ask Dave West: The Jewelry Expert

Dave West Talks Ran Opals: A Podcast with Yvonne DiVita

In this week's podcast, Dave West ( aks: the Jewelry Expert) discusses how he came to create the beautiful Ran Opal design from this previous post. Dave shares his focus on design styles that are both unique and beautiful. The details are extraordinary and took some stepping outside the box.

The many colors of Diamonds

When many people think of diamonds they think of a “white” (colorless to near colorless) diamonds.
For a good reason too, the unequalled brilliance and beauty of a “white” diamond has been treasured for thousands of years. And while diamonds are rare things of beauty - every now and then nature takes it a step further and produces something so extraordinary I am at a loss to describe it – a diamond with color.    

Have you ever seen one of these wonders; a blue diamond, pink diamond, or rarest of the rare - a red diamond? How about a black diamond, or olive, or green, maybe an orange or purple diamond; what about a brilliant yellow diamond or a rich deep brown diamond, a bubbly champagne diamond, or the exotic warm color of cognac diamond. All of these amazing colors occur in varying degrees of purity and intensity – the combination individual color and brilliance is beyond description.

As Yvonne DiVita and I where discussing in a recent pod cast – awareness and demand for colored diamonds is on the increase. The marketing campaign by Rio Tinto’s Argyle Mine of Australia to raise awareness of the “Champagne” colored diamonds along with the increasing quality and availability of enhanced colored diamonds is expanding the way we look at diamonds.

Ask Dave West: Diamonds that Speak to You

Welcome to the second podcast in the continuing Ask Dave West series of talks on fine jewelry and gemstones.

Today, Dave West and Yvonne DiVita discuss the enduring tradition of the diamond engagement ring - and why that will likely never fad away. Dave talks about "diamonds that speak to you" and how he listens for that song, when he's getting ready to create a new piece of sparking jewelry, whether colored diamonds, other fine gems, or traditional white diamonds.

As always, join in by leaving your comments and questions at the end. Thanks!

From Yvonne DiVita and David West Nytch, CGA at West and Company