SPARKLY DRUZY

The gemstone that looks like fairy dust. Druzy has become extremely popular in the recent years due to the improved technology in manufacturing processes and treatments, manufacturers are able to cut the gem in uniform shapes that allows easier setting.

Druzy, like other minerals, form in millions of years. It is created by molten lava surfacing the earth, while creating bubbles. Once the lava starts cooling the bubbles get filled with various minerals, water and quartz and instant cooling causes crystals to form.

Druzy is formed in many different stones, mainly on brown, green, white, gray, purple chalcedony and Brazilian quartz, agate or jasper.  It is also found in harder minerals such as garnet and calcite. For example druzy on uvarovite is a vivid green like kryptonite. A rare color druzy is formed on kammererite, which is grape juice color, and it is found in Turkey.

There are 2 different kinds of druzy crystal formation in nature. Some crystals are completely transparent and they reflect the original color of the stone. For example a druzy on cobalto calcyte reflects hot vivid pink from the stone itself. However the druzy crystals are actually colorless and transparent. Therefore each stone has a unique and matchless color and sparkle. 

The biggest challenge in making druzy jewelry is achieving the uniformity in color and shapes, especially when making a pair of earrings for example, or re-ordering a piece of jewelry that is out of stock. 20 years ago it was very difficult cut and coat the stones in the desired color and sparkle, as well as setting them in a cost effective way. Today master stone cutter are able to coat the stones with vaporized titanium mixed with oxygen, in order to achieve vivid colors such as purple, blue, green; or coat them with silicon oxide for pink and green color. 

The rarest color for druzy is black. it is called psilomelane and it is almost impossible to find in the market. However there are vast amount of sugar and acid treated black druzy stones used in jewelry making.

Druzy becomes even more lustrous when it is coated with 24kt gold. 

It is very important not to polish druzy jewelry, since the coating might come off and the shimmer might be lost completely. 

Druzy comes in many different price ranges (anywhere from $20 to $500) depending on the naturalness of the stone.  We have beautiful druzy jewelry by La Costa. Each piece of jewelry is handcrafted from beginning to end with the highest quality of materials and workmanship. The semi-precious stones, including druzy, are 100% natural, never coated by synthetic colors. Each stone is carefully hand selected to provide the most vibrant aspect of its natural beauty. Each and every Swarovski crystal is individually set by hand and quality controlled by a certified De Beers jeweler. Finally, each piece is individually melded with 925 Sterling Silver. This bold collection merges the dynamic brilliance of natural beauty and glamorous design.

Lilac color druzy and calcite beads with Swarovski crystals. 

La costa bracelet with 100% natural Druzy, Calcite beads and Swarowski Crysta - See more at: 

These gorgeous earrings from La Costa Collection are hand crafted in 925 Sterling Silver with 2 Druzy and Swarowski Crystals that are individually controlled by a certified De Beers Jeweler. The length of each earring is about 3" 

Here is the matching pendant 

100 CARATS SOTHEBY'S DIAMONDS

Sotheby's, one of the world's auction houses and multinational corporation, recently introduced worlds largest auctioned emerald cut diamond for sale with the expectations of fetching up 25 Million Dollars. It is a 100.20carats and D Color-Internally Flawless Clarity. 

This diamond is pure white/colorless and there are absolutely no imperfections internally. When it comes clarity the best of the best grade is "Flawless", meaning no imperfections internally or externally. Having said that any flawless diamond gets minute surface scratches and chips soon after it goes on the market, no matter how carefully it is handled. Therefore "flawless" grade is always temporary. 

This magnificent gem, was exhibited in United Arab Emirates, London-England and Hong Kong. 

The diamond was mined in South Africa by De Beers and its rough version was originally 200 carats. It took a year to 

Gary Schuler, Vice president and Senior Auctioneer for Sotheby’s Jewelry sales said "They can't believe there's a diamond this pure of such impressive scale." He also commented about the clarity of the diamond saying "It's almost like looking at the glimmer of a reflecting pool." 

The diamond was mined in the last decade and seller of the diamond wanted to remain anonymous. The diamond was sold at 22 Million dollars to a buyer who also requested to be  remained anonymous. The winning bid was made through the phone. 

As if the massive carat weight, pure white color and perfect clarity of this extremely unique diamond isn't enough, it is also very rare due to its chemical composition. The diamond does not contain any nitrogen which puts it in "Type 2A" category. There are 4 scientific classifications for diamonds. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B depending on the nitrogen level and  

98% of all the diamonds in the world are Type 1A, which contains clusters of nitrogen. This makes the diamond absorb blue light and reflect a slightly yellowish tint. Type 1B is even darker in color reflection since the nitrogen atoms are spread throughout the stone and it absorbs blue as well as green light. 


This 100 carat emerald cut diamond is a Type 2a which contains almost zero nitrogen therefore the color it reflects is considered "whiter than white". 

Here is a video of this phenomenal diamond!

ANCIENT ROMAN JEWELRY

All roads lead to Rome, right? 

It is believed by some citizens of the earth that after Noah's Ark and the Great Flood, human history started over from scratch with 8 people and multiplied and the first world government and civilization started in Babylon, where all the inhabitants of the earth lived together, speaking the same language, under the rulership of King Nimrod the mighty hunter, who became people's idol. 

Babylon Artifacts 

Peru,Equador

When they were scattered around the world, they took their common history, art and culture with them to the new lands they conquered. Babylonian civilization and art history first duplicated itself in Egypt, 

Egypt

then became a part of Greeks Mythology and art, which was transformed to Roman and Byzantine Empires

Greece

Of course during this transformation, jewelry which is a very unique art form since it is wearable, therefore portable,  also travelled this particular route, and all the legendary stories of these "godlike" kings and queens was melted in one pot and casted as wings and crowns and golden artifacts. 

Since the Roman Empire conquered all the lands where these ancient civilizations came into existence and further,  the influence of Roman empire throughout the world is in power to this day. 

 If you like ancient antique style jewelry, you would love to stop by at OKG Jewelry's Little Neck, New York showroom and see the Roman inspired Jewelry we have in store. 

Here are some examples of jewelry from ancient Roman times along with some of our antique style jewelry with a modern twist. 

Yellow Gold Garnet Ring from Roman Empire, 4th century AD

Rough diamond ring, crafted in antiqued rose and white gold.

Carved stone yellow gold ring, 2nd Century Roman Empire


Dark blue topaz and diamond ring with a thin layer of mother of pearl underneath the center stone. 

The carving and the matted finish on this ring is stunning.

1st Century B.C.-3rd century A.D Roman Gold and Gemstone Rings



Here are some stackable rings with raised centers. These 2 rings have rough diamond solitaires in bezel setting with hammered finish.

These 3 identical stackables are created with a modern technique which is called pave (Basically diamonds are paved into the stone).  

They also interlock together if you wish. 

We love this simple emerald and gold ring. 

2nd Century Roman Gold Ring 

So much that we have a very similar pair of earrings in emeralds and sapphires. 

Doesn't the sapphire version look like one of these pieces which was discovered in an ancient Roman jewelry tomb in  Japan (Don't even ask how that happened!)? 

Ancient Roman Jewelry found in Japanese tomb

From British Museum Roman Jewelry Collection



We love our unique rings! 

Ancient Roman Jewelry 

These earrings are crafted in sterling silver with white and champagne diamonds. 

This ring also looks like a royal piece of jewelry! 

This is Byzantine style with an art deco twist. 

And "ancient style" jewelry is not supposed cost a fortune even though they look priceless! Here are 2 gorgeous pieces crafted in silver, all made in Turkey, where Roman and Byzantine Empires reigned back in the day.

Come check our roman collection in gold and even silver. We promise you will not regret it!