Thank you thank you thank you. As a long time collector of Alexandrite I have seen literally hundreds of them and have never ever seen one change to a ruby red. To me it''s always been a chase (albeit a slow one) to find one that has that property. I''ve found some that are very burgundy but never red! I can now stop looking safe in the knowledge that I have some fine Alexandrites and the elusive red has been colour corrected!!!
But at least this one is raspberry-red, the one in Richard's book is green-to-plain red. I wonder if it was photoshopped, or the same effect could be achieved by playing with the lighting...
Richard your observations are very interesting and I would agree (and did so earlier in this thread)! However, I do have two Alexandrites that are very "emerald" like - obviously there are differences but they are probably nearer to an emerald than my Tsavorites. In fact I was in a jewellers (high end jewellers) and was actually asked if the ring I had on was an emerald. Now if only I could ever capture the "green" of the Alex as I see it with my eyes, I would be happy to show you but I/my camera are totally incapable of photographing the green!
Is it a part of "the Meninas" by Velasquez?Date: 1/7/2010 9:33:48 AM
Author: tourmaline_lover
I like how the article calls the Hope a more 'drab stone.'
Thanks for the article Richard, very interesting read.
BTW, here's a painting of the little princess that the diamond was purchased for. I can't imagine letting my little girl going around wearing the Whittelsbach.Oh how times have changed.
The infanta Margarita Teresa of Spain (circa 1659).
I'm not sure of the painting name, but I do know that Velazquez did paint several portraits of her. Poor girl, died at 21, after having SIX children, and being married off at 15 to her hideous uncle. I'm actually glad times have changed!! The Whittelsbach was part of her dowry to her husband King Leopold.Date: 1/7/2010 12:14:41 PM
Author: crasru
Is it a part of 'the Meninas' by Velasquez?Date: 1/7/2010 9:33:48 AM
Author: tourmaline_lover
I like how the article calls the Hope a more 'drab stone.'
Thanks for the article Richard, very interesting read.
BTW, here's a painting of the little princess that the diamond was purchased for. I can't imagine letting my little girl going around wearing the Whittelsbach.Oh how times have changed.
The infanta Margarita Teresa of Spain (circa 1659).
Still think it was an audacious decision to rename it Wittelsbach-Graff's diamond. Stones can be very unlucky, and the dynasty was known for bad luck even among other European dynasties.
Just imagine, Mr. Graff buying Venus of Milo. Do you think the first thing he would do would be to give it arms? And rename her Venus of Milo-Graff?
The world famous Hope Diamond and Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond were not cut from the same stone, a National Gem Collection statement said. The latter is part of a Smithsonian Institution collection.
According a statement by Jeffrey Post, the National Gem Collection''s curator, quoted by the Seattle Times, "There is an uncanny resemblance (between the blue diamonds), but they are different. They are not part of the same crystal or rough."
The two blue diamonds were examined under a variety of microscopes and lights at the Smithsonian to try and solve the centuries-old mystery of their possible common origin. The Hope Diamond weighs 45.52 carats and the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond weighs 31.06 carats. Both gemstones have a deep blue color.
The National Gem Collection had the opportunity to probe the diamonds after the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond, which has not been on public display for more than 50 years, was lent to the Smithsonian for display, alongside the Hope Diamond.
last year I did a photoshoot (model, not stones) and I can tell you that people today are so used to photoshop and the idea of perfection its absolutely ridiculous. They don't care that it dosen't look exactly like the person, trust me.
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