Same sex wedding and engagement ring guide

Australia has become the 26th country to legalise same-sex marriage. The law was passed on Thursday, December 7th, 2017 and since Tuesday, January 9th, 2018, same-sex marriages are now legally recognised. This is a historic victory for the LGBT community as it undoes the last major piece of discrimination against this sector of Australian citizens. In celebration of this momentous occasion, Lizunova Fine Jewels wishes to share our engagement/wedding/commitment ring guide for same-sex couples.

1. Unity – This simple yet timeless design encapsulates the union of two people. The two bands converge to symbolise a couple coming together in a loving relationship. This ring can be made in any gold colour or platinum, with the gemstones of your choice. For example, two diamonds of different colours or two gemstones which are the birthstone of each partner.

2. Galaxy – If you have a taste for the flamboyant then Galaxy would be the perfect ring for you. The stunning knife edge band, 5mm wide, is sprinkled with an impressive 0.8ct of pave set diamonds. A single band can symbolise the engagement or commitment and then can be stacked with a second band for the wedding ceremony, becoming Twin Galaxy. Gold colours can be mixed or matched, as well as black with white diamonds to make a bold statement.

3. Black Zirconium – If you’re seeking rings with understated chic and masculinity then our range of black zirconium rings would be ideal. Zirconium is a highly durable, hypoallergenic, corrosion resistant and light material not too dissimilar from titanium. The metal is originally greyish in tone, then is oxidised to give it a black finish. You can choose from plain zirconium or zirconium with inners of precious metals such as 18ct rose, white or yellow gold or platinum.

4. Half Moon – If you prefer clean, architectural lines free from filigree then Half Moon will suit your taste. This strikingly elegant ring was inspired the energy and sass of New York City and features a single baguette diamond set in an asymmetric geometric setting. It makes a unique and contemporary engagement ring. A simple diamond set wedding band slipped underneath looks beautiful.

5. Manhattan – If you like a more delicate engagement ring that isn’t overly complex and has clean, geometric style then Manhattan is perfect for you. This ring juxtaposes a baguette cut aquamarine with a round brilliant cut diamond. Naturally the gemstone selection is yours to choose. All diamonds would look superb as would sapphire and diamond in a yellow gold setting. Manhattan also looks wonderful stacked with a simple diamond set wedding band that sits flush underneath.

6. Empire State – We love rings with two feature gemstones and Empire State has the winning combination of cornflower blue sapphire and Colombian emerald. The two main gems can be selected to symbolise two people in a committed relationship which gives this ring a highly personal feel. It’s a super alternative engagement ring and looks very stylish paired with an elegant diamond set wedding band.

7. Grey Spinel Engagement ring - If you have fashion forward tastes and want an engagement ring that breaks away from the classic six claw solitaire then our grey spinel engagement ring is right for you. Spinel is a very rare, lesser known gemstone that has good durability and hardness, thus it’s appropriate for an engagement ring setting. We love grey spinel as it embodies sophistication, especially when set with black diamonds and 18ct rose gold. Either a black or white diamond set wedding band would look fabulous back with this ring.

8. Orchid – If you prefer a solid ring that can combine both the engagement and wedding rings then Orchid is for you. Some couples prefer to exchange the one ring during the ceremony and this stunning ring, that is sprinkled with sapphire and diamond pave, makes a statement. Our current Orchid ring is set with a pink tourmaline however we can source spinel, sapphires and diamonds which have the necessary durability and hardness required for a ring that is to be worn every day, forever.

Lizunova Fine Jewels also offers our customers bespoke jewellery design. We would be delighted to sit with you both and create your dream wedding rings to be cherished always.

Celebrate with Fine Jewellery

Fine jewellery can be a wonderful way to commemorate certain events in our lives. For life's milestones such as birthdays, engagements and weddings, the birth of a baby, a promotion or a new career, wedding anniversaries and even a divorce, fine jewellery is the perfect choice as it’s durable, highly portable and beautiful.

In our society, certain birthdays have become milestones that are normally celebrated with a lavish party with lots of good food, premium beverages and, most significantly, the company of friends and family. Turning 21 is thought to symbolise the moment a young person enters into adulthood and is widely celebrated. Adoring and proud parents often want to give their young adult children a gift that they can treasure forever and hopefully pass on to their children when they come of age. For a daughter, a delicate diamond necklace or diamond stud earrings would be a perfect gift that she can wear while pursuing a career or at leisure well into her adult life. For a son, a dress ring or a pair of cufflinks that can be worn to work or for formal occasions would be ideal.

Many women like to receive or gift themselves with an impressive piece of fine jewellery for each decade from 30 and beyond. Often a group of friends will pool funds together so that they can buy a gorgeous pair of earrings or a spectacular necklace that they know the birthday girl will adore. Gifting this way means that every time she wears her birthday jewels, she will be reminded of her special friends and the wonderful celebration she enjoyed to mark a milestone. Sometimes it’s good to indulge oneself with a luxury piece and starting a new decade is definitely a good time to empower oneself with a special jewel that can feel like a talisman.

It’s no secret that a bejewelled ring is presented when one asks someone to marry them. In modern times this usually means a diamond ring set into gold or platinum however there is an increasing trend towards coloured gemstone engagement rings as people want to express their individual taste. Sapphires, rubies and emeralds are often selected however now people are looking at spinelsaquamarinestourmalines and morganites as centrepieces for contemporary engagement rings. Diamonds are often employed to offset the stunning colours of these beautiful gems and yellow and rose gold are now making a big comeback after years of white gold dominating the market.

Wedding bands symbolise a union between two people and it’s now the fashion for both partners to wear rings. Many women are loving the delightful sparkle of a fine diamond set wedding band which nicely complements their engagement ring. Some ladies are opting for a statement band that is dramatic enough to be worn on its own and if diamond-set, perhaps merges the engagement and wedding rings into one ring. Men are expressing themselves beyond the classic gold ring and are looking for edgier designs in unsual metals including palladium and zirconium. The mixed metal look is also being favoured by modern grooms.

One of life’s great achievements and cause for celebration is bringing a new baby into this world. Couples like to celebrate and commemorate a new addition to the family by having a jeweller create a special piece of jewellery. Often this is a ring and some designs allow for more diamonds or gemstones to be added as more children are born into the family. This jewellery piece would make an intimate heirloom to be passed through the generations. This piece of jewellery is generally presented to the mother by her partner, although can be presented by family or friends.

Professional women have their own portion of disposable income to spend as they please. A new job or promotion can be denoted by a knockout jewel and this is reflected in the trend for right hand rings. Right hand rings can be as extravagant and colourful as the wearer chooses and is an expression of her individual style. Women will still wear their engagement and wedding rings on their left hand while their right-hand ring can either complement or have a completely different feel and be in a different metal colour. Another option is stunning earrings that can be worn to the office or after hours. Pearls often symbolise power and femininity especially when combined with gemstones for sophisticated look. Colourful gemstone earrings can also bring some individual flair to a conservative suit.

Wedding anniversaries have been traditionally celebrated with silver, gold, gemstones and diamonds depending upon the number of years a couple have shared together. Some of the better-known anniversaries are silver for 25 years, ruby for 40, sapphire for 45, gold for 50 and diamond for 60. A lot of couples celebrate with diamonds each decade with eternity bands that can be stacked together with wedding and engagement rings or worn on the right hand. If it’s a coloured gemstone anniversary, pendants can make a nice choice.

Finally, a rather new trend is jewellery to celebrate a divorce. It may be too painful to wear your engagement ring on a different finger and a beautiful diamond or coloured stone is too precious to throw off a cliff in a whim. The smart idea is to have a jeweller create a new piece of jewellery using your metal and gemstones to create a spectacular pendant or use your diamond as one half of a set of diamond earrings. You will need a matching stone, however having the earrings will make you feel free while still honouring the beautiful stone you received at a happy time in your life. Some ladies are even opting for a divorce ring to symbolise their separation. These are as individual as the wearers and perhaps are good for enhancing self-confidence after a tremulous time.

Jewellery truly is the perfect way to celebrate the important milestones in our lives and is something to treasure forever.

Image credit: Belleame Balloons

Ten Interesting Facts about Diamonds

Diamond, the traditional engagement ring centre stone and an alluring gem used in much of historical, as well as contemporary jewellery, may be rather ubiquitous, however there are some lesser known and interesting facts, beyond the more well known 4Cs, about this beautiful gemstone.

1. Diamonds are the hardest known natural substance on Earth

They measure 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness with talc being the softest substance at one. Diamonds can only be scratched by other diamonds and due to their superior hardness, they have great durability and are ideal for engagement and wedding ring settings as they can be worn with confidence every day. As they are scratch resistant, their facet edges remain sharp much longer than other gemstones.

2. The word diamond comes from the Ancient Greek word “adamas”

Adamas translates as "proper", "unalterable", "unbreakable", "untamed" - a fitting name for the hardest natural substance on Earth! Diamond’s lustre is known as adamantine and is the brightest of all lustres. Due to its superior hardness, diamond can take a high polish and reflects light superbly.

3. Diamonds have been known to mankind for a very long time

They are believed to have been first mined in India at least 3,000 years ago and probably as far back as 6,000 years ago. The Ancient Indians used diamonds as religious icons and also implemented them into engraving tools. They were discovered in alluvial deposits in the rivers Penner, Krishna and Godavari.

4. Diamond is the only gemstone to have a single element as its equation

Diamond has only one element – “C”, which is the symbol for Carbon. All other gemstones are mineral compounds.

5. There are naturally occurring diamonds in most colours

Even though most of us think about diamonds being white (they are in reality colourless at their most ideal; the D colour grading is totally colourless), diamonds can be found in the following colours: colourless, yellow, orange, red, pink, brown, black, blue, violet and green. They are coloured by minute quantities of trace elements such as nitrogen, hydrogen and boron or by plastic deformation, which means interruptions to the crystal lattice during their dramatic journey from the Earth’s mantle to the surface via diamond pipes.

6. Why do we see rainbow sparkles of colour in diamonds?

This is due to the phenomenon known as dispersion. Dispersion is the diamond crystal’s ability to break up white light into the spectral colours as the light is bounced and totally internally reflected inside the faceted stone. Dispersion is known as ‘fire’ in the jewellery trade.

7. Diamonds repel water so are therefore hydrophobic

This means that a diamond’s surface cannot be made wet. The flip side of this is that diamonds attract oil and grease, which is extremely useful during the mining process when sorting diamond from other minerals. The downside for jewellery wearers is that diamonds need constant cleaning as contact with hand cream, sunscreens and cosmetics can affect their sparkle. The simplest way to clean your diamonds at home is to soak them in warm water with a few drops of a mild dish washing liquid. A soft brush can then be used to remove grime from the surface of the diamonds and under the settings. This method is safe for cleaning most gemstones. For more information, head to our blog Tips To Keep Your Diamonds Clean. 

8. ‘Diamonds are Forever’ according to the 1940s campaign by de Beers

De Beers' campaign relaunched the popularity of diamonds to the American public. Diamonds that make it to the Earth’s surface are generally 1 billion to 3.3 billion years old so seem worthy of the lasting ‘forever’ slogan. However, they are not indestructible. Diamond has perfect yet difficult octahedral cleavage in four directions which means along these cleavage planes the atomic bonds in the crystal lattice are weaker. These planes of weakness enable diamond markers to cleave the diamond in the appropriate place so the crystal will split into two pieces. Diamonds can be chipped and fractured which comes as a surprise to most people.

9. Diamonds exist in space

As diamond is a form of carbon with predominantly covalent atomic bonding it comes as no surprise that diamond could exist in space. Although diamonds on Earth are rare, extra-terrestrial diamonds are very common. Microscopic diamonds not much larger than molecules are abundant in meteorites and some of them retain a record of their formation in stars before the Solar System existed. High pressure experiments predict that large quantities of diamonds are formed from methane on Uranus and Neptune (it is thought, through mathematical predictions, that on Uranus and Neptune it rains diamonds!), while some extrasolar planets may be almost entirely composed of diamond. Diamonds are also found in stars and may be the first mineral to have formed.

10. Man can make diamonds of his own

Synthetic gemstones are not fake gemstones; they have the same physical, chemical and optical properties as their natural counterparts. The difference is that natural occurring diamonds took up to 3 billion years to form under the Earth’s mantle while synthetic diamonds are created by man in laboratory conditions over several months. During the 20th century the race was on to synthesise diamond. There are two methods, high-pressure/high temperature and chemical vapour deposition. Most synthetic diamond is used for industry, however synthetic diamonds of gem quality are now being produced and only a highly trained gemmologist with special instruments can detect the difference from natural stones.

 

Image Credit: bbc.com

Ultra Violet - The Cosmic Colour for 2018

A colour that will lift us to the higher realms and will assist us in tapping into our imagination is Pantone’s Colour of the Year for 2018, Ultra Violet. This enigmatic purple is blue-based and is both complex and mysterious. This shade is said to communicate originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future. Ultraviolet is dramatic yet at the same time calming.

Purple has a long history of being associated with royalty, the clergy and higher consciousness. Throughout history, purple robes were worn by royalty and people of authority or high rank. Many believe this to be true because the rare occurrence of purple in nature made it one of the most expensive colour dyes to create. There are only a few flowers that naturally occur as purple including iris, lavender and violets. Purple is often associated with luxury and wealth and has often be favoured by royalty for ceremonial garb and public appearances.

The Ancient Greeks believed that purple and therefore, amethyst, had a mind-clearing, sobering effect. It was believed that if one wore an amethyst on one’s person or concealed one orally they could drink all night without suffering the intoxicating effects of wine! The name for amethyst comes from Ancient Greek and means “not intoxicated” or “sober”. The medieval clergy was attracted by this association and Anglican bishops wear an episcopal ring often set with an amethyst, an allusion to the description of the Apostles as "not drunk" at Pentecost in Acts 2:15. In modern times amethyst and purple have been seen as symbolising higher consciousness and is the colour of the seventh or crown chakra. The colour has been favoured by rock stars such as Prince, David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix as the contemporary symbolism for purple is ambiguous sexuality, the counter-culture and the “purple-haze” of an altered mind state.

Amethyst was once considered to be one of the most precious gemstones or cardinal gems alongside diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and rubies. Deposits of amethyst were rare and it wasn’t until settlers from Idar-Oberstein in the early 19th century discovered large deposits in the Minas Gerais district of Brazil that the purple gemstone became more affordable and amethyst was relegated to the rank of semi-precious. As well as Brazil, some very fine amethyst comes from Uruguay, South Korea and Russia.

So how to wear Ultra Violet in 2018? If you want to make an entrance choose a dramatic dress in Ultra Violet and accessorise with red shoes for a head-turning look. Ultra Violet marries brilliantly with many colours including red, soft greens such as Pantone’s Arcadia, turquoise and soft pinks like Pantone’s Blooming Dahlia. Purple looks great with denim so you can choose an Ultra Violet coloured top if the thought of head-to-toe purple is too much. An Ultra Violet jacket would look stunning thrown over a crisp white shirt and neutral-coloured tailored pants if you want to update your work wardrobe.

When it comes to Ultra Violet coloured jewels, amethyst springs to mind with its stunning purple colour with undertones of blue. As it’s a more affordable gem, you can go for the impact of a statement cocktail ring such as our magnificent Vivaring with an impressive 18.17ct Brazilian amethyst set in 9ct rose gold. For a real colour pop, we’ve contrasted the cool violet of a rounded amethyst cabochon with the electric green of emerald in our Deux ring, also set in 9ct rose gold. If you love silver and the futuristic look you can’t go past our Meteor necklace in sterling silver with five bullet-shaped amethyst cabochons which would add that 70’s rock star touch to your outfit.

It looks like a year of positive change, imagination and elevated consciousness with Ultra Violet inspiring us in 2018.

Image Credit: People.com

Blooming Dahlia – Blooming Gorgeous

The beginning of 2018 will see a burst of soft feminine colours with a slightly vintage feel. The colour experts at Pantone declared peachy pink Blooming Dahlia as one of the key colours for the Northern hemisphere spring or our Antipodean autumn. This delicious soft shade is surprisingly versatile and works really well with another favourite for 2018, the gorgeous bluish green Arcadia. Blooming Dahlia is ideal to wear close to the face as its gentle warm tone is great for giving a glow to pale skin and a superb contrast to a tanned complexion.

Select relaxed knits in Blooming Dahlia that look super sweet paired with pale denim or go for the full 'vintage femme' look with an intricate, textured floral skirt and a plain top. Get super funky with a strapless jumpsuit or plain flared pants in this alluring shade. If you are planning a wedding, Blooming Dahlia would work brilliantly for bridesmaids’ dresses especially if your gown is ivory or pale cream. Blooming Dahlia works wonderfully with the other key neutral shades for the season such as Coconut Milk, Harbour Mist, and Warm Sand.

To accessorise with an early 70’s vintage style, go for gold! Yellow gold is making a huge comeback in Europe and the United States and the trend will be undoubtedly hitting Australia any moment. Plaited neck chains, gold watches, stacking rings and drop earrings will give your outfit total retro glamour with a modern edge. Big ombre sunglasses with coloured frames and a gold shoulder bag with a disco feel would complete the look.

Thinking of complimenting your outfit with Blooming Dahlia coloured gemstones? There are plenty of options to choose from. Morganite with its peachy pink hues immediately springs to mind – a delicious delight paired with rose gold. Consider a statement cocktail ring as morganite gems come in large carat weights and are affordable in price. Malaya garnets are another pretty option from the gem pantheon. These lesser known garnets hail mostly from Tanzania and Kenya in Africa and are very clean with good dispersion. They also have an appealing price point per carat. Finally, peachy pink sapphire can come in Blooming Dahlia shades. Sapphire is always such a brilliant choice for jewellery, especially that worn every day, such as engagement rings, due to its great hardness and durability.

These gems could be set in any gold colour or platinum depending upon your preference for precious metals.

The ornamental gemstones to wear with Blooming Dahlia that you could experiment with are rose quartz, rhodonite or rhodochrosite. Rose quartz comes in the palest shades of pink which would complement nicely with Blooming Dahlia. Rhodochrosite is a banded ornamental gemstone with a soft sheen that has pinks mixed with white. Rhodonite has pinks mixed with blacks for those who can’t go with a fully pale look.

It’s going to be a blooming lovely start to 2018!

Top Ten Gemstone Trends

1. Grey Spinel – we are head-over-heels for grey spinel. This sophisticated, mysterious beauty is captivating the alternative engagement ring market. Grey spinel comes in a range of different tones from silvery lilac-grey to deep warm charcoal and compliments all skin tones. It looks amazing set in rose gold which picks up on the warm tones or in white gold which enhances the cool violet tones. Choose either black or white diamonds to be set into the band or a combination of both if you are adventurous. Spinel is mostly more affordable than sapphire even though it’s a rarer stone. Like sapphire, it’s hard and durable enough for ring settings and can be worn every day. We have combined the winning combination of grey spinel, black diamonds and 18k rose gold in our bespoke engagement ring.

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2. Morganite – is the pretty peachy pink gem in the beryl family. Its other relatives include aquamarine and emerald. We love morganite as it looks so sophisticated in rose gold with diamond accents. One of our favourite ring designs is Lumiere - this morganite cocktail ring is handmade in rose gold and accented with diamonds. The design truly floods the centre stone with rays of light, creating lots of sparkle. Morganite is super feminine and many fashion savvy women are selecting it as an alternative engagement ring stone. It comes in peach or pink tones in the pastel palette and owes its soft colour to the transition element manganese. Morganite is a gorgeous gemstone choice for summer as it looks great with whites and neutrals, as well as brighter colours.

3. Aquamarine – The star of the alternative engagement ring trend is undoubtedly aquamarine. This cool blue member of the beryl family is beloved by everyone and its pale ocean tones of blues through to blue greens suits all skin types. Our aquamarine, diamond and white gold Lumiere ring embraces the beauty of the centre stone set, a 2.4ct cushion cut aquamarine of the finest blue. The colour of aquamarine goes so well with most colours of your wardrobe and has a calming effect as you admire your ring sparkling on your hand.

4. Indicolite Tourmaline – tourmaline has dramatically increased in popularity in recently times and it’s not surprising as this family of gemstones truly is the rainbow family. The array of colours available is astonishing and indicolite, with its intense teal tones, is highly prized. Mostly these rare gems come in small sizes of around 1 carat, however occasionally a big beauty surfaces such as the majestic indicolite set into our Atlantic ring that weighs in at an impressive 6.67 carats! Set in 18ct white gold with diamonds, this ring is the epitome of elegance.

5. Parti Sapphire – If you like unusual gemstones with unique colours then parti sapphires will grab your attention. Most of us think of sapphires as beautiful royal blue stones, however they come in every colour of the rainbow including ruby (which is corundum coloured by chromium). Parti sapphires are even more unusual as they display distinct colour zoning and have bands or patches of yellow and blue and sometimes green. They are yet to be synthesised so you are guaranteed that a parti sapphire is natural. We have set one on these mysterious beauties into our Sofia engagement ring. It complements the side pear cut diamonds to perfection.

6. London Blue Topaz – topaz is a hard stone (8 on the Mohs scale) so is a great choice for effective ring settings. Blue topaz ranges from light blue to deep, almost inky blue, the most valuable of this spectrum, named London Blue. Topaz comes in big carat weights and our knock out Illuminaire ring features a majestic London Topaz weighing in at 20 carats! Even though topaz is gorgeous looking, it is also a more affordable gemstone so you can go for a big stone without breaking the budget.

7. Mookaite Jasper – Ornamental gems are all the rage in Europe. The ornamentals are interesting as they are opaque to translucent and have unique patterns and sheens that transparent gems don’t have. We have used the desert colours and undulating pattern of Australian Mookaite jasper to create our Dawn earrings in silver with gold vermeil and champagne diamonds. These spectacular earrings would make the perfect gift from Australia as an alternative to precious opal.

8. Pink Spinel – If you love dazzling electric pink then hot pink spinel is for you. Coloured by chromium, the same element which gives ruby its gorgeous red colour, pink spinel has an almost neon fascination. It goes with so many stones – super elegant with black onyx drops as in our Blush earrings or daring with green emerald in our Manhattan earrings. The best material hails from Mahenge, which is a limestone plateau in Tanzania, Africa. The hot pink material from this region has catapulted spinel back into public favour.

9. Rutilated Quartz – Hot at the Idar-Oberstein pavilion at the Tucson 2017 gem fair earlier this year was fascinating rutilated quartz. This type of quartz features clear rock crystal with myriads of strands of acicular (needle-like) inclusions of golden or copper coloured rutile. These shiny strands were once called “Venus Hair” and you can easily see why. A stunning carre square cut rutilated quartz is the star in our Viva ring in yellow gold to enhance the colour of the rutile. A truly unique gemstone!

10. Malaya Garnet – if you like soft dreamy rose pinks then Malaya garnet is for you. These gorgeous stones were once disregarded as rejects as gem prospectors were looking for purple-red Rhodolite garnets and were named Malaya, which means “Outcast” in Swahili. Fortunately, some gem dealer with vision saw that these pretty stones in orange pinks and rose pinks would become highly sought after. Garnets belong to the cubic crystal system as does diamond and possess a special sparkle all of their own. We have featured them in our show stopping Lily earrings with sapphires and 18ct rose gold.

Arcadia - Top Colour Trend for 2018

The colour gurus at the Pantone Color Institute have just released the palette for 2018 and the star shade is the gorgeous verdant yet versatile Arcadia. This vibrant green with subtle blue undertones reflects the trend for thosewho want strong colour that can be paired with subdued neutrals. Designers are reflecting this trend with collections showing plenty of punchy colour. Fashion bible Vogueis heralding the arrival of this colour trend for next year which isboth retro and contemporary.

This is great news for coloured gemstone fans as Arcadia is one of those colours that looks terrific with so many different jewel tones. Anything in the blue family wouldcomplementthis hue beautifully. Aquamarine's pretty soft blue colour with hints of green would look so striking set in white gold and worn with Arcadia coloured clothing. Vibrant cornflower blue sapphires would also compliment and contrast well. The ornamental gems turquoise and amazonitewould also sit pretty next to Arcadia. Finally, the stars of the tourmaline family, Paraiba and Indicolite, would be delightful matcheswithArcadia.

For complete contrast, pink tourmaline set in rose gold or warm coloured garnets, from soft pink hued Malayas through to deep purple-red rhodolites, would look luscious against Arcadia. For a very regal look, deep red spinel or rich purple amethyst set in rose gold would sit divinely with the verdigris of Aracdia.

If you prefer to keep your jewellery neutral in colour when wearing stronger tones, imagine grey Tahitianpearls set in cool white gold or luscious South Seapearls in rose gold against Arcadia green. Elegant and understated.

Finally, if you are opposed to wearing strong colour and want to stick to a neutral wardrobe you could play with Arcadia coloured gemstone jewellery to add that on trend touch. Ornamental gemstones such as chrysoprase, amazonite and turquoise worn in strands of beads or set in statement earrings and rings would really lift beiges, whites and blacks into a more contemporary look.

Holiday Gift Guide

Nothing makes a more intimate and eternal gift than fine jewellery. At Lizunova we have a fabulous selection to choose from that will cater for a wide range of personal style and budget. Here we will make some suggestions to help you select the ideal gift for your special someone.

Gifts to $500

If you are looking for a stylish gift for a girlfriend, sister or daughter who is fashion forward and up with the latest trends then we have the perfect gifts to delight her. One of our signature earring styles, Line, is the embodiment of minimalism and can be worn with absolutely everything. If your girlfriend is the outdoor sporty type, then Line / Shortis perfect and looks amazing with a summer tan in silver or white gold. If she's more the sophisticate then Line / Long will add panache to her wardrobe. These divine long earrings softly swing as you move. Sterling silver looks great on blondes or brunettes with cool skin tones.

Gifts to $1000

Everyone loves diamonds and imagine being able to give beautiful handcrafted diamond jewellery for under a $1000! We have some gorgeous suggestions in this category. Firstly, our brand new Initial pendants are graced with a sparklingdiamond and are available in 9ct and 18ct gold (white, yellow and rose). The octagon setting is timeless and elegant,and as the pendant features your loved one's initial it makes a highly personalised gift. Our classic Geometric Round / Diamond earrings and necklaceare delicate and classic and would make a superb gift. This minimaliststyle is very versatile and is equally at home with a business suit, a smart casual outfit or a favourite pair of jeans.

Gifts to $2000

If you are looking for an elegant surprise to give on Christmas morning then our Aqua earrings in white gold or rose gold would be just the thing. These simple and timeless hook earrings feature kyanite, an exoticgemstone ina lovely neutral teal blue that works with so many outfitcolours. These earrings will suit most people: the white gold Aqua earrings would suit a blue-eyed blonde with a cool skin tone and the rose gold Aqua earrings would be great for olive or warm honey skinned ladies with dark hair. If diamonds will put a smile on her face then our Half Moon necklace in 9ct white gold with a round brilliant cut diamond will be a winner. This gorgeous necklace was inspired by images of the moon over Manhattan and is part of our New York New York collection. Another versatile piece that can be worn casually with jeans or her favourite LBD.

Gifts over $2000

If you want to givea really special Christmas gift this year we have some spectacular jewelsthat will be treasured forever. Diamonds delight all women and ourHudson design, available as diamondstuds,drop earrings and a diamond pendantnecklace, is a fabulous choice. Set in 18ct white gold with top quality diamonds, thiselegantdesign is anenduring classic. White gold has been the most popular metal choice for several years and is the best metal for enhancing the beauty of whitediamonds. However, if your lady prefers a different gold tone, we are happy to make any of the Hudson range in rose or yellow gold. If your partner loves coloured gems, ourstunning coloured gem rings will dazzle her. Some suggestions are Embrace / Tourmalinefor lovers of warm tones and indicolite tourmalineAtlantic for cool beauties. Pearls are another jewellery favourite and our handmade AustralianSouth Seapearl studs in rose gold and the white goldTahitiangrey pearl earrings with teal tourmalines are contemporary classics. Both earring styles are quite classic butnot staid's perfect for the modern woman who loves to look polished. Finally, if you want to give something uniquely Australian that will delight forever, our Auroranecklace with crystal opal from Andamooka and diamonds will electrify with its spectacular play of colour.

Time to Propose?

If you are a true romantic at heart and would like to propose on Christmas morning we have some gorgeous alternative engagement rings for the woman with strong individual style. Our glittering new Galaxy ring is sensational and definitely for those who adore stylish diamondrings. This ring can be stacked with a twin after she says I do. If she would like a classic with a twist, our Lumiere engagement ring is set with a saturated blue, cushion-cut aquamarine on a delicate diamond-set 18k white gold band.This ring would suit a red head or blonde with warm toned fair skin or would look great on a brunette with olive or dark skin. If your fiancée-to-be has more traditional taste, we can custom make a bespokering with a diamond or coloured gem as the central stone. Rose gold is a timeless beautyand we love the combination of grey spinel and black or white diamonds.

For Him

If you are looking for something unique for the man in your life, giving fine jewellery cufflinks in white gold or gold set with gemstones would make a superb gift. Our sculptural Half Moon cufflinks come inwhite gold,and in white gold set with grey spinels super stylish! If you want to give him a masculine and modern looking ring then look no further than our Linestyle. Made in palladium, a member of the platinum group, this minimalist design ring would look great worn on the index or ring finger. If your manis fashion conscious,a ring in black zirconium would be the perfect accessory to accent his wardrobe.

We hope you have the most marvellous holiday season and please contact us if we can assist with your jewellery needs this holiday season!

Precious Metals and Skin Tone

What colour suits me?

There are many elements to consider when selecting a piece of jewellery that you will love and wear every day. The design, the shape and colour of gemstones and diamondsand of course, which precious metal to create the setting. When selecting the precious best metal to suit you - silver, white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, platinum etc., there are several things to consider. However, first and foremost, it's best to select the metal colour that best compliments your skin tone.

Your skin tone, also called undertone, is different from your complexion, which is the shade of your skin (light, medium, dark). Your undertone will remain the same no matter how much sun you get, even if you're pale in the winter and tan in the summer. There are three different undertones - cool, warm, and neutral. So how does one determine their own skin tone? First of all, it's best to cleanse your skin of any cosmetics and creams. You need to be able to view your skin in its raw state after cleansing. Wait 15 minutes so that your skin has time to settle and adjust after any cleansing or scrubbing is just experienceda flushed face would detract from your real skin tone.

The next step is to find a place with natural light only. Lighting can cast either green or yellow tones on to your skin which will affect your analysis. If you can sit next to a window on a sunny day you can get the right light otherwise you may need to take a mirror outside. Hold a white piece of paper up to your face.Looking in a mirror, try to see how your skin looks in contrast to the white paper. It may appear to have a yellow cast, a blue-red or rosy-coloured cast. It could also possibly seem to have a greyish cast.

The following is a guide to help you to determine your skin's undertone.

Besides the white paper there is another simple test. A sheet of gold and silver foil is required. Hold a sheet of gold foil in front of your face so that it reflects light back on your skin. Note whether it makes your face look greyish or washed out, or if it enhances your skin. Then try with a sheet of silver foil.

Once you have determined your skin tone its best to try on jewellery in different metal colours and see how well the different colours sit with your skin.

A few final points:

To conclude, it's a question of experimenting and we would be delighted to assist you in selecting the perfect piece of jewellery to suit your skin tone.

Black Pearls - Gem Treasures from the Ocean

Most of us think of gems as hard mineral, or shiny stones faceted from crystal rough that forms beneath the Earth's surface. However, there exist several organic gemstones formed through plants and animalprocesses. The most famous organic gems formed by animals are pearls and precious coral, while the most famous plant varieties are amber and jet.

One the most alluring and exotic of the organic gems would have to be black or Tahitian pearls. Black South Sea pearls are formed courtesy of a mollusc known to scientists as pinctada margaritifera orblack-lipped pearl oyster to us. The particular variety of these oysters which can produce the iridescent nacre black pearls are famous for, are concentrated in the waters around French Polynesia. These waters produce 93-95% of the gem-quality black pearls on the market. They are commonly named Tahitian pearls, as Tahiti is situated near the islands where these gorgeous pearls are cultivated.

The black pearls on the market today are nearly all cultured, which means that the pearls do not form randomly by chance due to the processes of nature, but are farmed by man. The naturally generated spat, or immature oysters, are collected on artificial spat collectors that are strategically positioned in lagoons or the open sea. The juveniles are granted three years to develop before they are ready to be implanted with a mother of pearl bead. Once implanted, the oyster will cover the bead with its own nacre creating concentric layers that give the pearls their beautiful, iridescent pearly lustre. After about 12-14 months, the pearls are ready for harvesting. Out of 100 oysters, only around6 will be round or semi round, 20 will be semi baroque and 11 will be full baroques. The remainder will be unsaleable or the oyster wasn’t able to yield a pearl. You can see fromthese statistics howprecious and rare theperfectly round black pearl is!

Black pearls are diverse in colour, ranging from silvery grey to charcoal with under- and overtones of silver, gold, pink, green and blue. Some black pearls are known as peacocks and you can see greens, blues, pinks and golds swirling together in an iridescent fashion. The lustre of pearl is known as pearly and the sheen as orient of pearl; the lustre is the result of how light reflects off the pearl while the sheen is due to the diffraction of light through the incredibly fine layers of nacre which creates iridescence.

When selecting pearls it's good to keep the following tips in mind. The first is to look at the lustre. Ideally when you look at the pearl you need to see yourself reflected back as if looking into a mirror. The more sharply you can see yourself, the better the lustre. If you appear faint and fuzzy, the lustre is poor. Next is to appraise the orient. If you can see undertones of iridescent colours, the pearl is of good quality. If the pearl appears as a flat colour, the sheen is poor. Next is to look for any blemishes. Naturally, if the pearl is free from any pits or circular rings and the nacre is nice and smooth, it's good quality. Finally, look at the shape a perfectly round pearl is the most desirable - unless you prefer the baroque look.

We have just created these spectacular grey pearl earrings named Tahiti,with lovely round silver-grey pearls juxtaposed with square cut teal tourmalines,in a very contemporary setting in 18k white gold. The combination of mineral and organic gems creates a sophisticated look that's a far cry from your grandmother's classic pearl studs.