single vs full cut diamonds

Single cut diamonds began in the 1600's with just a few facets to catch the light. Consumers and jewellers have more recently moved back to single cut diamonds because of the shortage and cost of the diamonds today. Single cut diamonds can still refract light and when set properly, give a brilliance to jewelry in a more cost effective manner.




The difference between single cut diamonds and regular round brilliant diamonds is the number of facets (cuts). The classic round brilliant (full cut) will have 58 facets while single cut diamonds have 16-18 facets; 8 facets on top, 8 facets on the bottom and additional facets on the culet, facet or the crown. Single cut diamonds are small and usually under .10 carats. Some jewellers prefer to use single cuts on small stones because there are fewer cuts making the facets more visible compared to round brilliants having 58 facets within one very small stone.

a man's band

As a custom design studio, we've learned that there really is endless opportunities. Jewellers tend to focus more on the women's engagement ring whilst there really is more options for men's bands than most people know. Of course style, affordability, and comfort are top of mind in most groom-to-bes but ring metal and material might be a more difficult decision than you might think.  Besides your basic platinum, gold, and sterling silver we've compiled a little bit of information on a few of our most popular up and coming alloys.

TUNGSTEN CARBIDE

This specially engineered, exclusively patented metal formulation is a unique blend of tungsten and carbon that creates a material that's one of the hardest materials used in jewelry. In fact, Tungsten Carbide TC.850TM is ten times harder than gold. As one of the most popular choices for men's wedding bands (second only to Gold), Tungsten Carbide is hypoallergenic and known for being the most scratch-resistant metal choice, ensuring your ring will retain its natural color and alluring luster for as long as you own it. The superior formulation of Tungsten Carbide TC.850TM is only available at licensed jewelers

TITANIUM

Sleek. Timeless. Cool. Titanium is often referred to as the "space age metal" for its low density, strong, lustrous, corrosion-resistant surface, and rich grey coloring. As strong as some steels, but 45% lighter in weight, titanium possesses the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any metal.

COBALT

Cobalt is a hypoallergenic and tarnish resistant bright white metal that has been used in jewelry for hundreds of years. This strong, solid contemporary metal is durable, dense, and similar in weight to gold. Rich in shine and sophistication, it's a solid material that evokes classic masculinity and strength.

STAINLESS STEEL

Rugged and refined, stainless steel is one of the most popular metals used in jewelry and watch-making today. Its familiar luster and stain resistant properties make it an easy, low maintenance choice that looks great and will last for years. Triton jewelry features the highest quality stainless steel, 316L, which does not rust and has increased resistance to corrosion.

DIAMONDS

Born from coal, diamonds are the hardest known naturally occurring substance on earth, so hard in fact it is the standard that all other materials are measured against. Diamonds are used in a wide variety of industries for its superior abilities in precision cutting and as strong abrasives. Having few weaknesses and many strengths, diamonds have earned their status as the world's most popular gem and are available in many colors, even black.

the mokada process

The perfect ring has many important steps before it finds the perfect person. Yes, there may be times when "the ring" captures your eye with the elation you were hoping for but what happens when you can't find a piece that evokes those emotions? More than half (59%) of proposals in 2011 had custom aspects in the engagement ring. There are many steps in the custom design process but mokada has conception  it to four steps.

The Concept Stage

We explore pictures, drawings, descriptions, likes/dislikes with you to narrow down to a general design concept. 

The Design Stage

Working with you, we come up with a design for what you have envisioned. With a 3D image of your jewelry, you'll be confident that you are getting exactly what you want. Once the final design has been approved we create a wax model of that is optional for viewing before the piece is sent to cast.

We Work For You

mokada believes that your jewelry should be a perfect fit; including the budget. Pricing for any piece has many different variables; choice of metal, size and quality of set stones, intricacy of design, and weight. mokada can cast your heirloom in 18k gold, 14k gold, 10k gold, platinum, and sterling silver. Quality of stones, especially diamonds, play a large part of preference and budget. Once the Design Stage is complete mokada works for you in determining which variables are the perfect fit.





Today's Heirloom

It feels different when you wear a piece of custom-designed jewelry. Many thoughts and emotions come to play when going through the design process of creating tomorrow's family heirloom. It will fill you with pride to know that you had a hand in creating a beautiful family heirloom. Nothing brings us more excitement when seeing your concept come to realization.

To start your custom design process today contacts us at www.mokada.ca 

Will you be my Valentine?

When did it all start?

There are a few theories on the origin of Valentine's Day, but the most popular dates back to the time of the Roman Empire during the reign of Claudius II, 270 A.D. Claudius didn't want men to marry during wartime because he believed single men made better soldiers. Bishop Valentine went against his wishes and performed secret wedding ceremonies. For this, Valentine was jailed and then executed by order of the Emperor on Feb. 14. While in jail, he wrote a love note to the jailor's daughter, signing it, "From your Valentine." 

History & Fun Facts

• The ancient Romans celebrated the Feast of Lupercalia on Feb. 14 in honor of Juno, the queen of the Roman gods and goddesses. Juno was also the goddess of women and marriage.
• Many believe the X symbol became synonymous with the kiss in medieval times. People who couldn't write their names signed in front of a witness with an X. The X was then kissed to show their sincerity.
• Girls of medieval times ate bizarre foods on St. Valentine's Day to make them dream of their future spouse.
• In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who would be their Valentine. They would wear this name pinned onto their sleeves for one week for everyone to see. This was the origin of the expression "to wear your heart on your sleeve."
• In 1537, England's King Henry VII officially declared Feb. 14 the holiday of St. Valentine's Day.
• Alexander Graham Bell applied for his patent on the telephone, an "Improvement in Telegraphy", on Valentine's Day, 1876.
• Richard Cadbury produced the first box of chocolates for Valentine's Day in the late 1800s.
• More than 35 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will be sold for Valentine's Day.
• Over $1 billion worth of chocolate is purchased for Valentine's Day in the U.S.
• 73 percent of people who buy flowers for Valentine's Day are men, while only 27 percent are women.
• 15 percent of U.S. women send themselves flowers on Valentine's Day.
• On average, men shell out $130 each on candy, cards, jewelry, flowers and dates. That’s more than double what women commit to spending.
• The most fantastic gift of love is the Taj Mahal in India. It was built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan as a memorial to his wife.
• In the 1800s doctors commonly advised their heartbroken patients to eat chocolate, claiming it would sooth their pain. To this day, many women find comfort in a box of chocolates when dealing with heartbreak.
•  220,000 is the average number of wedding proposals on Valentine's Day each year.
• More at-home pregnancy tests are taken in the month of March then any other month of the year.

History of a Diamond

Diamonds are a girl's best friend, so how well do you know your bestie? Here's a quick cheat sheet on our most adorned jewel.

Jewelry Trends 2013

Jewelry trends typically are forecasted from the three R's: Red Carpet, Runway & Real Life. Here is a quick list of trends the Mokada ladies think you should be looking for in 2013.

Shine bright like an emerald. Pantone just named emerald the colour of the year and we've already seen stars hit the red carpet fashioning this brilliant gem. International mining firm Gemfields is aiming to do what De Beers has done for diamonds; making the emerald a standard household item. Emeralds and rubies are the second hardest gemstone next to a diamond and make ultra unique engagement rings for those looking to break the mould.

Snakes and social ladders.  Love it or hate it, we're going to snakes trickle down from the red carpet. Rachel Weisz shines in Bulgari's Serpenti Collection this runway season. She's often the face of classic beauty and we love how she's showing off her edgy side in jewel adorned serpents. Watches, arm bands, bracelets and even clutches have taken shape to our slithery friend... And we love it.

Stacking, stacking, stacking. The "stackables" ring trend has been around for the past few years but this year we are seeing it more than ever. One of my favourite new trends for this year is the knuckle ring. Stacking a mixture of gold, fashion and thin rings and topping the look off with a few tiny rings on the your first knuckle is a perfect hipster-chic combination.  We'll also see the colour blocking trend move to your arm candy.

Opal - October's Birthstone

"October's child is born for woe, 

And life's vicissitudes must know,

But lay on opal on her breast, 

And hope will lull those woes to rest."

The word opal is derived from the latin word "opalus" which means "a stone". The gemstone presents a unique play of colours and delicate tints. Opal also means "to see an change in colour". The opal occurs in several types of colours. The white opal is often associated with the pastel glints of the colours in a rainbow. The black opal has a blue, tray or black attributes. Fire and the crystal (also known as water) opal is colourless and almost transparent with sudden bright flashes of colour.

The October's birthstones traditional traits are said to be associated with hope, innocence, happiness, faithfulness, loyalty and confidence. The opal is reputed to have benefits related to health problems relating to the eye's vision and eye infections. Opals were used to enhance visualization, imagination, dreams as well as healing. 

Gifts for Generations

A very close friend of ours (Mona's best actually) had struggled with cancer for a number of years and although the outcome was bleak we had still called Grace a survivor. Over the past few visits Mona had  been dealing with the estate as well as specific items she would have liked passed down. Clothes, furniture, decor, even adorned trophies and monies were not the first to be discussed as to who would receive them once passed; jewelry on the other had was one of the first. After every visit, Mona would return with handfuls of pieces that were to be refurbished, redesigned or resized and given to loved ones upon her departure from us. On each piece that we work on I get to learn more about Grace - the story behind each piece Mona is now wearing or learning about her little nieces that are so lucky to be receiving gold bangles and rings with an engraved message from Auntie Grace. Clothes will wear, dinnerware will eventually be put away, money will disappear but jewelry really does last forever.

In the happier circle of life my very best friend has recently been married. As a wedding gift I had designed a gold ring surrounded by her wedding date cut out in roman numerals. I liked the design and as a jewelry designer I had greater access to give her something special; but I didn't realize how special this gift could potentially be. I had overheard the wedding photographer ask Breanne if she was wearing any pieces of significance (something borrowed, something blue or a family heirloom) that she would like to be photographed and she immediately took off the ring that I had given her that morning and passed it to the photographer. I was so touched; but it made me think of Grace.

Over the months events I realized out of all items of inheritance, jewelry is one of the only items that can be passed on from generation to generation in much of the same condition as it was originally purchased. Jewelry signifies life's celebrations and turns of events. It represents a story and a moment and that's something to be cherished forever.