January 2005: The Engagement Ring Phenomenon: Part VI Claudia Endler Designs

January 1, 2005

January 2005 NEWSLETTER
Wishing you all a New Year filled with good health, good friends, renewed commitments for 2005 and many, many reasons to celebrate!

NEW “JEWEL”

“For the DIVA in you.” -ce

From the strictly non-flashiness of last month’s pendant, to the inarguably “in your face”, boldness of this ring. This 20ct white topaz, set with pave diamonds in 14kt white gold, is not for the timid. Though an eye popper, it still has the sleekness and balance we are known for. Try it, if you dare! Also available in other stone sizes and colors to express your inner Diva.

CED – News & Events

Press

Solataire Magazine (December/January 2005 ) – This issue features our award winning platinum and carnelian drop earrings�as one of several “stunning platinum designs from America’s foremost designers.”

ABC7.com Shopping – Our Men’s Collection was featured on-air in Chicago for holiday shopping ideas.http://abclocal.go.com/wls/news/extrainfo/122004_ex_jewelry-gifts.html

Events

January 22nd (Saturday) – Commitment 2005 This special Claudia Endler Designs event is created as a “Thank You” to our clients and friends. Call 818-705-9044 for details.

January 25th (Tuesday) – NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) Los Angeles breakfast speaker event: Women Powerhouses in Business to be held at the Regency Club in Westwood. For more information visit:www.nawbola.org.

January’s Feature: Diamond Enhancement

The Engagement Ring Phenomenon: Part VI

Many crystal fragments in their natural creation have impurities. Inclusions and fissures within them which may trap light and detract from it’s color and beauty. Inclusions are irregularities or small bits of foreign matter that were trapped in a diamond while it was being formed several billion years ago. As we discussed in the August 2004 newsletter, the number and size of the inclusions is an important factor in determining a diamond’s clarity and value. For thousands of years, man has fashioned uncut gem specimens into faceted stones, experimenting with cutting techniques to draw out the stone’s brilliance and fire, and improve the appearance or value of the stone. Today we have much more hi-tech capabilities to assist in gemstone “enhancement” or “treatment”.

Laser Treated Diamonds
Lasers are used in shaping rough diamond crystals, separating intractable twinned crystals and even removing the inclusions within a diamond. In laser drilling a diamond, a beam of high-energy light is used to bore a small tunnel from the surface of the diamond to the targeted inclusion. Then, strong acid is forced down the tunnel to bleach out or burn away the inclusion. By selectively removing inclusions in this way, it is possible to improve the apparent clarity of a diamond significantly. Fracture filling techniques are then used to hide the minute holes, but they can be readily seen with proper magnification and when you know what to look for.

Fractured-Filled Diamonds
In lower grade diamonds, fissures can give the diamond a cloudy, whitish appearance, which may be visible to the naked eye. In the late 1980s, a new process was developed to hide the fissures. Known as “fracture filling”, the process involves filling the fissures with a glass-like substance, making the fracture less visible.
One concern with all diamond treatments is the permanence of the enhancement. Glass-like fillers may not last forever. Under the heat and pressure experienced when a jewel is being cleaned or repaired, the glass-like filler can become discolored and even breakdown. As a result, the fractures reappear and the beauty of the diamond is diminished. It is important to inform anyone working on a fractured-filled diamond that the stone has been treated and needs special handling.

Color Bleached Diamonds
In early 1999, General Electric (GE) and Lazare Kaplan Inc. (LKI) announced a new treatment for improving the color of natural diamonds. Though the details of the process are secret, it involves recreating the high temperatures and pressures that existed when diamonds first formed deep within the earth. As a result, the color of a diamond can be improved by several color grades.

When first introduced, it was reported that the treatment was permanent and nearly undetectable. As with any gemstone treatment, whether detectable or not, full disclosure is essential. LKI engraves “GE POL” on the girdle of each color treated diamond. Unfortunately, an unscrupulous seller can easily polish off the markings.

Irradiation
Diamonds may also be colored in a variety of hues as mentioned in our June 2004 newsletter. Irradiation permanently enhances certain innate color properties, allowing them to display their hues in a more brilliant array. Irradiation may use gamma, electron and /or neutrons bombardment, usually in combination with heat treatments. We have seen a not-so-white diamond undergo irradiation and be transformed into a brilliant canary yellow at a fraction of the price it would be for a naturally colored yellow diamond.

Keep In Mind
Treated diamonds are not necessarily bad. In fact, many treatments can make an unattractive gemstone more appealing. But, because treatments can affect a diamond’s value and durability, they should be fully disclosed to the consumer.

A natural, untreated diamond can be worth significantly more, than an “enhanced” stone of the same apparent quality.
As with all gemstone treatments, fracture filling should also be fully disclosed to consumers. Fracture filling can improve the apparent clarity and value of a diamond, so consumers need to be cautious.
Enhancements should not to be confused with the terms synthetic, man-made, lab-grown. Enhancements are additional treatments performed on natural, or synthetic materials to generally improve their appearance. A natural gemstone that is enhanced is still considered a natural gemstone.
All reputable jewelry organizations require full disclosure of laser drilling. The FTC is considering a revision of its guidelines to further protect consumers.
If you have any doubt, have the diamond evaluated by an independent, qualified gemologist.

NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE:
All previous newsletters are available at www.claudiaendler.com/newsletter.html.

FROM ONE OF OUR CLIENTS:
“I love it! I love it! I love it!” Ania B., Graphic Designer

THE WAY OF CHIC: Metropolitan is Chic.

STYLE RECOGNITION:
Since the mid 40’s, Los Angeles has been at the forefront of contemporary residential architecture, a testing ground for modern ideas in housing to meet the needs of an optimistic post-war nation. Continually building on this heritage, Los Angeles remains on the vanguard for housing and architectural design – the nation’s most respected architects practice here. One such firm, Williams Adams Architects/Telemachus Studio, partners William Adams and Carl Smith constantly reinterpret the forces acting on the urban environment in their forward-looking architecture. Urban metropolitan chic? Definitely. Interested in a remodel or ground-up construction, single-family, multi-family or your retail space or office? Contact them at 310.458.9397, or email Carl at carl@wadamsarchitects.com.www.wadamsarchitects.com.