Northwest Washington, DC Jeweler

Watches

Pre-Owned Rolex

View our fine collection of Pre-Owned Rolex Watches.

Polanti Watches

Polanti Watches-created by the finest Italian designers.

Hamlin Watches

Exclusive Designer Watches from Hamlin

Engagement

Design Your Own Engagement Ring

Select the perfect diamond from over 25,000 certified diamonds and match it with your favorite setting to Design Your Own unique Engagement Rings.

Engagement Rings

Select from our comprehensive collection of Diamond Engagement Rings.

Solitaires

With Matching Band With Side Stones.

Tension Rings

The Sparkling aura of diamonds displayed in a magical collection of Tension Rings set in 18K Gold.

Wedding Bands

Design Your Own unique Wedding Band from our selection available in Plain, Engraved, Milgrain, and Two-Tone Styles.

Diamonds

Introduction to Diamond Education

Diamonds come in all sizes, shapes and ultimately, values. In the history of the world few possessions have been more desired and scrutinized than diamonds. We strive to identify the finest collection of diamonds, and then educate our clients on their purchasing options.

We encourage you to learn about a number of important considerations when analyzing and before buying a diamond.

Diamond History

Across time and cultures diamonds are a consistent expression of luxury. Diamonds symbolize wealth, durability, and status. Conversely, they have the rich history of being associated with invulnerability, lightning, magic, healing, protection, and poisoning. In unraveling the history and associations of diamonds, we need to look through time and at their very origins to gain a historical perspective of their tremendous value.

“Diamond” comes from the Greek adamao, transliterated as “adamao,” “I tame” or “I subdue.” The adjective “adamas” was used to describe the hardest substance known, and eventually became synonymous with diamond. It is difficult to determine at what point in history the hardest known substance became diamond.

Diamonds began to appear in European regalia and jewelry in the 13th century. By the 16th century the diamonds become larger and more prominent, as a result of the development of diamond faceting – a technique that enhances the diamonds brilliance.

By the 17th Century, Diamonds dominated the small jewels and large ones became adornments by the 18th century.

Over the next century diamonds appeared in royal jewelry, then among the greater European aristocracy, with the wealthy merchant class showing the occasional diamond by the 17th century.

The earliest European ornamental and regal applications feature diamond points that resemble the Roman style of natural points in rings. Unlike the Roman examples, the European points may have been polished, if only to remove surface irregularities and coatings of any foreign mineral.

The taboo on modifying a diamond crystal into a gem, which originated in India, ends around this time in both Europe and India. There is no recorded explanation, but the implications of the rise of diamond’s popularity in ornamentation are nothing short of revolutionary — as more diamonds reach Europe, demand for the brilliant gem increases.

The earliest diamond-cutting industry is believed to have been in Venice, a trade capital, starting sometime after 1330. Diamond cutting may have arrived in Paris by the late 14th century; for Bruges — on the diamond trade route — there is documentation for the technique in 1465.

See more information at GIA website

Create Your Own Engagement Rings

Choose your own unique center diamond and match it to our selection of settings available in various styles to build your own exclusive engagement ring

Create Your Diamond Stud

Use our earrings builder to match your perfect diamonds with earrings.

About US

For 20 years, Northwest Washington, DC Jeweler has been an independently owned and operated jewelry store serving the Washington D.C. Metro area and its visitors. Traditional as well as unique designs keep customers returning year after year.
Choose something from my cases… or let me design a signature piece for you or your someone special.

We support Jewelersforchildren.org.

I offer custom designs with the GemVision computer system, allowing customers to watch as their pieces are designed before their eyes! I can use your gems and / or choose from our assortment of high quality gemstones that I have personally selected. I am a Graduate Gemologist and have been in the jewelry business for 35 years (I have a hard time believing it sometimes too!, time flies when you are having fun!), designing, choosing gemstones, and building relationships!

Let My Passion Be Yours.

Diamonds settings in Northwest Washington, DC

Contact Us

Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have