Diamonds in the Rough: The New Bling?

Like diamonds but you're so over the same old sparkles? Get yourself a diamond in the rough, darling. Specifically, a jewelry setting that features a rough diamond as the main attraction.

Diamond in the Rough is a company started in 2003 that designs high end jewelry featuring rough, uncut diamonds. The rough diamonds are typically embellished with sparkly pave diamonds. Bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and rings are available. The line will soon be available at Bergdorf Goodman's in New York. Celebrities such as Jamie Lynn Siegler enjoy the unique beauty of these diamonds.

Before the days of polishing diamonds, and before celebrities became our modern day kings and queens, rough diamonds were worn by royalty.

These jewelry pieces celebrate the natural beauty of diamonds. The website shows the collection but does not list prices, which can only be assumed to be high end, also. One cocktail ring, for instance, features an 89.10 carat uncut diamond. For my own purposes, I am more willing and able to celebrate the uncut beauty of other stones, such as crystals. I find the look of juxtaposing uncut stones with rows of small polished diamonds very attractive. The creator of the idea to use uncut diamonds in jewelry is Daniel Escapa, who joined with Anjanette Clisura to start Diamond in the Rough in 2003.

Those who like jewelry that is different from the usual selections might really be drawn to this line. Others appreciate the beauty of the diamond in its natural state but prefer cut diamonds to actually wear. The rough diamond jewelry collection has been featured on the Today show and magazines such as Forbes. I would guess that the creations are borrowed by or given as gifts to celebrities to increase their exposure. They are probably only actually purchased by those with considerable disposable income, people who must seek out that which is not only expensive but one of a kind.

The diamonds used in this jewelry are conflict free. Awareness of diamonds and their role in political corruption has gained attention in recent years. In 2002 the Kimberley Process was created. It ensures that diamonds can be certified as not being from areas that use the revenue from their sales for unethical or illegal activities.

I would guess that these jewelry creations are borrowed by or given as gifts to celebrities to increase their exposure. They are probably only actually purchased by those with considerable disposable income, people who must seek out that which is not only expensive, but one of a kind. For when any big old sparkly diamond just won't do, perhaps the only acceptable thing is a diamond in the rough.

Sources:

http://diamondintherough.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond