January 2, 2025

1.53ct. I2-RS natural diamond, good cut, 7.1mm diameter $2,000.00 CAD. 191-00161

Technology has lowered the cost of producing lab-grown diamonds from more than natural diamonds 70 years ago to around 98% less expensive today!!!! Yes, that number is correct. If you know where to shop, you can buy a lab-grown diamond for around 2% (or less) of what an equivalent quality natural sells for. That’s how technology works, as it matures, the efficiencies of manufacturing bring prices down to next to nothing. We recently did some online shopping for lab-grown diamonds from a couple of popular jewellery chain stores, and an online only vendor. The average markup for their lab-grown diamonds was over 500%. We saw mark ups ranging from 400 to over 700% in our random sampling. Because lab-grown diamonds cost almost nothing the make, the final retail price is still significantly less expensive than a natural diamonds even with these huge margins. Many vendors are applying large markups because manufactured diamonds are so popular right now and most people never bother to compare pricing with stores like us. We stock very few lab-grown diamonds but we’re happy to give you a quote on one. If you’re considering a lab-grown diamond, give us a call first, we’ll save you thousands of dollars. Our latest natural diamond isn’t perfect in any respect, but it is 3-4 billion years old, sparkles very well given the modest quality, is a miracle of mother nature, and has residual value exponentially better than a lab-grown diamond. For a natural diamond it is a good size at over 1 1/2 carats. Lab-grown diamond are easily cultured in sizes well over 3 carat and sell brand new for less than $300.00 CAD per carat in VS-G (or better) qualities. When pre-owned lab-grown diamonds start to show up on the secondary market, they will be almost impossible to sell at any price. Natural diamonds have a proven record of value and are still what most people would prefer given a choice. Our nature diamond also displays some fluorescence when exposed to long wave ultraviolet light. This phenomenon never happens in lab-grown diamonds and occurs in some natural diamonds with trace amounts of nitrogen found within the crystal structure. If you see your diamond glow in a similar fashion in “black light” (long wave ultraviolet) you can be sure it isn’t an inexpensive lab-grown. This diamond would make a great pendant or earring, as most people are willing to give up some quality in order to get a bigger stone that doesn’t break the bank. The I2 clarity grade is pleasant as the numerous crystal inclusions are mostly scattered and don’t interfere excessively with the transparency. The warm colour grade of approximately RS shows as a weak yellow to brown tint. These characteristics are common in natural diamonds and support a natural look far more that “it looks too good to be true” giant lab-grown diamond. We’d love to create something unique to display this natural diamond for you. It’s a large diamond for the estate price of only $2,000.00 CAD. Stock #191-00161.

January 1, 2025

1.15ct. I2-I diamond solitaire, 4.1gr., 14kt. gold, size 8. $1,890.00 CAD. 101-00612

A classic example of a diamond solitaire engagement ring. The natural diamond in this one weighs nicely over a carat, at 6.7mm diameter and an estimated depth of 4.2mm suggests the round brilliant cut diamond weighs 1.15 carats. Our 2 onsite gemologists have conservatively graded the clarity as an I2, many would argue this one an I1 due to the scattered nature of the small crystal inclusions. The inclusions can easily be resolved under magnification but go unseen under casual observation. The colour has been estimated at an “I”, good to very good cut, and very slight fluorescence, round out the quality characteristics necessary in determining its value. The 14 karat white gold setting is heavier than you’d expect these days, weighing in at 4.1 grams (including the roughly 0.25 gram diamond). The knife edge shank measures 3mm wide in a finger size 8. One of our onsite goldsmiths can easily adjust the size down as far as a 5 without overstressing the white gold. It is in excellent condition showing little wear except for some light scratches on the rhodium plated surface. In fact, the only preparation required before it was offered for sale is a high temperature ultrasonic cleaning. We’d be happy to polish the ring while you wait if you want a perfect mirror finish. You can buy an almost worthless lab-created diamond for more money that this or you can choose this 2-3 billion year old miracle of mother nature for the estate price of $1,890.00 CAD. Stock #101-00612.

December 31, 2024

Ladies 14kt. Concord diamond watch 0.60ct. tw. VS-GH, 54gr., like new, 29.25.648. $4,400.00 CAD. 501-00376

Welcome in the New Year with a sparkling solid gold and diamond Concord watch for the special lady in your life. It’s a luxury watch, a diamond bracelet, and a spectacular value too. Concord was founded in Switzerland in 1908. The brand was created to design and manufacture luxury timepieces for the burgeoning affluent American market. Often their watches incorporated precious metals and gems making them more than just high quality timekeepers. In 1915 Concord started to manufacture private label watches for jewellery greats such as Tiffany, Van Cleef & Arpels, and even Cartier. It was a Concord watch presented to Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin by President Truman during World War II peace talks. During the quartz watch crisis that nearly crippled the Swiss watch industry, Concord thrived by designing and manufacturing some of the most expensive quartz watches ever to be seen on the market. In the 1970s and 80s their quartz technology allowed them to produce extremely thin and sleek designs; some measuring less than 2mm. Our latest estate watch is this ladies creation that is enhanced with 36 high quality round brilliant cut VS-GH diamonds on the bezel edges and dial. If a large thick Rolex isn’t your style this 20.5mm Concord La Tour 29.25.648 may be more to your taste. At only 5.5mm thick you hardly know you’re wearing it, aside for its hefty weight of 54 grams. This watch is operated by a high precision Swiss quartz movement with just two hands displaying the time. No seconds hand or date display, this is a dressy watch built to impress and dazzle with with its beautiful champagne dial decorated with 8 small diamond hour markers and applied Roman numerals. It is in perfect original condition showing virtually no evidence of use. It still sports a clear protective sticker on the case-back. The 22 link bracelet is supremely flexible and shows no stretch or sag. The adjustable links can be easily removed with just a small screwdriver. The beautifully machined 14 karat gold threaded screws are simple to take out without risk of damage, there are no cheap bushed rivets in this creation. The butterfly folding buckle snaps shut with a reassuring snap and then disappears in the bracelet pattern when closed. It comes with the original Concord lacquer wooden box and instruction booklet. The watch is running perfectly and comes with our complimentary 1-year warranty. With the price of gold flirting with all time highs, Concord no longer even manufacture watches in solid gold. Instead they only make stainless steel and two-tone models. Looking at their website shows a two-tone diamond model with just a tiny amount of gold and half the diamond weight compared to ours for $8,500.00 CAD.  Consider the value an estate watch like this one offers; at today’s gold price (Dec. 30, 2024) this watch contains over $3,500.00 CAD in just the recyclable gold content. Adding more value are the 36 high quality VS-GH round brilliant cut diamonds that have a wholesale value of around $850.00. Our estate price is only $4,400.00 for this beautiful watch. For that kind of price, its pretty hard to find any better value in the jewellery business. Many experts agree, gold is expected to increase substantially over the next few years. If that happens it won’t take too much of an increase before this watch is worth more in scrap metal than our estate price of just $4,400.00 CAD. Stock #501-00376.

Sale Pending L.E.

December 30, 2024

2004 IWC Pilot IW325307 38.3mm on bracelet with box & papers. $5,800.00 CAD. 501-00375

If you love luxury watches but a conspicuous brand like Rolex, Breitling or Cartier just seem a little too obvious, how about something a little more exotic? Why not consider an IWC Schaffhausen? Not only is it a fun name to say, it’s one of the true great watch manufacturers that is more than just a well marketed brand. From their 1868 inception in Schaffhausen Switzerland by American watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones, they developed an international reputation for manufacturing watches of the highest quality. This 2004 International Watch Company Pilot IW325307 is one of the more dedicated professional models offered. The case is a manageable 38.3mm diameter and wasn’t designed to be conspicuous. or the “look at me type”. The actual surface area of the dial is bigger than many larger watches because it lacks a thick bezel. This is a watch designed to serve just one purpose as efficiently as possible. Purchased new in the spring of 2004 at a Canadian IWC authorized agent in Toronto. The watch is in very good condition. The links in the bracelet are formed with pillow shaped sections with a brushed finish. The domed shaped and finish disguise any light scuffs or scratches. There is no stretch and very little sag in the flexible bracelets. This is a serious pilot watch with one of the most legible dials in the business. Just a simple flat finish black dial with luminous hands, no extra decoration on the dial. Basic Arabic hour markers with a full minute track plot out the time in a simple precise format. The minute hand tapers to a pin point tip allowing minute division calculation without even referencing the large sweep seconds hand. A slightly curved synthetic sapphire crystal with a special double sided anti-reflective coating is a luxury touch even Rolex doesn’t do, but greatly enhances the legibility by cutting down the reflections. Powering the watch is a 21 jewel automatic winding movement calibre 37524 based on the ETA2892-A2. It is shielded from magnetism by an soft iron inner case, and protected from water to 60 meters with a screw-down crown, and case-back. The domed sapphire crystal is both super hard and has been safeguarded from both a drop in air pressure and forces applied underwater. Included with purchase is the original box, endorsed warranty card, instructions, never used polishing cloth, tags, bracelet sizing adjusting tool, and a 231 page hard cover book documenting the history of IWC and various models. Including a one year Bill Le Boeuf Jewellers warranty the watch is estate priced at $5,800.00 CAD. Stock 501-00375.

December 29, 2024

18.5-19.5″ 6.5mm Akoya cultured pearl necklace with 14 karat gold clasp $1,500.00 CAD. 241-00105

A pearl necklace is arguably the most iconic of any jewellery item. A strand of pearls transcend generations, style trends and look great for any occasion with any outfit. We have many single strands of uniform size and some single stands with graduated pearls, a double strand like this is far more rare. The double strand takes the look up several notches in  sophistication. Our latest estate pearl necklace features an 18 1/2″ strand and a 19 1/2″ strand of 6.5mm to  6.7mm Akoya (Japanese Saltwater) cultured pearls. Each of the 122 pearls in the necklace have been expertly matched for colour, surface blemishes, nacre grain and thickness. The pearls display a silvery white luster with pinkish overtones. Overall quality is very nice, they’d easily rate a 7-8 out of 10. The necklace is secured by a 14 karat yellow gold barrel clasp set with 14 small white sapphires. Both strands have be strung on white silk cord in perfect condition. This necklace looks to have been restrung recently or has never been worn. The silk cord displays no wear or frayed sections. Buying a new single strand necklace of this sort of quality would cost around $2,000.00. This double strand is estate priced at $1,500.00 CAD. Stock #241-00105.