Sourcing Spotlight: New Traceable Baguette Diamonds
Our newly re-designed Baguette Diamond Band
Fans of the Baguette Diamond, we have really big news! Until now, traceable baguette diamonds were unavailable on the market, but after two years of determined research and collaboration, we can now offer fully traceable, ethical Canadian baguette diamonds. Our technique involves sourcing rough Canadian diamonds, then creating custom cut baguette shapes in a Jeweltree-approved facility in Surat, India. To celebrate this achievement, we proudly announce the re-design of the popular Baguette Eternity Band and the NEW Demi-Baguette band, both featuring our exclusively ethical stones.
A little background on the facility and certification: The Jeweltree Foundation creates rigorous standards for ethics and safety in the industry. Because our baguette cutting and polishing facility has been evaluated by Jeweltree, we know that the company has established strict labor policies. Jeweltree-certified companies ensure that all workers are over 18 and paid a living wage, receive paid vacation, maternity, and sick leave; and are provided a safe, sanitary environment, with proper protective equipment and necessary training.
To compliment these origins, the baguette diamond stands out as one of the most avant-garde diamond cuts. Earning its name for its long, rectangular shape, the French word baguette means "long rod," from the Latin baculum, meaning "a stick." The baguette cut gained popularity in the 20's and 30's during the Art Deco era. Its predecessor was the hogback cut, which dates as far back as the 16th century. It featured a long rectangular table with a simplified crown characterized by either a ridge or a single row of steps. In the earliest uses of the hogback, jewelers created crosses, letters, and figures.
Art Deco diamond pendant necklace, c. 1925, Christie's
Later, baguette diamonds lent themselves to the bold geometry, symmetry, and rich colors of the Art Deco movement when they became widely used as side and accent stones. Advancements in cutting techniques in the 1920's and 30's yielded diamonds that were more brilliant and dazzling than ever. Casting technologies became more accessible as well, allowing jewelers to create complex designs more efficiently. Following the sensuous curves, soft pastels, and intricate lacey filigrees of the Art Nouveau and Edwardian movements, jewelry became a way for women to assert their individuality during the Roaring 20's and in the 30's. Stylish and fun, Art Deco jewelry took on a new boldness and masculinity reflective of the energy and progressiveness of the era.
Introducing our new Demi-baguette Diamond Band
Today, the clean, streamlined elegance of the baguette diamond still carries these associations. It can convey a 1930's retro feel, and it's clean lines and minimal aesthetic can also be incorporated into designs that are very contemporary. We decided to treat the cut differently, elevating the baguette from its former position as an accent, to the spotlight stone. Add that our distinctive Canadian baguette diamonds are fully traceable from the mine to your hand. What could be more now?