JOURNAL
Your guide to buying a loose diamond or gemstone online.
Whether you are a collector of bright shiny things or you are looking for a forever centre piece for a family heirloom, is it safe to buy a loose diamond or gemstone online, sight unseen? We strongly believe it is, if you take note of these guidelines:
love stories: Matthew and Jodie
We LOVE love and we love hearing our client’s happy stories of that “yes” moment. Read on to hear Matthew and Jodie’s story and Matthew’s experience with Hope Diamonds.
love stories: Josh and Laura
We LOVE love and we love hearing our client’s happy stories of that “yes” moment. Read on to hear Josh and Laura’s story.
love stories: Michelle and Hayley
We LOVE love and we love hearing our client’s happy stories of that “yes” moment. Read on to hear Michelle and Hayley’s story and Michelle’s experience with Hope Diamonds.
The Awe of Australian Origin Diamonds
We love a sunburnt country and as it turns out, we love its diamonds, too. It’s not surprising that the rugged beauty of Australia’s landscape
How to Find the Perfect Bespoke Engagement Ring in Australia
So you’re thinking about proposing to that person who makes your heart skip a beat and pushes your buttons like no one else. You’re searching
diamond shapes through the decades.
Diamonds have for years been the go-to gemstone for engagement rings in Australia. While designs have changed over the decades, so too have the choice of shape for the main stone. Join us on a journey through time as we explore the most sought-after diamond shapes in Australia, decade by decade.
may birthstone: emerald
Did you know that the human eye can distinguish more shades of green than any other colour? Green has long been associated with abundance, comfort and security, so this coupled with the fact our eyes can appreciate all the subtle shade variations that emeralds offer is perhaps why they have maintained their popularity for centuries.
The four c’s of diamond grading – carat
In some ways this is the simplest and most straight forward of the 4’cs. Diamond carat weight measures how much the diamond weighs. Let’s explore in more detail.
March birthstone: Aquamarine
Given that Aquamarine is known for it’s peaceful light blue colour, it may not surprise you to learn that the origin for it’s name is from the Latin words aqua meaning water and marina meaning the sea.
February birthstone: Amethyst
A gem that is a “remedy against drunkenness”? That’s just one benefit attributed to Amethyst, the birthstone for February. It was also believed to keep the wearer clear headed, focused and quick witted in battle or business affairs, or calm lovers overrun by passion. Read on for more about amethyst.
Diamond set bands
Today we’re looking at diamond set bands! For either wedding/eternity bands or your engagement ring, read on for 3 things to consider when deciding on your piece.
January birthstone: Garnet
Kicking the year off with January’s birthstone – the garnet. Garnets are commonly red but you may not know that they also come in different colours, ranging from yellows, oranges, purples, vibrant green and even (rarely), blue to purple colour changing.
A quick look at tennis bracelets
Tennis bracelets are having a moment right now. The simple but elegant and infinitely wearable accessory has seen rises in popularity through the years and is not necessarily the budget breaker you might think – although there’s plenty of options for those with deep pockets!
December birthstones: Turquoise, Tanzanite and Zircon
Blue is the theme of this month’s birthstones and those born in December are lucky enough to choose from three different gemstones – turquoise, tanzanite or zircon. Read on for a little run down on each.
Cut series: Emerald cut
Emerald Cut diamonds remind me of the 1920’s – jazz music and Art Deco architecture – a time of a certain sophistication and style. If you were thinking about an Emerald Cut diamond, read on for a few things to consider.
November birthstones: Topaz and Citrine
Like October babies, those born in November have a choice of birthstones: Topaz or Citrine. Both are relatively affordable and durable and topaz also comes in many different colours so you are sure to find something you like.
Personalising jewellery
We often get asked how to make a piece of jewellery a bit more unique or personalised. Let’s have a look a few ways to make jewellery more meaningful and personal.
October birthstones: Opal and Tourmaline
Those born in October get to enjoy a choice of birthstone. Opals have traditionally been the birthstone for this month, but recently Tourmalines have been added meaning October babies get a spectacular colour range of gemstones to choose from. We’re going to explore a little of both in this article.
The four c’s of diamond grading -clarity
Diamond clarity involves the assessment for small imperfections or birthmarks either on the surface or within the diamond. Surface imperfections are known as blemishes while internal imperfections are known as inclusions. Almost all diamonds have some form of imperfection – which is understandable as they are formed by nature over millions of years. One thing worth noting is the inclusions within a diamond have no impact on the sparkle of the diamond.
September birthstone: Sapphire
Sapphires are one of the big 3 of jewellery gemstones (the other two being ruby and emeralds). They come in a variety of colours with blue being the most recognizable however other colours have been gaining popularity in recent years.
Platinum vs White Gold
At Hope Diamonds we work with a few different types of metal in our jewellery, each one with its own pros and cons. When it comes to choosing which metal will work best for you, there are a few things consider.
The four c’s of diamond grading -colour
What started as the brainchild of GIA founder Robert Shipley in 1940 is now a widely used as a guide in evaluating faceted diamonds. Of the 4 c’s – Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight this article will explore colour grading.
Wedding bands
Wedding Season is just around the corner…
A wedding ring is a symbol that’s both private and public. It’s a sign of a decision made between you and your partner, and it also signifies to the rest of the world that you’re in a committed relationship.
August: Peridot
Easily identified by it’s iconic yellowy-grass green, the Peridot is an extreme gem. Found deep within the Earth’s mantle, formed in high temperatures and brought to the surface by volcanic activity, it’s known as the stone of compassion and is associated with harmony, good health and peacefulness.
July: Ruby
In Sanskrit, rubies were called ratnaraj which translates to “king of precious gems”. This stone is rich in history and folklore, and remains a very popular choice today thanks to its rarity, hardness and of course, colour.
Cut series: Oval cut
For the last few years, Oval Cut Diamonds have definitely been the most requested when it comes to bespoke diamond engagement rings. There are many reasons why an Oval Shaped Diamond makes a great choice, not limited to the fact that the elongated shape gives any design an elegant look.
Client referral program
Hope Diamonds is a small local neighbourhood business. We are a two-person team and our small business in turn supports a number of other local small businesses. Our jeweller, our stone setter, the CAD drafter just to name a few. We try to support small and local wherever we can.
Lab grown vs mined
The rise of labgrown diamonds in the marketplace over the last 5 years has been quite rapid and to me quite surprising. Having had family in the diamond business for over 25 years I was a bit of a purist and couldn’t quite get my head around the lab grown phenomenon. Over time however, I have come to appreciate that lab grown diamonds have a place in the market.
Parti Sapphire – the “it” gem of 2022
Australian Parti Sapphires are SO popular right now in Australia and throughout the world. Once again, as with our Argyle Pink Diamonds, Australia has managed to produce a unique and special gem.
Spotlight on Spinel
For centuries spinel, the great imposter, masqueraded as ruby in Europe’s crown jewels. It wasn’t until in 1783 that mineralist Jean Baptiste Louis Rome De Lisle identified Spinel as a different material to Ruby. This act is said to be the birth of the science of gemology.
How to choose a surprise engagement ring
Choosing an engagement ring can be stressful enough but if you are also aiming for a surprise proposal, this can make things extra tricky. I have put together a few tips to make things a little easier while still trying to maintain an element of surprise.
My journey with diamonds
The world of diamonds and jewellery wasn’t always my first choice but now I can’t imagine doing anything else.
My trip to the Argyle Mine
Last month I headed up to Kununurra and for the first time had the opportunity to take a tour of the Argyle Diamond Mine.