|
|
STORY KEE HUA CHEE
If you already have drawerfuls
of shiny, sparkling diamonds,
why not contemplate rough diamonds? Think raw, genuine diamonds in their purest, most original form – uncut, unpolished and untouched by man.
Rough, unpolished diamonds are like a talented singer without lessons or hunk before joining an agency. In other words, they are good enough as
they are, though improvement is attainable should the next level be required.
Anjanette Clisura, president and co-creative director of Diamond in the Rough, shifted to rough diamonds after a lifelong career promoting their refined and highly polished cousins. Ironic, as she held high positions in Chimento and Stefan Hafner and was vice-president of marketing for Leviev before joining Daniel Eskapa, founder of Diamond in the Rough.
"I have known Daniel for many years and consider him family. When the rough diamonds come in, Daniel and I are like two kids in a candy store, caressing, holding, playing and laying them out. Just seeing a natural diamond formed millions or even billions of years ago in its pristine state before anyone has faceted it just fascinates me."
Diamonds in the raw, or 'rough diamonds', resemble grubby, oily looking molten glass beads, dried sultanas or hardened coal. And therein lies its magical attraction. Indeed, accustomed to the brilliance of exquisitely cut and faceted stones, many are taken aback by the dull looking rough diamonds, similar to the chrysalis before morphing into a colourful butterfly.
Says Clisura, "Daniel and I work on the designs based on the unique properties of each rough like shape and size. Each rough is our muse. We create a jewel based on the rough and not vice versa. The rough diamonds can be worn on their own or enhanced with pave, polished diamonds. Each is a masterpiece of nature."
A rough diamond loses 20 to 60% of its weight before emerging from the cutter's table in its rejuvenated, polished form. In the process of perfection, the price does a quantum leap. Few mortals can afford a 10ct polished diamond but a brown 9.7ct diamond crystal from Guinea costs around USD 4,500 while a 14.5ct cubic diamond crystal USD 5,500. Diamond in the Rough offers an entry price of USD 2,000 for its wedding bands with prices of USD 4,500 to 10,000 for its mainline.
Like pebbles or polished diamonds, rough diamonds come in all shapes, sizes and shades, from octahedral, cubic, macle twins and balas to all shades of brown, black, cream, reddish and yellow. Many of Diamond in the Rough creations are graced with pave or micro-set polished diamonds to offset the glazed raw stones. Together, like yin and yang, a Diamond in the Rough bracelet, ring and necklace command attention and prestige as each is set in 18K yellow, pink or white gold.
While 'rough diamond jewellery' may not carry the same prestige as its refined cousin, it can take as long to complete a piece. Each rough diamond is unique and its irregular shape means every stone must be painstakingly and individually set by hand to secure its position.
Wearing rough diamonds is nothing new. The ancient Egyptians, Roman Caesars, maharajahs and rulers of olden days wore diamonds in the rough, as technology to cut and polish them only appeared in the 17th century with the rose-cut faceting process. In 1074 the Queen of Hungary was enthroned with a crown adorned with rough, opaque diamonds.
Diamond in the Rough creations have been seen on the red carpet worn by Hilary Swank, Kate Hudson, Amy Adams, Julianne Moore, Alicia Keys, Emmy Rossum, Queen Latifah and Jessica Simpson, proving all you need is your own shine.
|
