diamond - Leo Hamel

Find the Perfect Mother’s Day Gift

2023-05-122024-05-30 by Rylee Kahan

Mother’s Day is just around the corner! This year, Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 14^th. To help you shop easier here’s a few examples of beautiful pieces so you can visualize the best gifts this year. All the jewelry listed below is currently available in our showroom* and our sales team is eager to help you find the perfect gift! Stand out, no matter your budget, with unique and beautiful gifts that are as thoughtful as you are. This guide is just a small taste of what we have in our showroom and curated collections, so call us at 619-299-1500 or visit our showroom on San Diego Avenue today!

No matter who the Mom is in your life, celebrate her this Mother’s Day. Our skilled team here at Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers is more than excited to help you find the perfect gift for her. Hopefully this gets your ideas flowing, then visit our showroom on San Diego Avenue! We’d love to help you make her whole day magical.

*Availability may vary. Many of our items are vintage and pre-owned and we have limited stock. Call or visit us to view our collections.

Gemstones That Are Rarer Than Diamonds

2023-04-202024-05-28 by Rylee Kahan

Diamonds are by far the most coveted gemstones in the world. And gem quality diamonds are rare compared to the total quantity of rough diamonds that are mined. Especially rare are gem quality diamonds of over one carat in size. This scarcity contributes to their value.

It might surprise you to know that there are several colorful gemstones that are even rarer than diamonds. Because of their rarity, these gemstones are not frequently found in jewelry. For this reason, they’re less well-known than gems like sapphires and emeralds, but certainly not any less beautiful.

Taaffeite

This extremely unusual gemstone was discovered accidentally in 1945 by Austrian geologist, Count Edward Charles Richard Taaffe. While combing through a box of spinel gems, Taaffe noticed there was one that was different from the rest. Because Taaffe was the first to discover taaffeite, the stone was named after him. Taaffeite can occur in colors ranging from deep purple to red, though red is the most uncommon.

Surprisingly, this stone scores an 8 to 8.5 on Moh’s Scale of Hardness, making it unusually durable. Very few taaffeite gemstones have been found since their initial discovery. In fact, the only known deposits are in Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and China. If you’re lucky enough to find one of these dazzling gems, expect to pay about $1,500 to $2,500 per carat.

Tanzanite

Though tanzanite can be purchased rather easily, it is still considered rare because of scarcity. This gemstone is found exclusively in Tanzania, specifically in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. Because this is the only known location where tanzanite can be mined, it is predicted that the world’s supply will be depleted within 20-30 years.

Iconic jeweler Tiffany & Co. famously used tanzanite in their designs, further driving up the demand for these beautiful gems. Tanzanite’s deep violet and blue hues make them comparable to sapphires, and they’re often used as an affordable alternative. However, as supply decreases, tanzanite’s value will likely skyrocket. Presently, you can anticipate one of these stones to cost you roughly $600 to $1,000 per carat.

Black Opal

Opals are a rather common gemstone and can be found in many jewelry stores. However, black opals are a unique exception. Black opals mesmerize with their celestial colors swirled against an ink black backdrop. It’s no wonder they’re considered to be so exquisite! Similar to tanzanite, black opals are found solely in one location – along the Lightning Ridge in New South Wales, Australia. To own one of these captivating gemstones will cost you around $2,300 per carat.

Red Beryl

Red beryl derives its bright red pigment from the trace element manganese. This gemstone is a relative of emerald, aquamarine, and morganite. Red beryl is primarily mined in the Wah-Wah Mountains of Utah, though small deposits have been located in Mexico and New Mexico. Most stones that are mined are not large enough for faceting, though if you’re fortunate enough to find one, it could cost you over $20,000 per carat.

Benitoite

Benitoite is found primarily in San Benito County, California, which is why California adopted the stone as their state gem. Other specimens have been found in Arkansas, Montana, Australia, and Japan, as well as other regions within California. However, the only gem quality stones have been produced exclusively by the San Benito mine.

Benitoite is sometimes referred to as the “blue diamond” for its mesmerizing translucent blue color. Because of its rarity, most gem quality benitoite is sized at a carat or less, though the largest ever found was nearly 16 carats. To get your hands on one of these gems will cost you about $6,500 to $8,500 per carat.

Alexandrite

Deemed the “emerald by day, ruby by night,” alexandrite has unique color-changing properties that make it highly desirable. In lighter environments, alexandrite sparkles a rich blueish green color, while darker settings cause the stone to transition to a vivid magenta or purple tone. This one-of-a-kind gemstone was first discovered in the mountains of Russia in the 1830s.

It was highly coveted by the Russian aristocracy, deriving its name from Czar Alexander. New deposits have recently been unearthed in Brazil, East Africa, and Sri Lanka. Perhaps these new locations will yield enough to help ease prices, but in the meantime, alexandrite can cost as much as $15,000 per carat.

Musgravite

Musgravite was first discovered in the Musgrave Range of Southern Australia. It is from this range that it derives its name, though traces have now been found in Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and more. Musgravite is found in colors ranging from a greenish gray to purple and scores an 8-8.5 on the Moh’s Scale of Hardness. This score makes musgravite ideal for use in jewelry, but unfortunately quantities are too limited. Despite the discovery of new deposits, availability of musgravite is still scarce, in turn making them quite pricey. The cost for one of these rare beauties? Specimens have sold for as much as $35,000 per carat!

Painite

In 2005, painite took the crown as the world’s rarest gemstone according to the Guinness Book of World Records. At the time, there were only 25 known specimens in existence. Today, that number hasn’t increased by much, with the only known source of painite being in Myanmar. This gem can occur in colors ranging from brown to red, and even pink. Painite is pleochroic, meaning that it can appear to change colors when viewed from different angles. So, what does the world’s rarest gemstone cost? If you’re able to locate painite on the market, it may cost you as much as $50,000 to $60,000 a carat.

Grandidierite

Grandidierite was discovered in Madagascar in 1902 by a French minerologist, Alfred Lacroix. He named his treasure after French explorer and naturalist, Alfred Grandidier. Since his initial finding, small samples of grandidierite have been found in Namibia and Sri Lanka, though very few have been gem quality. Grandidierite commonly occurs in a teal blue color and can transmit light due to it being pleochroic. Specimens that are fully transparent are considered the rarest. Forbes ranked this gemstone the third rarest on earth, with prices as high as $20,000 per carat.

Though these gemstone varieties may be hard to come by, there are an abundance of dazzling colored gems that are available for you to enjoy. Here at Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, some of our new and vintage jewelry features precious gemstones such as emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and everyone’s favorite – diamonds! Stop by our San Diego Avenue jewelry store today to explore our ever-changing array of amazing gemstone jewelry.

Celebrate April Birthdays with Diamonds!

2023-04-012024-05-25 by Rylee Kahan

Since the time of Ancient Greece, the diamond has been the traditional symbol of love and commitment. Diamonds symbolize eternal love, courage, and good health. They have long been worn by leaders and figures of power to signify strength and wellbeing.

In 1912 the American National Association of Jewelers designed a list that assigned different gemstones to the various months as “birthstones.” Diamonds are the traditional birthstone of April and hold special meaning for those born in that month.

They’re thought to provide the wearer with better relationships and increase their inner strength. A diamond is believed to cleanse the energy of the wearer, build endurance, dispel fear and insecurity, grant courage, stimulate creativity, attract good fortune, and bring harmony.

Diamonds are one of the most precious and coveted gemstones that you can buy today. Representing wealth and luxury, they’re coveted by women and men alike. But there is more to April’s birthstone than meets the eye. Read below to learn some interesting facts about diamonds that you likely never knew!

The Cullinan diamond is the largest rough diamond ever discovered. It was unearthed in South Africa in 1905 and weighed a whopping 3106 carats.

The word “carat,” which is the measurement used to weigh diamonds, originated from the Greek word keration, meaning “carob.” Carob tree seeds were used as counterweights to weigh precious stones during the period. It is speculated that the seed species was specially selected because of a belief that their individual seeds are unusually consistent in weight. Unfortunately, science does not bear that out as factual.

The U.S. is currently the world’s largest diamond market, consuming about 48 percent of all gem quality diamonds. The U.S. also produces the most synthetic industrial grade diamonds, but Arkansas is the only state where gem quality diamonds are mined, the largest of which weighed 40.23 carats.

Rough diamonds don’t look much different than the average pebble and are easily passed over by the untrained eye.

Diamonds have been found in meteorites from outer space, indicating that diamonds are created even in outer space.

The highest yielding diamond mines in the world are found in Botswana, Russia, and Canada. About 80% of these mined diamonds are of a quality only used for industrial purposes rather than jewelry.

Because both are the exact same mineral – pure carbon – it is impossible to differentiate between a lab created diamond and an earth-mined diamond by sight or standard diamond testers. Only trained experts using specialized equipment found at gemological laboratories can detect a diamond’s origin.

The tradition of giving your fiancée a diamond originated in 1477 when the Archduke of Austria proposed to his future wife, Mary of Burgundy, with a diamond ring.

Diamonds for the April gemstone have garnered the hearts of many and are the most coveted gemstone to date. They’re deemed the “King of All Birthstones,” and they make an excellent choice for an April birthday gift.

If you’re looking for the perfect April birthday gift, visit Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers to peruse our extensive diamond jewelry collection! Our knowledgeable sales team is here for all your questions.

15 Interesting Engagement Ring Facts

2023-02-222024-05-31 by Rylee Kahan

For centuries partners have been gifting one another engagement rings with their marriage proposals as a sign of their love and commitment. While certain details of the practice have changed over time, tradition largely remains. When asking for a hand in marriage it is custom to present a ring, usually set with a diamond, to be worn on the third finger of the left hand. Read more to learn about interesting engagement customs and engagement ring history!

Engagement Ring Facts

It’s believed that engagement rings originated in Ancient Egypt, where their shape symbolized eternity. They believed that only the third finger of the left hand had a vein that connected straight to the heart, so that’s where the engagement ring was worn. However, scientifically, all fingers have veins that ultimately connect to the heart, not just the third left.
In Ancient Rome, women often wore two rings – a gold one to be worn outside and seen by everyone, and an iron one to wear at home.
Archduke Maximilian I of Austria was the first person to give a diamond engagement ring. In 1477, he proposed to Mary of Burgundy with a ring adorned with an M-shaped diamond.
Different countries have different engagement ring customs. In the U.S., engagement rings are typically worn on the left hand while in Russia and India, they are worn on the right.
Only about 35 percent of engagement rings are bought without the fiancée’s knowledge.
The most popular engagement ring shape is a round brilliant cut diamond. Second place currently goes to princess cut diamonds.
Platinum was once the popular choice for wedding rings due in part to its durability. Then yellow gold took over for many years as the more affordable choice. More recently, white gold gained the upper hand in popularity, and platinum once again became more affordable. However, yellow gold has recently been making a strong comeback for engagement and wedding rings, and other diamond jewelry.

Until recently, engagement rings were chosen by men to be worn by women. Nowadays, it’s not uncommon for the men to involve their partners in the selection process, or even wear “management” rings themselves!
“Diamond” originates from the Greek word “adamas,” which means “hardest substance” or “hardest steel.”
A staggering 2,000 couples get engaged at Disney World every year. The Statue of Liberty is another popular choice with about 100 couples taking the ferry there to get engaged.
Grace Kelly’s diamond engagement ring is among the most expensive rings. Created by Cartier, the 10.48 carat emerald cut diamond ring was purchased in 1956 for $4 million and is now valued at $44.3 million.
Colorless diamonds are by far the most popular engagement ring stones, although colored diamonds have recently risen in popularity, most notably the fancy yellow.
Diamonds are the most durable gemstone, ranking 10 on the Mohs Scale, making them the most long-lasting choice of gemstone for engagement rings.
Even though diamonds are extremely tough, the rings in which they are set still require a bit of maintenance, so periodic professional exams are recommended to check prongs for wear.
14% of couples choose a gemstone other than diamond for their engagement ring, such as sapphire, ruby, or emerald.

Engagement Rings in San Diego

At Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, we boast an incredible selection of wedding and engagement rings of all shapes and sizes. What’s more, you can also share your design ideas with us and get a custom-made engagement ring that fits your personality perfectly. We are located on San Diego Avenue just off the 5 freeway, so don’t hesitate to stop by. We’d love to help you find the perfect engagement ring to create the perfect memory.

The History of Hearts On Fire

2023-02-152024-05-25 by Rylee Kahan

Hearts On Fire is a well-known diamond jewelry design and manufacturing company that was founded in 1996 by Glenn & Susan Rothman. About 20 years prior to the founding of Hearts On Fire, the couple started a diamond wholesale business.

While in Europe in 1996, they saw a unique diamond with a geometrically optimized cut that displayed a hearts and arrows pattern. They called it the “Hearts On Fire” diamond and started selling it with the trademark, “The World’s Most Perfectly Cut Diamond®.”

By 1999 the company had a presence in Asia and the Caribbean and launched its first collection of diamond jewelry, creating rings and earrings using their own diamonds. They patented the “Dream” cut diamond in 2002, which was a version of the modified square cut.

Hearts On Fire Partnerships

The same year that the “Dream” cut diamond was patented, Hearts On Fire supplied fashion designer Anne Bowen with diamonds to create a dress for the 74^th Academy Awards. Bowen created a diamond dress, worn by Jules Asner, and estimated to cost over $5 million.

For the 60^th anniversary of the Emmy Awards in 2008, Hearts On Fire created a diamond chandelier. This was following the company’s launch of their Architectural Collection, which was a jewelry line that celebrated architectural structures from around the world. The chandelier was created with over 3,300 diamonds, weighing over 1,000 carats, and valued at $10 million. It was hung in the award show’s green room.

The World’s Most Perfectly Cut Diamond®

All Hearts On Fire diamonds are chosen from the top 1% of the world’s raw diamonds, then they’re cut and polished at 100x magnification, 10 times more than the industry standard. Only a handful of master diamond cutters are allowed to cut Hearts On Fire diamonds, and they take 4x longer to cut. The microscopic precision the company requires results in a diamond of unparalleled brilliance.

Cutting a diamond to exact mathematically-determined proportions allows the stone to sparkle more brilliantly as the maximum amount of natural light is refracted and reflected. Due to the intense brilliance displayed by a Hearts On Fire diamond, it can be seen sparkling even in a dimly lit restaurant or if it’s not perfectly clean.

Hearts On Fire Diamonds in San Diego

Not all “ideal cut” diamonds are created equal, so visit our showroom to compare ordinary ideal cut diamonds with Hearts On Fire diamonds. Our experienced sales team is here to help you find the perfect Hearts On Fire jewelry.

The History of Tiffany & Co. Since 1837

2023-02-112024-05-25 by Rylee Kahan

Tiffany & Co. 1837

Tiffany & Co. was founded in 1837 by jeweler Charles Lewis Tiffany and his business partner John B. Young. The company started out as a stationary and fancy goods emporium (originally named Tiffany & Young) and quickly moved to Lower Manhattan in 1838. Charles Tiffany had effectively established his company in the jewelry industry by 1853, pulling away from its origins as a luxury odds and ends company.

Within 8 years of the company being founded, they released their first mail order catalog in 1845 which is known as the Tiffany & Co. “Blue Book.” They were the first company in the United States to send a mail order catalog, and it was their first debut of the iconic 1837 Blue color which was later patented and branded in 1998.

In 1853 Charles took over sole ownership and control of the company and it was officially named Tiffany & Co. After this, the company moved to a store in Union Square where it flourished as the destination for New York’s fashionable and wealthy elite in the 1870’s. At this time, Tiffany was known for Japonesque-style silverware and diamond jewelry. Charles became known as the “King of Diamonds.”

What’s known as the Tiffany diamond was purchased by the company in 1878 as an uncut stone. The diamond weighs 128.54 carats after being cut and is an intense canary yellow stone from South African deposits.

Just over a decade later, in 1889, Tiffany & Co. redefined jewelry as an art form at the Paris Exposition Universelle. They presented 24 life-sized orchid brooches and won first place for their groundbreaking work.

1900's

In the 1900’s Louis Comfort Tiffany took over the company as their first design director following his father’s death. 50 years after their Paris win, the company’s new-founded Art Deco style triumphed at the 1939 World’s Fair. One piece of jewelry presented at the fair featured a 200-carat aquamarine with 429 diamond, and was sold for $28,000. Adjusting for inflation, that’s just over half a million dollars in today’s value.

This necklace from 1939 was the predecessor of Tiffany & Co.’s World’s Fair Necklace. This updated necklace was unveiled in 2021 at a Tiffany event in Dubai, and is valued between $20-30 million. Tiffany had the chance to work with an 80-carat diamond, and soon after archivists found a sketch of the predecessor.

These two events led to Tiffany & Co. remaking the World’s Fair Necklace, this time with an 80-carat diamond centerpiece and 578 surrounding diamonds. The center wasn’t set with a diamond only because of the company’s opportunity to work with such a large diamond. The choice was made after the original sketch found by archivists presented the necklace with a diamond, not an aquamarine.

One year after the 1939 World’s Fair, Tiffany & Co. moved to their flagship Fifth Avenue store. The location is well-recognized due to the filming of Breakfast at Tiffany’s in 1961 featuring Audrey Hepburn.

Present Day Tiffany & Co.

In the late 20^th century, following their move to Fifth Avenue, designers Elsa Peretti and Paloma Picasso joined Tiffany & Co. The two designers are credited with bringing new, approachable styles to the brand. Peretti is the creator of the well-known Diamond by the Yard collection, and Picasso created the unique Graffiti collection. While they were two very different styles, they both brought accessibility to the brand for New Yorkers and others around the world.

In recent years Tiffany has notably worked with Nike to create a unique line of shoes. The brand has maintained its approachability to consumers and while they continue to produce extravagant jewelry pieces, they also have a wide collection of sterling silver jewelry that’s made to be worn daily by anyone.

Visit Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers today to view our large vintage Tiffany & Co. collection. We have vintage Tiffany engagement rings, “Please Return to Tiffany” bracelets and necklaces, as well as jewelry from both the Elsa Peretti and Paloma Picasso collections. Our team is eager to help you find great vintage Tiffany & Co. rings, bracelets, necklaces, and more!

2022 Christmas Gift Guide from Leo Hamel’s

2022-12-172024-05-28 by Rylee Kahan

Are you still looking for a last-minute Christmas gift? Christmas shopping later in the season can be extremely stressful, and we’re to help! We have gifts for everyone that are sure to leave a lasting impression this Christmas.

Here’s a peek into our jewelry, watch, and handbag collection. All of the items are available to view at our San Diego showroom at 1851 San Diego Ave., Suite #130.

Christmas Gifts For Her

Need a shiny gift for her this Christmas? We have a huge collection of jewelry, new & pre-owned watches, and handbags for all your gifting needs.

White gold floral stud earrings centered with round cut emeralds surrounded by diamond haloes.

New 0.42 CTW Diamond & Emerald Earrings. Retails for: $1,450, Our Price: $1,350

New 2.42 CTW OpalRing

Vintage 0.50 CTW Diamond & Pearl Bracelet

Vintage 0.18 CTW DiamondNecklace

Vintage 0.34 CTW DiamondEarrings

New Denny Wong 9.72 CTW Blue Topaz Earrings

Vintage Tiffany & Co.Necklace

*Availability may vary. Many of our items are vintage and pre-owned and we have limited stock. Call or visit us to view our collections.

Taaffeite

Tanzanite

Black Opal

Red Beryl

Benitoite

Alexandrite

Musgravite

Painite

Grandidierite

Engagement Ring Facts

Engagement Rings in San Diego

Hearts On Fire Partnerships

The World’s Most Perfectly Cut Diamond®

Hearts On Fire Diamonds in San Diego

Tiffany & Co. 1837

1900's

Present Day Tiffany & Co.

Christmas Gifts For Her

Lab-Grown Diamond Gifts

Christmas Gifts For Him

Engagement Rings

Extraordinary Christmas Gifts

Schedule Regular Cleanings

Gentle Home Ring Cleaning (only if you must clean at home)

Insure Your Valuables

Consider an Alternate

Avoid Chemicals

Weather Matters

Safe Keeping

Restore White Gold

New 2.42 CTW Opal
Ring

Vintage 0.18 CTW Diamond
Necklace

Vintage 0.34 CTW Diamond
Earrings

Vintage Tiffany & Co.
Necklace