Happy Wedding Anniversary to Inka & Ronald!

The phone rings. A familiar name, a familiar voice. I can always tell from the tone of the voice, even before the word is spoken. It is as if I can almost see the smile behind the voice and feel the nervous excitement and hope radiate through the phone line from Dubai. 

“… Faith… can I ask you about engagement rings?” It is our old friend Ronald’s turn.

I get lots of phone calls by the way and I can say I remember distinctly each one of them. Keeping the boyfriends’ secret from my girlfriends is often most thrilling, yet nerve wrecking at times.

Ronald and Inka are my special friends. We go back a long way now. More than 10 years of friendship and one of the first friends I’ve met and kept since I arrived in Australia. A beautiful couple that compliment each other in so many ways, a real match made in heaven. Designing their engagement ring was a real honor for me but choosing the diamond was a real highlight.

Being at the frontline of ‘fine jewellery consulting’, I get asked a lot of personal questions from the awkward, like “…how much did you pay for your ring?”, to the extreme. There’s often the query whether a guy should spend three months of his salary on the engagement ring – I seriously have no idea who came up with that or how relevant it is to the whole scheme of things.

“…Or he can spend the equivalent to the investment in his new Harley Davidson!” (according to a very witty lady client I once met).

The amount spent on the ring really isn’t what that matters most. And I was glad Ron didn’t ask me the questions above, but he did ask my opinion. I did guide him to finally pick the absolutely brightest and whitest color and highest clarity (pretty much flawless) diamond on the grading chart. I must say, his careful thought, process and deep sincerity of the proposal was what truly takes the cake. For the engagement ring is a promise. A promise that he will cherish and love Inka always. Protect her, guide her, keep her warm and make her laugh even when skies get grey.

In addition, the thumbs up of approval from the in-laws was the extra icing on the cake. Being aware that they are true appreciators of diamonds and its rare beauty, Ron’s choice of the premium jewel truly went that extra mile, symbolising he will strive and promise the best life and future holds for his wife to be, with their union.

To finally hear that, “SHE SAID YES!” was really just so awesome. And look at them now, five years on and a love stronger than ever, with two beautiful daughters to complete the truly happy family picture. One that inspires and touches the hearts of family and friends from around the globe. Well done my friends! Jakarta, Melbourne, Dubai and now New York… can’t wait to hear more about your new lives and adventures. Thank you for sharing all your special moments through your beautiful photos. Its just so heart warming watching Kira and Lana grow into gorgeous little girls.

Happy anniversary Ronald and Inka! Thank you for your friendship :-)

Cheers to many more special memories to come. Here's to forever..

God bless your beautiful family always…

Mysterious Black Diamond on Black Gold Ring

It's been a long awaited post!

Thank you for all the support that came my way. We have had so many enquiries on the 2 carat diamond ring below (that looks very much a 3carat!)

I just had a new baby and the last year has been really pretty crazy.

Here are some amazing pieces I have designed for special clients.

Amazing 2ct black princess cut diamond came my way and I had this specially made for a lovely lady.

Black diamond on Black gold.

Black Diamonds are essentially white diamonds that are treated to turn into its beautiful black lustre.

Paired with white diamonds on the side. They totally pop and look just so mysterious and stunningly beautiful. To make this gorgeous centre stone pop, I have chosen quarter carat (0.25ct side diamonds x 2) one on each side to really bring out its massive candy sized proportion.


Black gold is essentially white gold (or yellow if you like) plated with black rhodium. Again just stunning when used with white diamonds like those on the shoulder of the band, carefully handpicked G-H color white round brilliant cut diamonds.

It was an awesome experience getting this stunning jewel handcrafted to perfection. Happy days! :)

Feel free to check out my shop on Etsy.
I would love to hear from you and custom design a special jewel for you!

Engagement ring design - The Stunning 2 carat diamond ring

It has been quite an amazing few weeks since my last post. I had much interest and enquiries for anniversary jewels and engagement rings. Thank you for the many feedback and comments that came my way.

Today I am proud to showcase one of the prettiest pieces completed for my client. This is a stunning 2.01ct round brilliant diamond in E-colour set with a beautiful halo design with a lovely row of diamonds down the band. The diamonds on the band are 0.02ct each and are a lovely size to fit next to a round diamond this size (Enquire here for pricing details for a ring of this quality). 

I often have clients pondering if they should increase the side diamonds for more impact and effect. I strongly believe this balance is most perfect and flattering without distracting the eye from the main centre show piece. 

In the last image you will also see that the setting of the main diamond is very high. I do particularly favor tall settings as it not only help to clear a wedding band if need be to sit next to each other, but most of all, height if done beautifully, gives the wearer the maximum impact.

Compare that with my 1carat engagement ring (see middle image) this size difference is immediately apparent. Mine is a baby next to the mama! :) 

The ring is just so stunning and beautiful I could hardly take my eyes off it! I can't wait to meet my lucky lady... have a great day everyone! :)

The 'Gatsby Oval Ring' by Faith Jewels

Stunning 'Gatsby Oval Ring' ready to Wow...

My 'Oval Gatsby Ring' is complete. Absolutely out of the world. 

Three-dimensional and truly truly stunning!

I hope you like a showcase of some images attached. It was a real dilemma deciding what centre diamond to fit into this jewel. We had a choice of 3 different one-carat oval diamonds for the centre. All three diamonds were around 1.00ct, 

GIA certified, D-SI2, F-SI1 and G-SI1.

With varying quality in Polish and symmetry features and measurements. 

I promised a price point to meet my client's needs for this jewel, 

and the decision lay in my completely in my hands,

as she trusted me whole-heartedly to find the best diamond perfect for this design.

In the end I went with the D-coloured diamond as I loved the pure river white colour you only capture in a D-coloured gemstone and it also came with an exceptional length in measurement to truly flatter this design. The SI2 clarity which I generally avoid, was comfortably accepted, as this diamond had barely any imperfections on the table. Truly rare gem that could not be missed, and so timely sourced from my favourite diamond cutter and associate from New York. 

Surrounded by a further 1.00ct total of side diamonds of varying sizes to fit into the petal features, this amazing ring totals just over 2.00cts. 

I was inspired to name this the 'Gatsby Oval Ring' as my client recently glimpsed this image on the paper of Tiffany's celebration of the Great Gatsby movie, now on show. 

My heart skipped a beat when I saw the ring, as it is indeed rather identical to my client's. Details of the jewel pictured: Ring of pavé diamonds and a center diamond of 5.25 carats, in platinum. From The Great Gatsby collection by Tiffany & Co. Price upon request. 

Coming from experience in the jewellery trade, I can already pretty accurately guess the price tag. Which makes me really proud to successfully achieve such a stunning show of diamonds in my Gatsby ring version for under USD10,000 to work to my client's budget. 

So for readers concerned that my jewels and designs are out of reach, I can assure you I treasure most about the design process and essence of each jewel's significance.

It has been such an enjoyable journey creating this jewel for a most special lady, whom I know will wear this ring with pride and joy at the most special of occasions! 

Thank you Mdm Leong... Happy 83rd Birthday!

It is most exciting to see a ring made up. I have a ring almost ready for a lovely lady who kindly allowed me to share some photos. I have this sample ring with a 1.20ct round brilliant cut diamond set in the centre with lovely open leaf diamonds. This amazing ring is a gorgeous flow of curves.

We are setting a lovely oval shaped centre diamond for her actual ring. Photos to follow soon.

Watch this space. 

 

Tiffany 6-prong Setting or Solitaire?

Tiffanys love stories.

Since its creation over a century ago, the Tiffany Setting has been the world’s favorite engagement ring. The ring of rings, as it has been called, is the most brilliant ring ever. It is also the most beautiful classic and elegant. And various versions have been copied, interpreted and re-designed taking from its essence world wide.

It is a ring design I have sold thousands of times over and over. And for the first ring on the hand, its symbolism as as solitaire is rather alluring. And us in the jewellery trade do have Tiffany's to thank for as they have spurred a multi-billion dollar industry with stronger than ever demand for engagement rings today.

The six-prong/ claw setting/ mount is safest for the round brilliant cut diamond as it protects 6 corners of the gem stone and gives it a truly elegant symmetry when viewed from the top. In addition to strength and security, it also enhances the size of the stone as the eye is unconsciously drawn the the corners of the 6 claws. I favour and suggest this setting for at least half a carat and over.

Though the 4-claw settings or 4-double claw settings have definitely become a bigger favorite, allowing more of the diamond to be seen from every angle and lots more room for design features especially for over 1.50ct up (see right example). It also makes it easier to keep clean and a glorious view for the tip of the diamond that I absolutely love...

Sotheby's Geneva Sale Features Rare, Nobel Jewels

The Magnificent and Noble Jewels auction on May 14 at Sotheby's Geneva offered more than 650 lots of aristocratic jewels, diamonds and gemstones.

Auctions are amazing and riveting to say least when pieces designed and crafted by the old world jewellers, who made their name since the 50s and 60s become showpieces.

It is a sad, undisputed truth today amongst us in the fine jewellery trade to see so many precious jewellery making techniques no longer passed down. Today's fine jewellers pushes the bottom line, the sales figures, the mass market of middle-upper class who jump on the brand bandwagon.. with not much left for art and craftsmanship. Pick up a 1960s - 80s made Bulgari jewel and a 2010 made one and hold it in your hand... it is different. The feel, the weight, and hand made finish. Same with Cartier and many countless other established jewellery houses. Hence making auctions of such scale and caliber truly in demand.

The centerpiece of this auction includes a group of 23 pieces from the collection of actress, photojournalist and sculptor Gina Lollobrigida. Much of this collection was designed by Bulgari in the 1950s and 1960s and the jewelry was worn by the actress at key events earlier in her career. She is selling her diamond jewelry to raise money for stem cell research, saying now is the time to give back for the fortunate life she has had. Read about it here.

Highlights include a pair of natural pearl and diamond pendant earrings, circa 1964, which is estimated to fetch up to $1 million; sold for 2.29 million francs ($2.37 million), an auction record.
The earrings beat the $1.98 million figure set in 2011 from the sale of natural pearl and diamond earrings by Bulgari, owned by late actress Elizabeth Taylor.

Other highlighst included a a 19.03-carat diamond ring, circa 1962, with a pre-sale estimate of up to $800,000 and a diamond necklace-bracelet combination from 1954 that was projected to sell for as much as $500,000.

Noble and historic jewels play a prominent role in this auction, such as a 74.53-carat fancy yellow cushion-shaped diamond that once belonged to the late Imperial Majesty Sultan Ahmed Shah Qajar, the seventh and last ruler of the Qajar dynasty of Persia. This piece had a high presale estimate of $1.8 million and was sold for 2.85 million francs ($2.95 million), an auction record for a fancy yellow diamond.


An important light pink diamond and diamond necklace formerly belonging to a lady of title, is estimated to fetch up to $2.5 million. The necklace (pictured) features a  detachable pendant set with two marquise diamonds, a 6.93-carat brilliant-cut light pink diamond and two circular-cut diamonds of 34.78 carats and a 11.38 carats.

Sotheby's will auction a 27.90-carat, D, internally flawless cushion modified brilliant-cut diamond ring with a high presale estimate at $6 million.

The diamond received the highest color and clarity grade from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and is in the type IIa subgroup, which comprise of less than 2 percent of all gem diamonds and often have extraordinary optical transparency.

Colored diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and Burmese rubies also appear in the sale alongside jewels designed by  Suzanne Belperron for her close friend Cecyle Simon. Sotheby's sale of jewels from Belperron's personal collection fetched $3.5 million at the Geneva auction last year.