Friday, October 31, 2008

October Wedding Band

This custom piece marks the end of our October showcase, and isn't it sharp.


Our client wanted a wedding band that stood out from the myriad of Tiffany bands that seem to abound, and this gentleman wanted something something different.







Made from 18 Karat white gold, this band features two off- center grooves which contrast the sandblasted texture of the outer layer.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Star Rubies.

Of course I have heard of rubies –– blood red or pink, but I had never heard of a star ruby.
That was until I found an unusual stone in the shop, sort of deep purple with crazy internal rays that seemed to follow you around.



I asked Dino about this strange little piece and he told me it was a star ruby. Needless to say, it has now made it on my top 10 list of stones.


Turns out, star rubies are a rare form of the rubies we all know and love. These gems contain a sharp six-rayed star which glides across the stone as it is moved –– due to light refracting off the needle-like rutile inclusions within the stone.

Star rubies were worn on the armour of knights who believed doing so would protect them from their enemy on the battlefield.

Famous rubies include this little lady on the right, the Delong Star Ruby, that weighs 100.32ct, and resides at New York's Natural History Museum. This giant gem was the object of a famous heist, by Jack Murphy and two other accomplices.

Not only did Jack and his friends make off with the Delong Star Ruby, but they also managed to steal the most famous Star Sapphire as well, the Star of India.

This Star Sapphire, believed to be the largest sapphire of its kind to have ever been found. The gem was recovered a few weeks after the burglary in a locker at a Miami Bus Terminal.

Who wouldn't love a gem the size of a golf ball?

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

W I N T E R S A L E

Today marks Toronto's first official snowfall, and that means our WINTER SALE is about to begin. Check out our new ETSY site to see all the new 18 Karat gems now ...... 50% off.









This 18K Yellow Gold and Sapphire ring is now %50 off, and available online or in store.













This 18 Karat Yellow Gold Tourmaline ring is also 50% off, and available here and in store, at 275 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario.











Make sure you come back often, as new items are going to be listed regularly.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

October Custom Nameplate Necklace

This month I got my first shot at designing for 18 Karat.
A client was looking to make a unique nameplate necklace for his partner for their anniversary.




My drawings became a digital model, that became a cast, which became a lovely 18k white gold and diamond necklace.





It could be just me, but there is something that has to be said about being apart of something which would later be admired and treasured by someone else.

Monday, October 27, 2008

October Rings that Glide

With October coming to a close, I thought it would be a good idea to look back on some of the loveliest jewels to come out of our shop.


This engagement/wedding ring duo, has become one of my favorite pieces. Custom-built for a customer looking to revamp her 'getting old' rings for something modern and sleek.






The curves, highly-polished 18k white gold, and the way the bands a molded together gives this ring a killer modern edge.




18Karat Jewellers specializes in custom work. Have some gems that have failed to turn you on recently? Don't hide them away. Bring them by, and let's work together to make something wonderful.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

18 Karat Jewellers

18 Karat Jewellers has spanned across two generations, with brothers Massimo and Dino Giannetti carrying this family-run business into Toronto's downtown core, where it has lived for over 25 years.
Dino, a Master Goldsmith, creates unique and striking pieces in house, using precious and often unusual stones.

I have no experience with jewellery. This is something reader, I will not lie about.
I have the small pearl studs you receive after graduation. The small heart pendant with the itsy bitsy diamond you receive from some enamored high-school crush.
But, carats and karats?
Topaz and quartz?
Sapphires and rubies?
Diamonds and diamonds and diamonds?
Again, I will not lie.

But almost four months has passed since I joined the 18 Karat family, and slowly but surely, I have begun to learn a few things.
I know that there is more to a diamond then its sparkle.
I know that every piece of jewellery has a story to tell.

Stick around reader as the quirks and curiosities of the jewellery business begin to unfold themselves to us both –– and don't forget to check out what we do, at www.18karat.ca