Sapphire Slices - Hot Jewelry Trend, Spring 2013

 

Beautiful 18k Gold, 79.42 Sapphire, .10 ct Diamond earrings, by Shannon Green, $8700. 

Available at Shannon Green Collection

 

 

Throughout our history, the Sapphire has symbolized truth, sincerity and faithfulness in relationships and is believed to bring peace and wisdom to the wearer and owner. Most commonly found in Sri Lanka and Madagascar, Sapphires are also sourced in Australia, Tanzania, Thailand, Cambodia and in the USA (Montana).  Second only in hardness to diamond, Sapphire is notably also the blue sister of Ruby.

 

You may already be aware that a Lapidary is an artisan who cuts, facets, forms and polishes gemstones into decorative items such as jewelry.  However, new technological innovation in lapidary equipment has produced new and interesting techniques, such as Gemstone Slicing.   

 

 

 

"Todays jewelry takes advantage of many of the new technologies that never existed before." Gem slices "...speak to 21st century design, which values innovation, inventiveness and sustainability."

 

Ellen Siden, CEO of Trend Forecasting Firm, ESPTrendlab in NYC

 

 

Gem slicing is the hot new trend.   Designers find the unconventional and non-uniform stones inspirational and they address our current desire for the distinctive.  Each slice is unique in size, shape and color, reminding us of the nature and origin of the gems.  The irregularly shaped stones have a raw, sculptural, organic, natural beauty - unlike the traditional precision cut gems.  Slicing is also an ecofabulous technique, leaving less gemstone waste after traditional faceting.

 

14k Gold, 61.50 Green Sapphire, .85 ct Diamond earrings, by Shannon Green, $3000. 

Shannon Green Collection

 

 

18k Gold, 46.23 Sapphires, 2.00 ct Diamond earrings, by Shannon Green, $6400. 

Shannon Green Collection

 

The flatness of sliced gemstone allows light to pass through the piece in the same way light shines through a stained glass window, showcasing their brilliance, brightness and intensity.

 

The Greek translation of Sapphire is literally 'blue' stone, but as you are probably aware, they come in a variety of beautiful colors and hues, making them a popular choice for slicing.  Color experimentation among Jewelry designers has been steadily rising in the past 5 years, with a growing tendency for utilizing more colors, types and combinations. The impact of color is transforming the jewelry business as we know it.

 

 

14k Gold, 30.00 ct Blue Sapphire, .35 ct Diamond ring, by Shannon Green, $2395. 

Shannon Green Collection

 

 

14k Gold, 22.50 Green Sapphire, .31 ct Diamond ring, by Shannon Green, $2300. 

Shannon Green Collection 

 

To produce my sliced sapphire collection featured in this blogspot, I enlisted an incredible master lapidary artist to assist me in creating a luxurious and elegant range, albeit wearable for every day.  Each untreated sapphire is sliced from the finest gemstone and exquisitely set and crafted by hand around the sapphire.  It is an important note to finish, that untreated sapphires are significantly more valuable than treated sapphires, which dominate the market.

 

Be inspired!

 

Shannon.