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Store profile: Mervis Diamond Importers.

You’ve heard me mention Mervis Diamond Importers once or twice before. They’re my new favorite enabler, with their frequent, marvelous trunk shows and open arms. I thought I’d take a minute today to focus on the store behind all the bling you’ve gotten to see me try on recently.

Store profile and review of Mervis Diamond Importers on Diamonds in the Library.

Mervis is a family business: founded in the early 1900’s as the Mervis Brothers Company, the company is still Mervis-owned today. I actually don’t think I’ve ever set foot in one of their showrooms without seeing at least one Mr. Mervis.

I’ve been to all three Mervis Diamond Importers’ locations now and I’ve never had anyone be less than extremely nice to me. All of Mervis’ sales consultants are GIA graduates and also super fun people to talk jewelry with. The showrooms are all beautifully laid out and full of carefully displayed, gently sparkling, beautiful things.

Mervis’ diamonds aren’t just high quality, they’re also ethically sourced. Mervis prides itself on a zero tolerance policy when it comes to diamond sourcing standards. As it says on their website: “Mervis upholds a strict 100% Conflict Free promise on all our diamonds. You can rest assured that all persons involved in the mining process are treated ethically in a responsible manner.”

They have three locations – one each in DC, Maryland, and Virginia – and an excellent website. If you’re considering making a fine jewelery purchase, I urge you to check them out. Be sure to sign up for their mailing list here to stay informed about all of Mervis’ events (which often involve incredible discounts on the featured pieces). They’re even having one next weekend, the Roses and Rings trunk show!

I’m also thrilled to tell you that Mervis Diamond Importers has graciously donated a piece of jewelry to us. I say “us” because they’re not giving it to me: they’re allowing me to give it away to one of you!! Yes, diamonds are involved. I’ll be posting full details on the giveaway tomorrow, so don’t forget to check back then!

 Sasha Primak diamond engagement rings at Mervis Diamond Importers. Via Diamonds in the Library.
Me at one of Mervis’ fabulous trunk shows, wearing Sasha Primak diamond engagement rings.
 
A beautiful diamond engagement ring by Sasha Primak. This design features a split shank and a diamond halo. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Here’s a better look at one of the Sasha Primak lovelies above. This beauty was my favorite of that batch – I couldn’t get over the perfection of the delicate split shank detail. Look at those lines!

 Rose gold and diamond engagement rings by Coast Diamond. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Rose gold and diamond engagement rings by Coast Diamond – could those twining, diamond-set details be prettier? I thought not.

Detail - Rose gold and diamond engagement rings by Coast Diamond. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Here’s a close-up, in case that wasn’t a good enough look for you. I took all of the images in this post at various Mervis Diamond Importers’ trunk shows – please let me know if you’re interested in receiving more info about any of these pieces pictured here and I’ll put you in touch with someone who can help.

Double halo diamond engagement ring by Sasha Primak. Via Diamonds in the Library.

A Sasha Primak double-halo diamond engagement ring. Doesn’t this one have an interesting profile? Like a tiny, precious step pyramid.

If you’d like to ogle more of Mervis Diamond Importers’ wares, you can always revisit the trunk show recaps I’ve posted so far (one more to come soon!).

Be sure to check back tomorrow for full details on the jewelry giveaway!!

 

Mervis’s fashion diamonds trunk show: Part I.

Remember that time I went to a Tacori trunk show at Mervis Diamond Importers and took a million pictures?

Mervis's fashion diamonds trunk show; Part I.

They had another trunk show. Obviously, I was there.

This trunk show’s focus was fashion diamonds: diamond fashion jewelry. Let me tell you, a kid in a candy store’s got nothing on me at a jewelry show. I took so many pictures that I’m going to have to make it a two-parter. The aquamarine and diamond stunners above are the work of Coast Diamonds, as are these babies:

 A whole lovely tray of gemstone and diamond rings by Coast Diamond. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This is going to be another photo-heavy recap. I’ll give info when I have it, but if any of these beauties capture your heart please leave a comment and I’ll put you in touch with someone who can talk to you about potential purchasing.

A large garnet and diamond ring by Coast Diamond. Via Diamonds in the Library.

 Is this not the most incredible garnet you’ve ever seen? Such a rich, rosy raspberry hue.

Sapphires, emeralds, and diamonds sparkle in these bracelets by Coast Diamond. Via Diamonds in the Library.

My hands loved these Coast Diamond bracelets. They were so heavy and cool on my skin. My camera couldn’t capture the true fire of those sapphires, emeralds, and diamonds, so I made you a little video.

Gemstone and diamond ring in rose gold, by Martin Flyer. Via Diamonds in the Library.

I enjoyed how perfectly this rose gold ring matched my nails. This little beauty is by Martin Flyer.

A delicate diamond pendant by Coast Diamond. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Coast Diamond’s impossibly delicate diamond pendant looks is a beautiful cross between a spiderweb and a rose window.

 Emerald and diamond ring by Martin Flyer. Via Diamonds in the Library.

I adore this Martin Flyer emerald and diamond ring. It looks like the world’s most tiniest and most fabulous turtle. Look how precisely set it is – it’s hard to make out the individual stones.

Gemstone stacking rings and diamond wedding bands in rose, white, and yellow gold, all at Mervis Diamond Importers. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Stackables! I adored the Art Deco feel of these wedding bands on the bottom of the stack in the forefront, and the twist design of the ones above them.

Yellow and white diamond bracelet by Martin Flyer. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This spectacular Martin Flyer bracelet is set with yellow and white diamonds.  The white diamonds are actually bullet cut, rather than emerald. That’s how they fit together like that in the center of the X shapes.

Rose gold and diamond engagement ring with twist detail. By Coast Diamond. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Here’s an incredible detail on one of Coast Diamond’s rose gold and diamond engagement rings. It would be perfect with the twisted rose gold and diamond wedding band in the photo above, don’t you think?

Gemstone and diamond rings by Coast Diamond. Via Diamonds in the Library.

More gemstone and diamond beauties from Coast. I’d be just fine if my hand looked like this all the time.

  Alternate view - Elaborate aquamarine cocktail ring by Martin Flyer. Via Diamonds in the Library.Elaborate aquamarine cocktail ring by Martin Flyer. Via Diamonds in the Library.

You really needed to see this Martin Flyer from multiple angles to fully appreciate the details.

A rose gold and diamond engagement ring with twist detail. By Coast Diamond. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Here’s the little sister of that huge Coast garnet ring I showed you near the beginning. This one really wanted to come home with me. Tragically, adopting it would have cost me several months’ rent. I’m glad I have photo documentation of our brief and glorious time together.

Floral diamond pendant necklace by Martin Flyer. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This is by Martin Flyer. Looks like big pear-cut diamonds in the centers of the petals, right? It’s actually many very precisely-set smaller stones. Such a well made piece.

I’ll be posting Part II of this fashion diamonds trunk show recap in a few weeks. Stay tuned for many more pretties!

A huge and heartfelt thanks to Mervis Diamonds for inviting me and letting me have the run of their store and fashion diamonds for several hours – especially to Hailey, Mervis’ lovely and talented social media maven, who accompanied me the entire time despite the fact that she had broken several bones just a few days earlier. You’re a champ, Hailey.

Fit for a Disney Princess: engagement rings (Part II)

A few weeks ago, I started this Disney Princess engagement ring series with my picks for engagement rings worthy of fictional Disney Princesses Cinderella, Jasmine, Ariel, Mulan, and Aurora. It was too fun to stop with just five, so I kept right on going.

Here is Part II, with my picks for Belle, Snow White, Esmerelda, Tiana, and Rapunzel.

Belle looking skeptically at Gaston.(Image via Belle’s Bookshelf.)

Belle is my favorite Disney Princess; no other lady holds a candle to her. Not only is she a sassy and fabulous representative of Team Brunette, she loves books! And she’s a documented re-reader, much like yours truly. (“I’ll borrow…that one!” “But you’ve read it twice!”) Belle doesn’t really need a ring, since her Prince already gave her the best gift that anyone could hope for, but I wanted to find her one anyway.(Image via Belle’s Bookshelf.)

Engagament rings pick for Belle: A 4.33 carat yellow diamond ring by Cartier. The center stone is a rectangular brilliant cut natural fancy intense yellow diamond, flanked on either side by white diamonds (1 carat total). Via Diamonds in the Library.

My pick for Belle is this 4.33 carat yellow diamond ring by Cartier. Classic and elegant, just like Belle herself. The center stone is a rectangular brilliant cut natural fancy intense yellow diamond, flanked on either side by white diamonds. Yellow diamonds aren’t usually my first choice, but this one is glorious and no one can deny that yellow is Belle’s color.

Once she’s married, I imagine Belle will wear just her wedding band most of the time and save her engagement ring for special occasions. She strikes me as sort of a hands-on Princess, and who can re-organize her library with a huge rock on her finger?

Engagement ring and wedding band picks for Belle from Beauty and the Beast
The De Beers Adonis rose band in platinum gives me the rose tie-in I wanted for Belle without making library maintenance impossible. It’ll look wonderful with her engagement ring or on its own, and it’s a reference to the rose as an important symbol of her story without being overly on-the-nose. The plentiful tiny diamonds will give this band sparkle worthy of a Princess.
Esmerelda dancing.(Image via Fanpop.)

Sure, Esmerelda’s not technically a Princess – but she’s a fabulous, feisty heroine and she deserves a ring too. I don’t actually remember her movie very well, but I know she dances like a diva and stands up for herself and her friends. She also definitely loves gold – even her goat has a gold earring.

The Erica Courtney Ellen ring in rose gold and diamonds. Via Diamonds in the Library.
My pick for Esemerelda is the Erica Courtney “Ellen” ring. It’s bold and feminine, just like Esmerelda. Bonus: the design on the side actually forms a cursive “E.” The one pictured here is in rose gold, but I think Esmerelda would probably prefer high-karat yellow gold to match the rest of her jewelry.
Snow White with assorted dwarves and woodland creatures(Image via Kniggit.)

Good old Snow White. I don’t have strong feelings about Snow White, although I do enjoy her affinity for woodland creatures and I think she played herself better than Kristen Stewart did.

Art Deco Cartier yellow diamond and sapphire ring. It features a 5.50 carat a European-cut fancy intense yellow diamond flanked on either side by shield-cut sapphires weighing a total of 1.20 carats. Via Diamonds in the Library.
My pick for Snow White is Art Deco Cartier, so it’s very Princess-worthy. Aren’t the colors amazing? It features a 5.50 carat a European-cut fancy intense yellow diamond flanked on either side by shield-cut sapphires weighing a total of 1.20 carats.
Engagement ring pick for Snow White: Art Deco Cartier yellow diamond and sapphire ring. It features a 5.50 carat a European-cut fancy intense yellow diamond flanked on either side by shield-cut sapphires weighing a total of 1.20 carats.
I think the connection here is pretty obvious: the yellow diamond with blue sapphires is a perfect match for Snow White’s favorite (or only) outfit. A Disney Princess engagement ring must be an appropriate color!

Tiana from the Princess and the Frog

Tiana came too late for me to admire her in my personal golden age of Princesses (before age 20) but I’m still fond of her. Her movie has fabulous music and her domain includes beignets; what’s not to love?

Van Cleef & Arpels' Arbre aux Songes ring with tourmaline and diamonds. Via Diamonds in the Library.Van Cleef & Arpels' Arbre aux Songes ring with tourmaline and diamonds. Via Diamonds in the Library.
I chose Van Cleef & Arpels’ Arbre aux Songes ring for Tiana. It features a glorious, majestically-hued tourmaline in a setting embellished diamond-studded leaves. I think the bayou-esque color scheme and foliate setting would be a lovely reference to how she and her prince met and fell in love.

Rapunzel with her prince at the Happily Ever After part of Tangled(Image via Disney.)
Rapunzel is even newer than Tiana, but I enjoyed her movie and have a long-standing friend crush on the actress who voiced her. I also enjoy her lizard friend and admire her readiness to wield a frying pan. A Princess needs to be able to defend herself, after all. I also wouldn’t say no to her thieving rascal of a Prince (although I wish he’d shave his chin scruff).
Rapunzel is an artist who loves pink, bright skies, and softly glowing lights. I knew Tiffany and Co’s Soleste ring was the ring for her. (Pro tip: I wouldn’t turn it down for myself, either.)  Elegant with a touch of whimsy, the Soleste ring features a cushion-cut white diamond bordered with pink diamonds in rose gold and white diamonds in platinum. A perfect Disney Princess engagement ring.

If you missed Part I of my Disney Princess engagement ring series, you can click here to catch up. What do you think of this round of picks? Did I miss anyone you were hoping to see?

All images and info in this post are thanks to the original source for each item – please see individual Disney Princess engagement ring descriptions for source links.

 Art Deco Cartier yellow diamond and sapphire ring. It features a 5.50 ct European-cut fancy intense yellow diamond flanked on either side by shield-cut sapphires weighing a total of 1.20 cts.

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