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life in the facet lane

What?

and

Where?

hen collectors get serious
about the gems in their jewelry
W wardrobe, they begin to look at
the source of their favorite stones. Did you
know that the origin of many gemstones can
sometimes be revealed in something unique
to their physical appearance?
That’s because gemstones are a natural
mineral of some kind. And it requires certain
geological conditions for it to develop.
Take sapphire, for instance. We’d all love
to take sapphire wouldn’t we? This stone is a
by Diana Jarrett GG RMV good example of where its origin can have an
impact on the jewel’s appearance.
Multi-award winning designer Mary Van der Aa (maryvanderaa.com)
is very particular about the stones she selects for her collections. Besides
the imaginative designs she creates, she makes sure the gemstones tell
the story she wants to convey. So each stone is curated for its exceptional
qualities to be best-of-breed.
What’s so Special?
The sapphire is an ancient stone and a relatively rare one at that. The
gem is a very durable material— next only to diamond in its hardness.
That assures it of being a tough stone that will take a superb polish and
look sparkling new for years to come. Despite being found in various
global sites; the cognoscenti often seek out Sri Lankan goods.
Where to Find it
When it comes to sapphire, Van der Aa explains, “Sapphires can
be found in many locations throughout the world, but many times
it is found with lots of rutile [other mineral needles] inside that can
cause a "haziness" in the stone. I prefer Sri Lankan material because it
consistently provides the cleanest and most vibrant colors of sapphires.
It's our favorite material to work with.”
As she sees it, there is so much that goes into telling the story of a Blue Sapphire and diamond Cosmos pendant.
coveted stone. It all works together—the design, and its execution, plus Credit Mary Van der Aa.
the careful selection of gemstones worthy of such effort. It’s clear her love
affair with sapphire is very well thought out.

We have special traits known only to those close to us---let your unique personality sparkle!

Contact Diana Jarrett Diana@DianaJarrett.com Read www.color-n-ice.com www.DianaJarrett.com

24 Life in Naples | April 2024