What the Admiral left behind

Sometimes it still pays to dig for buried treasure. My last trip through London allowed for a few hours browsing the shops in Hatton Garden, the city's jewelry center since medieval times. In the same neighborhood that inspired Charles Dickens, I found this spectacular ring tucked deep inside a shop that specialized in antique jewelry. The owner smiled, "Ah, the Admiral's ring."

The blue beauty once belonged to the wife of a well-known Royal Navy admiral at the turn of the century. This made sense, since for centuries aquamarine has been regarded as a lucky sailor stone. Sea-goers wore them for protection and gave them as keepsakes to ensure a safe voyage home. These days, the blue cousin of the emerald is a true darling of designers. And it's not unheard of to find luxury retailers selling the highest quality aquamarines for as much as $1000 per carat!

After snatching up the vintage ring, I had our designers duplicate its turn-of-the-century charm. The Admiral's Aquamarine Ring features a 1-½ carat, brilliant-cut aquamarine oval, set high in a delicately-appointed .925 sterling silver band. The shoulders buttress the blue gem like cathedral supports and up top you'll find 10 brilliant-cut, lab-created DiamondAura that add sparkling support to the breathtaking blue stone. For me, the details seal the deal, especially the meticulous beadwork and etching that really captures the vintage finish of the original. A cool blue classic that captivates at sea or on dry land!