard and fast rule to collecting stones. They are products of nature so they almost never fulfill all of the required factors. Like men!

Fancy Sapphire - Fancy As Can Be

2010-09-16T02:04:00.000-07:00

Just when you thought you have seen all of the colours fancy sapphires come in, pop appears another one that you have to have! This 5.52 Carat Sapphire is Lilac! (A little dusty in the photo but it is loupe clean... ) How amazing is that!

It is times like this that one has just got to go with the flow of what nature brings into our lives! Sometimes, it comes all set with pretty diamonds that accompany it but other times, it comes alone, unset but beautiful. It was acquired on one of the lazy weekend afternoons at a friend's shop when this came in a shipment... so when life presents you a gift of nature on a sliver platter right at your face, all you need to do is accept graciously and say thanks!

Don't be surprised to see a bubble gum pink sapphire or a light yellowish green sapphire or a even teal colour sapphire. Even white sapphires have colour hints or tinges in them while others have more than one zone of colours residing in one gem... I have a friend now in Beijing who owns an old ring with an amazing teal sapphire. She loves it to death!

I am still toying with ideas on how this one should be finished finally and how much diamonds or other stones i should set it with which is really fun and I am very sure that many out there have just about the same amount of fun if not more, deciding how their jewelry should look!

Have fun!

Padparadscha - The Legend of the Lotus in Sunset

2010-09-08T07:29:00.000-07:00

We are all fascinated with legends, fables and stories... I am not exception. I remember my ex telling me about this extremely rare coloured sapphire that is very highly coveted: the Padparadscha which means the Lotus in Sunset. My ex heard it from an old indian man he met during a flight who was wearing this gem. Apparently many hail this as a legendary colour...

What is the colour of Padparadscha? The Lotus in Sunset?

"It is neither pink nor orange but it is both! Once you see the colour, you will never forget the colour, it is a colour that will capture your heart!" the old Indian man said. After that incident, my ex visited many jewelers. One day, several year later, he finally found one...

My Legend

The two pictures that you see are photos of one stone. Unfortunately, my ex did not give me his Padparadscha, I had to search for my own legend. This one weighs 2.94 carats and it has been certified to be natural. After seeing the one that my ex owns, it took me 7 years to find this one... one fateful day, I wandered into a shop that was selling gemstones but I could only see this particular gem amongst many many fancy coloured sapphires in the display case. I also remember telling myself that I want this regardless of its price.

Fake Legends? Legend-wannabes?

I have seen many "so called Padparadschas" that are deep pink and intense orange in colour and I have also seen orange sapphires that have a pink hint in them and vice versa... there are some that are pink in colour with zones of orange whilst others are orange sapphires that have areas that have pink and all of the above have been named "Padparadschas"...

If you ask me, I will say that the Padparadscha should be neither pink nor orange but both pink and orange. Most importantly, like all legends, it should capture your heart.

Sapphires: Kashmir Blue

2010-08-30T18:46:00.000-07:00

It is always nice to be able to retreat, once is a while, from my tai tai duties, focus over a cup of good tea and do some serious business: Blog! Of late, I have been feeling a little blue... thinking a little blue. To be more precise, Kashmir Blue!

Once upon a time, there was a man called Alexander II who happened to be a Russian Emperor, he bought a 260.73 carat Sapphire for his wife, Empress Maria Alexandrovna. If this is an expression of love, he must then really love his wife. Sapphires have been, since anyone can be bothered to remember, been coveted gems. These stones that conjure up brilliant images of blue... Kashmir Blue, Cornflower Blue, Ceylon Baby Blue, Royal Blue...

At the top of my list would be Kashmir Blue:

Kashmir Sapphires were discovered in 1889 in a small Indian state northwest of the Himalayas! Apparently, these sapphires were so abundant that they have been once used as flint stones. (What were they thinking!) Unfortunately by the early 1900s, the mines were plundered to their deaths and depleted of their gems. Hence, it is only natural that their value multiply. Stones from 2 - 3 Carats have become items much sort after by collectors and large ones can only be found in museums, at once in a while, at auctions.

If one is so fixed that the gem is born from that particular Indian state, then be disappointed to know that it is almost impossible to prove the origin of the gem with a simple Lab report. Having said that, Sri Lanka, one of the world's most respected sources of Sapphires, does produce a gems that have the "Kashmir Colour" and it is regarded by many as being collection worthy and is almost identical to a stone from Kashmir.

Qualities of Kashmir Sapphires:

Despite the fact that I do not own a Kashmir Sapphire, at least not yet, I understand that they have amazing, legendary qualities. These gems are a velvety, soft, lazy luxurious cornflower blue. Imagine a premium grade cornflower blue sapphire that has a velvety quality to its luster, a soft, lazy, sleep glow. It does not scintillate like most sapphires do, instead it has a idlic lazy glow. Well, nothing beats seeing the real thing but unfortunately, I do not have any to show. (Not yet, at least) but here are some famous Kashmir Sapphires! Enjoy!

Hill's Kashmir Sapphire: 22. 66 Carats

(Photo Credits: Christie's)

(Credits: gemsauction.com)

Life-Of-Circle: Rooted in the Ancient East

2010-08-24T18:37:00.000-07:00

Founded by Dickson Yewn at the turn of the millennium, this line of chic contemporary jewelry entitled "Life of Circle" is deeply rooted in the fine symbology of the ancient Chinese Culture and inspired by the profound philosophy of chinese ancestry. Under the creativity stewardship of Dickson, Life of Circle's several collections of jewelry successfully fuses modern wearability with iconic symbols of the ancient East, making his jewelry wearable reminders of time tested wisdom.

I was introduced to Dickson online through a fellow Tai Tai who had a piece customized for a dear friend's wedding. A black diamond studded floral ring with movable sides. Merely hearing the description made my heart skip a beat! Her friend is so fortunate to receive such a blessing! Thanks to the virtual world, I am happy to be able to share the fruits of Dickson's creativity!

Flowers have always been perceived by the Chinese to be symbols of prosperity, happiness and joy. Associated with the season "Spring", the ring features 2 blooms of diamonds and pink sapphire in white gold. The pendant sprouts Pink Peach Blossoms which symbolize love and joy immortalized in pink sapphires, diamonds, white and contrasting yellow gold. This collection is entitled "Blossom"

Zhu or "Bamboo" is also called "The Gentleman" in chinese botany. Associated with the qualities of great strength, resilience and also great flexibility, this plant is widely used in chinese cultures for items like calligraphy pens, furniture and even chopsticks, hence also symbolizing adaptability and contribution to greater good. Tsavorite has been used to symbolize the leaves of Bamboo. A gentle reminder of qualities we should possess in this modern world.

To "Yum Cha" or literally "Drink Tea" is an integral part of the lives of the Chinese, especially in Hong Kong. Food is innately woven into the fabric of the Chinese culture. The Chinese spend extended amounts of time at tea houses "Yum Cha-ing" or having brunch on off days or on weekends. At these tea houses, they meet friends, neighbours and relatives, catch up on the latest news, exchange opinions of the latest happenings in town, learn about the latest trends and get contacts from one another.

The Pistachio is also known as the "fruit of happiness" in the chinese culture. Dickson Yewn has cleverly immortalized this icon of the chinese culture in a silver pendant in a semi-opened form revealing a pink sliver of happiness and joy!

Please visit Life of Circle!

Eco Art Parade of Jewelry: Unveiling Treasured Inspirations from Nature

2010-08-23T18:05:00.000-07:00

Last friday, at the top level of Ion was a congregation of the media, the tai tais and the royalties. Not many events can boast of such a calibre. Obviously fashionably late were the royalties. By the time they had arrived, guests were a little flushed with champagne and the latest gossips had already been exchanged between lips glossed up with this season's colours by Chanel and ears dripping with diamonds and rubies.

Finally, the royalties arrive... amidst the flashing paparazzi cameras and dazzling diamonds on the Tai Tais, His Serene Highness, Prince Albert II of Monaco unveiled gem studded creations of art inspired by some of natures most treasured bird of flight: The Asiatic Hornbill and the Saker Falcon of UAE.

This Una Energy & Farjam Collection 2010 Eco Art Parade of Jewelry comes under the royal patronage of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco and His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al-Nahayan. A fundraising initiative to preserve the treasured feathered creatures on Earth. 35 unique works of jewelry art will be on auction this November 2010.

I have to add that the lavender flavoured marshmallows and the chocolates filled with crackle pop candy were an amazing touch! They even match the colours of the artworks on display!

Kudos to the organisers!

Amongst all the pieces, some sing to me and I have chosen the following pieces to showcase.

This ring is my favourite... it reminds me of the panthere ring that Cartier has done, jusr an updated and refreshed version that is more exotic! I could use a piece of two in my drawer. No fear of anyone wearing the same item at parties for sure!

(Photo credit: http://www.ukfashionworld.com/cartier-showing-the-history-of-jewelry)

Imperial jade does not get any better than this. Unfortunately the luminescence of the jade and the green does not come up very well in this picture but in real life, they look simply amazing!

SuLin Serio - Delectable pieces of limited edition jewelry

2010-08-19T18:17:00.000-07:00

Tucked away at the basement of Tanglin Mall is Sulin Serio, a little cove full of delectable pieces of limited edition jewelry just outside the food court. Unlike the grand dames of fine jewelry, this funky edgy little shop is quite a treasure chest full of interesting fusions of textures, shapes, stones, metals and concepts.

I picked out this garnet ring and what attracted me is the concept behind this piece. A circle in a square and odd though the shape may be, it fits nicely and comfortably. Its like wearing a gem studded bolt on your hand! I love twirling the square ring round my finger... its a nice little find!

By the way, it comes in a nice funky little box... so delightful. It seems like they are launch a new collection soon.

Sulin's Tip of the day: When reaching into pockets and handbags with gem rings set in claws, turn the gem inwards so that they are protected by your palm. It will prevent scratches and rings with claws can be delicate and are prone to falling out when caught with thread or fabric...

Gems Tai Tai's Tip of the day: Bring both your maid and your husband when you shop. Let the maid hold onto your handbag and shopping and let the husband do the digging around in your jeans... hell, have him pay for your shopping!

Garnet & Green Tourmaline Gold Ring - Inspirations from the Byzantine Empire

2010-08-18T00:25:00.000-07:00

It was originally a gift from an ex-borfriend. It was actually his brithday ring, a garnet ring that he designed and made. He was born in Jan and Garnet was his birthstone. On the 1st anniversary, he gave it to me for keepsake. Well, the person is now history but the ring still stands. He said it was inspired by the Byzantine Empire, the Imperial Roman Empire in the middle ages.

This piece was originally a tri-garnet ring. A table cut garnet with two identical pear shaped garnets of a slightly different colour flanking it. Unfortunately, one night while washing my hands, I knocked the ring against the sink and it chipped! A week later, we broke up.

I kept this ring locked away with my memories for the longest time. It was only till last year after I met a mutual friend of ours that I replaced the centre stone with a green tourmaline and started wearing it again.

Tourmalines: A favourite of CiXi - The original Tai Tai

Ci Xi was known to have favoured tourmalines and only a specific shade of tourmaline, the pink tourmalines. She apparently bought huge unimaginable quantities from the new himalayan mines located in San Diego County in California! At her time, she was already shopping trans-nationally! What a lady!

A semi-precious stone, this is yet another versatile stone that comes in a variety of different colours. Green, Maroon, Pink, Blue, Teal, Yellow, White and Black. Amongst all of these colours, the coveted colours are Pink, Blue or the Paraiba Tourmaline.

Tourmalines: Colours and more Colours...

Tourmaline Treatments:

Tourmaline are commonly treated to improve their colour. Panic not, it does not impact the value of the tourmaline but the treatment is called Irradiation. This means that tourmalines are exposed to radiation to enhance their colour. Sometimes, the rubelite tourmalines and the paraiba tourmalines that are heavily included are clarity enhanced.

Now, there are different species of tourmaline and they come from different places.

Dravite species: (from the Drave district of Carinthia in Germany)
Dark yellow to brownish black—dravite

Schorl species:(Germany)
Bluish or brownish black to Black—schorl

Elbaite species: (Italy)
Rose or pink—rubellite variety (from ruby)
Dark black—schorl (from indigo)
Light blue to bluish green—Brazilian indicolite variety
Green—verdelite or Brazilian emerald variety
Colorless—achroite variety

(Credits: www.wikipedia.com - Photos and information)

Green Tourmaline Ring from Tiffany's Legacy Collection!

This was a fellow tai tai's present from her husband for popping a son. It is a green cushion cut tourmaline ring pave with diamonds in the signature Tiffany's Legacy Collection Style! Its lovely!

Garnets! The Pomegranate Stone!

Again, Garnets can be found in many different colours but red is the most common. Like the colour of pomegranate. In chinese, this stone is name Pomegranate Red.

Ironically, the rarest colour of Garnets is the Blue garnet! The blue garnet was first found in the 1990s in Madagascar but it is also found in USA, Russia and Turkey. Apparently the colour changes, from blue-green in daylight to purple in incandescent light.

Other varieties of colour changing garnets also exist and their colour changes from green, beige, brown, grey and blue in daylight to reddish or purplish pink in incandescant light.

It would be nice if I had real examples to show you... I shall start looking for some... but please do not mistake a colour changing garnet for an Alexandrite! Though rare, the value may be different.

Pink Sapphires: Fancy Colour Sapphires

2010-08-15T22:41:00.000-07:00

I have always loved sapphires more than other precious gems because it is the most fancy stone in the family of precious gems! This stone comes in different blues (cornflower blue, kashmir blue, midnight blue, royal blue and the list goes one) yellow, pink, orange, green, lavender, lilac, white and a whole spectrum of off-whites on top of colour-change sapphires. Now, how fancy is that?!

This one in the photograph is a 6 stone pink sapphire ring set in white gold, shaped in a laurel. Pink Sapphires come a host of different shades of pink. From light, off white-pink to deep reddish pinks... I have even seen some that are peach in colour.

Treatment of Sapphires:

You have to know that almost 95% of Sapphires that you now see are heated and this form of treatment is internationally accepted. Of course if you have a certified natural, untreated sapphire, it only means that the value if much greater because of its rarity. But having said that, even reputable labs have made mistakes during identification. Horrors of Horror!

Technically, Sapphires are Aluminium Oxide, though I personally prefer the former name. It is a rather tough stone (9 on the moh scale) but please do not try knocking on glass table tops and on stone walls with a sapphire ring on. Not even with Diamonds!

Diffusion: Cosmetic Surgery of Gems!

Diffusion of sapphires is a treatment that is rather common. In fact, the technique was patented in the mid 1970s. Diffusion is a treatment during which a colour causing chemical is used to coat a colourless or a light blue sapphire to give it great colour. Much like a coat of permanent concealer or painting blue on a white or light blue wall.

One can, and should only find out if diffusion has been done on a sapphire through tests at a reputable lab. You can always re-cut a sapphire and if it has been diffused, the inside will be a different colour. But who in the right mind will re-cut a sapphire just to find out if it has been diffused?

Now there are also techniques known as deep surface diffusion techniques and super deep surface diffusion techniques which only means that you have to dig deeper for the truth! Literally!

Back to Pink Sapphires:

In the many hues of Pink Sapphires, I personally feel that fuscia pink sapphires should be the colour that one goes for, though some out there tend to go for the deeper pinks close to red.

My rationale is, if you want such a deep pink Sapphire then one should go for a Ruby. Technically Rubies and Sapphires are both Corundum. At the end of the day, I think what is most important is how the stone makes you feel. If it is a light pink that turns you on, then who is to say that it is less precious or valuable? This ring just makes my heart glow with a smile when I wear it.

Color:

Colour in Gems are brokendown to hue, saturation and tone. Hue is most commonly understood as the colour of the gem while Saturation refers to the brightness or how vivid the stone is. Hue indicates the lightness to darkness of the stone and it is not uncommon for one stone to have a mixture of colours, the primary colour, the secondary colours, various tones, shades and different levels of saturation.

For different colours of Sapphires, different colours are coveted and conisdered premium. That I will leave to a later post.

(Credits: Info: http://www.ruby-sapphire.com/)

How to choose Rubies!

2010-08-11T20:55:00.001-07:00

Read a rather alarming article on the net which led me to dig out all the pieces of ruby jewelry that I have accumulated. I chose to feature this particular piece because of a special memory that I have for this ring.

This ring comes from an era gone by, back in the days (thankfully not during my time) when people, jewelers and merchants, in this case, took their time. Everything took time and everyone had all the time in the world... in the days where ladies only wore cheongsum with complimenting jewelry and handbag and rode on trishaws or quaint cars... (depending on weather and distance)

Everything was bespoke back then. My mum gave me this ring... I remember she would pick out gemstones that she liked from a reliable supplier she knows and they would sit over tea and dim sum or pastries for several afternoons talking about designs and complimentary stones and all of that.

I still remember the old man from whom my mum bought this, along with jade and other precious stones. It was a painstaking process that took time, many afternoons of chatting and brainstorming. Countless rounds of tea, pastries and dim sum later, the decided design is then passed to a jeweler, again, a family friend or someone who did some beautiful pieces for a friend or a fellow tai tai. From there, the jeweler casts the entire ring from scratch, by hand. Truly bespoked!

She likes this particular ring quite a bit. I remember mum telling me that rubies have to be pigeon blood red in colour and must be clear. This I am sure she heard from that old man. Those are the best and you always have to have diamonds to accompany the stone so that it will look more elegant, she'd say. She seems to like pear shaped stones, now that I recollect her pieces...

I know from the time that this ring was made that it is likely to be an unheated ruby from Burma. This is a pigeon blood red ruby, though so very tiny and my photos do terrible justice to the poor ruby! I assure you that it is more red in real life and has much more brilliance.

** Notice the marks and unevenness of the ring, claws and basket... signs of handwork from the olden days.

Now for the alarming article: Ruby Alert! Flux healing of rubies! Tragedy!!

In Burma, there is a place called Mogok, it is the source of the famous coveted Burmese rubies. The Queen of Burmese rubies! But this queen called Mogok, has an ugly sister called Mong Shu. Rubies mined from Mong Shu are the ugly sisters of the Mogok rubies because they are purplish in colour and densely filled with silk clouds.

NO thanks to modern technology, they have found a way to transform the ugly duckling into a swan, just like its sister, the Mogok Ruby! Pristine, beautiful and glittering! Like plastic surgey, laser, IPL, botox, facelifts and so on... though beautiful, it is unnatural! And it is becoming a problem.

There are transnational lawsuits going on right now over this issue on the treatment of Mong Shu rubies because sellers have failed to disclose the treatment on these rubies.

So here's the treatment in lay terms.

Gemstones are commonly heated to enhance their colour, especially Sapphires. Heat treatment is accepted internationally, though I'd have to add that certified natural gems are highly sought after by collectors and usually fetch a much higher price.

Just like how women born with natural beauty and natural mammary endowments are more sought after by men! Or like how non-invasive cosmetic enhancements are more widely accepted than the hardcore plastic surgery, breasts implants and the like!

The treatment that Mong Shu rubies have been put through is a little different from just merely heating. Mong Shu rubies are purplish in colour because they have blue cores in them, besides dense silk clouds.

The "before and after" effects of heat treatments on Mong Shu rubies.

(Photo credit: www.ruby-sapphire.com)

Heat treatment will remove the dense silk clouds and the bluish colour, making the Mong Shu rubies clear and brighter red in colour. But the Mong Shu rubies are also brittle because it is often heavily fractured. This is where flux treatment comes in.

In lay terms, Flux treatment entails healing the rubies in flux like borax. Some call it glass treatment. This treatment will cause the surfaces on the stone and in the fractures of the stone to melt and the cracks in the stone to be filled with flux glass. So the Mong Shu rubies' cracks are "healed" with glass or synthetic ruby.

The Mong Shu ruby was first mined in the middle of 1992, hence, chances of older rubies being either totally natural, just heated or totally synthetic are very high.

(Photo credit: www.ruby-sapphire.com)

Lesson to learn when buying rubies is to have the rubies certified by reputable labs. Have the labs ascertain that the rubies are natural and ask the labs to specifically look for indications of heat treatment and flux treatment or glass treatment if you are looking to part with your cash for rubies.

Be safe and know that your rubies are natural beauties or beauties that merely have their looks enhanced unless you are perfectly happy with a ruby with unnatural beauty. But if that were the case, you should just ask for synthetic rubies and pay a fraction of the price!

(Source article on Flux Treatment: www.ruby-sapphire.com)

Kai Life's Tri-Baroque Pearl Ring: Peerlessly Perfect!

2010-08-11T01:23:00.000-07:00

Afternoon shopping can be such a delight! No maddening crowds that ultimately dampen my mood to shop. Buying takes time and requires mood.

I dropped by Kailife again one afternoon and picked this delightful piece up, a tri-baroque pearl silver ring designed by an Australian designer. An open ring that hugs your finger well, beaming beauty!

Baroque pearls for just pearls that are irregular in shape. Fresh water pearls are very common baroque. This is because they are mantle-tissue nucleated so they are often oval or ovoid. Rarely perfectly round.

Saltwater cultured pearls (also known as akoya pearls) can also be baroque but they are different because they are bead-nucleated. (In other words, a bead was planted into the oyster to induce pearl creation). These baroque pearls often have a tail coming from a round.

The queen of all pearls has to be the South Sea Pearls. Or some know then as Tahitian Pearls. Though saltwater cultured, the time invested to culture these pearls makes a great difference and hence the great difference in the nacre.

Nacre refers to the organic-inorganic composite material on the inside of oysters and shellfish, also what makes pearls and gives it that irresistible iridescent sheen! Also what makes the difference in price for South Sea Pearls!

How to take care of these babies:

- Make sure they are away from perfume, make-up, hand creams and moisturizers.

- Only put them on after you are done with applying make-up and perfume.

- Your sweat will also affect the sheen of the pearl. (Obviously cos we are not oysters!)

- You will need a lint free cloth to clean the pearl each time after you use them.

- Clean dirty pearls with mild soap and water. No harsh detergents or anything that had ammonia!

- Pearls should keep put of any ultrasonic cleaners and away from other metallic jewelry to prevent scratches!

My Puzzle Ring: A Ring with a Riddle

2010-08-09T21:38:00.000-07:00

Was with a friend on Saturday, intending to have tea when we passed a little antique shop. It called out to me from the display cabinet, a little antique silver ring that had 2 chinese bats flanking a chinese character "Shou" meaning longevity. Will go well with my Shanghaitang pieces... I thought. Little did I know what I was getting myself into after the purchase.

It is a chinese antique puzzle ring! My friend commented. You can take it apart and assemble it, she spoke with absolute ease and confidence! My friend has one and she plays with it all the time... (as if it was as easy as lego!)

I was under the impression that it was not rocket science... not be a mean feat, I thought to myself. Afterall, I fancied myself as someone with a little brains. 9 Hours and a completely ruined, 2 day old french manicure later, (with lots of help from a cyber expert, I confess!) I finally managed to reassemble the ring! After that, I was so exhausted that I couldn't blog, I visited my spa instead.

It took 5 seconds to take it apart but buckets of sweat and almost tears to put it together. I have to say thanks to www.puzzlering.com Their solutions were really helpful in my figuring out how to reassemble my new toy! Yet another place I will be looking to shop!

From the photos, you can see that though mine is also a puzzle ring but it is somewhat more fancy! For those of you who would like to give this a try, it is fun but I would like to add that you would like to make sure that you have made an appointment with your manicurist shortly after.

Background of the Puzzle Ring: To Stop Cheating Spouses!!!

The puzzle ring was developed from gimmal rings which derive their name from the Latin word gemelli, meaning "twins". Gimmal rings were mainly used as wedding rings because the wearer could not cheat on their spouses without taking the ring off first and then putting it back together afterward. Provided the cheating spouse can put it together to begin with! - (Source: Wikipedia)

Doorstep Luxury - Sheer Luxury at your fingertips!

2010-08-04T21:03:00.000-07:00

Founded by two friends who met in london with the common passion for luxury and the fine things in life, Doorstep Luxury was born in a local coffeeshop in Singapore. This delightful but definitely luxurious website was recommended to me by a Tai-Tai-to-be!

The one-stop cyber luxury shop brings the latest designer handbags, high fashion jewellery and accessories from around the world to you. YES! They deliver right to your doorstep. Worldwide! They are based in Singapore so for the Tai Tais in Singapore, the occasional floods may stop you from going to the shops but why stop yourself from shopping! Thank you internet!

Visit Doorstep Luxury!

They also have a blog! Visit their blog!

Featuring My Fav Piece:

(Photos courtesy of doorstepluxury.com)

Seahorse Ring
by Bibi van der Velden

Fancy a gem studded seahorse curled around your finger? Carved from a 40,000 year old mammoth tooth, the designer Bibi has created a work of art with this fossil of ancient history! Mammoth has a sheen and feel of luxury that many metals, bone, glass, crystal or even wood can replace. The ancestor of Ivory, which is a material coveted by many ancient civilizations as a prized material of ultimate luxury, this work of art has 18 carat gold Bibi signature stars to form the eyes and tsavorite studs are dotted down the creature's spine.

Bibi, originally a sculptor, is inspired by the materials discovered from her travels. She has successfully managed to erase the lines distinguishing art and jewelry with her works of art.

Bvlgari's B.zero1: The Epitome of Design Excellence & Priceless Perfection.

2010-08-04T08:12:00.000-07:00

Did you know that the spiral design of the renowed B.zero1 collection by Bvlgari is in fact a metaphor for transition? That it depicts the extremes of beginning to end and symbolizes the coexistence of past and future? Such profound philosophy in design... and all this while, I only though of it as a clever design! A spring ring.

Inspired by two classic Bulgari icons: the Tubogas and the famous BVLGARI BVLGARI double logo, this extremely successful line is the perfect harmony of these two legendary classics by the world's leading jeweler!

Since its launch at the beginning of the new millenium, B.zero1 has since become the most successful collection in Bulgari’s history. More than 1,400,000 pieces sold to date!

In the 2010 collection, this world leader in contemporary jewelry innovates by fusing pink gold and ceramic in white or black.

The 2010 collection draws inspiration from its Chandra collection (1994). Chandra is "moon" in Sanskrit. Through the innovative use of porcelain, the ring exudes the enchanting glow of the celestial planet, especially when paired with pink gold. It seems written in the stars that this collection is destined to become an icon in contemporary jewelry!

Above: The Anish Kapoor

Anish Kapoor, one of the world’s most acclaimed living artists, was invited to interpret Bulgari’s iconic ring. The renowned artist is interested in the manipulation and interaction of different materials and their distinctive reflections. Some of his most famous works investigate the concave surfaces of steel and his new B.zero1 ring for Bulgari embodies his artistry and investigation in art. Who would mind a work of art on her finger! Definitely not me!

The new B.zero1 collection includes earrings, bracelets and pendants. They will be available in all Bulgari shops. Time to make a visit!

(Photos courtesy of Bvlgari)

Visit Bvlgari!

Red Rubies! Are they really RED?

2010-08-02T19:10:00.000-07:00

Oftentimes we hear "red rubies" but are rubies really red?

Well, rubies are generally pink and in varying tones of pink. There is a shade that many go after, the legendary pigeon blood red rubies from Burma and they must be untreated and natural! But then again, how red is pigeon blood? Has anyone seen it and when was the last time? Is there a pantone colour or a colour code for it?

Amongst all gemstones, the rubies are technically the most rare... I should say, they are the most difficult to form naturally. Meaning that Mother Nature finds it most difficult to give birth to rubies.

If you intend to go on a ruby hunt, I suggest that you seek out natural rubies from burma or thailand that are untreated. Rubies are sometimes treated with lead and you would like to avoid these. There are also African Rubies in the market and these are often treated with lead and look simply stunning... I have to say... they also cost much less! Again, they better be after all that treatment. Its like getting a facelift and botox and a nose job but still looking like Susan Boyle! Don't get me wrong, I love that woman and she has an amazing voice but how is that excusable!?

The 2 rings that are above are from 2 countries: Burma and Thailand. The ruby eternity was picked up on a shopping trip in The Land of a Thousand Smiles, Bangkok. A delightful item that I normally stack with the trinity ruby ring from Burma. Don't ask me why I was there but I can tell you that the hassle of getting the visa to go there is worth its weight in Rubies. The absence of nightlife in that country also makes up by the abundance of gems they have.

I have to add as well that I have seen there, so very very rare though it may be, a cornflower blue sapphire that originated from Thailand! Those who know will understand what I mean!

Alexandrites: The Chameleon of Gems!

2010-07-30T11:25:00.000-07:00

Also known as the chameleon of Russia or The Colour Changing Gem, Natural Alexandrites are extremely rare! It does not help when there are lab grown Alexandrites easily available at a fraction of a price! I refuse to settle for anything other than the real thing!

This piece from my drawer weights 5.5 Carats and just so I can sleep easy at night, I insisted my jeweler had it tested by a lab to prove that it is a natural alexandrite.

Design inspired by the legacy collection of Tiffany's, this ring unfortunately did not come in a little blue box... but, I don't think anyone is going to complain about having a pave set diamond and natural alexandrite ring in her drawer. Definitely not me!

Unfortunately, the lights in my room are not exactly suitable to illustrate the colour change but the certificate will show what I mean!

Singapore International Jewelry Show 2010

2010-07-28T20:26:00.001-07:00

Some of the biggest, the best, the brightest, most dazzling, most brillant and most coveted gemstones and jewelry will be on show at the Singapore International Jewelry Show 2010 in Marina Bay Sands. The Exhibition starts today!

Boasting a wide array of jewelers from local designers and labels to international brands and couture jewelry houses, the event is expected to sizzle with glamour and blink!

Treasures to watch out for:

Square shape or Pear Shape these rocks won't lose their value!

DeGem is poised to steal the show with these babies in their show. Prices of coloured diamonds has been on the constant rise despite dire economic times and the most coveted colours are Canary Yellow, Pink and Blue. With a 40 carat yellow diamond and a pair of D colour pear shaped diamonds in the showcases of DeGem, they will likely steal the show.

I know of many Tai Tais who will sell their souls to the Devil to own these! A mystery guest: a light blue Diamond Diamond Ring also in their showcase, DeGem should make sure that they can handle the crowd that will be there to see these treasures.

Visit DeGem

The Stone of the Heavenly Son! Jade!

There was a point of time in China when gem quality jade is used exclusively by the imperial family and hence, the name, Imperial Jade, also known as The Stone of the Heavenly Son! Treasure Jade has given a modern twist to this otherwise rather antique (or for lack of a better word, "Old") feeling stone. It has been a recent trend these couple of years by jewelers to modernize this stone used in the ancient times. Treasure Jade seems to have done a rather amazing job. This pair reminds me of The Butterfly Lovers! Perhaps, Treasure Jade should name this amazing pair of gem quality jade that!

Visit Treasure Jade

Coloured Stones: A Girl's new best friends!

Goldheart's coloured stones have been catching the hearts and eyes of many women the past year or so and it is slowly becoming a trend in Singapore. Of late, the "in" thing is to be seen with coloured precious and/or semi-precious stone rings set with claws studded with diamonds.

Goldheart has done an amazing job with this featured item. With coloured options like these from Goldheart, it is no wonder that girls have found new best friends: Coloured stones!

Visit Goldheart

All NATURAL!!! The La Putri Sapphires!

La Putri, the leading couture jeweler boasts of natural unheated fancy Sapphire rings! Another reason why women will sell their souls to the Devil!

The situation with Sapphires is this: Sapphires are, as it is, rare precious gems. Fancy sapphires are even more rare but to have natural, unheated fancy sapphires?? The only comparison I can find is to find one perfect gold pear and one perfect black pearl in one single oyster!

You can pray hard to find it but that is about all you can do! Unfortunately I do not have the photos to show but all the more to head down to see it! I know where I will be this weekend...

Visit La Putri

(Photo Source: Lianhe Zaobao: 27 Jul 2010)

Gem Cuts: The Kindest Cut of All

2010-07-28T19:40:00.001-07:00

In the hands of a mater craftsman, the roughest stone can be turned into the most brilliant work of art, scintillating beauty and allure. Good or bad, it is the kindest cut of all!

There are more gem cuts and shapes than many are aware of. Below are some that are more commonly found.

Kai Life: Asymmetrical Symmetry... Silver Artistry

2010-07-28T18:36:00.000-07:00

I picked up this delightful darling from Kai Life at Great World City and after we met, it has been endless hours of great pleasure!

In the hands of the designers and craftsmen at Kai Life, fine 925 silver has been transformed into 3 symmetrically curved rings stacked asymmetrically. A fine piece of work i have to say! Besides selling lifestyle items, they have a host of different lifestyle items and several showcases of interesting designer jewelry! Some are limited edition pieces.

Seek Pleasure from Kai Life at Great World City... apparently they are also at Holland Village!

Visit Kailife!

The Cornflower Blue Sapphire from Sri Lanka – Truly Royal!

2009-12-27T07:07:00.000-08:00

In the world of gemstones, there are three imperial sisters who has reined over any dynasty and rules. Their status - The three royal princesses of gems have withstood the test of time. They have stood high and proud in value and demand over many years and they are The Sapphire, The Ruby and The Emerald!

Amongst these three sisters, my favourite is the sapphire. This fancy stone can be found in as many colours as the rainbow and sometimes even more than one colour in a stone but if someone tells you that she knows Sapphires but not the “Cornflower Blue” Sapphire, then she is definitely trying to pull a fast one! Don’t waste your time talking to this one! The legendary “Cornflower Blue” is one of the two most coveted colours when it comes to blue sapphire. Many Tai Tais go on a ceaseless hunt for this coveted colour sacrificing much money along the way. In fact, this colour is so rare that it has been said that once you see it, you will not forget it!

But Why Sri Lanka?! While there are also sapphires to be found in the Land of a Thousand Smiles, Amazing Thailand and Madagascar, the stones from these two countries are considered by many Tai Tais to be poor substitutes for the poor. Thai Sapphires appear to be darker (colour wise, Thai Sapphires can sometimes be almost black!!!) than the Sri Lanka ones while the ones mined from Madagascar appear to be less rich and intense in terms of its hue of blue. It also often presents a rather false-grey-ish metallic sheen that the Sri Lanka Sapphires do not have.

So what is this Legendary “Cornflower Blue” Sapphire! What is a “Cornflower”?

A Cornflower but which blue? (Source: www.wikipedia.org)

So when we look for a “Cornflower Blue” Sapphire, do we look for the colour in the centre of the flower or the colour of the petals? In my experience, when you see a cornflower blue you will know. The feeling is like seeing a perfect male specimen naked in the most unexpected of places like a mall on Christmas Eve! It leaves you breathless! Many have gone to the extent of matching the colour with a pantone code and so on but to me, it is really futile because the legendary cornflower comprises more than merely colour. There has to be luster and scintillation, which takes a master craftsman to bring out. Like a man who is good looking who has a great body and possesses a well-developed fire-fighting department! What’s the use of mere looks when you cannot satisfy the woman!?

The Sacred & Divine Guiding Rule: 3 out of 4!

2009-12-23T08:27:00.000-08:00

The 3 out of 4 rule is the sacred and divine guiding rule in our search for jewels. For the benefit of those who have not heard of this rule, the 4 Cs means Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat-age (if there is such a word, but who cares!).

I’d like to think that finding a gem is just like looking for a man and like most things in life, nothing is perfect. You can win one but never win them all, at least most of the time. When a man has a handsome face, they are more often than not cursed with either a less than desirable figure (which can still be redeemed) a character flaw (meaning that they either have a weird fetish for stinky feet and/or arm pits or they get turned on by wearing women’s underwear) otherwise they beat up their women. To me this is the worst because there is little or no cure as they are often diehard addicts to their vices. I have even met some who have acquired all of the above bad points and managed to top it with an ugly face BUT these rare species are mostly of the time, loaded beyond belief!

If they are good-looking, gentlemanly, do not smoke, drink or do drugs, do not beat up women and are rich, then they are either gay, married, dead or all of the above. AND! If they are straight then one has to be VERY careful because they are very likely to be less than blessed in their department “down there”. A little tap? A Chinese teapot spout or a limp garden hose, a really short garden hose… This makes visits down there during sex less that desirable. Sometimes, us poor women have to even feign pleasure when we do not feel a thing, literally!

However, having said all of that, there are an extremely rare few who score a perfect 4 out of 4 but it will be easier to find unicorns! For most mere mortals, be it a man or a gem, 3 out of 4 will mean a good catch.

In the world of gems, a stone with a good colour, (different colours are coveted for different types of stones) good Clarity (meaning the thing is clean) a good Cut (refering to the symmetry of the stone. The proportion of the cut affects luster and intensity of the colour of the stone). Last but most importantly, the Carat-age! In other words, how huge your blinkers are! Out of these 4 Cs, 99.9% of Tai Tais will swear by their gems and their men that size is most important in giving pleasure! The larger they are, the more pleasure it gives... Hence, the sacred divine rule is – Be it a Gem or a Man, any that scores 3 out of 4, think hard about how to make it yours!

At the end of the day, we Tai Tais love our gems like we love our men! Big! Big! Big! How else did you think, Carat-age became the first and most important criteria, in gems I mean!

Achieving The Look, The Look of a Tai Tai!

2009-12-22T05:51:00.001-08:00

It is never easy when one marries into prominence. A great deal of restrain is required in executing the look that is indisputably Tai Tai. How high your hair should be considering the racial origins of your family and your husband’s family? The Indonesians and Thais have always been known for their mile-high soufflé like hair-dos. This style requires hundreds of hairpins no one can find with even a looking glass on top of several cans of hairspray to make it typhoon proof. The Cantonese will only sprout similar hairstyles at Gala events and dinners. The modern and younger ones will sprout little bobs and shorter more chic styles for convenience. Of course, they live in constant fear of the possibility of mockery and jest by peers for not being able to afford a trip to the stylist on a daily basis. And then, there is the issue of jewelry and clothes.

The Chinese prefer imperial jade while our Caucasian counterparts prefer gold, silver in death defying proportions and designs, their semi-precious gems and reconstituted turquoise. The Indians on the other hand fancy love exquisite craftsmanship evident in the filigree and cuts in their gold neck-pieces, bangles an bracelets but Diamonds are obviously a universal favorite.

some stuff from my stash of stones...

The problem is how much sparkle is too much? Should the 5 carat diamond wedding ring stacked with the eternity band and worn with the diamonds-by-the-yard bracelet be crowned with the 2 carat earrings and the oh-too-huge pendant? Or should the 3 out of 4 rule apply? What is the 3 out of 4 rule? Exactly how much is too much and where should we stop?

Tai Tais: The Ladies That Lunch but Never Eat! Or do they!?

2009-12-21T08:19:00.000-08:00

A group of international elites exists amongst the various echelons of society wielding immense influence on multi-billion dollar industries all across the world from the fields of jewelry and fashion, to beauty (both invasive and non-invasive) to real estate, skin care, shoes, health care, automobile, F&B and furnishing, not forgetting Charity. We are not confined to restraints of bearing official office nor do we carrying official titles affiliated to any commercial or non-commercial organizations, support groups or companies and we are very much happy to be that way as well. We have been conferred the titles like “The Ladies that lunch but never eat”, “Ladies of Leisure” or in the region called Southeast Asia, “Tai Tais”.

The Blue-Bloods

Us, Tai Tais, have existed since the time of civilized society. Many aspire to attain this status by marrying upwards however, a group of us, some call “the snobs”, take immense pride in being the blue blood of Tai Tais. We relish the fact that we are descendants of prominent families who marry members from other families of equal prominence. You can easily distinguish the blue blood snobs when you see a group of us at some Gala event, huddled together whispering softly into one another’s ears and then laughing loudly but always gracefully at a junior Tai Tai, an entry level freshee who just got married into prominence.

The Original Blue Blood Tai Tai - Empress Dowager CiXi (source: www.radio86.co.uk)

If anyone were to ask me, I would say that the first Blue Blood Tai Tai will have to be Empress Dowager, Ci Xi. Allegedly born from the family of court officials from the Bordered Blue Banner of the Eight Banners in Qing Dynasty, she shares the same passion as I do, the love for Gems, especially pink tourmalines and imperial jade! I sometimes wonder if that is the reason why fuchsia pink is the most coveted colour among the wide spectrum of tourmaline colours!?

CiXi drank from a jade cup and ate with golden chopsticks. At the end of her life, her personal jewellery vault held 3,000 ebony boxes of jewels. (source: www.sacu.org) I have chosen an image of CiXi in an embroidered bamboo leaf robe with her famous pearl cape made of 3500 pearls of perfect shape and colour. The Tai Tais of today can only dream and drool at the wardrobe and jewels she had! (photo www.radio86.co.uk)

Even in death did she lavish herself with precious gems. It is a little sick I know but I am envious…sometimes…

Cixi’s mausoleum was built for 14 years altogether. Her mausoleum was the most luxurious in the all emperors of Qing Dynasty. Her mausoleum can be said to be a grand underground palace. Then how much jewelry was there in her mausoleum? According to the historical records of Qing Dynasty, there was a gold silk mattress inlaying gems in the coffin bottom of Cixi. 12604 pearls, 85 rubies and sapphires, 2 emeralds, 203 green jades and white jades were inlaid on the gold silk mattress.

In addition, other jewel and jade in the coffin are as follows: east pearl, coral necklaces, white diamond, green pearl, emerald bracelet, yellow quartz, agate, gold peach, white jade antelope, white jade cat, purple gem, red-and-white diamond, yellow gem, shoe-shaped gold ingot, etc.

(Source: www.mysteriouschina.com/mystery-of-jewelry-in-the-mausoleum-of-queen-cixi)

I doubt that anyone is this day and age will be able to accumulate a tiny fraction of what she owned. Hence, to me, she is undoubtedly the original Blue Blood Tai Tai!