Who works with you in your business?
“We have a small but very talented team who are all as passionate about jewellery as I am. Between us we have a wealth of expertise in design, valuation, gemmology that allows us to offer the highest level of service to each client.” “My son George now works on the operational side and I oversee […]
Tell us a little bit of history of your business and how it was established.
“I have been a manufacturing jeweller for almost 50 years and have had a love of designing and handcrafting pieces since I began in 1972. After many years on the bench, I opened a small workshop in 1989 in the heart of Geelong. I was fortunate enough that local word of mouth kept myself and […]
What trends are you seeing in diamond jewellery and what do you predict for the coming year?
I would like to see all jewellery become completely ethical and sustainably crafted. The future is in our hands and Calleija understands stronger actions must be taken to help protect our planet. We have become extremely conscious of every step we take. From eliminating single use plastics, to the energy efficient practices we use in […]
If you could design your dream piece of diamond jewellery what would this be?
I design my dream piece of jewellery almost every day. It is perpetual process and I often wake up at 3 am every morning with a design on my mind. I then have to unlock my imagination with my sketchbook and design it with all its details that day. We then create that piece in […]
What has been the most memorable piece you have ever designed?
I will always remember designing the ‘Virtual Eros’ diamond mask. Out of 2,500 entries, Calleija was bestowed with the De Beers International Diamond Design Award in 2000. Virtual Eros was designed with 44 carats of brilliant diamonds and was chosen as a personal favourite by Madonna. To see it featured in countless publications and in […]
What do you love about working with diamonds?
To work with diamonds is an immense privilege as they are one of nature’s most ancient treasures. Diamonds are the pinnacle of timeless beauty and universally represent endless love and eternal devotion. One of my favourite aspects about working with diamonds, is creating a piece designed to be cherished for generations. To design and create […]
How did you become a designer jeweller and what year was Calleija established?
I became a jewellery designer under the guidance of a very talented Sydney Jeweller when I was 18. He took me under his wing and I immediately fell in love with the process of imagining a design, drawing it and actually creating it. Creating fine jewellery was a perfect combination of my passion for art […]
Is there a 5th C?
Yes. The 5th C refers to Certificate. The diamond certification (also known as a grading report) is a document that contains vital information on the diamond’s properties, such as the 4Cs, fluorescence, and other remarks. Untrustworthy jewellers will frequently dismiss this document by saying things like “it’s just a piece of paper” or “you’re buying […]
What are the 4 C’s in order?
Diamond CutDiamond Colour GradeDiamond ClarityDiamond Carat Weight Many people have heard of the 4 C’s of diamonds but don’t really understand what they mean and how they impact a purchase decision. The 4 C’s were developed by the industry’s peak standards body – the Gemological Institute of America – and adopted universally by respected jewellers. […]
What is most important of the 4 C’s of diamonds?
The Cut as it has the most impact on a diamond’s brilliance and sparkle among the 4Cs (cut, colour, clarity, and carat). If the cut is excessively shallow or deep, even a diamond with perfect clarity (no imperfections or inclusions) will appear glassy or dull. As a result, when choosing a diamond, go for the […]
Carat Weight
Diamond carat weight is a measurement of how much a diamond weighs. 200 milligrammes equals one metric “carat.” 100 ‘points’ are distributed into each carat. This enables measurements to be made to the hundredth decimal place. A jeweller can use the ‘points’ alone to convey the weight of a diamond under one carat. A 0.25 […]
Clarity
To comprehend diamond clarity, we must first comprehend diamond formation. Natural diamonds are formed when carbon is exposed to extreme heat and pressure deep down. This process can produce a range of internal and external characteristics known as ‘inclusions’ and ‘blemishes.’ The quantity, size, relief, nature, and position of these characteristics, as well as how […]
Colour
Understanding the meaning of diamond hue aids in the selection of the ideal diamond. Surprisingly, the absence of colour is used to assess the hue of most gem-quality diamonds. Like a drop of pure water, a chemically pure and structurally perfect diamond has no colour and thus a higher value. The GIA’s D-to-Z diamond colour-grading […]
Cut – Anatomy of a diamond
People frequently associate “cut” with a diamond’s shape rather than its cut quality. Cut refers to a diamond’s dimensions, symmetry, and polish, which constitute the cut quality or fourth ‘C’. Table Size: The table is the diamond’s top horizontal facet. The average table size is calculated as a percentage of the girdle diameter of the […]
How do you learn to grade diamonds?
Diamond grading is a detailed evaluation of a gem by a qualified professional using the Gemological Institute of America’s 4 Cs system or the American Gem Society’s AGS 0–10 grading scale. You must take a course from a recognised authority in the industry, such as the Gemological Institute of America, to understand how to grade […]
What is the best letter grade for a diamond?
D (colourless) is the highest and best grade on the letter-grade diamond colour scale, while Z is the lowest. The D colour grade is the highest quality colour grade a diamond can achieve, and it is sometimes referred to as a diamond’s “best colour.”
Which diamond clarity is best?
FL, or flawless, is the highest clarity rating for a diamond. Even when examined at 10x magnification, the GIA only grades a diamond as perfect if it has no flaws or blemishes visible to a skilled grader. Things get a little more challenging and subjective when it comes to determining the appropriate clarity grade for […]
Is VS1 or VS2 better?
A VS1 diamond has no eye visible inclusions and the inclusions are difficult to detect under 10x magnification. These diamonds account for less than 5% of all gem-quality stones. More readily detectable inclusions are only seen in VS2 diamonds around 5% of the time, and they are more common in stones exceeding 1 carat. VS2 […]
What are the grades of a diamond?
Colour Diamonds come in a variety of hues. Diamonds in the usual colour range range from colourless to light yellow to brown. Colourless diamonds are the most valuable within that spectrum since they are the rarest. They established the benchmark for grading and pricing normal colour diamonds. Clarity Internal features called inclusions and surface abnormalities […]
History and Development
There were a multitude of methods used to quantify and classify diamonds before the current diamond grading system was implemented. Diamonds were once graded using the letters A, B, and C to indicate their quality in the 1800s. By the late 1800s, diamond quality was denoted by numerals like as I, II, III, and IV, […]
What is the most expensive diamond?
Red Diamonds are the most valuable because they are the rarest. Pure red diamonds are extremely rare. The Mousaieff Red, a 5.11ct Pure Red diamond, is the most well-known red diamond.
How much do diamonds cost?
Diamond Carat Weight Price (Per Carat, Round Brilliant Cut) Total Price 0.50 carat $1,220 – $5,800 $610 – $2,900 1.0 carat $2,500 – $18,000 $2,500 – $18,000 1.50 carat $3,300 – $24,000 $4,400 – $32,000 2.0 carat $4,200 – $29,000 $8,400 – $58,000 3.0 carat $7,200 – $51,000 $21,600 – $153,000 4.0 carat $8,400 – […]
What are the largest diamonds ever found?
The Cullinan Diamond The stunning Cullinan diamond is the largest and possibly the most famous gem-quality diamond ever discovered. Sir Thomas Cullinan discovered the raw diamond in South Africa in 1905, and it weighed a massive 3106 carats. The Excelsior Diamond The Excelsior is the third largest rough diamond of gem-quality, weighing 995.20 carats. The […]
What are the most famous diamonds?
Here are six famous diamonds. THE CULLINAN 3106ct rough weight Origin: South Africa, Transvaal On January 26, 1905, the Cullinan, the world’s largest gem-quality diamond, was discovered at the Premier Mine. THE EUREKA 10.73 carat polished diamond, one of two cut from 21.25 carat rough Oval in shape Yellow is a brilliant colour. Unknown clarity […]
What were diamonds used for in the past?
Diamonds were employed as adornments, cutting tools, and talismans to fend off evil. They were also thought to bring protection in battle. Diamonds were also utilised as a medical remedy throughout the Dark Ages, and were considered to treat illness and heal wounds when consumed. Diamonds were thought to be Gods’ tears by the ancient […]
