Monday, January 14, 2019
A New Website for Sozai Designs
http://www.sozaidesigns.com
Saturday, April 9, 2016
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Happy New Year
- Turquoise and sapphire cocktail ring
- Sapphire and diamond ring
- Gold and pearl earrings
- Pave and gold earrings
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Aquamarine and Diamond Ring
I am working on a new ring. It will have a large round semi-opaque aquamarine center stone surrounded by diamonds. I am making it out of wax and then will cast it in gold. Here are some early pictures.
The first picture shows the diamond halo that will surround the aquamarine. The ring is still looking very crude at this stage but has been marked on the wax block.
The ring shank is beginning to take shape and is being measured against the diamonds that will be added to the halo and shank.
Here is the wax piece close to being finished. The shank and the halo are now joined. The setting positions for the stones are set. Just needs some smoothing out on top.
Once I have it cast in metal I will show you the steps to set the stones.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Peridot Jewelry
From early times through the middle ages, Peridot was considered a symbol of the sun. An early Greek manuscript indicated that Peridot bestows royal dignity on the wearer. The Egyptians fashioned Peridot beads as early as 1580-1350 BC. It was brought to Europe by Crusaders in the Middle Ages and was often used for ecclesiastical purposes. During the Ottoman empire (1300-1918) Turkish sultans amassed the world’s largest collection. Very popular during Baroque period. The largest cut Peridot weighs 310 carats and was found on the island of St. John, in the Red Sea. It is currently on display in the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. Other Large cut stones: 192.75 carats belonging to czars in Moscow, 146 carats in the Geological Museum in London. The intensity and tint of the green depends on how much iron it contains.
Peridot also occurs in certain types of meteorites. In Russia, there are some cut Peridots that came out of a meteorite which fell in 1749 in east Siberia!
Peridot is the birthstone for August. Peridot goes well with white and yellow gold as well as silver. And of course, Peridot goes well surrounded by a Halo of diamonds in a pair of beautiful earrings or pendant.
Orthorhombic. Indistinct cleavage double refraction. Olivine.
Hardness 6 ½ -7
Monday, January 21, 2013
Michelle Obama wears Kimberly Mcdonald hand made Ring
Michelle also wore a custom designed diamond ring by Kimberly McDonald and Jimmy Choo shoes. Her clothes and accessories will be donated to national galleries after this evening's balls.
Michelle Obama Gemstone Cuffs at Inaugural Ball
Michelle Obama wore a stunning set of gemstone cuffs to Presidential Inaugural Ball. They are absolutely beautiful and will no doubt set a trend for colored gemstone cuffs. I will be writing more about them in the days to come.
Michelle is no doubt a leading trendsetter in American fashion and very savvy with her jewelry and clothes.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Champagne Diamond Engagement Ring
Some of these diamonds are up to 1.5 carats in weight. Any of these diamonds would look great as a center stone with a halo of smaller white diamonds surrounding it.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Champagne Diamonds
I am working with a Diamond Dealer that specializes in Champagne Diamonds of all sizes. Here are just a few samples. Each one of these stones are about one carat and would make a beautiful center stone in an engagement ring.