118 I South Africa Deluxe I Travel & Resorts africa I 119 Precious Gemstone Safari "Our work is a grand collaboration with mother earth and all that inhabit her. We don t produce these images in a vacuum, our work is not a photograph or a still image, it is a story, a narrative of the life, landscapes and moods of places. It is the music behind everything; its breath, its heartbeat." Jan & Jacynth Roode Photo: Skyhawk Photography
120 I South Africa Deluxe I Travel & Resorts africa I 121 Ravishing Rubies Like diamonds, rubies are graded on colour, cut, clarity and carat but their size and origin are also influencing factors on their value. The finest quality rubies are vivid, medium-dark red in colour. While secondary hues of pink, orange and purple are common, the purple is preferred as it enhances the red, making it deeper in hue. Natural rubies all have imperfections, whether it is in the colour or the inclusions of rutile needles, known as silk. These silks help gemmologists to distinguish between the natural stones and synthetics, simulants or substitutes. While most rubies undergo some form of heat treatment today, those which are completely untreated but still of excellent quality are highly prized. While high quality stones are rare, rubies are found in many countries around the world. On the African continent they are mined in Tanzania, Madagascar, Kenya and Mozambique. As rich and fiery as the luminescent Kenyan sunset, rubies radiate a warmth and strong sense of passion and vitality they are simply the ultimate symbols of love. This magnificently opulent and whimsical pendant intertwines white round diamonds and round rubies with white gold. The micro-set is available from the Graff Diamond Store located at Delaire Graff Estate. www.delaire.co.za Sunrise Mount Kenya Victoria Falls at full flood stage taken from a helicopter. Emerald Valleys As vivid and vibrant as the luscious vegetation enveloping the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, the emerald is classified as one of the four traditional precious stones. It is May s birthstone and the perfect way to commemorate a 20th and 35th wedding anniversary. In order to be considered a top quality gem, an emerald must possess a verdant green hue and a high degree of transparency. Originally mined in Egypt, India and Austria, today s emeralds come predominantly from Colombia, followed by the Kafubu River in Zambia. Zambian emeralds are of exceptional quality, being less porous and less brittle than their Colombian counterparts. They also usually boast a more even colour. Emeralds truly represent the green heart of Africa. They are found across the continent from Egypt to Ethiopia, Madagascar to Mozambique, Namibia to South Africa, and Tanzania to Zimbabwe. Esteemed for centuries, emeralds may have minute inclusions but these by no means diminish their value. Specialists regard these tender inclusions as tiny plants within the emerald s garden. They are indicators that the emerald has grown naturally and a look through the microscope shows us the eventful genesis of this unique gem. Revered as a symbol of life, love and hope, the deep green hues bring to mind the lush, life-giving sub-tropical foliage of the Blyde River Canyon, one of the longest and greenest canyons in the world. Charles Greig s classic and refined collection of emerald, diamond and platinum rings are highly sought-after. Available from Charles Greig stores at Hyde Park, Michelangelo, V&A Waterfront, Brooklyn Mall and The Palace, these rings have clean and graceful lines and would make a welcome addition to any discerning personal jewellery collection. www.charlesgreig.co.za Photos: Skyhawk Photography, Charles Greig, Graff Diamonds
122 I South Africa Deluxe I Travel & Resorts africa I 123 Aquamarine Oceans As startlingly clear and turquoise as the tropical waters off the Mozambique coast, the aquamarine, like the emerald, is a variety of beryl. The deep blue version of this gemstone is known as Maxixe and is commonly found in Madagascar. Aquamarines are extremely hard, virtually impervious to scratches and if they are of superior quality, bear few to no inclusions. The more intense, pure and clear blue the stone, the higher the value which is put on it. Like the emerald, the aquamarine is also found in the mines of Colombia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zambia. Santa Maria aquamarines come from the Santa Maria de Itabira mine in Brazil and have a rare, intense blue colour. Similarly coloured aquamarines are found in Africa, particularly in Mozambique and these have been named Santa Maria Africana to distinguish them from their Brazilian counterparts. The aquamarine is a favourite of modern jewellery designers and they are constantly finding new, artistic ways to cut this appealing gem. Likewise, it is a favourite of woman the world over, as it flatters almost any skin or eye colour. The exquisite translucent turquoise is a reminder of the iridescent waters that lap the white-sand shores of the African Islands, from Bazaruto to the Comoros, Mauritius to Madagascar, and the Seychelles to São Tomé Island, luxury and tranquillity abounds for the lucky traveller. This timeless Ruban ring is set in white gold and features an exquisite aquamarine with pave diamonds on the band. Based on the Trinity ring designed by Louis Cartier in 1924, the ring signifies harmony and balance and is a symbol of the greatest love of your life. www.cartier.com The fishermen of the Bazaruto know the language of the sea; they listen to the poems that arrive on the monsoon breeze. They search for the great Leatherback turtles who whisper stories of the north... stories of endless white beaches and swaying palms, of mermaids and far-away places that smell of cinnamon and cloves. Jacynth Roode Kilimanjaro summit from the airplane Tanzanite in the shadow of Kilimanjaro Available from Platandia at the Cape Grace hotel and the foundry in Cape Town. www.platandia.com As rich and alluring as the expansive deep-blue skies that have mesmerised climbers on the summit of Kilimanjaro for more than a century, Tanzanite ranges in hue from ultramarine-blue to light violet-blue. The most coveted of these precious stones is a deep blue, surrounded by delicate hints of purple. Discovered in Tanzania in 1967, Tanzanite has been hailed by experts as the gemstone of the 20 th century. Named after its country of origin, by New York jewellers Tiffany, Tanzanite is highly sought after for its rarity and limited supply. These dazzling gems caught the eye of Masai shepherds in the Merelani Hills near Arusha and on the plain which lies in the shadow of Kilimanjaro. Just as breath-taking as the gems found near to her, the Arusha National Park offers visitors the chance to explore a bewitching diversity of habitats, from the magnificent Ngurdo Crater in the heart of her forest to Mount Meru, the fifth highest peak in Africa which dominates her landscape. Here you ll be delighted by the antics of inquisitive blue monkeys and the playful acrobatics of black and white colobus monkey. This is an area rich with wildlife from pink flamingos, to waterbucks, zebra and giraffes. If you re lucky you ll spot leopards and hyenas in the early morning and late afternoon. Tanzanite is one of the more brittle precious stones and as such, is not recommended for every day wear. It should be protected from bumps, scratches and extreme temperature changes. Spoil your loved one with a stunning pair of Tanzanite earrings or a pretty pendant, but choose diamonds and the harder stones like sapphires and emeralds for engagement rings. To truly appreciate the Tanzanite s striking beauty, look for stones of 10 carats or more. Photos: Platandia, istockphoto, lexan, Skyhawk Photography, Cartier
124 I South Africa Deluxe I Travel & Resorts africa I 125 Flamingo Pink Sapphires In 1981, when Lady Diana Spencer chose her engagement ring, a large 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire, surrounded by elegant solitaire diamonds and set in 18-carat white gold, she sparked a trend that would see many similar rings created for romantics across the globe. Passed on by her son Prince William to his wife Kate, this ring and its sapphire centrepiece is still one of the most famous and beloved in the world. What may surprise some is that sapphires come in more colours than the well-known blue. Madagascan sapphires come in a range of pink and yellow hues while Tanzanian sapphires are blue, yellow and orange. In Brazil the stone varies from blue to purple to pink. The stone s hardness is exceeded only by diamonds, and it is this and its most common blue colouring that evokes emotions of dependability, harmony, friendship, loyalty, reliability and indestructible trust. At the same time it is a reflection of people s love and longing and is a gem often chosen by brides for their engagement rings. Like the sizeable flamboyance of flamingos that fly countless miles on southern winds to nest in São Sebastião, on the southern end of Bazaruto Archipelago off Mozambique, pink sapphires come in the palest soft pinks through to vivid and intense, almost magenta hues. It seems fitting that the flamingo is seen as a symbol of beauty, balance, grace, and happiness in love and relationships. This designer bracelet from the Jenna Clifford Fine Jewellery Collection is set with cultured Akoya pearls, baguette cut pink sapphires and round brilliant cut diamonds in solid white gold. www.jennaclifford.com The Flamingo of São Sebastião adorn the shallows like liquid streamers of glitter. Having flown countless miles on southern winds they arrive on shimmering wing beats of cerise and magenta. The Trio Three zebra walk the vast pans of the Makgadikgadi (Botswana) accompanied only by their shadows. Agate Photos: Skyhawk Photography First discovered by Greek philosopher and naturalist Theophrastus, along the shoreline of the river Achates between the third and fourth century BC, Agate was regarded as a highly valuable talisman or amulet, said to quench thirst and protect its wearer from fever. Waxy and translucent with white streaks, Agate ranges in colour from white to grey, light blue, orange to red and black. Traditionally associated with volcanic and metamorphic rocks, Agate, like the Zebra, has been creatively striped by nature. Stones taken from veins or cracks in volcanic or altered rock, which are cut transversely, are known as banded agate, riband agate and striped agate. Botswana agate come in a range of warm colours including gray, pink and apricot, with fine white parallel banding and is considered by some collectors to be the most luxurious of Agates. It is found in an area which is rich with human and geological history, home to one of earth s earliest human settlements the Tsodilo Hills in the Mashatu Reserve in Botswana. Here the lava flowed in waves from faults along lower rock layers and rolled across the landscape creating the perfect breeding grounds for the Agate which is found there today. Gepardissima enfuses simple sensuality in this naturallycoloured, vivid blue Agate necklace, paired with tinted fresh water pearls and Chinese fine art glass roundels. Designer Jutta Sitta-Windhager was inspired by water, weather and climate in creating this sublime piece which is interwoven both by opulence of the material and the rather minimalistic concept of the design. www.gepardissima.co.za
126 I South Africa Deluxe I Travel & Resorts The Skyhawk Collection For more of the Roodes magnificent photographs and for more of their story visit www.skyhawkphotography.com The Skyhawk collection is the result of an epic search across the extraordinary and geographically diverse landscapes of Southern Africa in a light aircraft, trying to capture images of life sewn into the tapestry of unimaginable landscape. For centuries, photographers have taken small parts of Africa through photography and film and have never given back to the landscapes and beings that collaborated with them to create their works. Through partnering with conservation organizations the Roodes imagery is being used to make positive change happen at grassroots level where it is often needed most. Their astounding and sometimes confrontational aerial images are not only used for awareness raising and to inspire individuals to take action, but to create alternate livelihoods and sustainable incomes for communities and the conservation projects relevant to them. A percentage of the sale of each Skyhawk fine art print goes directly to an organisation working with the environment in the country in which it was taken. Their images have been exhibited internationally and adorn the walls of collectors the world over. Our work is a grand collaboration with mother earth and all that inhabit her. We don t produce these images in a vacuum, our work is not a photograph or a still image, it is a story, a narrative of the life, landscapes and moods of places. It is the music behind everything, its breath, its heartbeat. (Jan & Jacynth Roode) Lindsay Grubb & Laurette Coetzee Photo: Skyhawk Photography