Tuesday 31 January 2017

Self-managed superannuation funds buying into Argyle pink diamonds

One of the exclusive sellers of Argyle pink diamonds says a number of the stones are being purchased for self-managed superannuation funds (SMSF). Rio Tinto's Argyle mine in the East-Kimberley, in the far north of Western Australia, is the only source of the diamonds, and it is scheduled to close production by 2020.
There are only 34 luxury jewellers, or ateliers, who are officially allowed to buy and sell the rare Argyle pink. Investment strategists said there was merit in considering rare diamonds for SMSFs. But they caution there are variables that needed to be taken into account.

According to Rio Tinto the Argyle pinks have increased in value, on average, 15 per cent a year for the last ten years. The overall price for Argyle pink diamonds has tripled since 2000. In the last decade or so there has been an increase in demand for pink diamonds from India and China.
The Linney's Argyle Pink diamond tiara showcases 178 of the rarest pink diamonds.

Laurence Graff bought the entire first Argyle diamond tender
See ----->http://highlifelivingluxury.blogspot.ca/2017/01/pink-diamonds.html

Luxify and Birks Launch Exceptional Diamonds to Asian Buyers

A new collaboration between Luxify, Asia's premier online luxury marketplace, and Birks is offering selective Asian buyers a convenient and discreet way to invest in high-end, distinctive jewellery.

The display features Canada's largest coloured diamond of 35.11 carats, a rare fancy 4.05 carats intense purple pink diamond and an emerald cut 7.01 carat D flawless white diamond among other exclusive gems.

Monday 30 January 2017

Koh-i-noor Diamond in the News

The Koh-i-Noor (Persian for Mountain of Light) is a large, colourless diamond that was found near Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, India in the 13th century. It weighed 793 carats uncut and was first owned by the Kakatiya dynasty. The stone changed hands several times between various feuding factions in South Asia over the next few hundred years, before ending up in the possession of Queen Victoria after the British conquest of the Punjab in 1849.

In 1852, Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria had it cut down from 186 carats to 105.6 carats. The diamond is set in the front of the Queen Mother's Crown, part of the Crown Jewels, and is seen by millions of visitors to the Tower of London each year.

Duleep Singh
India’s top court heard a petition filed by a rights group asking it to direct India’s government to seek the diamond’s return. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government told the Indian Supreme Court that it should forgo any claims to the jewel because it was given to the British as a gift by the Sikh ruler of Lahore, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, in 1851. “It was neither stolen nor forcibly taken away,” Solicitor-General Ranjit Kumar said.

Those who want the diamond returned to India argued that Ranjit Singh’s young son, Duleep, was actually the ruler at the time the British acquired the diamond and that they tricked or coerced him – which would make their ownership of the diamond illegal.

The governments of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran have also previously made claims to the diamond over the years, which has passed over the centuries between Mughal princes, conquerors from Persia, Afghan rulers and Punjabi maharajas before it was given to the East India Company, which then offered it to Queen Victoria.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh
The diamond was worn by Queen Elizabeth's mother at the coronation of her husband George VI in 1937. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, will wear the crown on official occasions when she becomes queen consort.

Legend says that whoever owns the Koh-i-noor rules the world; another says it will bring bad luck to any man who wears it. Queen Victoria, taking this last legend more seriously, stipulated in her will that only female royals should wear the diamond.

Saturday 28 January 2017

Dhamani becomes ‘select atelier’ for Argyle pink diamonds

Rio Tinto named Dubai-based jeweler Dhamani to its exclusive list of ‘select ateliers’ for Argyle pink diamonds, granting it access to the miner’s supply of rare stones.

The move came as Dhamani launched its new line of pink-diamond jewelry, the DPINK Collection, in Dubai. It will mostly comprise diamonds from Rio Tinto's Argyle mine in Australia. ‘Select ateliers’ are companies that Rio Tinto has entrusted with retailing Argyle pink diamonds not sold through Rio Tinto’s main annual tender.
Dhamani, founded in 1969, is a second-generation family business with several boutiques in Dubai and one in Oman.
See ----->http://highlifelivingluxury.blogspot.ca/2017/01/rio-tinto-pink-diamond-jewelry-in-japan.html
See ----->http://highlifelivingluxury.blogspot.ca/2017/01/red-diamonds-argyle-tender.html

Friday 27 January 2017

Black Diamonds

Natural black diamonds are essentially colored by dark inclusions or impurities, which are great in number and evenly distributed throughout the stones. Many black diamonds in the marketplace are treated for even coloration and durability.

Large natural black diamonds are very rare, but irradiated black diamonds are abundant and utilized in many jewelry styles.

To a lot of rap music artists the latest must-have symbol of conspicuous consumption is jewelry made up of black diamonds.
Black diamonds are called Fancy Black with a notation of natural or treated color on laboratory reports.

GIA does not grade black diamonds as they fall outside of its normal clarity range, but the lab will issue a "Colored Diamond Identification and Origin Report (CDIOR) for identification purposes.
Known as the Black Orlov, or “The Eye of Brahma,” the most famous black diamond is haunted by a curse that reportedly began when the original 195-carat diamond was removed from the eye (forehead) of the idol of Brahma at a shrine near Pondicherry, India.

The diamond is tied to the deaths of three former owners who apparently killed themselves. In an attempt to break the curse, the diamond was re-cut into three separate gems and since has been owned by a succession of private owners, all of whom seem to have escaped the curse. J. Dennis Petimezas, current owner of the famed diamond has found no reported tragedies linked to the diamond since 1947.
The Spirit of de Grisogono at 312.24 carats is the world's largest cut black diamond, and the world's 5th largest diamond. In a white gold mounting, it is set with 702 white diamonds totalling 36.69 carats.

The man behind the stone is famous Swiss jeweler de Grisogono. He was the first major jeweler to create eye-catching collections of black diamond jewelry and watches. He is also responsible for cutting the Gruosi Diamond, the largest heart-shaped black diamond in the world.

Tuesday 24 January 2017

Diamonds: Rare Brilliance


The 30.03 carat Juliet Pink, Fancy Intense Pink, Type IIa, VVS2
The mission of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is to inspire wonder, discovery and responsibility for our natural and cultural worlds.

The Rainbow Necklace
The 2.83 carat Argyle Violet, Fancy Deep Grayish Bluish Violet

The 1.64 carat Victorian Orchid diamond, Fancy Vivid Purple, SI2
The newest items on display at the Natural History Museum are among the oldest and rarest ... four of nature’s rarest colorful diamond masterpieces. The vault where the diamonds are on display houses about 300 gemstones, including rubies, sapphires, emeralds and others. The vault is inside the museum’s 6,000-square-foot Gem and Mineral Hall, where more than 2,000 specimens are on display.

Diamonds: Rare Brilliance runs through March 19th.