Lywhi Joaillière-Artisane

Do you believe in curses? Besides its large size and intriguing color, one of the Black Orlov diamond's claims to fame is being cursed. The colorful story that ...has arisen around this gem is largely unsubstantiated, but it's a fascinating one nonetheless. According to legend, the 67.50 carat Black Orlov (originally 195 cts), also known as the Eye of Brahma, was discovered in the early 1800s in India, set as one of the eyes in a statue of the Hindu god Brahma in Pondicherry. It was stolen and eventually made its way into the hands of a New York gem dealer and then two Russian princesses (the stone is said to be named after one of them). According to this tale, all three owners met grim ends. The curse was (supposedly) broken when a diamond dealer bought the gem and cut it into three smaller pieces, the present Black Orlov being the largest of them. Curses aside, natural-color black diamonds are extraordinary because they are colored by graphite, pyrite, or hematite inclusions that make them notoriously difficult to cut and facet. See more

We're falling for (and trippin' over) this gem. Nothing says fall like pumpkin spice lattes, cozy socks, apple cider and this orange fantasy cut imperial topaz.... Did you know? During the 19th century, mines in Russia’s Ural Mountains were a leading source of topaz. The finest material was named imperial to honor the Russian czars and only the royal family could own it. Guess the Russian czars fell for it, too! Photo: Robert Weldon. Courtesy: Gems By Design, Inc. Kent, OH See more

Mon beau métier !!

Pumpkin spice and everything nice. Nothing says fall like pumpkins (or the Pumpkin Diamond). The 5.54-carat, Fancy Vivid orange Pumpkin Diamond was auctioned of...f on Halloween Eve in 1997 to Harry Winston, who purchased it for $1.3 million. Discovered in the Central African Republic (reportedly by a farmer), it was initially an unassuming, brown-looking rough. A diamond purveyor bought it on a leap of faith. In the hands of the right cutter, its stunning orange color was revealed! Photo: Shane McClure/ GIA See more