Blue Diamonds in short supply

Blue diamonds outperformed the rest of the fancy-color market in the first quarter, as high demand for the stones continued to drive prices, according to the Fancy Color Research Foundation (FCRF). The price index for blue fancy-color diamond prices grew 1.9% from the previous quarter and jumped 5.7% from a year ago. This compared with a 0.2% price increase for all fancy-color diamonds since the previous quarter, 0.7% year on year.

The "Premier Blue"

Across all color segments, diamonds labeled “fancy intense” or “fancy vivid” gained value, partly offset by declines in diamonds that were just “fancy”. A 92.15-carat diamond pendant worth up to $20 million will lead Christie’s “Magnificent Jewels” auction in Geneva next month. The heart-shaped, D-color, flawless diamond is the largest of its shape, color and clarity ever to be put up for auction. A 15.03-carat Burmese ruby set in a ring with diamonds is estimated $10 million to $15 million.

Diamond Sales Strong at Sotheby’s New York

A pair of diamond earrings brought more than $5 million at Sotheby’s New York, helping the auction house record a total of $29 million in jewelry sales. The square emerald-cut, D-color, internally flawless diamonds, one of which weighed 20.29 carats and the other 20.02 carats sold for $5.3 million. An emerald-cut, 5.07-carat, fancy gray-blue, VVS2-clarity stone brought $1.6 million.

A pear-shaped, 11.19-carat, fancy pink, internally flawless diamond pendant went for $2.4 million.

The “Stotesbury” emerald-and-diamond ring, designed by Harry Winston, sold for $996,500. Christie’s will hold its spring New York auction today, led by a 5.26-carat, fancy vivid purplish-pink diamond estimated at up to $3.5 million.

Piaget High Jewelry

Piaget is a Swiss luxury watchmaker and jeweller, founded in 1874 by Georges Piaget in the village of La Côte-aux-Fées. The company belongs to the Swiss Richemont group, specialists in the luxury goods industry.

The company was founded as a manufacturer of watch movements but began marketing its own line of watches in the 20th century.

After a decade and a half at the helm of Piaget, Philippe Léopold-Metzger is ramping up the production of jewellery, increasing the company’s focus on an important battleground for the industry. Luxury groups such as Richemont have devoted significant resources to expanding their jewellery brands.

Piaget's watch and jewelry designs "embody the eternal quest for technical mastery, transformed by boldness, expertise and imagination."

Jewellery Investing - Hints and Tips

It may be tempting to think of jewellery as a safe haven of value. However, anyone considering jewellery as an investment needs to choose wisely. The notion that jewellery retains its value is ingrained in cultures around the world with the implication that jewellery endures and retains its value over the long term.

The first caveat about jewellery is that if you buy new from a high end retailer, you will be losing from the start. The retailer usually imposes a 100% mark-up. Then there's the wholesaler's margin and the manufacturer's. You are also paying for marketing. Then there are taxes. If you sell the piece the next day you might get $.30 on the dollar. It might take many years to get back what you paid.

While brand-new jewellery fills a role in the market, wealth preservation isn't part of it. This general rule doesn't always apply to pieces designed by up-and-coming artists. To have any chance of acquiring jewellery that will be a good investment, you need to buy second-hand. Art Deco jewellery from 1920 to 1935, is worth considering. Anything signed by Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels, Boucheron, Tiffany or similar will always be sought after because their pieces are of exceptional quality. The worst possible 'investment' is jewellery containing lab created diamonds. There is virtually zero resale value for man-made diamonds.

See ----->http://highlifelivingluxury.blogspot.ca/2016/03/top-investment-gemstones.html
See ----->http://highlifelivingluxury.blogspot.ca/2017/01/self-managed-superannuation-funds.html

The Argyle Blossom Ring

The Argyle Blossom Ring was specially created for the Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender 2016. The ring features five Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender stones totalling 3.22 carats and a 0.33 carat Round Brilliant Argyle violet diamond nestled amongst white diamond petals, bordered by more than one carat of Argyle blue diamonds. It is valued at $3 million.

Asymmetrical High Jewels

Tiara set with red spinels, rhodolite garnets, tourmalines and diamonds. Chaumet

5.7ct marquise-cut peridot, pear-cut aquamarines and fancy-cut green tourmalines. Chanel

Draping chains of emeralds and diamonds. Graff

18 karat white gold earrings set with diamonds and rubies. De Grisogono

The centrepieces of the earrings are reversible to show either the white diamonds or the aquamarines and sapphires. Harry Winston

Bonham's New York

Cartier circa 1935

On April 24th, Bonhams in New York will offer 133 jewelry lots featuring colored diamonds; signed pieces from the likes of Cartier, Verdura, and René Boivin; and a curated collection of art deco, Sixties, and Seventies-era designs.

Harry Winston

Right Hand Rings

Margot Mckinney Opal Ring

Simply, right hand rings are any rings that are worn on the right hand. Often the term is used for cocktail rings – big statement rings that are set with bold, colourful gemstones.

Lydia Courteille

Boucheron

Usually these are rings that women have bought for themselves. Wearing them on the right hand is a way of ensuring that they are not confused with an engagement ring or wedding band. While the term ‘right hand ring’ is a relatively new one, the idea of wearing a ring on the right hand to signify a woman’s economic independence has its roots in the original cocktail rings of the 1920s. Traditionally, each finger had its own symbolism, with the index finger reserved for membership rings, and a thumb ring being seen as a sign of wealth and power. A ring worn on the right pinkie can indicate professional status.

Lorenz Baumer Rubellite Ring

Carla Amorim Dandelion ring

Instead of wearing wedding bands on their left hands, gay and lesbian couples often choose to wear rings on their right hands instead. Within their communities, these right-handed rings have become instantly recognisable indicators of relationship or marital status. The tradition of wearing engagement rings and wedding bands on the left ring finger is not the same all over the world. There are many variations across the globe. In China the bride wears the wedding ring on the right hand, the so-called ‘working hand’, to signify that she is in charge of the household, while the groom wears his on the left hand.

Bvlgari cocktail ring