From JLo to Katy Perry, and Jennifer Lawrence to Hailey Bieber, it seems that this year’s 2019 celebrity rings are all the rage. And with one quick glance it’s easy to tell why...
Let’s start with the ring that rocked internet, or should we say the rock that broke it.
EMERALD CUT
Jennifer Lopez dropped jaws showing off this massive emerald cut number just a couple weeks ago. Measuring between 10 to 15 carats, a diamond like this is worth roughly $1.5- $3 million, but it all depends on the 4 C’s.
Speaking of Emerald cuts, Jennifer Lawrence dazzles in this beautiful number. Her ring has a refined elegance that fits her hand beautifully. We image it being around 1.75 to 2 carats and costing anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000.
If Emerald diamonds are speaking to you, check out our Instagram page here, and get the look.
ART DECO
This art deco inspired engagement ring has Katy Perry’s name all over it. The flower shaped ring top is not only a nod to her beau’s last name, it’s the perfect compliment to her beautiful personality. This look is made with over 4 carats worth of diamonds, including a stunning pink center diamond.
Looking for something a little different? Check out our selection here.
TIMELESS
Cushion Cut
Katherine Schwarzenegger's is no stranger to the spotlight due to her famous parents, and this stunning ring won’t be keeping her out of it anytime soon! We love the classic cushion cut, with a delicate diamond halo to complete the look.
Check out some of our favorite cushion cuts here.
Oval Cut
Talk about “Loving Yourself”, Justin Bieber’s now wife, Hailey Bieber must be feeling pretty good about herself with that incredible diamond around her finger. Oval cuts are still ranking high on this year’s trend list and with a cut like that, we totally get why.
Check out a few of our oval favorites here.
Do you have a favorite of the bunch? Leave us a comment below and let us know! As always, you can make an appointment here.
~ LB
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LA BIJOUTERIE LTD, AUGUST 13, 2021
La Bijouterie Welcomes Carol R., G.G., G.I.A, as Head of Diamond Sales
This exciting addition to our team comes during a period of tremendous growth for La Bijouterie and transformation within the consumer purchasing ecosystem.
San Francisco, CA- La Bijouterie, a jewelry store designing custom pieces made with ethically sourced diamonds, welcomes Carol R. as Head of Sales. Carol comes to us from Barneys New York, where she worked in Diamond Sales and brings 40 years of experience to La Bijouterie, beginning August 9, 2021.
“We are thrilled to have Carol join our team as she has a customer first mentality and a real passion and knowledge for diamonds,” said Set F., Founder of La Bijouterie.
Carol is certified by both the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), as well as the American Gem Society, and has worked for some of the world's leading luxury diamond brands such as Tiffany and Co.
She will be instrumental in offering top tier customer service, while educating and guiding potential customers with one of the biggest purchases of their lives. As a company, we are committed to making the diamond buying experience one that is enjoyable and memorable. We have a no-pressure approach and only work with conflict free diamonds.
About La Bijouterie
As a third generation jeweler, we believe that an engagement ring is more than just a piece of jewelry, it’s a handcrafted family heirloom, it’s a symbol of love, and oftentimes, the start of a family. We attribute our success to the trust we've built with clients over the years. When making one of the biggest purchases of your life, it’s imperative to have someone that can break down cost, design and most importantly, make you feel comfortable. Being local and serving the greater Bay Area means no feelings of being left in the dark or taken advantage of.
Media Contact:
Tal T.
Head of Marketing & Finance
(415) 775- 6622
Not many things in life carry the emotional thrill that comes with buying the perfect piece for the one you want to spend forever with. If you’re starting to venture into this world of diamond buying, let this guide help you make educated and stress free decisions. Here are Five Tips to consider before you go ring shopping.
Tip 1: Have a clear understanding of the 4 C’s of Diamond Buying
The 4 C’s of diamond buying include: Cut, Clarity, Carat and Color. Having a basic understanding of these 4 diamond characteristics will help you have better conversations with your jeweler and offer you the vocabulary to ask important questions with.
Tip 2: Set a budget that works for you.
Forget every rule of thumb you’ve heard in the past, and instead make sure you are comfortable with the amount you’re looking to spend. This number will also enable your jeweler to show you all that’s possible. Because of our customized approach, we have engagement rings that fit every budget and style. We do not work off commission so you can feel confident knowing that this will be a stress free experience.
Tip 3: Decide which of the 4 C’s will be most important to you and your partner.
For some, carat size is the most important, while others focus on color or clarity, but the “C” that determines the sparkle/luster and beauty of a diamond is the cut. Some other things to also consider are colored diamonds or fancy cut non-traditional diamonds.
Tip 4: Understanding the role Table Size plays in a diamond.
Table size or table percentages indicate the ratio of the width of the diamond's top facet (table) in relation to the width of the entire stone. When it comes to diamond tables, bigger is not always better. If the diamond table is too large, the upper facets on the crown will lack the room to disperse light. Generally, the best-looking diamonds have table sizes in the range of 55% to 60% (measured as a percentage of the diameter of the diamond). The size of the table is more important in larger diamonds, say over 1/2 ct.
Tip 5: Verify that it is a GIA certified diamond
Feel confident asking to see the diamond certificate. This is a monumental purchase so of course you want to know that what you’re buying is authentic and conflict free. GIA tests every diamond submitted to establish its authenticity as a diamond and whether it's been subjected to treatments. GIA reports provide a full description of the diamond, including color, weight, measurements, and cutting style, and will disclose any known treatments.
At La Bijouterie, our sole purpose is to help couples achieve a milestone moment in their lives any way we can. We believe in quality over quantity, and educating always. Before pulling the trigger on such an important decision, book a no stress 30 minute 1:1 appointment.
At Your Service,
Set F.
Founder, La Bijouterie
Ah yes, the smell of summer is in the air and with that comes the excitement of summer proposals. Although summer isn’t the most popular time to propose, (that would be winter, more specifically, Christmas Day), it is when many who are hoping for a summer wedding wish they would be proposed to.
Typically speaking, planning a wedding takes roughly a year, so whichever month you decide to propose often times determines the season of your upcoming nuptials. This is because most vendors require you to book at least a year out.
Instead of using a cliche holiday like Valentine’s Day or your significant other’s Birthday to pop the question, try finding a special date that the two of you can celebrate and reminisce on each year.
There is no right or wrong time to propose since it is so personal to each couple. Perhaps hinting to find out if a snowy white proposal vs. a beach proposal is something your person might prefer and working off of that. Are you planning an upcoming trip with just the two of you? That might also be a great time to get down on one knee. Does your love like being the center of attention? If so, do we dare suggest a dance mob as part of their ultimate proposal. On the flip side, a more reserved, private person might just prefer a quiet in home proposal.
One helpful tip that can make a lasting impression is finding out if having family nearby is important to them once they do get proposed to. Meeting up with both of your families can be the grand finale to a wonderful day!
Whatever the type of proposal or time of year you decide, when it comes from the heart there is little else that matters.
Cheers!
-LB
“I do not believe you can do today’s job with yesterday’s methods and be in business tomorrow.”- Horatio Nelson Jackson, American Physician and Automobile Pioneer
At La Bijouterie, we believe in innovation, as it’s the key to success in almost any industry. When Lab Grown Diamonds (LGD) joined the greater diamond discussion a few years ago, we knew it was time to start educating our customers in new ways, and share the depth of knowledge we have about the diamond industry as a whole. It was time to focus on the future. Because of this, we have an obligation to be upfront and factual in the information we share, and present it in a way that is unbiased and educational as it relates to Lab Grown vs Real Diamonds.
Educating our clients brought up many questions, but one in particular we feel is worth a longer explanation...
What place does a lab made diamond have in the future, especially compared to real, naturally occurring diamonds?
Our hope is this blog post will be part of that greater conversation for you. Know that the best way to find out the answer to this question is to book a virtual or in-person 1:1appointment to further the discussion in order to make your own educated decision. Then you will have the opportunity to ask as many questions as you’d like.
What is a Lab Grown Diamond (LGD)?
A lab-grown diamond is a man-made product that shares the chemical and optical properties of natural diamonds, but whose origin and value differ greatly. Lab-grown diamonds are produced in factories in approximately 2-3 weeks using one of two methods originally developed in the 1960s for industrial purposes – HPHT and CVD. These methods artificially replicate natural conditions found in the Earth, forcing carbon atoms into a crystal structure. In more recent years, technology improvements have allowed factories to produce lab-grown diamonds in qualities that allow for uses beyond industrial. (Source)
So Are LGDs Actual Diamonds?
Although their chemical structure is the same as a natural diamond, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) a lab-created diamond cannot be called “real” because it does not come from the Earth and it is not a gemstone. (Source)
By this point, you may be feeling confused. How are you supposed to make a decision on whether to move forward with a naturally occurring diamond, (and which one?) vs one that is Lab Grown? Why is the word diamond in the title if they are not in fact diamonds? Do real diamonds hold their value? What about pricing? The environment?
Other Expert Opinions
In trying to differentiate natural diamonds from the lab grown alternative, theNatural Diamond Council quite truthfully underscores natural diamonds rarity.
“Natural diamonds are finite and rare. Diamonds are becoming rarer every day because no new significant deposits have been discovered in about 30 years,” it states. “However, lab-grown diamonds can be manufactured in potentially unlimited quantities similar to any manufactured product, thus they are not finite and cannot be considered rare.”
To which, the NDC adds, “Natural diamonds obtain their value from their scarcity as a natural, billion-year-old precious gem and have shown over decades to grow in value as they become more rare.”
There are a lot of things to consider here, and we’ve found one of the most important things to consider is Price vs Value.
Price vs Value
In its 2019 report, Bain gave more specifics, noting the lab-grown market grew 15% to 20% in 2019, following a similar trajectory in 2018.
That increase is credited to “the widening price differential of lab-grown diamonds versus natural ones and campaigns that leveraged the ‘green’ benefits of manufactured stones,” the report states.(Source)
When it comes to value, you can’t put a price on rarity. As basic economics states, once demand goes up, and inventory goes down, price goes up. So where does this leave us, as each claim they are better than the other for different reasons? More importantly, where does the future of Lab Grown Diamonds lie? Well that answer is entirely up to you as the consumer.
At La Bijouterie, our sole purpose is to help couples achieve a milestone moment in their lives any way we can. We believe in quality over quantity, and educating always. Before pulling the trigger on such an important decision,book a no stress 30 minute 1:1 appointment.
At Your Service,
Set F.
Founder, La Bijouterie
Artificial intelligence leverages computers and machines to mimic the problem-solving and decision-making capabilities of the human mind. It has come into our lives rapidly, and transformed the world in many positive waysmaking it easier for people to contact friends, send emails, and ride a ride-sharing app. But when it comes to AI and something as personal as engagement ring shopping, is there a place for automation?
To answer this, it’s important to first understand the longevity behind diamonds as well as the reason jewelry even exists today. You may be surprised to know that most diamonds are at least 990,000,000 years old, with many as old as 3.2 billion years, (Source). It has been discovered that the first jewelry making occurred 142,000 to 150,000 years ago by Archaeologists working in the Bizmoune Cave in southwest Morocco, with the sole intent of expressing identity, (Source). Understanding that jewelry making was born from the desire to express oneself via art and is linked to one's identity, greatly contradicts AIs automated approach to jewelry shopping.
Blue Nile, a well known jewelry company that started entirely as an online retailer and disrupted the diamond industry, is now opening multiple brick and mortar retail stores due to the realization that buying something as personal as an engagement ring or heirloom piece requires communication, education and observing the item in person. They have foregone their online only model to meet consumers needs and accommodate those who feel never seeing their diamond in person before purchase is too risky.
Diamonds have value in terms of cash money, and obviously a strictly graded diamond is more valuable than a poorly rated diamond. There is always a reason why one diamond is less expensive than another. More often than not, potential buyers believe the difference in price is due to retail margins, however the most common reason for price inequality is diamond inequality. This is not something AI bots take into account because there are so many variables to consider. Be sure you’re asking these important questions to any diamond retailer you work with.
The most important thing to consider when buying a diamond is both the diamond and the dealer, not just the diamond report. Diamond reports do not assign dollar amounts, they only describe diamond characteristics. This is where real life jewelers play a vital role in helping to determine the price and guide you around getting the best value for your budget, a talent that cannot be replicated by AI.
Did you know that online diamond stores do not offer any quality guarantee? If something is in fact wrong with the diamond you purchased, (say an imperfection you weren’t expecting, or the color is off), it would result in you overpaying for a diamond you thought was a great deal. The truth is there is a lot to consider outside of the 4Cs that someone who isn’t in the diamond profession would have no way of knowing, say a robot. Read more about how online retailers cannot offer aquality guarantee.
As a retail business owner, we believe our mission is to add value to the consumer and help guide in the purchasing process in order to ensure the customer makes an educated decision at a fair price and leaves feeling proud of their purchase. Explaining why one diamond is half the price of another is important information to have in real time when considering diamonds.
Twelve years ago, when La Bijouterie was formed, we made the purposeful decision to open a brick and mortar location, not an online store, because we value the importance of helping customers in person, especially when making the biggest and most emotionally charged decisions of their lives. It seems as though today’s consumers value the same.
While Blue Nile may use AI to help determine style suggestions based on purchase history and tracking, there’s a good amount of marketing that goes into what you’re being targeted without really understanding why or the unique footprint of the stone you’re considering.
In the case of engagement ring shopping, AI takes the humanization, the identity of expression, and the personalization out of something as intimate as picking out a tangible symbol of your love for the person you wish to spend your life with.
At La Bijouterie, we take a personalized 1:1 in-person appointment approach. We adopted this way of conducting business over 6 years ago because it allows us to educate the potential buyer and it has proven to be most successful. Now more than ever, customers are seeing the value of dedicated and uninterrupted appointments. It’s a time to ask questions and express any concerns you may have.
Interested in setting up a Phase I appointment? You can do sohere. To learn more about the “Reasons To Think Twice Before Purchasing a Diamond Online,”click here. Want to learn about the 4 C’s of Diamond purchasing,click here. As always,reach out to us with any questions you may have. We love hearing from you!
At Your Service,
Set F.
Founder of La Bijouterie
certified diamonds
