Gemesis Creates Lab-Grown Colorless Diamonds

A 1.05-carat colorless round diamond from Gemesis with Very Good cut, J color and VVS2 clarity, certified by IGI.

A Florida-based diamond company has begun selling colorless, lab-created diamonds on its Internet site directly to consumers.

Gemesis Diamond Company has been producing lab-created fancy colored diamonds (primarily yellow diamonds) for some time, with limited acceptance by the jewelry industry and consumers. But the production of colorless diamonds, by far the most widely used diamonds in the world, with what it calls “excellent color and clarity” could give jewelry retailers, jewelry designers and consumers a real choice when specifying diamonds. (In this case the term “colorless” is used to describe what are also known as “white diamonds,” meaning not colored diamonds. It is not describing the “Clarity” grading standard for diamonds, one of the 4Cs.)

Gemesis colorless diamonds are all certified as Type IIa, the purest type of diamond, almost or entirely devoid of chemical impurities. Less than two percent of the world’s diamonds produced naturally are Type IIa. Many of those diamonds are among the most widely sought after in the world, including the “Elizabeth Taylor Diamond,” formerly known as the “Krupp Diamond,” a 33.19-carat Type IIa diamond that was recently auctioned by Christie’s.

There will be confusion with these diamonds, calling them synthetic diamonds. This would be wrong. These are actual diamonds that are formed in a laboratory as opposed to being created naturally.  

Updated information: As I’ve learned,  the explanation above isn’t how many in the industry view this. For many, anything grown in a lab is considered synthetic. This will probably never be settled. But the bottom line remains that these are diamonds. They are not to be confused with diamond-like gems such as cubic zirconia and moissanite.

In addition to the quality of diamonds, another selling point the company is eager to push is that lab-grown diamonds are “conflict-free,” meaning they were not mined in areas where there is a potential for human rights abuses as well as large-scale environmental impact. The diamonds are accompanied by certificates from the International Gemological Institute.

The company, located in Lakewood Ranch near Tampa, says their colorless diamonds are priced according to their overall quality and color, in the same manner as mined diamonds. The largest diamond available on the Gemesis website is a 1.05 carat round diamond with J-color, VVs2 and “very good” cut is priced at $4,837.04. A similar diamond on the Blue Nile website with a Gemological Institute of America certificate is priced at $6,238, an approximate $1,400 difference.

Stephen Lux, Gemesis president and CEO, said in a statement that price alone will not be the only selling point of these diamonds.

“The value proposition to consumers is tangible. It’s not only about price, but about getting the purest and highest-quality diamonds,” he said. “Add to that environmental responsibility and the ability to unequivocally know your diamond’s origin and we have a very special product offering.”

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Over 800 Diamonds on this Girard-Perregaux Ladies Watch

Luxury Swiss watch brand Girard-Perregaux unveiled a sparkling 38 mm ladies jewelry timepiece that combines robust mechanics, manufactured in-house, with a sparkling exterior paved with 807 diamonds. It is the latest offering from the La Chaux-de-Fonds-based company's 1966 collection.

The timepiece is available in white or pink gold. The gem-set bezel and slightly curved dial are entirely covered with “brilliant”-cut precious stones. The diamonds are arranged in concentric fashion. The “leaf”-type hour and minute hands and four applied hour markers lend elegance to the sparkle of the diamond-pavé dial.

The alligator-skin strap closes with a gem-set ardillon buckle. The Girard-Perregaux 3300-0066 mechanical movement with automatic winding is equipped with a power reserve of more than 46 hours. Visible through the sapphire-crystal case back, its gold oscillating weight is engraved with circular Côtes de Genève decoration.

The 1966 collection (introduced in 2006) pays homage to a prolific era in terms of creativity, technical expertise and performance of Girard-Perregaux—a period when the watch brand received several awards. The 1966 line specializes in manufactured movements with automatic winding in ultra-thin cases produced entirely in Girard-Perregaux workshops.

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Helzberg Diamonds Sponsors Kentucky Derby Jockey

Jockey Javier Castellano in his Helzberg Diamonds racing suit. Photo credit: Helzberg Diamonds

Jewelry retailer Helzberg Diamonds is hoping it picked the winner in today’s Kentucky Derby through its sponsorship of jockey, Javier Castellano, who will ride Gemologist.

Castellano and Gemologist are currently the favorite at 9-1 odds in the 21-horse field.

Castellano has been involved in the North Kansas City, Mo.-based company’s promotion for the Derby through personal appearances, interviews made available on the retailer’s Facebook and Twitter pages and this video on the Helzberg Diamonds website.

The Berkshire Hathaway-owned jewelry retailer has also has been using the Derby tie-in for several cross-promotional activities that include its “I am Loved” Mother’s Day button, a fashionable jewelry guide for women to wear on Kentucky Derby day and a “Derby things we love” Pinterest page.

Heading into the Derby, Castellano and Gemologist have won four straight races, including the Grade 1 Wood Memorial. Castellano is currently the leading jockey in major wins and earnings. He will be riding Gemologist in an effort to join other undefeated Kentucky Derby winners. A total of seven horses have won the Derby undefeated and Gemologist will be the 23rd to attempt this feat since 1900.

In 2011, Castellano finished as one of the top five jockeys in the nation, with 11 Grade 1 victories, more than any other rider that year.

The Kentucky Derby post time is scheduled for 6:24 p.m. The race will be televised on NBC.

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Big Pink and Orange Diamonds to Lead Geneva Auctions

The 59.6 carat "Pink Star."

If one would compare major jewelry auctions to prizefights (like I’m doing), than the large, statement diamonds would be the heavyweight contenders. The top prizes in the heavyweight division this year are extremely rare fancy colored diamonds that will be put up for auction in Geneva this week by Sotheby’s and Christie’s.

Sotheby’s on Wednesday will be offering what it calls “the most valuable diamond ever to come to auction” as part of its Magnificent Jewels sale. The Pink Star is a 59.6 carat internally flawless fancy pink vivid diamond and has a pre-sale estimate in excess of $60 million.

The diamond is graded as Type IIa, which rare for a pink diamond of this size and color. Cut over a period of two years, The Pink Star is more than twice the size of the Graff Pink—a 24.78-carat fancy intense pink diamond that established a world auction record for a diamond and any gemstone or jewel at $46.2 million, at Sotheby’s Geneva in 2010. The current record price per carat for a fancy vivid pink diamond ($2,155,332) set by a 5-carat diamond, sold in Hong Kong in January 2009.

Cut by Steinmetz Diamonds from a 132.5-carat rough, the diamond was first unveiled to the public in May 2003 as the “Steinmetz Pink.” The stone was first sold privately in 2007 and renamed The Pink Star.

In total, the Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels sale will comprise over 370 lots, including iconic jewels, such as the “Walska Briolette Diamond” brooch with an estimate in excess of $8 million. The total sale has a pre-sale estimate of $123 million to $167 million.

The 14,82 carat "Orange"

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, not to be outdone, Christie’s will sell the largest fancy vivid orange diamond ever to appear at auction at its Magnificent Jewels sale. Weighing approximately 14.82 carats, this diamond, called simply “The Orange,” is expected to fetch between $17 million and $21 million.

Pure orange diamonds are exceptionally rare, the auction house said. It is more common to find orange diamonds with secondary colors. The orange color is the result of the presence of nitrogen during the diamond’s creation. Among the very few fancy vivid orange diamonds that were ever sold at auction, the largest was the “Pumpkin Diamond” 5.54 carats. The Orange is more than double that size. A 4.19 carat fancy vivid orange diamond sold at auction for a record price of $2.95 million in October 2011.

Other items being presented at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction include three jewels from the world famous collection of Bolivian tycoon Simón Itturi Patiño, with the highlight being an emerald and diamond necklace by Cartier, 1937. The ‘Property of Hélène Rochas’ will include 18 lots, with a rare diamond and colored diamond ‘Tiger’ shoulder brooch, by Boivin. The Art Deco period will be represented by HRH Princess Faiza of Egypt emerald drop and diamond necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels, 1929, and an “Orientalist” emerald and diamond sautoir by Cartier, 1926.

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Rare Gems, Fine Diamonds and Shimmering Gold on Display at JCK Las Vegas

Outside the entrance of JCK Las Vegas on opening day.

The first day of JCK Las Vegas, the largest of the nine jewelry tradeshows that set up camp at Sin City, started off slow on May 31 but quickly picked up as buyers filled the aisles of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center during the next two days.

On display was everything under the sun for the jewelry industry, from jewelry-making equipment to finished jewelry from well-known brands and less-familiar names whose pieces fill jewelry store shelves throughout the country.

Below are several examples of some of the jewelry that was available at five-day event. The first nine examples were from a grouping of exhibitors known as the Prestige Promenade—international designers and manufacturers who mostly specialize in high-end jewelry and deal directly with the trade. You may not know their names but you have seen their jewelry. The remaining companies consist of more familiar brand names.

Alexandrite and diamond ring handcrafted with a 2.69 carat oval alexandrite center stone accented with 0.52 carats of round alexandrites and 0.62 carats of brilliant diamond rounds set in platinum by Omi Prive.

A cross of a peacock feather and a fishbone in 18k White gold earrings with round brilliant-cut diamonds and ruby stone studded in and engraved yellow gold by Bapalal Keshavlal.
 

Blue sapphire pave drop and blue sapphire tassel earrings by Mariani 1878.

18k yellow gold link necklace by Old World Chain.

Emerald hoop earrings in 18k white gold and diamonds by Facet Barcelona.

Earrings featuring a central round diamond surrounded by emeralds and diamond-covered petals in 18k gold by Picchiotti.

Diamonds and white gold petal earrings and ring by Universal Jewellery Design Centre.

Yellow 14k hand-crafted pendant necklace by I. Reiss.

 
Yellow gold ring covered in colored gemstones by Ramon.

Le Vian Chocolate Cravings ring in rose gold with its trademarked “chocolate” and “vanilla” diamonds set in “strawberry” gold. 

From Galatea’s new "Pearlfection" collection, a hand-carved, tear-drop shaped Tahitian pearl set in 14k yellow gold. This piece is one of 20 new styles created by Chi Huynh, founder of Galatea. The pearls take the form of acorns, lotus buds and tulips.

An elaborate yellow and white diamond necklace and matching earrings by L’Dezen.

The iconic Effy Panther in diamonds and emeralds set in 14k rose gold from the brand’s Signature collection.

Love Beads bracelet made of Swarovski crystals by Chamilia.

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Gold, Diamonds and Crystals Glitter, Sparkle, and Shine at Las Vegas Jewelry Week

The World Gold Council's LoveGold exhibit at Couture.

Not everything was for sale at the jewelry shows in Las Vegas this past week although I suppose someone could have purchased the 27-pound gold bar valued at more than $500,000 from the LoveGold Exhibit at the Couture jewelry show.

Gold jewelry from Couture Show jewelry exhibitors.

Up on a stage above the tradeshow exhibitors at Wynn Las Vegas, the World Gold Council’s exhibition included art creations, curated gold jewelry used at red carpet events and selected gold pieces from the vendors at the tradeshow. LoveGold is the fashion jewelry initiative of the WGC, the marketing development organization of the gold industry.

One of the gold fashion displays at the LoveGold exhibit.

Many of the pieces were from the catwalk at Cannes where they were part of a special fashion show that was curated by Carine Roitfeld, the former editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris, to benefit amfAR, the foundation for AIDS research.

“We want to showcase the best that gold can be regardless of origin or price point,” said Sally Morrison of the World Gold Council. “The exhibition at Couture was a way of introducing the beginning of this activity to the brands and press at the show.”

A display at the "Diamonds with a Story" Rio Tinto Diamonds exhibition that highlights diamond origins.

As previously noted, Rio Tinto Diamonds presented an exhibition at the JCK Luxury and JCK Las Vegas tradeshows titled “Diamonds with a Story.” It featured jewelry created for the US market by eight North American designers based on the following four topics: “Origin,” “Cutting Impact,” “Mixed Medium” and “Color My World.” The designers created their works using Rio Tinto's colored diamonds from its Argyle mine in Australia and white diamonds from its Diavik mine in Northwestern Canada.

Varieties of Rio Tinto diamonds.

The exhibit is part of a marketing program by the mining company for the jewelry trade based on its own consumer research. The jewelry collections based on the four stories identify consumers' desire for the following attributes:

• Identifying the place of origin of the diamond they buy;
• Knowing that their diamond purchase is having a positive impact;
• Differentiating designs and concepts; and
• Access to natural colored diamonds

“We are excited by how well the 'Diamonds with a Story' platform is resonating," said Rebecca Foerster, manager of Rio Tinto Diamonds US Representative Office. “This appetite for innovation is good news for miners, manufacturers, retailers and ultimately the consumer.”

Elaborate and colorful jewelry design by David Mandel, part of the Swarovski Elements exhibit at JCL Las Vegas.

Swarovski Elements, the premium brand division of the world-renowned crystal company, Swarovski, provided a fashion-forward jewelry exhibition at JCK Las Vegas called “World Jewelry Facets,” featuring collaborations with designers and artists representing several mediums who created colorful designs using Swarovski crystal.

A necklace by Tim Hosier and Brian Thorson.

The creations ranged from elaborate, fanciful designs to more wearable pieces. Designers included Tim Hosier and Brian Thorson, known for their home accessories designs, to entertainment industry designer David Mandel.

Jewelry by American artists at the Swarovski Elements exhibit

There is also a charitable element with designs created by Senhoa, a non-profit organization and fashion brand that produces jewelry made by survivors of human trafficking. The Senhoa line on display was designed by Canadian model, Coco Rocha, and handcrafted by survivors of exploitation in Cambodia.

Jewelry by the non-profit organization and fashion brand, Senhoa, handcrafted by survivors of exploitation in Cambodia,

 
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Ring Sets Guinness Record with 2,500 Diamonds

Photo credit: Shrenuj & Co.

A famed Ukraine luxury jewelry house has made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for creating a ring with more than 2,500 diamonds.

Known as the “Tsarevna Swan,” the tall, highly stylized 18k white gold ring is set with 2,525 diamonds, according to Guinness. It was created by the Lobortas Classic Jewelry House of Kiev, Ukraine, and was presented and measured on July 21, 2011.

Lobortas has set the price of the ring at $1.3 million, according to published reports.

The diamonds range from 0.001-0.05 carats with a total weight of 10.48 carats. All of the diamonds are of G color and range from VVS2 to VS1 in clarity. The diamonds were supplied by Shrenuj Group, a diamond and diamond jewelry manufacturer based in Mumbai, India.

The design and development of the ring took 530 hours and fabrication took 3,625 hours, according to published reports. The ring is currently being shown in Keiv.

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Diamonds, gemstones Share the sparkle with natural Pearls at Christie’s auction

'one of the best Diamond'

the big apple — the gathering from the estate of Huguette M. Clark bought lots of the consideration at Christie’s big apple very good Jewels sale Tuesday, however among the many 305 quite a bit had been essential diamonds and gems and signature jewelry pieces that received quite a lot of attention amongst bidders.

It used to be standing room handiest in Woods Room at Christie’s headquarters as these within the room competed with phone and web buyers from all over the world. It was an awfully aggressive atmosphere with lengthy, spirited bidding for among the a lot.The sale fetched a total of $70.7 million, with 95 percent of the items bought through lot and 97 p.c of the estimated value realized.

View the main objects from the sale by using following this link.

along with huge diamonds, which always do well in this environment, sapphires have been very talked-about. there were a few extraordinarily strong pure pearls gross sales, as they seem like poised for a comeback on the global luxury jewellery market. among the top items offered were:

* “The Clark crimson,” a 9-carat, cushion-lower fancy vivid purplish pink diamond ring by means of Dreicer & Co., circa 1910, from the Huguette M. Clark property, bought for $15.7 million, making it essentially the most treasured crimson diamond ever sold in the united states.

* “one of the best Diamond,” a forty four.09-carat rectangular-lower diamond ring (prime image); D-coloration, internally flawless readability, sort IIa, with excellent polish and very good symmetry. The estimate was once upon request. It was once the closing lot of the evening but did not get the best total (The Clark diamond was the winner). however, it bought for an impressive $7.four million.

* “The Clark Diamond,” a 19.86-carat rectangular-cut D colour potentially IF diamond ring via Cartier, from the Huguette M. Clark property, bought for $three.1 million.

* one of the most large surprises of the sale was once a 31.53-carat sugarloaf cabochon Kashmir sapphire ring (above) with the aid of Van Cleef & Arpels, which sold for $2.65 million—a global document value for a cabochon sapphire. Its estimate was $300,000 – $500,000.

* a flowery yellow and fancy light yellow diamond cluster necklace with the aid of Graff obtained various consideration from bidders. It bought for $2.3 million.

* A pear-formed D color doubtlessly IF diamond ring of 16.33 cts with the aid of Van Cleef & Arpels bought for 2.1 million.

* A cushion-lower fancy intense yellow VS1 diamond ring of 43.forty nine cts via Graff sold for 1.87 million.

* A five-strand pure pearl necklace (above) offered  for $1.sixty seven million, more than double its high estimate of $800,000. A single-strand natural pearl and diamond necklace by means of Tiffany & Co., from the Huguette M. Clark property, sold for $362,000, shattering the estimate of $20,000 to $30,000. previous in the day a single-strand pure pearl necklace bought for $266,500, also smashing the estimate of $20,000 – $30,000.

* A 15.08-carat oval-reduce F coloration IF diamond bought for $1.four million.

* A 15.fifty eight-carat rectangular-cut E coloration VS1 diamond bought for $1.three million.

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