The Golden Eye

Ring Case

Corundum

When is a sapphire not a sapphire? When it's red, because then it's a ruby!

Both gemstones are a variety of corundum, a crystalline form of aluminum oxide, a mineral second in hardness only to diamond.

Known in Sanskrit as Ratnaraj, the king of gems, rubies have been a treasured gemstone for centuries. The first reference of the stone dates back to 200 B.C., from the literature of the northern Silk Road where they were transported from China to Persia.

Rubies have been used throughout history to adorn the armor, scabbards, harnesses, and crowns of nobles, kings, and queens. Until the 20th century, the ruby was thought to be more valuable than the diamond. It is the birthstone for July and the symbol for love, vivacity, power, and passion.

Rubies are found in Tanzania, Kenya, Pakistan, Montana, North and South Carolina, and under the ice shelf in Greenland.

Burma has always been known as the source of the deep pigeon blood ruby, the most prized color in the ruby world. However, due to the Burmese government's egregious human rights record, Congress passed the Block Burmese JADE Act in October of 2008. Although the U.S. did have a ban on the trade of Burmese gems, this measure closed an important loophole that had allowed the import of Burmese gems via third countries, such as India.

The sapphire, most commonly known as a deep blue gemstone, actually has a fascinating range of color. Almost every color of the rainbow exists naturally in sapphires. A rare color-change sapphire exhibits blue in natural light and a violet-purple in artificial light.

Some stones contain inclusions of small rutile needles that exhibit a property called asterism. This effect produces the "...star sapphire, displayed only in a cabochon cut, and can have six to twelve rays emanating from its center."

The finest specimens of sapphire were mined in Kashmir, Northern India in the late 1800's to about 1920. Today they are imported from Eastern Australia, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and are also found in Montana and North Carolina.

September is the month of the sapphire. In legend and folklore the stone is said to work as an anti-depressant and act as an aid in telepathy, clairvoyance, and astral projection. So whether you are feeling a bit down, want to know what's going on, or feel the need to get the heck off the planet, a piece of sapphire jewelry might be just what you need!

Black Diamond Caviale Ring

Rose cuts adorn a cushion-cut black diamond 12.2 cts. of admirable proportions offset in a gleaming 22kt gold bezel with a simple shank.

Mixed Metal Andradite Garnet Ring

Strong lines highlight a stunning andradite garnet 1 5 cts. bezeled in 18kt gold and clasped by sterling silver prongs. The shank is composed of sterling silver sheathed and lined in 22kt gold...a one-of-a-kind heirloom piece from Molly Burger.

Blue Gem Turquoise Cloud Ring

The vitality of a Blue Gem turquoise oval 4.4 cts. radiates inside a frame of 18kt gold beads and glistening diamonds .04 ctw.

Mixed Metal Pink Tourmaline Scroll Ring

A plummy pink tourmaline 2.37 cts. is bezel set in 22kt gold...its sterling silver scrolled shank holds four sparkling brown diamonds .05 ctw.

Purple Sapphire Trocadero Ring

Shades of silver, lavender, and lilac animate a rose cut sapphire .86 cts. from Sri Lanka set in18kt gold encircled with 22kt gold beads.

Emerald and Purple Sapphire Hara Ring

Gorgeous green light gushes from an oval cut emerald 3.71 cts. surrounded by white diamonds .60 ctw. and purple sapphires .20 ctw. in a grand 18kt gold setting worthy of a diva.

Hot Pink Tourmaline Cupola Ring

A torrid 9.75 ct. pink rubellite tourmaline is encircled with multicolored sapphires and demantoid garnets in 18kt gold.

Abalone Reflecting Pool Ring

Keep Narcissus away from this one! Over the top pearlescence gives rise to an iridescent nacre that is irresistible. A rimmed 18kt gold bezel is punctuated with glistening diamonds .16 ctw.

Kingman Turquoise Crown Ring

Get out the robe and scepter....a stunning Kingman turquoise 11.29 cts. lozenge lies enthroned within 18kt gold tines studded with diamonds .24 ctw. on a carved shank.

RoseCut Black Diamond Swoop Ring

A 6.95 ct. rose cut black diamond resides in an 18kt gold throne, surrounded by gleaming white diamonds .55 ctw.

Reflecting Bowl Opal Ring

Get ready for some serious gem-gazing...a riotous pastel Brazilian opal 2.63 cts. seated in an 18kt white gold reflecting bowl is tipped and tailed with celery-colored demantoid garnets .04 ctw. and semi-circled with glittering diamonds .14 ctw....this fabulous confection is lofted by sculpted petals and shanked with heady swirls of 18kt yellow gold.

Golden Zircon Titania Ring

A spectacularly refractive golden zircon 8.9 cts. is surrounded by peachy sapphires 1.16 ctw. set in 18kt gold...tiny gold beads accent the contoured shank.

Commissioned Diamond Ring

One of our favorite endeavors is to create commissioned pieces with clients' heirloom stones, in this case an important pear-shaped diamond...diamond scrolls and golden beads enrich a silken contoured shank.

Kunzite Wonderland Ring

An absolutely amazing 58 carat kunzite dome is perched in a studded 18kt gold bezel. White diamonds and green demantoids enhance the icy pink stone. Bezel set demantoids adorn the carved sterling silver shank.

Twin Peaks Pearl Ring

Polychromatic Tahitian pearls sit side by side, the tallest one with a white diamond set into its enter...a scallop hugs the shorter peak...sparkly pave and bezel set diamonds embellish the contours of the 18kt gold shank.

Blue Zircon Clematis Ring

It's all about the flow...a 4.91 ct. blue zircon is set in gleaming 18kt gold surrounded by pave diamonds .60 ctw. arranged in a graceful tangle of vines.

Rose Cut Moonstone Ring

A smoky grey rose cut moonstone illuminates the center of a sleek 18kt gold setting...rose cut white diamonds shine out from the shank.

Conch Shell Foot Ring

This splendidly carved creation in 18kt gold is set with a fine line of white diamonds...it will take your breath away.

Jade Swoop Ring

Nonstop glamor distinguishes this colorful stunner...a natural jade oval 12.03 ctw. is bezel set in shiny 18kt gold flanked with purple sapphires .18 ctw....the swoop sis defined with brilliant diamond melee .45 ctw. and lavender sapphires in satiny 18kt gold.

Brazilian Tourmaline Wave Ring

Rose cut blue green tourmaline 2.03 cts. is set in 18kt gold, buoyed by a dazzling diamond .34 ctw. wave against a stippled background studded with diamond rounds.

Tourmaline Queen of Spades Pendant

Are you ready to hold all the cards? A spectacular rubellite tourmaline cabochon topped with a round rubellite cab 15.29 ctw. is bedecked with a green tourmaline cabochon .12 cts., two tsavorite garnets .08 ctw., two orange sapphires 1.5 ctw., eight glittering white diamonds .13 ctw. and a pink sapphire .09 cts. This extravagant 18kt gold creation features a sun pattern on the back.

Chain sold separately.

Billboard Stack

So stunning, we put it on a billboard!

From top:

R1052 White Diamond 18kt Gold Vesta Band
RC500 Ruby and Diamond 18kt Gold Be Mine Ring
ION59 Paraiba Tourmaline Platinum Eternity Band
R1189 Ruby and Diamond 18kt Gold Venus Band
R1024 Piecrust 18kt Gold Band
RC506 Gem Silica Chrysocolla and Diamond 18kt Gold Be Mine Ring
RR0102 Diamond 18kt Gold Eternity Band
R1063 Diamond 18kt Gold Low Tide Ring

Turquoise and Diamond Stack

What's better than turquoise and diamonds...more turquoise and diamonds!

From top:

R1024 Pie Crust Variety Band
R1231 Artemis Band
RC682 Sleeping Beauty Cushion Cut Be Mine Ring
R1052 Diamond Vesta Band
RC652 Sleeping Beauty Oval Be Mine Ring
RC681 Sleeping Beauty Petite Be Mine Ring
R1231 Artemis Band
R1024 Pie Crust Variety Band

Tower of Avalon

The Tower of Avalon captures the passion and intrigue of Arthurian times.

From top, all in 18kt gold:

R1035 Ruby 18kt Gold Circle of Wreaths Ring
RR0102 Ruby 18kt Gold Eternity Band
RC429 Pink Sapphire 18kt Gold Castle Tower Ring
RR0102 Ruby 18kt Gold Eternity Band
R1211 Multi-sapphire 18kt Gold Guinevere Band

Classic Black and Gold Stack

Opulent 22kt peened bands flank a rose cut 22kt gold black diamond 4.67 cts. ring.

From top:

R1118L Ladies' Wide Peened 22kt Gold Band
KB559 Black Diamond 22kt Gold Ring
R1118G Gent's Wide Peened 22kt Gold Band

Victoriana Stack

A delightful romp with pomp...glittering diamonds and a very fine ruby cabochon make a pact in 18kt gold.

From Top:

R1067C White Diamond 18kt Gold Tiara Band
R1024A Cog 18kt Gold Variety Band
RC490 Ruby and Diamond 18kt Gold Starburst Ring
R1024A Cog 18kt Gold Variety Band
R1067C White Diamond 18kt Gold Tiara Band

Nouveau Niche Stack

Curves and swirls in beautiful patinas create a passionate ensemble.

From top:

R0967R-L Ouroborus 18kt Rose Gold Ring
SB003 Serenity 18kt Gold Band
R0967Y-L Ouroboros 18kt Yellow Gold Ring

Tivoli Gardens Stack

Beauty and pleasure come together in this whimsical stack.

From top:

R1063 White Diamond 18kt Gold Low Tide Ring
RC504 Butterscotch and White Diamond 18kt Gold Be Mine Ring
R1211 Sapphire and Diamond 18kt Gold Guinevere Band

Serpent Guardian Ring

Meet your next power piece...a stunning blue-green tourmaline rests securely in the powerful embrace of an 18kt gold snake. Glistening tsavorite garnets adorn the snake's heedful eyes...by artist Molly Burger.

Round Blue Gem Turquoise Ring

A precious round of Blue Gem turquoise 4.2 cts. rests on a stippled 18kt gold Be Mine band...flank it or let it stand alone.

Divine Vine Ring

Luxuriant coils of 18kt gold sprout sparkling white diamonds .13 ctw. and morning-glorious Ceylon sapphires 1.1 cts.

Blue Sapphire Elizabeth Ring

An oval sapphire 2.6 cts. in dramatic Prussian blue is encircled with dazzling white diamonds .57 ctw. and four blue accent sapphires .20 ctw....diamond studded 18kt gold beaded buttresses taper down into a gleaming rounded shank.

Diamond Beehive Ring

One of the prettiest cognac diamonds EVER .57 ctw. perches in the center of a sparkly diamond studded .07 ctw. hive on a satiny tapered 18kt gold shank...how could you resist? Why should you resist?

Low Dome Blossom Ring

Conjoined blossoms create a refined silhouette in lightly polished 18kt gold, by Robin Waynee .

Labradorite and Rubellite Ring

A luminescent labradorite marquis and rubellite teardrop cabs are set in18kt gold.

Cat's Eye Tourmaline Dome Ring

One bright line of light ripples through the amber layers of a remarkable Cat's Eye tourmaline 13.4 cts....its muted 22kt gold bezel rests upon a lightly peened shank.

Tahitian Pearl Wide Ripple Ring

It's the soap bubble shimmer we love on the glossy black nacre we crave...a full-figured Tahitian pearl floats in a sea of 18kt gold waves crested with white diamonds .12 ctw.

Sonoran Turquoise Scroll Ring

Rich Sonoran turquoise 10.9 cts. is set in a polished 18kt gold bezel atop a generous tapered shank enhanced with stippling and scroll work.

Low Dome Tulip Ring

A tulip motif never looked lovelier...lightly polished scrollwork is bordered with highly polished rims in 18kt gold, by Robin Waynee.

Keshi Pearl Wide Ripple Ring

Calling all mythical sea-dwelling creatures...a triple-cream keshi pearl from Australian waters is surrounded by four shining diamonds .12 ctw. at the crest of each 18kt gold wave.

Green Tourmaline Nadeera Ring

Sheeny emerald-green tourmaline 8.86 cts. is bezeled in 18kt gold...rare indigo-blue hauyenite .06 ctw. nests inside a bevy of gold beads.

Cognac Diamond Lola Ring

A glittering cognac diamond .45 cts. illuminates the center of this romantic 18kt gold confection...shining white diamonds gaze wide-eyed on either side...demure demantoid garnets .12 ctw. anchor flowing scrolls of white diamond melee .35 ctw....no shortage of grace notes here.

Mixed Metal Diamond Band Ring

Oxidized sterling silver provides the backdrop for bezel set diamonds .35 ctw. bordered in gold braid on a rimmed 18kt gold shank, by Georgios.

Size: 7

Diamond Band Ring

Bezel set white diamonds .28 ctw. are accented with 18kt gold rope details and gold beads against an oxidized sterling silver background, by Georgios.

Size: 7.5

Golden Diamond Comet Ring

Stippled 18kt gold provides the backdrop for a shimmering rose cut golden diamond .26 cts. and a quartet of white diamonds .09 ctw.

Mixed Metal Band Ring

Classic Greek design prevails on a simple band made from oxidized sterling silver and 18kt gold, by Georgios.

Size: 6

Cushion Cut Black Diamond Ring

The timeless shape of a cushion cut black diamond 5.73 cts. needs no accompaniment apart from a luxurious peened 22kt gold frame and shank.

Diamond Braid Band Ring

Sparkling white diamonds .28 ctw. are bezeled and beaded in 18kt gold in this handcrafted band with plenty of frills...it's as pretty as a wedding cake!

Size: 7.5