Remember That "World's First All Diamond Ring" ? I Do, So Here's Some New Photos.

When the news broke in March during Basel 2011 that Shawish Jewelers of Geneva had created the world's first entirely all diamond ring (a ring that would have no setting, no metal, but instead have entire ring and shank cut from the stone), the story of the unusual piece of precious jewelry was featured on blogs and news sites all over the world.

At that time, they released only one or two press images of the actual ring (and a drawing) and those were shared all over the web and tv. As happens with much breaking news, it was quickly forgotten about by most. However, more images of the ring (which ironically is shaped similarly to the plastic gemstone rings that used to be found in gumball machines) have since been released and it's a sparkling site to behold.





The ring is made entirely from one, single faceted diamond, weighing 150-carats. It was unveiled in mid April at via an in-depth animation in the video shown below, which was directed by Elia D'Anna with music by Simon Baring & Rufus and produced by Elio D'Anna Jr at Intoit Management & The House of Luxury:


The making of the world’s first diamond ring, touted to fetch £43 million ($70.46 million), wasn’t easy. According to President and CEO of Shawish Jewelry, Mohamed Shawesh, It took one year to get the copyright and they had to do multiple tests with the design, to get the precision of the circle right. Diamonds are made of carbon and molecules that can change, even the color can be altered when attempting to cut it. They had to buy special laser equipment, to cut directly into the diamond. The most important aspect is preserving the integrity of the diamond and of course the most difficult phase is precision cutting an entire stone into a ring.



The thrilling journey of crafting the most unique ring in the world was accomplished through passion and innovation. "A ring made entirely of a faceted diamond has always seemed like a fantasy, it seemed impossible, so we decided to embark on the adventure of creating the perfect diamond ring that is the epitome of art." - Mohamed Shawesh



The images of the ring you probably saw on the news or on blogs:




Shawish Jewellery

A $5 Million Dollar Watch? Yep. Hublot Unveils The World's Most Expensive Watch.

BASEL, Switzerland (AFP) - Swiss watchmaker Hublot unveiled on Wednesday, preview day of the Baselworld Watch & Jewellery Show, the Swiss watch show's most expensive watch, which carries a price tag of US$5 million and is inlaid with with 1,292 diamonds - including six stones each weighing more than 3 carats.



Mr Jean-Claude Biver (above), president of the watch company which is owned by French luxury giant LVMH, said it would be hard to make a more expensive watch 'because the surface of the watch is limited.'




It took 17 people 14 months to set the more than 140 carats of diamonds on the watch's white gold bracelet, said Mr Biver at the world's biggest watch show in Basel, which opened to the public yesterday.


Several people have expressed interest in acquiring it, said Mr. Biver, without giving details.


Hublot

Cartier Premieres Gorgeous Short Film, L'Odyssee de Cartier, A Visual History of The Brand.

Carter has been airing this three and a half minute commercial, L'Odyssée de Cartier, which is a beautiful three and a half minute film consisting of seven chapters, shot by Bruno Aveillan for the luxury brand.



The new Cartier film, which took two years to make, is a journey between dream and reality and the very first time Cartier has decided to create a cinema epic focusing on its 165 year history, its values and inspiration, its artistic and universal scope. The lush visual story features the Panther, the historical icon of the House of Cartier.








The dedicated website features the seven chapters of the brand's Odyssey film, the making of, information about the musical score and other bonus features. Learn how they trained the three panthers and other interesting information at their site.



L'Odyssee de Cartier

New Architectural Rings From Philippe Tournaire - Archipolis, Paris, Moscow, New York & More.

above: Philippe Tournaire's New York Ring in white gold with an aquamarine representing the Chrysler building

One of my favorite posts of all time was the one in which I featured the amazing Villa de Reve Collection (dreamhouse rings) by jeweller Philippe Tournaire. The miniature custom hand crafted replicas of personal residences, mansions and villas in rose, yellow, white gold and platinum, some accented with gemstones are still on my "If-I-Ever-Win-The-Lottery" list.

Now I have more to add to that list because Philippe Tournaire has introduced some new rings to his architectural jewelry collection.



New versions of his Oriental Palaces, Venice Villas, Paris, New York City, Moscow and even a Log Cabin rings are now available. In addition to those, he has recently introduced an Archipolis ring, an imagined and mysterious city, laden with diamonds and/or gemstones and available in various golds and platinum.

The latest New York City Rings are stunning whether cast in platinum, white gold, yellow gold and set with gems or a single diamond.

In platinum with diamond:

In white gold with diamond:

Or cast in a combination of rose and white gold:

Or, as originally shown in my first post, in all yellow gold:


The new Paris ring is amazing. It has a shank which is the Eiffel tower wrapped upside down around your finger and even includes a perfect little replica of the Notre Dame Cathedral's Facade. Shown cast in rose and yellow and all yellow gold.



Tournaire turned Moscow's Saint Basil Cathedral into a grand rose gold ring complete with enameled "onion tops":



His new Chapelle San Lillo (Chapel San Miguel de Lillo in Oviedo) ring in rose and yellow gold and with aquamarine gem:



His new Village rings are like little European city squares and can be set with single or multiple faceted gemstones, cabochons, diamonds or available in all gold or platinum:







Additions to his Oriental Palace rings include a new Pagoda ring with rose and yellow gold:

and a new smaller Dubai Palace ring with a cabochon amethyst and diamonds:

And a rose and yellow gold Luxurious Log Cabin ring:



The new Archipolis ring.
An imaginary city shown in rose gold with pink sapphires and diamonds:

Archipolis ring in white gold with sapphires and diamonds, in platinum with diamonds and in yellow gold with pink sapphires and white diamonds:

Archipolis ring in yellow gold with amber, cognac, black and white diamonds:


Next up? Philippe is presently working on London rings. Don't forget to see his custom Dream House rings here.



To learn more about these amazing architectural rings or to have a replica of your own home or villa made, go here.

all images courtesy of Philipe Tournaire

Contact info:
Email : eboutique@philippetournaire.com
8,rue Tupinerie - 42600 MONTBRISON (Siège) - Tél. 04 77 96 08 84
103, rue Edouard Herriot - 69002 LYON - Tél. 04 78 92 93 94
7, Place Vendôme - 75001 PARIS - Tél. 01 40 20 00 19