The birthstone for the month of April is likely the most recognizable of them all: the diamond.

The Origins and Cultural Significance of Diamonds

The word “diamond” derives from the ancient Greek word adámas, meaning “unbreakable” and “untamed”. This perfectly describes the stone, which is a near-indestructible solid form of carbon with a diamond cubic crystal structure.

Diamonds are thought to have been first mined in India, where large amounts of alluvial deposits of the gem were found along the Penner, Krishna, and Godavari rivers 3,000 years ago. These stones might be older than they seem, though, since scientists argue that their existence in the region could date as far back as 6,000 years.

In terms of jewelry, diamonds started appearing as accent stones to pearls and gold in European adornments in the 13^thcentury, around the same time that Louis IX of France created a law reserving diamonds for the king. In the 16th century, diamonds started becoming more prominent in jewelry settings, largely due to the facets cutters made in the diamonds in order to showcase a stone’s true beauty through its scintillation and brilliance. By the 18^thcentury, diamonds conquered the jewelry industry. Diamonds were arriving and being cut in Venice, Paris, Bruges, and Antwerp from India and South America. They were so expensive and highly coveted that, according to rumor, those wealthy enough to own them only wore them in the evening, since it was considered ill-mannered to show them off during the day.

Since diamond deposits were found in Australia in 1985 and in Canada in 2000, the stone has been afforded a newfound sense of accessibility, to the point where diamond jewelry pieces are now the cornerstone of almost every decent jewelry collection worldwide.

Noteworthy Diamonds

The largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found remains to be the Cullinan. Discovered in 1905 at the Premier No. 2 mine in South Africa, the Cullinan weighed 3,106.75 carats and was eventually cut into several well-known and important diamonds. The two largest are, expectedly, the Cullinan I and the Cullinan II. The former weighs in at 530.4 carats and is mounted in the head of the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross. The latter, also known as the Second Star of Africa, weighs 317.4 carats and is mounted in the Imperial State Crown. Both diamonds, among others, are part of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom.

The Properties and Hardness of Diamonds

Geologists believe that diamonds are formed in the Earth’s mantle before being pushed to the surface by deep-source volcanic eruptions that break apart pieces of the mantle and carry them swiftly to the surface. The formation of natural, commercial-quality diamonds requires extremely high temperatures and immense pressure. These specific conditions only occur in certain zones of the Earth’s mantle, about 90 miles under the surface of the planet, where temperatures are at least 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. Diamonds can take between tens of millions to 3.5 billion years to come to the surface.

Considered the most precious of all gemstones, the diamond is the hardest known natural material according to both the Vickers and the Mohs scales. As such, a diamond is only able to be scratched by other diamonds, allowing the gem’s finish and polish to last.

A diamond is considered the most popular gemstone for modern engagement rings and wedding bands because, unlike other gems, its hardness and scratch-resistant features make it suitable for daily wear.

Diamonds are often white or clear, with the purest and most colorless being considered the rarest and, therefore, the most expensive. The stone, however, can also exist in varying degrees of yellow, brown, pink, grey, blue, green, red, orange, and black.

Rolex has been around for over a century and has been coined in making “the only watch that matters.” Providing reliable and durable timepieces, Rolex is probably the most eminent luxury watch brand in the world.

We’ve rounded up a few little known facts about this iconic company.

1. All of Rolex’s watches are handmade. 
It takes about a year to make one Rolex watch. Every watch is painstakingly made by hand in Switzerland. Rolex watches are given all the attention and dedication to ensure they meet the coveted brand’s strict standards. Virtually everything is made from base materials in-house. Once all the parts for a Rolex watch are completed, they are then mostly hand-assembled and independently tested. The quality assurance process is rather intense.

2. Every single Rolex is pressure-tested before leaving the plant. 
Being at the forefront of water resistant technology involves a multitude of steps. Every Rolex is placed in a sensitive air-pressure chamber to determine if there are any air leaks in the case. If a medical-grade optical sensor finds any condensation or water infiltration, the watch is scrapped.

3. Rolex uses the most expensive stainless steel in the world, also known as 904L. 

Other high-end brands use a stainless steel grade (known as 316L) in their designs, but 904L is exclusive to Rolex. The steel is much more expensive, and said to be resistant to rust, corrosion, and pitting — a real problem for salt water divers.

4. The most expensive Rolex sold for $17.75 million. 
Known for its Hollywood pedigree, the 1968 Reference 6239 Daytona, made from stainless steel and leather, is one of the most iconic Rolex models. It sold for nearly $18 Million at the October 2017 at Phillips’ inaugural watch auction in New York City.

5. An in-house foundry makes all the gold for Rolex watches. 
Rolex makes their own gold. Because they control the production and machining of their gold, they are able to strictly ensure not only quality, but look of these extraordinary materials. Rolex is the only watchmaker that makes their own gold or even has a real foundry in-house.

6. Rolex Headquarters outshines any high level security prison. 
Rolex holds bars of Everose gold worth $1,000,000, so you can’t blame them for having employee fingerprint scanners, bank vault doors, iris scanners, and unmarked armored trucks to move Rolex parts from location to location.

7. Nobody knows what Rolex actually means. 
Watchmakers assume the name comes from the French term horlogerie exquise, meaning exquisite clockwork. But Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf admitted the name Rolex was picked because he wanted a word that was short and looked good on a watch face, and could be pronounced in any language. He also thought that the name sounded like the noise a watch made when it was being wound.

8. Rolex might be a luxury Swiss company, but it originated in London. 
The company started out assembling watches, not making them. Two brothers-in-law, Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis started out as “Wilsdorf and Davis,” putting movements into cases for jewelers. They later relocated the brand to Geneva, Switzerland in 1919 due to wartime taxes levied on luxury imports.

9. On their Roman numeral dials, Rolex still use IIII rather than IV.  
IIII is known as the “Watchmaker’s four,” and is a matter of aesthetics and visual symmetrical balance.

10. Rolex watches have gone to the deepest point of the ocean. 
When James Cameron descended into the Mariana Trench in 2012, he sported a Rolex Deepsea Challenge, which was guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 12,000 meters (39,370 feet). The watch kept perfect time throughout the 7 hour underwater journey.

Alfred Van Cleef and his father-in-law Salomon Arpels founded Van Cleef & Arpels in 1896. Throughout its 120 year history, the jewelry and watchmaking house has distinguished itself within the industry by giving paramount importance to quality, detail, and craftsmanship.

Van Cleef & Arpels is one of the most prominent and desirable brands amongst the world’s elite. Their clientele includes royalty and some of history’s most famous celebrities. Here are some of Van Cleef & Arpels’ most iconic clients.

Elizabeth Taylor
Without a doubt, Elizabeth Taylor amassed one of the most impressive collections of jewelry ever assembled by a Hollywood movie star. Amongst the many brands in her legendary collection is one of the most elegant names in the firmament of high jewelry, Van Cleef & Arpels.

“One day I’m going to find you the most perfect ruby in the world,” was the romantic promise actor Richard Burton made Elizabeth Taylor. After a four years search, he found Van Cleef & Arpels’ Puertas Ruby ring that boasted a 8.25-carat ruby center stone, surrounded by diamonds and set in yellow gold. The actress, recalling the moment when she opened the ring box said, “I screamed, which probably echoed over the mountains, and I couldn’t stop screaming, I knew I was staring at the most exquisite ruby anyone had ever seen.”

Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly was one of the most popular film actresses in the 1950s, giving up her illustrious career to become Princess of Monaco in 1956, after a three-week engagement to Prince Rainier.

As an early wedding gift, Prince Rainier presented Grace with a set of Van Cleef & Arpels pearl and diamond jewelry. The suite includes a three-strand pearl necklace, bracelet, pair of earrings, and a ring. Soon after, Van Cleef & Arpels became the “Official Supplier to the Principality of Monaco” and was charged with creating the stunning jewels Princess Kelly wore for official and private occasions, including a tiara made of round, marquise, and pear-shaped diamonds (weighing a total of 77.34 carats) that Princess Kelly donned at her daughter’s wedding in 1978.

Marlene Dietrich
Actress Marlene Dietrich’s family owned a jewelry shop on Berlin’s most fashionable thoroughfare, Unter den Linden. Jewelry ran in her blood, and she was an avid collector.

Many of her jewels were made by special order from renowned jewelers including Paul Flato, Fulco di Verdura, Mauboussin and Van Cleef & Arpels. The most noteworthy, and most dramatic, of her jewels that appeared in one of her films also happened to be her favorite: a three-dimensional ruby and diamond Jarretière cuff bracelet made by Van Cleef & Arpels circa 1937.

According to Dietrich’s grandson, this striking cuff was made with “all her bits of jewelry” after the actress brought an odd assortment of more than 20 personal pieces of jewelry, including a ruby bracelet and necklace, a pair of diamond earrings, and a diamond necklace, and a handful of brooches into Van Cleef & Arpels. Dietrich’s jewelry was re-set into the stunning Jarretière cuff that exudes Old Hollywood glamour.

Duchess of Windsor
Out of love for Wallis Simpson, King Edward VIII gave up his throne on December 10, 1936, after having reigned for only 11 months. Their marriage was condemned by the royal family because of Wallis’ divorcée status.

During their 35 years together, Edward VIII gave Wallis Simpson many necklaces, bracelets, brooches and earrings which he often purchased from Van Cleef & Arpels or Cartier.  Many of the items were custom designed and given as gifts to commemorate special occasions, often inscribed with personal messages from the Duke.

It is thought that the Duchess of Windsor inspired Van Cleef & Arpels to create a piece of high jewelry inspired by the humble zipper. An outstanding technical achievement, the Zip Necklace is dressed with yellow gold, diamonds, ribbons of rubies or emeralds, colored pearls, lapis lazuli, and sapphires which actually zips and unzips. It soon achieved iconic status and took artisans more than 10 years to perfect a fully functioning zipper. Even the simplest zip styles require at least 400 hours of labor, more elaborate versions requiring up to 1,200. An extremely limited number of these necklaces have ever been produced.

No matter where you are in the wedding planning process, it would be worth considering adding jewelry insurance to the list of things of things to set aside a budget for. While there is already so much to think about when it comes to the wedding band and the engagement ring, getting these pieces insured would give you a lot more peace of mind, especially since you know you’ll be covered in case of major disasters or everyday accidents. To help you figure out how to get the right jewelry insurance plan for your needs, we’ve put together these answers to your wedding band and engagement ring insurance questions.

Should I extend my homeowner’s insurance plan or should I take out a separate plan?

This decision is dependent on the value of the ring or rings that you want to insure and on your own personal preference. If you choose to extend your renter’s or homeowner’s insurance plan by purchasing a “ring rider,” it could be very convenient to have your monthly expenses rolled into one charge. This could also be the better option if your rings are not very expensive.

If, however, they are worth a lot of money, you would be better off taking out a separate plan with a company that specializes in jewelry insurance. This way, you can make sure that the ceiling on the value of the ring you want to insure is much higher. In addition to that, if the ring is lost or stolen, a jewelry insurance company could simply replace the ring rather than refunding you the cash and leaving the hunt for a replacement up to you. Keep in mind, though, that if your ring gets lost or damaged and your premium goes up after the fact, it could affect your entire homeowner’s insurance policy if you went for a ring rider. The benefit of a single plan is that, in the event of such an accident, nothing else is affected

How much will it cost?

Of course, the cost will depend on how comprehensive your plan is and how much of a deductible you’re willing to pay for a claim. In general, however, insurance will cost between 1% and 3% of the ring’s total value per year. Or, in other words, it costs $1-$3 for every $100 that it would cost to pay for your ring. If, for example, your ring costs $9,000 in total, it would cost you between $90 and $270 per year to insure it. The cost of insurance is also affected by the city that you live in: your jewelry is more likely to be stolen from you in some cities rather than others, and that can drive up the insurance price.

How do I go about actually getting my rings insured?

The first step is to have the piece appraised. If you’re using vintage rings in your ceremony, this would be a good time to have them repaired and restored, as well. To do this, you need to find a reputable jeweler who will not only restore your pieces to peak appearance, but they will also give you a fair and accurate appraisal, complete with certification papers. (If you need help finding a good jeweler, we have some tips for you here!)

After that, you simply consult the insurance company of your choice about adding a ring rider to your plan or taking out a new one, bring them your appraisal, and choose a plan!

What kind of questions should I be asking the insurance company representative?

Dealing with insurance representatives can be a little nerve-wracking, so here are some suggestions to make sure that you’re getting the best plan for the right price:

• Is the ring insured to its full cost, or only part of it?
• Which jewelers can I go to to replace or repair my lost or damaged jewelry?
• What proof do I need to justify claims?
• If my item is irreplaceable, can we agree on a value that I will receive in the event of loss?
• Will I have the choice between cash and a replacement/repair service?
• Am I still covered if I lose it accidentally? What about if it gets lost/stolen/damaged in someone else’s possession?
• Is depreciation taken into account during payout/replacements?
• How often should I have my appraisal updated?

What does an insurance plan cover?

Jewelry insurance plans tend to be very comprehensive and often cover most types of loss and damage. In general, plans will only exclude coverage of loss or damages incurred intentionally, through civil authorities (like if your piece was confiscated by police), nuclear hazard (yeah, these people plan for everything), vermin or insects (like a moth infestation in the attic that might have ruined your grandmother’s ring), and other very specific and limited situations. Be sure to check the coverage and exclusions provided by the plan you sign up for so you know exactly what you’re covered for.

Can I get other pieces of jewelry covered by the same plan?

Sure! If the other pieces fall under the maximum value capacity allowed by your insurance company, then it might be better and more convenient for you to choose to insure all your important pieces of jewelry at once. For more information about jewelry insurance in general, consult our beginner’s guide here.

Whether you’re travelling in order to relax, immerse yourself in a foreign culture, or take on the elements, it’s essential to pack low-maintenance jewelry and watches that will make an impact without demanding much space. These pieces can easily be mixed and matched, worn alone, or layered, giving you endless style options that will be appropriate for whatever type of vacation you’re looking to have.

1. Beachy Getaway

If you’re travelling to some exotic location like Ibiza, St. Barthes, or Tulum, where unwinding is the only thing on the agenda, you’re going to need jewelry and watches that complement the white sand, blue water, flowy garments and colorful mixed drinks that surround you.

2. Ville Charmante

If you find yourself strolling through the streets of a European city like Paris, Barcelona, or Florence, eating in quaint cafés and visiting countless museums, then you’re going to need chic pieces that pair just as well with comfortable walking attire as with a slinky LBD or suave suit in the evenings.

3. Thrill-seekers’ Paradise

If you’re the kind of person who prefers adventure travel like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, camping along the Inca trail, or riding elephants in Chiang Mai, then you’ll need jewelry that stays out of the way and watches that are functional while still boasting a clean, attractive design. And, above all, you’ll need pieces that can survive the elements.

4. Winter Wonderland

If you prefer to winter rather than summer and are a regular at the ski and snowboarding resorts in Vale, Aspen, or Gstaad, then the jewelry and watches you require should be snag-proof (for the sake of your chunky knit scarves and gloves) and snow-proof without losing their sleek, alluring spirit.

5. Subterranea

If instead of the warmth and the sun, you’d rather spend time in the cool, dark depths of underground caves, then you should choose accoutrement that will do more than just accessorize: durable watches that can guide your journey, track your progress, and/or just light your way with glow-in-the-dark technology should be the first on your list for a vacation like this.

If you live in a region that has four seasons, then you know all too well the grueling process of changing your wardrobe as those seasons come and go. Hats and boots are stored and replaced with florals and linen until such time as the reverse needs to take place. One way you can scale back on the stresses of switching on your wardrobe is employing versatile pieces that can accessorize any ensemble, all year round. Here are some winter-friendly pieces that would not look out of place with a sundress.

Colored Studs
Style blogs always recommend stud earrings because long, dangly earrings can often get caught in hats or scarves. Though the timeless diamond stud looks great with everything, we recommend jumping aboard the colored gemstone wagon and pitching in for a pair of colorful studs. These dainty accessories could easily complement your favorite black turtleneck sweater or a vibrant tea dress without breaking a sweat.

Flat Rings
Again, color is your best friend here. When a raised stone on a ring snarls up a scarf or a sweater, it’s not pretty, and it can damage your jewelry. Experts suggest wearing flat rings during the winter season, but there’s no reason they can’t look great for the spring and summer, too! Choose a bezel-set or channel-set ring with colored gemstones that will remain shiny and snag-free all year round. Your knit gloves will thank you.

Non-Metal Chokers
Everybody groans about how coats hide so much of their carefully-chosen outfits, and one workaround that stylists have discovered is the use of a non-metal choker. For an accessory that will look and feel great all year round, we recommend chokers made of fabrics like silk, lace, or cotton. In the winter, they won’t conduct the cold like a metal choker would and feel like a block of ice around your neck, but they will add a little something extra to your ensemble as they peek out above your scarf and coat. In the summer, these delicate fabrics turn into light, breathable accessories that add a special touch to your outfit.

Long Pendant Necklaces
A long pendant necklace may not be visible while you’re walking around with your coat on outside, but when you finally pop into the office or the restaurant and get to shed your layers, a simple pendant necklace could easily dress up a plain, chunky knit sweater without looking gaudy. In warmer months, this modest piece would pair well with a lightweight shirtdress for a breezy, effortless look.

Fabric Brooches
A modern spin on an old-world touch, fabric brooches add a colorful, romantic spirit to a classic wardrobe. In the winter, pin them onto the lapel of your coat for a burst of much-needed color in the dreary gray outside. In the spring, stick them onto a jean or leather jacket for a vintage touch. And in the summer, pin it onto a plain t-shirt and pair it with jeans for a super-simple yet sweet look.

Here we take a look at some of the watches that had an initial lackluster reception, some that recovered in sales against all odds, and others still that provoke ire in watch collectors.

Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak
When the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak made its big and hotly-anticipated debut in 1972, it was quickly panned by critics.

Puzzled connoisseurs denounced the Royal Oak’s unconventional and distinct octagonal shaped bezel. What’s more is that the Royal Oak was made of stainless steel and not a precious metal like gold that was more commonly used in high-end watches of this caliber. Collectors were also particularly hung up on the Royal Oak’s jaw-dropping price: 3300 Swiss Francs at the time and nearly ten times more expensive than a competing Rolex.

So the tepid critics’ response and the shocking price meant the Royal Oak’s sales were extremely slow at the beginning; it took a full year for Audemars Piguet to unload the first 1,000 watches. But then sentiment towards the Royal Oak started to change as some well-known and respected collectors started adding the uniquely-shaped AP watch to their collection. Then sales gradually picked up and finally took off.

Today, the juggernaut AP Royal Oak is considered Audemars Piguet’s signature model and a prized piece to own, particularly among discerning collectors.

Panerai X Ferrari, Ferrari Engineered by Officine Panerai
In in the mid-2000s, Panerai was one of the hottest “new” luxury watch brands. The Italian brand had recently been relaunched by the Richemont group and was building up a fresh fan base and sales were soaring. So, in riding this wave of enthusiasm, Panerai partnered with Ferrari, the ultra-sexy, luxury car brand in what seemed like a mutually beneficial collaboration. (Some speculate that Panerai’s executives were hesitant but the watchmaker’s new parent company, Richemont, may have pressed for the brand to partner with Ferrari.)

When the Panerai x Ferrari limited-edition watches first released in 2005, the watches pretty much immediately tanked. The collection’s average price tag was a whopping $10,000; although Panerai watches typically retailed within that range, the Panerai brand name wasn’t even listed on the watch’s dial. Similarly, the Ferrari name did little to convince Panerai fans to snap up these premium watches. In turn, many nonplussed Panerai fans balked at the high cost and dismissed the watches as inferior Panerais.

Needless to say, when the Panerai and Ferrari contract expired in 2010, neither party was eager to renew.

Rolex Reference 6324 Chronograph, the Precursor to the Daytona
We are all familiar with the wildly popular Rolex Daytona, especially on the heels of the historic 2017 auction of the $17.8 million Paul Newman Daytona.

So, it’s rather surprising to learn that the Daytona’s predecessor, the Rolex Reference 6324 Chronograph, had a lukewarm reception. The Rolex Ref. 6324 debuted in 1955 and largely sat on shelves as shoppers flocked, instead, to Rolex competitors who had cornered and dominated the chronograph market. The Ref. 6324 enjoyed a very limited run of roughly 500 pieces released a year until it was finally discontinued in 1961.

Now, not only has the modern Daytona evolved into one of Rolex’s most popular and prized models, but the Rolex Ref. 6324 model (also known as the “Pre-Daytona”) is prized as a rare Rolex collector’s item and with resale values starting at $20,000.

Zenith Defy Xtreme
The Defy Extreme made its debut in the mid-2000s when then-Zenith CEO Thierry Nataf wanted to break Zenith out of its seemingly dated look with something fresh, bold and daring. Enter the Zenith Defy Xtreme, one of industry’s most contentious watches.

The Zenith Defy Xtreme horrified fans who felt Zenith had totally abandoned its classic aesthetics and was misguidedly chasing after a radically different clientele. The Defy Xtreme was a big sport watch and was emblazoned with Zenith logo and branding. The Defy Xtreme’s existence entirely flew in the face of Zenith’s tradition of elegantly low-key timepieces.

Shortly after the collection’s release and with Zenith sales circling the drain, Nataf was relieved of his duties as CEO.

Full disclosure: we would never recommend treating watches like a traditional “buy low, sell high” investment opportunity. The fickle market makes it difficult to guarantee you can sell your old watch for a premium.

But what you can determine is if a watch you’re gearing up to purchase will at least retain a healthy resale value. This, ultimately, makes it a worthwhile investment in that you can easily resell your watch or trade it up in the future. Here are the four crucial questions to ask yourself to determine if a particular watch style is a worthy investment.

1. Does it have “style longevity”?
Select a brand and model with unwavering popularity so, when you’re ready to resell it down the line, you won’t be hard-pressed to find an interested buyer and can recoup more of (if not a premium on) your initial investment.

The two brands with an ironclad demand: Rolex and Patek Philippe. These two Swiss watch brands reign supreme in the desirability category along with these essential collectors’ models:

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
Breitling Navitimer
Omega Speedmaster
Panerai Luminor Marina
Patek Philippe Nautilus
Patek Philippe Calatrava
Rolex Daytona
Rolex Submariner
TAG Heuer Carrera

2. Does the watch have all its original parts?
Traditional collectors will value a watch with all its original parts more than a watch with after-market parts—even if the original parts are slightly worn. In fact, depending on the age of your watch, some natural antiquing (like a tropical or crazed dial) will increase the watch’s resale value; for more on that, read our post “How to Start a Vintage Watch Collection” here.

If the watch you’re interested in has been repaired, confirm what repairs were made and ensure they were done by the original manufacturer. The exceptions to the “all-original” rule are after-market bracelets and crystals. Because these components are easily and frequently damaged and heavily worn, collectors are willing to compromise here for after-market pieces.

As for watches made-over with after-market diamond bezels or blacked-out dials, these custom-made styles depreciate very quickly, even if the materials (like diamonds) used to outfit the watch will inflate the price tag.

3. Is this a pre-owned watch?
The smartest way to turn a watch purchase into an investment is to go the pre-owned route. Like driving a new car off the lot, opting for a pre-owned watch will save you that immediate and staggering depreciation that comes with taking a new watch out of the store. This ultimately will improve your ROI when it comes time to resell.

Also, look for pre-owned listings that include a box and papers to keep the resale value high.

4. Would the resale value be attractive to other shoppers?
The $4,000 – $9,000 range is a sweet spot for purchasing and reselling watches; this price tag marks a desirable watch worthy of reselling but also keeps it just accessible enough for future buyers.

So, even if you can afford to spend more on your watch, consider that the pool of interested buyers drastically shrinks as you go into more expensive watch models and it will ultimately be harder for you to resell your ultra-luxe watch in the future. Therefore, we suggest looking for models worth between $4,000 – $9,000 to make reselling easier.

If you have more questions about the resale value of your watch, our team of watch experts is here to help. Feel free to email us at support@truefacet.com or call 1-800-690-3736.