linneys jewells

[linneysjewells-blog]

PEARL BUYER'S GUIDE

With more than 40 years of experience, Linneys are renowned as masters in pearl jewellery. The history of the Australian South Sea pearl in inextricably twined with the Linneys name. Hand-selected for their natural beauty and individual character, each Linneys pearl is of genuine quality, carefully chosen for you upon the five principals of virtue: Lustre, colour, complexion, shape and size.

Lustre

Difficult to define, Lustre is the elusive element that grants a pearl its beauty and, ultimately, its intrinsic value. A pearl of the highest quality will illustrate a nearly mirrored surface, returning clear and crisp reflections of light and colour. Created by light that penetrates through the organic layers of nacre, a truly lustrous pearl will appear as though it emits a glow from within. When cared for correctly a natural pearl will retain its lustre and beauty for a lifetime. Linneys use the GIA terminology for Lustre grading, hand selecting pearls from Very Good to Excellent.

Colour

The colour of a pearl is comprised of up to three elements; bodycolour, overtone and orient. Bodycolour describes the dominant colour of a pearl, while overtone is a layering of translucent colour over the dominant shade. For example, a pearl may have a white bodycolour with pink overtones, a highly desirable combination. Orient does not occur on every pearl, and describes a rainbow iridescence that lies on or just below the surface. When choosing your pearl, colour is a highly personal preference. Demand for certain colours may mean they carry a premium, but Linneys offer a wide array of natural coloured pearls to satisfy every individual taste.

Complexion

A pearl is an entirely natural creation. Each will have its own distinct and distinguishing features, perhaps most prominently seen in the quality of its complexion. Complexion examines the surface of the pearl, searching for marks or blemishes on its skin. As a natural creation, every pearl will have some imperfection. Blemishes on a pearl can appear in dimples, rings or an uneven surface. The fewer blemishes a pearl shows, the rarer it will be. Some blemishes do not diminish the quality of a pearl, but rather add to its character and genuine aesthetic.

Shape

Available in a wide variety, the shape of a pearl will not only affect the appearance but the price. Linneys categorise their pearls as: round, near round, drop, oval, button, circle and baroque. A pearl that is perfectly round in shape is rare and highly desirable, however, pearls of different shape will be more suitable for different styles and jewellery types.

Size

Linneys Australian South Sea and Tahitian South Sea peals are available in sizes ranging upwards from 8 millimetres. Grown for a minimum of two years, each pearl is allowed to develop a thick coating of pearl nacre, increasing its strength and producing a superior quality product. Any Australian South Sea pearl that exceeds 13 millimetres is prized for its rarity, making those in excess of 20 millimetres a truly exquisite treasure.   Linneys offer an extensive range of handcrafted jewellery featuring premium quality, hand selected Australian South Sea and Tahitian South Sea Pearls. We also offer the unique opportunity to select your own pearl for your bespoke design, created in our Subiaco Studio from premium materials.

[linneysjewells-blog]

DIAMOND BUYER'S GUIDE

Diamonds have been used in fine jewellery for thousands of years and remain the world’s most desirable gem. Nearly all diamonds are formed at depths of 150 kilometres below the earth surface, where temperatures reach 2000 degrees. Diamonds are the hardest of all gems, making them highly suitable for use in jewellery.

Each Linneys Diamond is hand selected by our certified diamond specialists. Only the finest stones pass our rigorous quality control, which is set high above the industry standard. Diamonds are graded using a system devised by the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) who are recognised as the foremost international diamond authority. This system is often colloquially referred to as “The 4 C’s” and includes Cut, Colour Clarity and Carat. The 4 C’s are designed to help you make more informed decisions on your diamond purchase.

Cut

The cut of a diamond determines its beauty. Cut is assessed based upon seven characteristics: brightness, fire, scintillation, weight, ratio, durability, symmetry and polish.  Each characteristic and its relative importance is taken into account, and a stone may be graded from Excellent to Poor. When determining a diamonds overall value, cut can be considered more important than colour, clarity and carat. A diamond that has a triple excellent cut grading is considered to be highly desirable. Diamonds of size will usually have their cut grade detailed on a Diamond Certificate.

Colour

The less colour a diamond exhibits, the higher its value may be. Colour grading is an internationally standardised measure based upon the GIA scale. A truly colourless diamond will be classified with the letter D. As traces of yellow or brown become visible, the scale progresses through the alphabet to Z. Diamonds graded with a D are rare and fetch a premium price tag, however, stones up to G still appear very white and are an excellent choice for most jewellery. Sometimes stones with a distinctive colour presence are chosen by individuals for their unique aesthetic.

Clarity

Almost all diamonds will exhibit some manner of flaw, called an inclusion, which occurs naturally within the stone. The fewer inclusions a diamond has the higher its clarity grade will be. The GIA diamond clarity scale grades diamonds from I (included) to Flawless, though most stones fall within VS (very slightly included) to SI (slightly included). The scale takes into consideration a range of factors, including the size, colour, nature, quantity and location of any inclusions. A clarity grade may look good on paper but not all stones are created equal. For instance, inclusions located close to the girdle of a stone may pose risks when being set or worn. Consider the expertise of your jeweller or dealer before making your purchase, and be wary of buying online.

Carat

Carat refers to the weight of a diamond or other gemstone. The word ‘Carat’ comes from the ancient carob seed, which was used by historic gem traders as a counter weight in scales. A carat is equal to 0.2 grams and is divided into 100 points. Diamonds with a high carat weight are rare, and can fetch considerably higher prices than smaller stones. When purchasing a diamond, be sure to consider all the 4 C’s of diamond quality, not just the size of a stone.

Commitment to Quality Ethical Diamonds

Linneys are committed to selecting only premium quality diamonds from guaranteed sources.  The Kimberley Process is a United Nations mandated forum, with a focus on stemming the flow of conflict diamonds into the international market. When purchasing a diamond form Linneys, you can be assured you a buying a quality, hand selected stone from a conflict free source.

[linneysjewells-blog]

Linneys is the largest diamond jewellery store in Perth, Australia. We specialise in diamond engagement rings, pendants and earrings. Visit us today!

Linneys is the largest diamond jewellery store in Perth, Australia. We specialise in diamond engagement rings, pendants and earrings. Visit us today! Handcrafting fine jewellery is a specialised skill that has been handed down through generations. Our jewellers will use various techniques when creating a Linneys piece, including wax carving and hand forging of metals. Their work requires exceptional precision, talent and attention to detail. All jewellery created by Linneys is finished by hand to the highest standard, giving Linneys the reputation as Australia’s finest jeweller.