What's Happening in the World of Jewelry

There’s always something exciting going on in the jewelry industry. Read some of the latest news from around the world, courtesy of National Jeweler.

Alex and Ani new charms channel positivity

Alex and Ani, the popular jewelry designer out of Providence, RI known for their bangle bracelets, has released two new charm collections for the fall that can be worn as bangles, rings, necklaces and earrings.

The first is the Unexpected Miracles line, which features a charm in the shape of an acorn with an oak tree etched inside. The charm symbolizes the acorn’s potential to become a strong oak tree and reminds the wearer that, “sometimes, the biggest blessings come in smallest packages.”

Another new design is the “Hand of Fatima,” a powerful ancient talisman that represents the hand of God that many believe “promotes healing and fosters miracles as the eye in the center of the hand deflects negative energy and provides protection to the wearer.”

Both are available as a classic charm bangle and in the Providence Collection as a pull chain bracelet, expandable necklace, expandable ring and post earrings.

Jewelry trends: Y-necks and black gemstones

According to “Cindy’s Trend Tracker” on NationalJeweler.com, Y-neck style necklaces that were popular in the 1990s are back en vogue. The 2015 version has been updated though, with longer chains and more refined designs that do wonders to dress up a casual look.

Cindy’s blog also reports that black is back, specifically black gemstones and metals with black in them. Great for the Halloween season, too!

Richard Burton’s Omega watch sells for more than $12K

In early September, an 18-karat yellow gold 1970 Omega Constellation watch that Elizabeth Taylor gave to Richard Burton at their home in Gstaad, Switzerland sold for more than $12,000 at a United Kingdom auction house. The price was above the estimated amount, which was between $7,000 and $9,000.

The automatic Omega Constellation watch is 39.9 mm x 32.9 mm and was originally sold by Omega of Zurich on Sept. 12, 1970. At the recent sale, the watch came with a handwritten note from Burton’s nephew dated Aug. 29, 2010 that reads, “I confirm that this watch belonged to Richard Burton. My mother remembers Richard wearing it.”

During their on-again, off-again romance, Burton gave Taylor a number of remarkable jewels, including the famous Taylor-Burton diamond. Burton died in 1984, and Taylor in March 2011. Her famed jewelry collection, which contained many pieces from Burton, sold at Christie’s for a record $156.8 million later that year.

Chinese company cuts 507-carat diamond into “masterpiece” necklace

Manufacturer and retailer Chow Tai Fook of Hong Kong has taken a 507.55-carat rough diamond it purchased five years ago and turned it into a piece of jewelry that can be worn 27 different ways.

The “Cullinan Heritage” diamond was discovered at the Cullinan mine in Guateng Province, South Africa in 2009, and is the 19th largest rough gem diamond ever discovered.

Chow Tai Fook purchased the type IIA rough stone from Petra Diamonds in March 2010 for $35.3 million. Then in early September, the company revealed “A Heritage in Bloom” necklace. The piece was created by jewelry artist Wallace Chan, and is set with 24 D color internally flawless polished diamonds, all cut from the Cullinan Heritage.

More than 10,000 white and 500 pink diamonds, in addition to more than 100 pieces of green jadeite and mutton fat white jade, were also used to create the necklace. The largest of the stones weighs 104 carats.

Chow Tai Fook has not placed a price on the necklace because it is not for sale. You can view the necklace here.