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Clarity measures the presence of internal and external imperfections, known as inclusions and blemishes, respectively. Clarity is graded on a scale from Flawless (FL) to Included (I), with various grades in between. A diamond with fewer inclusions and blemishes will have a higher clarity grade and be more valuable.

What are the four C’s of diamonds and what does it mean?

The four C’s of diamonds explained All of the jewellery featured in this blog was designed and manufactured by Penchant Fine Jewellery. Diamonds are graded using the “4 Cs” system, which stands for Carat weight, Cut, Colour, and Clarity. These are the four key factors that determine the quality and value of a diamond. Here’s a brief overview of each grading factor: Carat weight: Carat weight is the measurement of a diamond’s size, with one carat equivalent to 0.2 grams. Diamonds are typically sold in fractions of a carat, and larger diamonds are generally more valuable. Cut: The cut of a diamond refers to its proportions, symmetry, and polish, which affect how well the diamond reflects light and how sparkly it appears. A well-cut diamond will have excellent brilliance, fire, and scintillation, making it more valuable. There are several different types of diamond cuts, each with its own unique characteristics and appearance. Some of the most popular diamond cuts include: Round Brilliant Cut: This is the most popular, common and classic diamond cut, featuring a round shape with multiple facets that are designed to maximize the diamond’s brilliance, fire, and scintillation. Round brilliant cut diamonds are known for their exceptional sparkle and are often used in engagement rings. Princess Cut: The princess cut is a square or rectangular shape with sharp corners and a brilliant-cut style. It is known for its contemporary and modern appearance, with a combination of step-cut and brilliant-cut facets that create a distinctive pattern and high sparkle. Emerald Cut: The emerald cut is a rectangular shape with step-cut facets and trimmed corners. It is known for its elegant and sophisticated appearance, with long, linear facets that create a “hall of mirrors” effect and emphasize the diamond’s clarity and colour. Asscher Cut: The Asscher cut is a square shape with step-cut facets, similar to the emerald cut, but with a smaller table and higher crown. It has a unique “X” pattern in the centre and is often chosen for its vintage and Art Deco-inspired look. Cushion Cut: The cushion cut is a square or rectangular shape with rounded corners and larger facets that create a pillow-like appearance. It is known for its romantic and soft look, with excellent brilliance and a vintage charm. Marquise Cut: The marquise cut is a long, narrow shape with pointed ends, resembling the shape of a football or boat. It is known for its elongating effect on the finger and is often chosen for its unique and distinctive appearance. Oval Cut: The oval cut is an elongated, oval-shaped diamond with brilliant-cut facets that maximize its sparkle. It is known for its elongating effect on the finger and offers a similar appearance to the round brilliant cut but with a more unique shape. These are just a few of the many different diamond cuts available, and each cut has its own unique characteristics and appeal. The choice of diamond cut is largely based on personal preference and style, as well as budget considerations. It’s important to choose a diamond cut that reflects your taste and preferences, while also considering the diamond’s overall quality and value. Colour: The colour of a diamond is graded on a scale from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown). The most valuable diamonds are completely colourless, with less colour indicating a higher grade. Clarity: Clarity measures the presence of internal and external imperfections, known as inclusions and blemishes, respectively. Clarity is graded on a scale from Flawless (FL) to Included (I), with various grades in between. A diamond with fewer inclusions and blemishes will have a higher clarity grade and be more valuable. In addition to the 4 Cs, diamonds may also be graded for other characteristics such as fluorescence, which refers to how the diamond reacts to ultraviolet light, and shape, which can affect its overall appearance. Different grading laboratories may also use slightly different grading scales or terminology, so it’s important to understand the specific grading system being used when evaluating a diamond’s quality.

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April 22, 2023
Our jewellery doesn't judge and so shouldn't your love.

Our jewellery doesn’t judge and so shouldn’t your love

Our jewellery doesn’t judge Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love in all its forms, and it’s wonderful to see when businesses embrace the diversity of love and relationships. It’s important to us to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or relationship status.  Penchant Fine Jewellery is a LGBTQ++ friendly store. We will also welcome you with open arms if you are celebrating yourself for the month of love. Everyone is welcome. Where did Valentine’s Day originate from? You have probably read this before, but history does repeat itself. In this case every 14th of February, however, times have changed. The most common explanation of how Valentine’s Day came to be is the following: Valentine’s Day originated from a Christian holiday called Saint Valentine’s Day. It is said to have been started in the 4th century to honour Saint Valentine, a Catholic priest who was martyred for secretly marrying couples in ancient Rome during a time when marriage was forbidden. Yes, Valentine’s Day has become a more inclusive holiday and is celebrated by people of most cultures, religion and sexual orientations. While the holiday has roots in Christianity, it has evolved into a celebration of love and affection between partners, friends, and families. Some people choose to celebrate by expressing their love for their significant other, while others celebrate self-love or the love they have for their friends and families. The emphasis on love and affection makes Valentine’s Day a holiday that is enjoyed and celebrated by many. The holiday has since evolved into a secular celebration of love and affection, with people exchanging cards, gifts, and affectionate messages to express their love and appreciation for one another. Our team at Penchant are firm believers of: Nothing says ‘I love you’ more than a beautiful piece of jewellery. And we have tons of beautiful options for you to choose from for your Valentine. Follow the link for more: https://penchantdesign.com/services/ 079 471 7324 info@penchantdesign.com 62 Huguenot Street, Franschhoek, South Africa. https://penchantdesign.com/ https://www.instagram.com/penchant_design/

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February 3, 2023

Explore the rare CSARITE colour changing gemstone

Join Jackie on her Turkish adventure and exploration of the CSARITE mine This mine is home of the CSARITE gemstone, a gemstone which changes colour depending on the light source it is exposed to. Jackie Hahn, owner and lead designer of Penchant Fine Jewellery, has been invited to visit the mine in Turkey at one of the coastal towns called Bodrum. https://penchantdesign.com/ A photo collage of some Jackie’s adventures in Turkey. Where and what is the CSARITE mine Location, a single site, single mine gem in the rural countryside of the Mugla province of South West Turkey, roughly 25km from the small city of Milas, lies the only mine currently known to produce CSARITE®. Located in the westernmost part of the infamous Menderes Massif, the mine is positioned in one of the most continuously deforming areas of the world. At the peaks of the Ilbir mountains lies the world’s only CSARITE® mine more than 3000ft above sea level This, alongside its remote location continues to test modern engineering and technology. It is only because of perseverance and ceaseless cooperation with local communities that Milenyum continues to successfully extract this magnificent gemstone from the Turkish landscape. A New Gemstone for a New Generation Why is the CSARITE® so unique Found in only one place in the world, in a single mine in the rural Turkish mountains of the ancient region of Anatolia, CSARITE® is amongst the world’s rarest and most exquisite gemstones. With a rare and natural ability to shift colours under different light sources, CSARITE® ceaselessly transforms by day and night, indoors and out. Exhibiting a spectrum of natural colours from earthy pistachio and olive greens to golden campaign yellows, deep sunset gingers, and soft pinks and reds, CSARITE® is dynamic and expressive. Join us on this adventurous journey. We will be sharing stories and pics throughout.

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September 8, 2022

Win a Moissanite with Penchant Fine Jewellery

Win a moissanite stone and get planning on that engagement ring Ever heard about moissanite? What exactly is moissanite? Is it a laboratory-grown diamond substitute? Not at all. Moissanite gems were discovered over 120 years ago. Why do we only hear about it now? It is because it is so rare. Today—because of its rarity—moissanite is lab grown with minimal environmental impact. Because of its durability, moissanite can be found in a variety of cuts, which give jewellery designers a plethora of options for moissanite engagement rings and other jewellery settings. Moissanite is the name given to a naturally occurring and laboratory-grown mineral made up of silicon carbide. Its occurrence in nature is extremely rare. Discoveries have shown moissanite occurs naturally as inclusions in diamonds, xenoliths, kimberlite, and lamproite. Brilliance and variety is what should be kept in mind when browsing the market for moissanite. These two factors are what sets the gemstone apart from diamonds and other similar jewellery gems. No matter what shape catches your eye, there’s nothing like seeing this stunning gem in person. The good news You can win your very own 0.96ct, 6.5mm round Moissanite valued at R6 500. Go to our Facebook- or Instagram page for details on how to win this beautiful piece. Be sure to follow all the directions in order to come into consideration for the prize. Because we are feeling generous we will also do free engraving. The rules of engagement In this case, the competition rules. Penchant Fine Jewellery’s will choose the winner and the decision is final. Closing date for entries are 30 August 2022. Winner will be announced 31 August 2022. The design process has to begin before or during but, no later than November 2022 to redeem your prize. Should you not redeem your prize you will forfeit your prize with immediate effect. A new winner will be chosen at the end of November 2022. Penchant Fine Jewellery will not be responsible for any traveling arrangements, postage- or courier cost. You have to be 18 years and older to enter. The moissanite has to be set in a ring, designed and made by Penchant Fine Jewellery with the metal of your choice. You are allowed to bring or use your own design. It is your responsibility to book a consultations with Penchant Fine Jewellery. A free consultation is included but, the workmanship and metal (gold, silver, rose gold etc.) used, is for your own bill. You are allowed to have an online consultation. The prize can not be exchanged for cash. Follow us and like our pages on Facebook and Instagram: Penchant Fine Jewellery | Facebook /  Penchant Fine Jewellery (@penchant_design) • Instagram photos and videos You are welcome to send a mail, give us a call or even pay us a visit. 079 471 7324 info@penchantdesign.com 62 Huguenot Street, Franschhoek, South Africa.

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August 3, 2022
Get inspired with our brand new 5-in-1 Madiba pin.

 How does your jewellery inspire you?

Nelson Mandela alias Madiba was a man of many firsts You can’t describe him in just one way. This is also why we found inspiration in his achievements and decided to make this silver with laser engraving 5-in-1 Madiba pin.   Our wish is to inspire others with this pin. When you wear or use it, may it remind you that you can always rise from the ashes and to never give up. Just like Madiba, you can fight through your darkest moments. A piece of jewellery might remind you of someone special, give you hope or motivate you to achieve great things. How does your jewellery inspire you? Jewellery inspires us in many different ways Nelson Mandela however is more than a five-in-one person nevertheless, he inspired us. He was born July 18, 1918, therefore we are running this promotion only until the end of July 2022. This pin will usually cost you R3 600 but, to celebrate Madiba’s birthday and many great achievements, it is now available for only R2 999. A bit about his life and work ‘Nelson Mandela, has always been a fighter. He was born July 18, 1918, Mvezo, South Afric. He is a man who fought against the odds. His darkest days in jail didn’t spoil his spirit and he was reborn from the ashes. Madiba stood up as a leader and spoke with his heart; he understood the flaws of a broken nation, and he unified a racially polarized nation. His life was full of painful episodes, for instance, from jail he looked for South Africa’s freedom and real democracy. Outside of prison he had many supporters and people who trust his ideals, beliefs and convictions.’ Oskar Guzman Get Your Silver Penchant Madiba Pin Here https://penchantdesign.com/product/madiba-5-in-1-pin/ Follow us and like our pages on Facebook and Instagram: Penchant Fine Jewellery | Facebook /  Penchant Fine Jewellery (@penchant_design) • Instagram photos and videos You are welcome to send a mail, give us a call or even pay us a visit. 079 471 7324 info@penchantdesign.com 62 Huguenot Street, Franschhoek, South Africa.  

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July 22, 2022

Why we love celebrating Bastille

Bastille! A day celebrated annually almost everywhere in the world. It will come as no surprise that Franchhoek in the Western Cape is also decorated in blue, white, and red in celebration of this historic event. The streets come alive with the smell of freshly baked French inspired pastries, fashion, music, and art. Let’s be honest, nothing makes you feel quite as ‘Frenchy’ as a fresh croissant and a red barrette. Then of course, our name, Penchant is of French origin. There is much to be celebrated and many ways to do so but, the best place to be on 14 July is without a doubt Franchhoek. Celebrations continue through the weekend which includes wine tastings, designer jewellery from Penchant and delicious cuisine. In the collage below you will see diamond, sapphire and ruby jewellery, all designed by Penchant. Most refer to Bastille as a French National Day that it is a celebration of the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on July 14 1789, and commemorates the official beginning of the French Revolution. Follow the link to read the full article: https://theconversation.com/what-is-bastille-day-and-why-is-it-celebrated-163812 Nevertheless, why people celebrate this day, Penchant will be joining the festivities. We are offering customers a 15% discount on all sapphire, ruby and diamond inspired pieces. These gems were specifically selected to in a way represent the blue, white, and red of the national flag of France.  This offer will be valid from 14 to 17 July. French Revolution and Jewellery The French revolution in 1789 affected jewellery wearing and production greatly. Escaping a fearful time when even the possession of jewellery or belt buckles could lead to the guillotine, there was a prevailing need for a new fashion. The new emerging styles reflected the dramatic change society had gone through, signalling the new philosophy of ‘Liberté, égalité, fraternité’ (liberty, equality, fraternity).  Penchant might not have a range which has been inspired by Queen Marie Antoinette of Frances’ jewellery but, we definitely have designer pieces that would have ended up in her collection. We have picked out some of our ruby, diamond and sapphire rings, a bracelet, earrings and a necklace we thought the Queen would love to wear. Take a look at our bedazzling fine jewellery, fit for a queen. Queen Marie Antoinette’s personal jewellery collection. Come and join us in celebration of this French historic event. We will be treating our clients with coffee and a mini croissants until Sunday 17 July. Follow the link to our online shop: Collections – Penchant Design You are welcome to send a mail, give us a call or even pay us a visit. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 079 471 7324 info@penchantdesign.com 62 Huguenot Street, Franschhoek, South Africa. https://penchantdesign.com/ https://www.instagram.com/penchant_design/

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July 14, 2022

The Glitz and Glam

It’s all about the glitz and the glam, the sparkle and the shine, the colour, cut and clarity.  The stone that declares love, their illustrious shine have inspired songwriters over the decades, and who cannot help but sing along when you hear “and diamonds are a girl’s best friend..” Some many fads come and go, however diamonds, have, despite it being around for millions of years, its popularity and demand continue to increase among the rich and famous. This stone is one of the most sought-after gemstones – so much so, that some of the world’s most famous diamonds are worn by royals and celebrities. We hope you all loved reading about the history and symbolic meaning of the Diamond gemstone. Did you find anything particularly fascinating? If yes, please share your thoughts with us below. Like them, or loathe them, the British royal family has exceptional taste when it comes to their jewellery.  Their diamond collection can only be called pristine.  Did you know that traditionally the British royal family pass down their family heirlooms from generation to generation, or members of the family will borrow pieces from the Queen? There is something special about diamonds that have been passed down from generation to generation and a lovely tradition to start if there aren’t pieces which have been handed down in your family.  I must admit though, that borrowing diamonds to family fills me with all kinds of anxiety 😊. Undoubtedly one of the most famous tiaras in history was worn by the Duchess of Cambridge on her wedding day. The beautiful Cartier Halo Scroll Tiara is made up of 739-cut diamond and 149 baguette of diamonds surrounding it, was created in 1936 as a wedding gift to Elizabeth the Queen Mom.  For the wedding, this tiara was lent to Kate by the Queen. One of my all-time favourites must be the ‘Cambridge Lovers’ Knot Tiara’ famously worn by Princess Diana on her wedding day. This beautiful Tiara headpiece is made of Diamond and 19 hanging pearls all set in silver and gold. I love how elegantly these two gemstones work together. After Princess Diana and Charles got divorced, the Tiara was returned to the Queen. The Duchess of Cambridge loves to borrow this masterpiece on special occasions A famous South African celebrity well known in Hollywood, Charlize Theron stepped out at the 2014 Oscars in a 21-carat emerald-cut diamond necklace and diamond earrings. Her drop-dead gorgeous jewellery is valued at $15million dollars. The next famous look was previously seen on Audrey Hepburn when she promoted her movie, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. More recently Lady Gaga wore the iconic 128-carat yellow diamond necklace to the 2019 Oscars. Can we just all say WOW! Wait for it …… the most expensive jewel ever to grace Hollywood was not worn at the Oscars or on the red carpet, it was in fact worn by singer Carrie Underwood at the 2013 Grammy awards. The 381-carat diamond necklace costs a whopping $31 million dollars. I know these prices seem crazy and totally farfetched, but you too could be your very own Princess for an inch of the price. We have so many beautiful diamond pieces in our store that are calling your name. Stay Beautiful, Jackie Hahn & Penchant Design Team

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April 27, 2022

January’s Birthstone is a Garnet, which is also the gem for the 2nd Wedding Anniversary

I can’t believe it is January and the start of a new year! I am proud to say that Penchant Fine Jewellery had a great festive season. It is our busiest time of year as tourists and locals flood to the beautiful valley of Franschhoek. This results in high foot traffic, which leads to many happy faces popping into our store. We are so grateful to have heard more foreign voices and see more familiar faces in person this year.  View our new branded store launch event here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CXxoFXZqemq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link  On that positive note, I am wishing everyone a fabulous 2022 and will get straight onto sharing insights on the beautiful first birthstone of the year, the Garnet. is the Garnet family has  vibrant and meaningful collections of gemstones part of its clan.  The Garnet received its name from a sacred fruit, known as the pomegranate. Garnet, coming from the Latin word Garanatus, means seeds or seed-representing. Some garnets do resemble the seeds of a pomegranate (we will show some examples in our posts!), which is why this is the chosen name for these lovely family of stones.  Garnet is also the gem for the second wedding anniversary. That reminds me! If it is your birthday or 2nd wedding anniversary this month then you can receive 15% off any Garnet item in our store.  Shop our collection here: https://penchantdesign.com/collections/  Where is Garnet found? Garnet is found all over the world and isn’t subjective to a few locations. The stone is also close to the earth’s surface and not buried underneath mounds of pressure and sediment. The Garnet stone is created when rock and aluminium content are combined together.  The Duchess of Cambridge’s birthday ring Let me share an interesting fact about Garnets…before the Duchess of Cambridge got engaged to Prince William, Catherine Middleton often wore a pearl and garnet gold ring. The press frequently speculated whether it was a gift from Prince William. Why? Because the garnet is the Duchess’s birthstone (she was born in January), while the pearl is Prince’s William’s birthstone (born in June). Lastly, I would like to remind all my lovely Penchant customers that I am running a competition where you can win a beautiful ring if you enter! All you have to do is post an image of your favourite Penchant piece, share with us why it is authentically you and tag us! The competition runs till the end of February 😊So, no excuse to not enter…go-go-go! Enter Now: https://penchantdesign.com/my-penchant-design-piece-competition/ Best of luck and hope to see everyone in the store again soon!  Stay beautiful, Jackie and the Penchant Team

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January 21, 2022
daisy jewellery

Shine On: Remaining Resilient in Turbulent Times

Over the last few weeks, the world as we knew it has done a complete 360 – and sadly not in the fun, spinning, twirling, dancing way we’d like to imagine… The global Novel Coronavirus pandemic that had been rapidly spreading since January, finally (unfortunately) reached our shores in early March, changing the way we do business – and life – in this quiet corner of Africa. Whether this change is “for good” or just “for now” remains to be seen, but as a company that prefers to always look on the bright (and sparkly) side of things, we’ve decided to embrace this opportunity to do things differently. But before we get into the details on how we plan to cope with Covid-19 (and what you can do to prevent lockdown from getting you down), let’s just recap where we’re at right now, and how South Africa’s mandatory 21-day lockdown is impacting South African businesses and individuals: Schools are closed Travel is banned All shops and businesses that do not provide essential services have been closed. The points above paint a rather gloomy picture of the time ahead, but as one of the countless memes shared on social media said: And so, to help you change your attitude to one of gratitude, here are some of  the awesome things you can do while staying safe at home until this storm passes. SHOP ONLINE Even though we’ve had to close up shop to ensure our staff’s health and safety (and comply with government regulations), we remain 100% at your service thanks to the wonder of the internet and a little something called Zoom. From now until lockdown is over, Penchant owner and head designer, Jackie will be doing custom design consultations. To book a free consultation, simply choose a time that suits you best, and you will receive a Zoom link for the meeting. If you do not have Zoom yet, don’t worry! Once you click on the link provided, your download will start automatically, or you can follow the prompts for a quick installation before we get down to the good stuff – discussing your design ideas and dreams. We are also still taking orders via our online shop, and in addition to 10% discount on all pieces in our Oxi-Daisy range until the end of April, we are also offering free shipping across South Africa for all orders placed during lockdown. Deliveries will unfortunately only commence again when normal trade resumes (even though a strong case can be made that jewellery does, in fact, qualify as “essential items”), but if you place your orders now, at least you’ll have a little something extra to look forward to. KEEP YOURSELF BUSY Lockdown has forced us all to slow down, whether we wanted to or not. This means we not only have time to do those things we’ve been putting off forever, we even have time to try a few new things, like taking up a hobby or getting crafty. We simply love the idea of making a simple DIY ring holder, so if organising your bling has been on your to-do list for a while, check out this video or these easy step-by-step instructions. We’ll be sharing more of these fun projects with you in the coming weeks, so if you’re not following us on Facebook and Instagram, you have exactly 4 clicks to change that 😉 STAY POSITIVE The number of confirmed Coronavirus cases keeps rising daily and we have no idea how or when this outbreak will be contained. With so much uncertainty and negativity surrounding our present situation, it’s only human to start feeling overwhelmed and even depressed. So instead of obsessively and helplessly watching those numbers rise, why not focus on the positives instead? Actively seek out the happy stories celebrating people’s strength, resilience and camaraderie, and share these with your friends and family online. A little positivity will go a long way, so search, share and spread the good news!

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March 31, 2020