Franck Muller Mater of Complications

Franck Muller watches are of the most complicated and finest watches in the world. The manufacturing was founded in Geneva by Franck Muller and Cartan Sirmakes with a goal of creating exclusive timepieces designed with complicated movements and originality. They have succeeded in boldness and creative designs.

Franck decided to devote his career to create highly complicated watches and started working in his workshop on timepieces that would become exceptional world premieres. In 1991, he met Vartan Sirmakes, who challenged him to turn a small volume production into a prestigious brand and enterprise that Franck Muller is today.

Franck Muller is a Swiss watchmaker and the brand of watches carries the slogan "Master of Complications". Franck Muller's watches are worn by many celebrities such as Demi Moore, Elton John and 50 Cent. 


“Master Banker” is a collection that is drawn from the finance and business world, and the emblematic Vanguard a collection with modern and innovative designs.

Franck Muller is known for the most complicated wristwatch in the world, the Aeternitas Mega. This watch is created with 36 complications and 1,483 components so impressive.

The most amazing pink diamonds recovered this year.....

The Argyle Mine in the East Kimberly region of West Australia is famed for 90% of the worlds most desired pink and red diamonds, the pink are known as "Prized Pink". It's most famous pinks sold at Southerby's auction in April of 2017 for $71 million, known as the "Pink Star" and was a whopping 59.6 carats.

The Argyle mine is the worlds biggest diamond mine and is preparing to close in 2020. It has been operating for four decades. In 1983 they began operating supplying gems for brokers and banks.

The mine also has the largest volume of lower valued brown diamonds. In the below photo you will se the diamonds from this years annual tender. An annual tender is held by miners, which is invitation only way for diamond buyers to see the mines showcasing of the 50 - 60 of the years most valuable diamonds.

The following photos below are Provident Jewelry's most prized possession pink diamonds that we are offering for sale. Stunning pink diamonds that are breath taking and will make any woman feel like a princess! Please reach out to me if you have any questions about any of these items or the perfect pink you desire.

Miseno

The Miseno jewelry line is a modern day collection of fine jewelry that is fashion forward. Brand founder, Antonio Cardamuro, previously was with jewelry houses such as Bulgar, Bedat and Buccellati. Buccellati is where I met Antonio approximately a decade ago. Our paths have continued to cross over the years and I have always enjoyed him as a person and to see him expand in the jewelry business with his own collection.

Antonio is from Miseno, Italy himself, the line pays homage to the town's storied past, undeniably neptunian influence pervades over the collection. Miseno's name derives from the mythical famed trumpeter Misenus, who lost a famed musical battle to the sea God Triton. A point of fact is that the Roman's believed that entering the city of Miseno through the ancient Roman arch,  Arco Felice, one would find love and happiness. What a beautiful thought!

Antonio's vision began to take shape with such rich history and incredible landscape as his muse. The collection is extremely feminine  and fashion forward with a modern twist. Diamonds, pearl and semi-precious gemstone embellishments, beautifully capture the influences of the ocean and other nature elements. 

Below are several photos of the line and you will see the soft feminine lines as well as modern look in Antonio's designs. 

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Behind the scenes of Gucci's creative director Alessandro Michele

The global brand Gucci's creative director Alessandro Michele appointed to his current position in 2015, has taken the Gucci line to new heights. The line was stagnant for sometime, yet since Alessandro has brought his flair for costume design to the brand, we are seeing sexy with a twist of chic trendiness.  I personally love some of the new Le Marche' des Merveilles jewelry, which loosely translates to The Path of Wonders.  

He's an avid collector of many things, such as he has over 360 pairs of shoes in his closet, 35 different copies of the childhood story book Alice in Wonderland and collects miniature Meissen porcelain pugs. So, the whimsical style makes sense as his mother was in cinema and his fascination with Alice in Wonderland as well as his love for costume design.

In 2015 he was awarded the "International Designer of the Year" at the British awards held at the London Coliseum. The New York times called him, fashion's modern mastermind! Alessandro Michele a relatively unknown name in the design world before 2015. And, since on the scene has introduced "gender equality" by dress male models in an unconventional fashion. The 2016 Spring/Summer women's wear collection was largely appreciated and documented as "something more eccentric and bohemian". 

Now in 2019, such a short time for his success he is known as one of the top global influencers! Quit a cry from no one knowing who he was.... To see the newest eclectic, feline motif fine jewelry Gucci collection do come visit me at Provident Jewelry at 766 5th Avenue South, Naples, FL 34106 or call me at 239.784.2682. I look forward to working with you!

2018 jewelry collection from the runway

Le Merche' des Merveilles Collection

A photo of Alessandro Michele

Timeless treasures.....

Milan, Italy in 1967 Pino Rabolini, the heir of a goldsmith legacy, founded the jewelry line Pomellato. It was a time characterized with great creative visions and a more avant-garde way of living compared to today.

The line is known for it's sophisticated color palettes, peculiar shapes and innovative designs, making the jewelry distinctive in it's own right. The name Pomellato comes from the deep fascination Pino had for horses. Pomellato is an adjective referred to a dappled horse. Dappled meaning spotted or patches of color on the animal. As you view the color, that is exactly what you will see, spots as well as patches of beautiful and distinctive color.

The brand has become in international luxury must have because of it's modern, yet unconventional look. The designs are robust in gold weight with seamless lines and colors that make a bold statement. The eight different collections tells a story of it's own, with it's richness in history, luxurious appearance and timelessness of design.

Each and every design is a masterpiece of history, craftsmanship and innovation that any woman would love to wear.

Jewelry to wear with NYC Spring 2018 fashions.....

New York City's Spring 2018 fashion trends you will be seeing;

1. The American Dream - Red, White & Blue combinations, which makes Ruby's, Diamonds & Blue Sapphires up and coming for the spring seasons jewelry wardrobe.

2. 90's urban vibe that is super casual, which chunky solid gold and silver bangles or link bracelets are the thing to compliment this trend.

3. Denim, denim and more denim. Anything goes here ladies, from mix metals, colored gemstones to lots of bling...... it's your call and I am sure you will look stunning with whatever you choose to wear.

4. Monochromatic color ways of fuchsia, lemon yellow, vibrant orange to Christmas tree green and in keeping with this trend my suggestion is you break out the pink sapphires, canary yellow, padparadscha sapphires,  white diamonds & emerald suits.

5. Transparencies, sheer, skin revealing fabrics and with this trend let's keep it simple showing our most glamorous side. A simple diamond pendant or diamond tennis bracelet with your diamonds hoop earrings.

                             RUBY EARRINGS FOR THE AMERICAN DREAM....

FOR THE URBAN SUPER CASUAL, FOPE WORKS PERFECT!!!

DIAMONDS WITH DENIM ALWAYS WILL BE A SMASH.

FOR THE MONOCHROMATIC OUTFIT IN GREEN!

TRANSPARENCIES AND ROBERTO COIN DIAMOND HOOPS.

*For more information about any of the jewelry photos you see here, please do not hesitate to call me at 239.649.7200 from 10 - 5pm, Monday, Tuesday & Thursday - Saturday!

Roberto Coin Sauvage Prive' Collection.....

The Sauvage Prive' is one of the most AVANTE GARDE collections in the Roberto Coin universe and his vision for this collection was to embody the characteristics of the woman of the future.

This collection is EXCLUSIVE to Provident "766" Naples meaning, we are the only retailer on the Westcoast of Florida and one out of two retailers in Florida to have this collection. Roberto Coin is one of Provident's leading brands and we are thrilled to have this amazing collection that is exclusive to our area and our state.

The Sauvage collection is angular, geometric shapes that co-exist side-by-side with another more exuberant, emblematic one – together eliminating superfluous elements from the elegance of the design, making way for the most instinctive and passionate side of femininity.  

Hence, the name of the collection – an unprecedented combination of exotic passion and well-defined courage – representing the woman of the future.  

It is available in 18K rose, yellow and white gold with accents of diamonds, Sauvage Privé is a collection suited for the woman who invariably seeks to make a statement.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me at 239.784.2682 as I would love to show you the collection and discuss it further. Giving you ideas of how to mix and match it with your current jewelry!

Keeping with St. Patrick's Day.....the world of peridot!

I do love the color green, maybe because it's one of the colors of the Italian flag and it is the birthstone for August. Yes, I am Italian and my birthday is in August. Peridot has a fascinting history both in nature and culture. It is one of the oldest gemstones, ancient records document the mining of this beautiful gemstone as early as 1500 B.C. This gem is especially connected with ancient Egypt, some actually believe the famous emeralds of Cleopatra's were actually peridot, not emeralds. Most gems are formed in the earth's crust, yet the two exceptions are peridot and diamonds. Peridot forms in magma, which is approximately 20 to 55 miles deeper than the earth's crust. Then, brought to the surface by tectonic or volcanic activity. I think the entire gemstone growth process is absolutely fascinating.

Also, another thing that sets this gemstone apart from others is it's one of the few gemstones that forms in only one color an olive-green. The intensity and tint of the green, is determined by the amount of iron that is contained in the crystal structure. So, the color of individual peridot gems can differ from yellow, to olive, to brownish-green. In rare cases, peridot can occur in medium-dark tones, visually pure green with a secondary yellow hue or brown mask.

Truly a lovely stone for those who fancy the color green. Some yummy jewelry below; what is your favorite piece?

18K White Gold Round Martini Studs With 48 Diamonds=.18ctw GH-VS2/SI1 and Two 6.5mm Peridot=2.00ctw

"HENRY DUNAY" List price ~$32K D~4CTS 2P~6CTS

18K White Gold Ring with a Burmese Peridot=16.71ct and 68 Diamonds=.58ctw G-H/VS2-SI1

18k Yellow Gold Agate, Peridot & Diamond Pendant

* This is a pendant that I designed, thought you might like to see some of my work!

The House & History of Buccellati....

I am always drawn to Italian jewelry design collections and one of our most luxurious in my opinion would be the house of Buccellati. The Italian firm, Buccellati was founded in Milan in 1919 and known for it’s beautiful handcrafted items designed in yellow and white gold or platinum. They use a unique engraving skill, parallel engraving, which creates a sheen appearance. The other unique design that Buccellati is known for is an imitate linen look. Their most delicate texture engraving is called modellato, very old world Italian craftsmanship that is very time consuming and delicate looking.

In 1909, at the age of 12, Mario Buccellati apprenticed with the highly respected firm, Beltrami & Beltrami, in Milan. In 1919, Buccellati took over the firm and renamed it Buccellati. Because of his unique handcrafted items such as his watches and rings, Buccellati became internationally known.


Later, four of his five sons entered the business and they opened stores in Rome in 1925, followed by Florence in 1929. In 1951, he was the first Italian craftsman to open a store in New York on Fifth Avenue. Today, the store in NYC is located on Madison Avenue featuring the latest and core designs that Mario became famous for.

In 1967, Mario died and his four sons split the business. The company has had changes through out the resent years, yet the luxurious quality and image have stayed consistent to the original vision of Mario Buccellati.


Please see photos of the designs below and to see the trunk show, which is here through February please visit me at Provident Jewelry, 766 5th Ave South, Naples, FL 34102 or for an appointment call 239.649.7200.

Diamonds formation, from rock to beauty.....

Diamonds form under extreme temperature and pressure. Then, through cataclysmic eruption they are brought to the earth’s surface.  It’s truly amazing they survive a process so violent and explosive. There are two types of source rock that can form a diamond: igneous rock - molten lava that is formed into a solid state becoming a rock, and metamorphic rock - pre-existing rocks that have been altered by heat as well as pressure. If the temperature and pressure vary just slightly, or the diamonds take too long to be brought to the earth’s surface, graphite is formed, not diamonds. This is why large diamonds rarely survive in one piece.  Precise conditions need to be in place, and the volatility of impact is enormous. The diamonds are brought to the earth’s surface by either kimberlite or lampoite, and sometimes, a geological process called emplacement delivers them to the earth’s surface.

After arriving on the surface of the earth, diamonds can live millions of years in rivers, streams and ocean tides before being found my a miner. They might wait hundreds of millions of years before arriving at the surface. The diamonds that exist today were most likely on the earth’s surface 20 million to 2.5 billion years ago. Now those numbers I find astonishing.

Diamonds have the highest hardness on the Moh’s scale (an industry wide geological scale), and can be contaminated by very few types of impurities. Some of the diamonds are gems with non-gem qualities. They can be used as sandpaper surface, or as tools for cutting, grinding and drilling for many different industries inside and outside of the jewelry industry.

Today, diamonds are more available and affordable than at other times in history. Yet, while they are abundantly available, diamonds with high clarity and color grading are still very rare, and of course, those stones are very valuable.

The world of mining is challenging, from finding a source that will be profitable, to dealing with ecological, environment or political conditions, it is an expensive undertaking. One is looking at hundreds of millions, if not billions, as an investment to embark on the process, hoping for a profit. It requires intense exploration, years of planning and construction, and on top of it all, potentially profitable diamond sources are very rare. Yet, there are mines that produce gem quality diamonds which have been in operation for decades.

Until the eighteenth century, India was the world’s only major diamond source. Today’s diamond sources are Canada, the US, Brazil, Venezuela, Guyana, Russia, India, China, Indonesia, Australia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Dominican Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and South Africa. Namibia is perhaps the largest marine diamond deposit in the world.

Please see below, the amazing diamonds we offer at Provident Jewelry. We provide a selection like no other from very petite, to 20 carat rings, and all of them have their own unique character as well as beauty. I hope that if you did not know much about diamonds, this article helped you appreciate what it takes for a diamond to be available to you, and trust me, I only shared a portion of the process. It’s remarkable what our mother earth creates for us, and what a privilege it is that we have the opportunity to appreciate this beauty.

Thank you for reading and as always sparkle on…..

Tiffany & Company Platinum Diamond Ring 3.37 (Graded by Tiffany as F,VV2) center stone in platinum baguette mounting (side diamonds =.48 cts tw)

Emerald Cut = 10.07cts Diamond I VVS2 Ring set in Platinum with two side trapezoids = 1.40cts. comes with GIA report

Platinum Engagement Ring with Round Brilliant Round Diamond=11.16ct H, SI1 GIA Triple X/ Mounting 326 Dia.=1.32ctw

Phenomenal Gems - The Feldspar Family

Phenomenal Gems - Labradorite Feldspar & Moonstone Labradorite Feldspar

Feldspar is most widespread mineral on the earth's crust and has some of the most diverse gemstones. I have designed jewelry using Labradorite Feldspar for years, not knowing that this gemstone was part of a large group of related species with several different varieties. The feldspar group has many members. Some are suitable for jewelry, while others are not because of either their lack in durability or availability. Members of this family vary slightly in chemical composition and sometimes crystal structure. The gemstones vary widely in appearance and it is the chemical elements that make up the appearance. Interestingly enough, some of this family has a phenomenal appearance while others do much the same way as some people in a family stand out more than others. 

Moonstone has been very popular for decades. In the 1960’s during the “flower child” movement ,it was popular for it’s exquisite beauty. In the 1990’s ,the New Age movement turned to it for it’s natural beauty while the luxury jewelry industry started designing with it in the early 2000’s. I personally became aware of the gemstone then, and have loved it ever since. Several designers, whose work I admire,  such as those from Saks to Nieman’s, who have used Moonstone in their collections. It’s a stone that catches your eye because the vivid adularescence, which is noticeably appealing. Anything sparkly interested me, which most of you know by now.

The moonstone is a variety of Orthoclase while Labradorite is it’s variety as well as species. Top quality moonstone is found in Sri Lanka while commercial grade, which is primarily most of the gemstones you and I will see, is mined from Myanmar and India. Most often you will see moonstone in as a cabochon gemstone. It is so plentiful there are calibrated sizes, meaning standard jewelry size stones available a the wholesale level.  Another labradorite variety is Sunstone that is mined in Oregon and is not treated. Some buyers search out as well as it being a gemstone from the USA.  

There is a place on the Cambria Coastline in California that is called Moonstone Beach and after a heavy storm one can find moonstone gems on the beach amongst the rocks on the shore line. During the storm the water churns up gemstones, separating them from the earth's crust while the surface to the beaches shore line. This is a place on my bucket list! If it wasn't a 5.5 hour drive from San Diego I would venture there several times a week while here in California to see what I can find. 

Blind Pass Beach on Sanibel Island one can find sharks teeth on the beach on any given day. It's amazing what mother nature provides to us that is both beautiful and fascinating to explore.

Labradorite was found on the coast of Labrador ,Canada around 1770 ,by a missionary, hence the name Labradorite. This stone is used decoratively, often as carved into designs for a richly patterned look. Fine Labradorite Feldspar shimmers with a unique iridescent phenomenon that you can see below in some of the earrings shown. 

If you have not been aware of this gorgeous gemstone family, I hope you can appreciate and find a love for this stone as I have. Thank you for reading this week's blog and until next time sparkle on…..

Designer Paula Crevoshay's blackened-gold, faceted blue moonstone, fuchsia, sapphire, and diamond cymbidium orchid brooch is part of the Garden of Light collection by Crevoshay. It is a painted jewel.  ~ Moonsonte(18)=29.24ct. Red Spinel(25)=0.78ct. This brooch is from Provident Jewelry's Collection, Naples, FL.

Kaufmann de Suisse since 1954 has designed distinctive elegant jewelry and the company has won five Diamond International Awards building a reputation as a world famous designer catering to the elite of society. This estate necklace is set in 18k white gold and the 9 moonstones have a gorgeous blue sheen with a milky or cloudy look to the cabochon. This is a necklace that can be worn for many occasions from casual to elegant, it just needs the right outfit styled correctly and the right attitude!!! This necklace is from Provident Jewelry’s Collection, Naples, FL. 

      

Maryann Scandiffio Jewelry Design - Labradorite Felspar, the earrings on the left are a greenish grey with a pink and white sheen while the x-large earrings on the right are a highly prized gemstones because of the blueish grey color and the luscious blue sheen that this gemstone is known for. Although to me, it’s a personal preference in color composition that makes you happy when selecting the perfect piece for you. At the end of the day it’s about finding what gemstone speaks to you, will make you happy when you put it on and is something that won’t sit in your jewelry box. Jewelry is meant to be worn and adorned…...

* If you have any interest in any of the items above please contact me for more details.

Jade ~ The precious gem....

JADE

The precious gem known as the “stone of heaven” has been treasured by the Asian culture for thousands of years for its rich heritage. The trade name for the finest quality semitransparent jadeite with its even, and vivid color is called Imperial Jade. The modern gemologists use the word “Jade” which includes Jadeite & Nephrite. The gems are soft enough to carve, but tough enough to withstand a carvers constant pounding of his hammer on the gem. Jadeite is commercially available, but top-quality is rare. Jadeite also comes in an array of colors: lavender, red, orange, yellow, brown, white, black & gray. Green is the most valuable and most expensive, it can have a price tag of over $3 million dollars per carat. 

In China & Europe, during the Stone Age, workers shaped Jadeite into weapons, tools, ornaments & ritual objects. The carvings are believed to invoke the powers of heaven, earth, and mystic forces of life & death. The ancient relationship between this gemstone and humanity persists today among native societies in New Zealand & parts of North America. In China it became an artistic tradition that has prospered for more than 3,000 years.

The Chinese culture associate jade with clarity of mind and purity of spirit. Some of the ancient symbolic motifs still used in modern carvings are: the bat for happiness, butterfly for long life, dragon for power, prosperity & goodness, peach for immortality and the Bi, the flat circular disk with a hole in the center which is for heaven. In China there is a tradition that a girl's parents give her a Jadeite bangle to wish her a good and prosperous life, it is something the girl does not take off.  She will wear it into adulthood.

The Jade gemstone has never been a powerful or important stone for our culture in the United States, but I have seen some amazing carved pieces here.  Designers today are creating modern looks that are stylish with a chic contemporary feel. Below you will find several pieces that are my favorites of the Jade we we have to offer.

Carved Jadeite Earrings

Jade "Spirituality of Vitality" Pendant

Tasteful & timeless turquoise......

Turquoise is valued for a combination of its ancient heritage and attractive color. Its finest color is an even, intense, medium blue, sometimes described as “robin egg” blue.  Although, some prefer a greenish blue as seen in some contemporary designer jewelry.  This color is anywhere from avocado to lime green turquoise. The source for top color is the Nishapur district in Iran, the country formerly known as Persia. That’s why you may have heard of “Persian turquoise” before. American & Mexican turquoise is light blue, or greenish blue to bluish green in color. While Egyptian turquoise is greenish blue to yellowish green. The bluer the shade the more copper it contains. 

The stone is often cut into cabochons, but you will see it in beaded jewelry as well as flat pieces of inlays often found in Native American jewelry. In the 1970's, this gem was extremely popular. The largest and most consistent market for this beautiful stone is the American Southwest. The Sleeping Beauty mine is in Globe, Arizona, which is the world's top turquoise producer. 

I found it interesting that in the Victorian era there was a surge in ornate turquoise jewelry designs. I have always associated it with the Native American culture. Fine estate pieces from the Art Deco period of the early twentieth century are often set in platinum combined with diamonds. Such vintage treasures occupy the high end of today’s turquoise market, and Provident Jewelry has a dynamite collection of turquoise time period pieces. Below are two pairs of earrings that are absolutely stunning.

Until next week, remember to sparkle on and thank you for reading!