JannPaul SME's Asia Award 2013/2014

JannPaul is proud to receive the SMEs Asia Award 2013/2014.

THANK YOU! for nominating us! 

JP : Diamond Size Comparison

Ever wondered which diamond size to choose for your partner? Have a look at this video for a better idea!

Ring Tracking: Derrick Wee

Derrick Wee's The Super Ideal Solitaire

Victorian designs started in the early 1800's where each Victorian ring would have a distinct style to represent its time.  People who appreciate vintage and antique designs, would most often seek styles during the Victorian period.

Victorian designs would often have features, such as filigrees, halo, hearts, and multiple side stones. There has been many iconic Victorian designs, which are still sought after.

When Derrick approached us, he immediately knew that he wanted a Victorian design. He brought several ring photos of the designs that he liked and wanted to create.

He highlighted his fancy for engraving patterning at the side of the ring, where it gave the ring a more intricate and vintage look.

After discussions, we came up with our first 3D render based on the images he provided.

Concept 1 was a mock up based on his desire to have a vintage and intricate looking ring.There was several more adjustments based on concept 1. 

However, we all agreed that the engraving may come across strong and a little too "messy".

We decided to tone it down and further developed it to concept 7. Between concepts 1-7, several adjustments were made to his preference.

               

               

                   

In concept 7, all the engravings were replaced with the cut out of the band and filigree. 

We retained the millgrain patterning which we both really liked, but changed the side profile to give it a more clean look.

However, in we further developed concept 7 with a few more iterations, to make it an even more outstanding ring.

Finally, this was what we came up with! Viola!

                   

A ring with millgrain surrounding on all edges which creates the Victorian look and micro pave side diamonds. The side diamonds are individually picked to have a small to large diamonds array throughout the ring, giving it a majestic flow.

This is a very prominent feature in most antique rings. Often, vintage designs looks very cluttered and messy with many side diamonds clustering around the main diamond. We managed to achieve a design that looks vintage, but yet something clean and simple. 

Once the 3D renders were approved by Derrick, we proceeded to craft a wax mold of his design.

                  

Below are his actual ring photos:

                  

                  

                  

                  

Holloway Cut Advisor (HCA): PART 1

Holloway Cut Advisor (HCA): PART 1

The ABC's of HCA SCORE!

   HCA is the short abbreviation for The Holloway Cut Advisor (U.S. Patent 7,251,619), invented by Garry Holloway. The HCA is used to estimate a round diamond’s appeal based on its potential Light Return, Fire, Scintillation and Spread, in other words, to estimate the effectiveness of light return from a diamond’s cut. This tool is wonderful not just because it can estimate a diamond’s appeal but because it is also a free! :) (http://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca)

   The HCA is designed to aid a novice consumer or an experienced trade buyer in selecting diamonds they have not seen. To get a diamond’s HCA score, you need to input the figures for Total Depth %, Table %, the diamond’s Crown degree angle/% and Pavilion degree angle/%.

   It is best to input Crown and Pavilion angles than percentages because percentages are often rounded; for example, a 13.3% can be rounded off to 13%. Likewise, some certificates list less accurate rounded Crown percentages and Pavilion percentages, therefore if you want to be sure that the diamond has excellent light return, you may ask the vendor to get you a Helium, Sarin or Ogi report to give you better accuracy with the specifications of the diamond.

   After inputting the diamond specifications in the formulae provided, you will receive a HCA Score. A score under 2 (Excellent) means you have eliminated known poor performers, which is more than 95% of all diamonds. Most people prefer diamonds that rate 1-2 on the scale where: 0-2 Excellent, 2-4 Very Good, 4-6 Good, 6-8 Fair, and 8-10 Poor. Zero is almost impossible because of conflicting factors; your personal preference may be for a diamond with an HCA score of 1.5 than one with a lower HCA score of 0.5.

   The Ideal range of diamonds is 1% of the worlds’ diamond supply and here at JANNPAUL, all diamonds go through a stringent process of filtration. To ensure and maintain this standard of quality to customers, we only accept and stock diamonds with a HCA score of 1.4 and below, which is equivalent to less than 0.01% of the worlds’ diamond supply.

   Although the HCA is wonderful for calculating the effectiveness of light return in a diamond, we must stress that there are limitations to the HCA as well. Keep an eye out for our next entry, where we will describe the limitations of the HCA and why it should only be used as an elimination tool and not solely as a quality measurement.

Find out your score today!

JP Wedding Bands: James Phua

JP Wedding Bands: James Phua

We would like to introduce JANNPAUL’s semi-customized wedding bands! 

All marriages hope for an eternal love and not surprisingly, the eternity ring, set with a continuous line of identically cut gemstones or diamonds, started off as a marketing ploy directed to symbolize never-ending love from a husband to wife. Due to the discomfort of a “full-eternity”, from the abrasion of stones on the inner fingers and palm, the design has evolved to be more comfortable with a “half-eternity”, where a line of continuous stones cover the face of band only.

The beauty of JANNPAUL’s is illustrated in James Phua’s wedding bands. Both wedding bands are set in 18K white gold, customized to each respective ring size. 

Wedding bands come in pairs and are usually similar in design to emphasize union. As seen, James Phua’s band design has two tracks on the surface, almost as though to show how his partner’s eternity ring is part of his band, strengthening a sense of togetherness; the diameter of the diamond of his partner’s band is mirrored to the width of the tracks on James Phua’s band.

As the usual Chinese saying goes, all good things come in pairs... Congratulations to James Phua! We hope you enjoy your wedding bands!

Ring Tracking: Luo Wei Xiang

Luo Wei Xiang The Super Ideal Solitaire

Let’s bring the diamond into the 3D World!

The Super Ideal Cut diamond that Wei Xiang purchased is then placed into the diamond scanner, where a laser traces the entire diamond, down to each proportion and facet. This is done so that the ring can be modeled around the diamond. The advantage is that we have a greater accuracy of how the finished ring product would look like with his own diamond in the 3D world!

3D Model creation..

Wei Xiang’s 3D model is created; the diamond in the 3D environment is the exact diamond Wei Xiang purchased. This means we have full control of the entire ring in contrast to his diamond. And as for the tray of the setting, we modified the design of it. Instead of a usual straight tray, we had it design into an ”ARROW” like shape, so it makes the entire diamond ring showcases the classic yet modern age look. 

Creating the Wax Model

Once the 3D model is finalized, the wax model is produced, where we check for the proportions and safety of the ring in the real world.

Final Product

The final ring is then produced in white gold for another check, and then we initiate the process of setting the diamond into the ring. 

We created an 18kt white gold classic 4 prongs set with one of our ultimate brilliance diamond, “The Super Ideal”.

Ring Tracking: Lim Shao Wei

Lim Shao Wei The Super Ideal Solitaire

Scanning the diamond into the 3D World!

The Super Ideal Cut diamond that Shao Wei purchased is then placed into the diamond scanner (SARIN Machine), where a laser traces the entire diamond, down to each facet.

This allows us to have an accurate structure of the diamond, such that the 3D render of the diamond, would be close to the exact proportion as the actual diamond.

Creating the 3D Model

Once we have the 3D model of the diamond, we proceed in creating the setting. Having the diamonds exact proportions is crucial as the setting is done proportional to the size of the diamond. This is a feature which most people tend to neglect. The trick to a beautiful diamond ring is all in the proportion! Heart shape prongs were made to add an extra twist to the ring, making it more unique and special.

Creating the Wax Model & Ring Cast

Once the 3D model is finalized, the wax model is created in accordance to its dimension for it to be casted.

Final Product

Finally, the ring would then be produced in white gold, after the ring cast is done and with the diamond mounted, safety checks are conducted to ensure the diamond is placed securely.

This is the final outcome, of Shao Wei’s Super Ideal diamond, customized fine curvy band with side diamonds and to top it off, with specially design lovely heart shape 4 prongs to make the whole outlook of her solitaire ring unforgettable.