Almandine Garnet
Almandine and pyrope garnets are often confused with each other because they are so similar. There are scientific gemological means to differentiate one from the other, but essentially they are the same stone but differ colour due to variable amounts of their colouring molecules. Although almandine is found worldwide, some notable countries that mine almandine are; South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Madagascar, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), Brazil, Argentina, Australia, Czech Republic (Bohemia), Russia, Pakistan, India and Canada.

Rhodolite Garnet
Rhodolite was named after the mountain rhododendron, a magenta coloured flower that grew in the mountains of North Carolina, USA where the first rhodolite was found in 1882. Gemmologically, rhodolite is the variety of garnet that sits in the middle of the pyrope-almandine solid solution series; meaning the rhodolite is roughly composed of around equal amounts of both pyrope and almandine type garnet. The colour of rhodolite varies from pale rose-red with hints of purple reminiscent of the flower from which it was named, through to deep, grape purples with secondary tones of intense rose-red. Unfortunately, the original deposit has long been depleted. Currently rhodolite is being mined in Tanzania, India (Orissa), Sri Lanka, Malawi, Brazil, Madagascar, Mozambique and Kenya. Like with all garnets, there are no recognized treatments and synthetics are not commercially produced.

Larsen Jewellery specialises in custom made engagement and wedding rings.  Your wedding rings can be set with a number of different coloured gemstones.  Please click here for more information about Wedding Rings in Sydney.

During 2011, Larsen Jewellery will be exhibiting at a number of bridal expos, including the following:

• Sydney Entertainment Centre, 29 & 30 January
• Sydney Town Hall, 2 & 3 April
• Sydney Exhibition Centre, 16 & 17 April

Please come and visit us at these Sydney expos.  We'll have a range of engagement rings and wedding rings on display as well as a range of bridal gift ideas.  Our friendly jewellers will also be able to answer any questions you may have and to advise you on what wedding rings will match your engagement ring.

Please click here, for more information about wedding rings in Sydney.

See you there!

Larsen Wedding Rings will be exhibiting at the upcoming bridal expos in Melbourne:

• Melbourne Convention Centre - 30 Apr & 1 May
• Melbourne Convention Centre - 18 & 19 June
• Royal Exhibition Building - August

Come and meet our team at these expos where you can view a selection of our wedding and engagement rings.  Click here to read more about Melbourne Wedding Rings.

On January 26th 1905 the largest diamond ever known was found at the Premier Diamond Mine, near Pretoria in South Africa.

Due to its great size, it was at first thought to be glass.  However, on closer examination, it proved to be a gem quality diamond, measuring a massive 100mm x 50mm x 30mm (6 x 3 x 2 inches) and weighing a world record 3,106 carats.

It was named the Cullinan Diamond, after Sir Thomas Cullinan, founder and owner of the mine.  It was purchased in January 1908 by the South African government and later presented as a gift to King Edward V11, the King of England, on the occasion of his 66th Birthday.

The task of cutting the Cullinan was entrusted to the firm of J Asscher & Co of Amsterdam, well known at the time for their cutting of other large and famous diamonds.  The great diamond was studied for months before the actual cutting began.  Then, on February the 10th 1908 Joseph Asscher performed the first critical step in the cutting process.

On the first attempt at cleaving the diamond, the blade broke while the stone remained intact.  On the second attempt, the diamond split perfectly as planned.  Two blades were broken during the whole cleaving process, which took 8 days and produced nine separate pieces.  The complete process of cutting and polishing took nearly one year, during which nine main stones, known today as ‘the Cullinans’, and 96 smaller stones were produced.

Only the two largest pieces of the diamond were originally commissioned for cutting and polishing by King Edward.  However, through subsequent purchases and gifts to the Crown by the government of South Africa and others, all 105 stones, are now in the possession of Her Royal Majesty, The Queen of England and form part of the British Crown Jewels.

Click here to read about diamond wedding rings.  Larsen Jewellery is located in Melbourne and Sydney and specialises in custom made wedding rings.

There are several differences between platinum and white gold.  Both metals have strengths and weaknesses, however there are a few variables to be considered when making your decision.

First of all, it is important to understand that while virtually all platinum jewellery is 96% platinum, gold comes in a variety of mixtures.  The most common are 9ct (37.5% gold) and 18ct (75% gold).  24ct (pure gold) is too soft to use for jewellery.  Also, all gold is yellow - there is no such thing as natural white gold.  Gold can be made to look white by alloying (mixing) it with white metals such as palladium, then plating it with Rhodium (which is in the Platinum family).

One of the main difference between platinum and white gold is price.  Pure platinum costs roughly twice as much as pure gold.  Because there is a higher percentage of platinum used (95% versus 75% for 18ct gold) in making jewellery, the same design can cost significantly more in platinum than it does in gold.

Both metals have different benefits, and determining which set of benefits is most attractive to you largely comes down to preference.  So, here is a breakdown of the differences:

Platinum wears better than gold.  When you scratch it, you’re actually just rearranging the metal as opposed to removing it.  You can wear a platinum ring for 70 years, and it won’t wear out.  You may have to repair a gold ring to add material where it has worn off over time.  However platinum is a softer metal.  This means that it will bend and scratch easier than white gold, and because it is softer, platinum will lose its polish and appear dull faster than white gold.

Platinum is naturally white, whereas white Gold will need to be Rhodium plated every now and then to maintain its bright white appearance.  Because white gold is harder, it will maintain that shiny polished look longer than platinum will.  All our jewellery comes with a lifetime of annual cleaning and polishing (if the piece is white gold we will also rhodium plate it once a year).

As you can see, there is no clear cut winner in this contest.  If your priority is longevity without wear, you might select platinum.  If affordability or maintaining a shiny polish is more important than maintaining a bright white colour, gold may be the way to go.

Click here for more information about Platinum Wedding Rings and White Gold Wedding Rings.  Alternatively, call one of our jewellers in Sydney or Melbourne if you have any further questions.

Larsen Wedding Rings specialises in providing couples with the unique experience of making each other’s wedding bands under the guidance of an experienced jeweller. It is the first and only company to offer this type of service in Australia.

Founders Lars and Susie Larsen developed the concept as “the couples love the idea of wearing a ring made by their partner, which makes the rings so much more meaningful. It’s such a unique, romantic and fun experience and it only takes about 4 hours to make the rings.

You needn’t worry that you have no experience or aren’t particularly creative, as you will be guided through the entire process by your own expert jeweller, who will ensure that the finished rings are absolutely perfect. The finished result will look as good, if not better than rings sold in high-quality jewellery shops. The Larsen Wedding Rings workshop is both stylish and modern, and custom-designed to ensure your comfort, safety and enjoyment of the experience.

You can choose any design from plain wedding bands to more intricate designs involving diamonds, a mix of metals or engraving. Under the guidance of a jeweller, you start making your rings by melting your chosen metal. Next you mill and shape the rings with various hand tools and finally the rings are polished until they shine.

Plain rings can be finished on the day, while more complicated designs are finished by the jeweller. Larsen Wedding Rings will also ensure that the wedding band fits perfectly with any engagement ring, something which can otherwise be hard to achieve when buying a readymade wedding band.
Larsen Wedding Rings was developed alongside Larsen Jewellery, which makes handcrafted engagement rings and other custom-made jewellery and supplies diamonds at wholesale prices.

Larsen Wedding Rings is dedicated to providing its customers with the highest quality handcrafted wedding rings, a professional, friendly service and an unforgettable experience.

Click here for more information about how to make each other's unique wedding rings.

If you’ve ever wanted to make your own jewellery, why not start with your wedding band? Ali Klaver talks to Lars Larsen of Larsen Wedding Rings to find out how you can do it.

How does the self made ring service work?

Under the guidance of an experienced jeweller you will melt your chosen metal, and mill and shape the rings before polishing them until they shine. The process is surprisingly easy and with the close guidance of an experienced jeweller, anyone can do it.
It takes about four hours – from choosing the ring design to seeing the final product. The process is fun and personal, and you only have to put in as much work as you want to.

Is the process overseen at every stage to ensure quality?

One of our experienced jewellers will guide the couple on a one-to-one basis to make sure the rings end up perfect. The process has been designed to allow couples to handcraft the rings themselves, but the jeweller can do any part that you’d prefer not to do. The rings are guaranteed to be of the highest standard as they are handcrafted using traditional techniques and the highest quality metal alloys.

Is it possible to make something other than plain wedding bands?

We offer a wide variety of designs, combinations of precious metals, patterns and the setting of precious stones. You can choose from white gold, yellow gold, rose gold or platinum and a wide range of diamonds and other stones.

The couple can make the basic rings and leave them behind for one of our experienced jewellers to finish. You can add personal touches such as incorporating heirloom jewellery and engravings. The jeweller also makes sure the wedding band fits perfectly with the engagement ring.

How much does the service cost?

Prices start at $1,500 for two 18-carat gold wedding bands, which includes the assistance of an experienced jeweller on a one-to-one basis throughout the process. We also include: nibbles, beverages, a glass of champagne to celebrate with at the end, photos to keep as a memento and a lifetime of annual polishes to keep the rings in sparkling condition.

What else does Larsen Wedding Rings do?

We also specialise in custom designed jewellery, including engagement rings and wedding gifts, and provide diamonds and other precious stones at workshop prices. All our jewellery is of the highest quality and handcrafted at our workshop in Sydney’s Strand Arcade and in Melbourne’s iconic GPO building.

Please click here for more information about wedding rings in Melbourne.

EVER THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT GOES INTO MAKING A RING?  AT LARSEN WEDDING RINGS YOU AND YOUR BELOVED CAN DESIGN AND MAKE YOUR WEDDING RINGS AS A COUPLE.

A marriage is a unique and special bond created between two people and your wedding bands should reflect that unique love.  For the first time in Australia, couples set to marry are now able to share the romantic experience of making each other’s wedding bands.

Larsen Wedding Rings lets couples get ‘hands-on’ in the making of their wedding bands at a stylish workshop in The Strand Arcade in Sydney’s CBD and in Melbourne's iconic GPO building.  The entire process is surprisingly easy and with the close guidance of an experienced jeweller anyone can do it.

It takes about four hours to go from design stage to having two beautifully crafted rings and the whole experience is fun, personal and unique.  Where else can you hand make your partner’s wedding ring with your own love and affection.

The experience is memorable and enjoyable without compromising on the quality and look of the rings.  You can design the rings in different shapes using white, yellow or rose gold, platinum or a combination of metals.  You can even bring along your own heirloom jewellery to be melted down and incorporated into your new ring.  If you would like to add precious stones or have your rings engraved then you can leave them behind and one of their expert jewellers will complete this for you.  They can also be fitted perfectly to your engagement ring.

Once you’ve decided on a design for the rings (or chosen one of the many popular designs on display), that’s when the fun really begins.  Together you melt your chosen metal, and then mill and shape the rings.  Then it’s time to file, buff and polish the rings until they shine.

For anyone concerned about how the rings might turn out – don’t be.  Everything is prepared under the close supervision of an expert jeweller and nothing is done that could risk the final look or quality of the rings.  And you can be involved as much or little as you like, you call the shots.  If you decide to watch the jeweller in action, that’s perfectly fine too.

The result is two perfectly beautiful wedding bands that have been made by you.  The finished rings are guaranteed to be of the highest standard and because your rings are handcrafted using traditional techniques with the highest quality metal alloys, the rings and memories of your experience will last a lifetime.

Photographs can also be arranged as a memento and champagne and nibbles are served to celebrate.

Click here to read more about how to make each other's unique wedding rings.

What better way to make your wedding bands your own than by making them yourselves?  Larsen Wedding Rings lets couples get 'hands-on' in the creation of your very own wedding jewellery.  Modern Wedding had a chat to the owner Lars Larsen to find out more...

In two stylish workshops in The Strand Arcade in Sydney's CBD and in Melbourne's iconic GPO building, Larsen's invites couples to unleash their jewellery-making talents.  Larsen Wedding Rings sets the scene with all the materials and facilities to create the perfect pair of wedding bands.  And under the close guidance of an experienced jeweller, the entire process is both surprisingly easy as well as highly unforgettable.

It takes about four hours to go from the design stage to having two beautifully crafted rings and the whole experience is fun, personal and unique.  Couples can design the rings in different shapes using a choice of yellow, white or rose gold, platinum or a combination of metals - it's up to you.  It's also possible to have precious stones added - although this is done by the qualified jeweller after you have made the plain rings.  For a distinctly unique touch you can melt down your own heirloom jewellery and redesign it to create something truly special.

Once you've decided on the material and a design for the rings - or fallen in love with one of the many popular designs Larsen Wedding Rings have on display, the fun really begins!  Together you melt your chosen metal and then mill and shape the rings.  A file, buff and polish later and you have a pair of shiny new friends and what better way to finish off than with a glass of bubbly to celebrate.

The result is two perfectly beautiful wedding bands that have been made by you.  And since everything is prepared under the close supervision of an expert jeweller, the final look and quality of the rings is uncompromised - the finished products are guaranteed to be of the highest standard.  Plus as the entire process is conducted according to traditional techniques and handcrafted with the highest quality metal alloys, the bands, along with your memories of the experience will last a lifetime.

Please click here for more information about wedding rings in Melbourne and Sydney.

An innovative jewellery concept launches in Australia.  The special bond between two people in love just became even more personal with the unique experience of making each other's commitment rings.  Couples can now delight in the experience of handcrafting each other's commitment rings under the guidance of an experienced jeweller.

Based in the historic Strand Arcade in Sydney and Melbourne's GPO, Larsen Wedding Rings is the only company in Australia to offer this service.  Founders Lars and Susie Larsen opened Larsen Wedding Rings in 2007 after they noticed a need for a distinctly romantic and personal experience in the lead up to their own wedding day.

"Couples love the idea of wearing a ring made by their loved one.  It makes the rings so much more special and meaningful as they have not only created each other's rings, but a memory that will last a lifetime" Susie said.

The couples can create any design from plain bands to more intricate designs.  If couples would like to include diamonds, a mix of metals or engraving, their dedicated jeweller will complete this stage of the process.  For an exceptionally personal touch, heirloom jewellery can even be melted down and incorporated into the couple's rings.

The process of making two perfect rings is surprisingly easy, taking only four hours in a fun and romantic setting, and is celebrated with a glass of champagne at the end.  The finished rings are guaranteed to be of the highest standard, complete with the look and feel of professionally-made rings, yet containing the memories that they were handcrafted between two loved-ones.

Larsen Wedding Rings is a member of the Jeweller's Association of Australia and the Goldsmith Guild of Australia.

Click here to read more about wedding rings in Melbourne and Sydney.