Raphaele Canot Diamond Jewelry Debut in the U.S.

Diamond gems are normally associated with solidity and sophistication. But as it turned out, much depends on jewelry design. Raphaele Canot opted for playful whimsical designs for her diamonds gems, unexpected color solutions and unusual combinations to show that diamond jewelery can be a fun!

Have you ever seen diamonds alongside enamel decoration of eye-popping colors? This is the mixture you won't find every day, but it looks flattering. It seems Ms. Canot could turn a classic diamond stone into a casual fling. 

Rahpaele Canot wanted to make a fresh approach and created an alternative to classic jewelry. You can see whether she succeeded on not from her Art-Deco-inspired bracelets and ring collection. There's a funny 'OMG' ring, that is actually a tribute to one of the most popular American exclamations 'Oh My God!'. It is made in a shape of lips, where a wearer has to insert a finger through an opened mouth to put it on. The upper lip is decorated with diamonds, while the whole idea of a lip motif is caught when one moves the finger. A smiling ring, a funny jewelry!

Agatha Christie's Jewelry Found

Agatha Christie, a world known novelist of murder and mystery stories, had been entangled in a mystery herself even many ago after her death. It happened when a fan of her, who bought an old suitcase as a thing to remind about Agatha, discovered a box of jewelry inside.

The fan, who decided to remain anonymous, said that she bought a suitcase in 2006 at the contents of the Greenway estate. That time she paid about $160 for that old traveling case. Inside she saw a locked box, but since the key was lost a new owner didn't bother much on opening it. Four years passed until she had that box opened. That time she had her building work done and got a chance to use some building tools to wretch it open. What she found there stunned her greatly: a purse of golden coins, a ring with three diamonds and a diamond brooch. Most likely all these stuff belonged to Agatha Christie's mother. Now she is selling an ancient brooch ($10,000-$16,000) and a diamond ring ($6,000-$9,000).

Dainty Diamonds of Rare Colors are Expected at Geneva Auction

Such big-name auctions as Sotheby's and Christie's that take place in Hong Kong, New York, Geneva and other places always have some special lots on offer. They are rare pieces of art among which are fancy colored diamonds. Tomorrow some of them – daffodil yellow and sky blue diamonds – are going to shine in Geneva.

Huge Graff Vivid Yellow Diamond weighing 100.09 carats is announced as a star of the event. It was cut by Laurence Graff , the London-based top jeweler. But this is not only the size that gives a stone a status of extremely rare, but a deep daffodil color that is full or life and charm. The experts say this cushion-shaped yellow giant is going to fetch from $15 to $25 million.

Golconda Diamond on Sale

Auction sale is the event where apart from exquisite lots, wealthy customers and skilled experts the records are set. We mean the record prices for diamond jewelry are set. The customers elegantly 'fight' for the right to own the lot on sale by raising the price to the amount other customers are incapable to pay. Christie's and Sotheby's auctions are world-known and most prestigious where apart from various pieces of art diamond jewelry is on sale, too. This is Christie's auction to take place on December 10 and this is Golconda diamond that is the star of the event.

De Beers Phenomena: What Is It?

While the name De Beers is known if not to every fiancee looking for a diamond engagement ring for his loved one, then to diamond experts for sure, but the phrase 'De Beers Phenomena' may sound surprisingly new. So what is this phenomena?

De Beers Phenomena is the new High Jewelry Collection that was unveiled during Paris Couture Week. The even was not randomly chosen. High fashion is a similar art as fine jewelry and both managed to complement each other during the event.

The name 'Phenomena' is not a random choice as well. The idea of the collection is to convey the beauty, power and grace of natural phenomena created by water. The collection consists of twenty pieces across five sets: Glacier, Frost, Stream, Reef and Crest. These phenomena are expressed through medium of magnificent diamonds, each excuisite in its natural beauty, intensified by magnificent designs. Each piece of the collection was carefull crafted in order to not injure the innate allure and grace of a gem. This are pieces of art that are worth contemplating!

 This is De Beers Phenomena Frost Diamond Necklace on the picture.

Koi Diamond: When Perfection Doesn't Matter

Diamond is always a symbol of purity, longevity, beauty and perfection. The last characteristic can't be applied to the Koi Diamond for sure. Yet in this case Koi's imperfection turns it into a unique, absolutely exclusive diamond.

The Koi Diamond was named after a Japanese Koi fish, an ornamental white-and-orange carp. This is a 32-carat diamond with unusual mix of colors: white that is spotted with big orange blotches, yellowish, blue and even black spots. The diamond was mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2003 of a larger size than it is now – 60 carat. In five years it was cut into a pear-shaped diamond in Antwerp where it is stored so far.

A unique stone demands special treatment that is why Tom Moses, the senior vice president of the Gemological Institute of America, invited Eddy Elzas, the famed Belgian colored diamond specialist, to give consultations on grading the Koi diamond.

74.79-carat Pear-Shaped Diamond is the Centralpiece at Sotheby's NY Sale

Spring is the season of hope, love and ... sales. The diamond market has all these components. It won't take long for Sotheby's New York auction to take the baton from the Osenat sale in Fontainebleau, France. There are a couple of days left till April 17, the day when more than 400 lots will go under the hammer. There is hardly an auction without diamonds on offer, but among many there is always a special jewel and the Sotheby's action has the one now– exceptional 74.79-carat potentially flawless diamond.

The Largest Colorless Lab-Grown Diamond So Far!

It seems there is no better explanation for man-made diamonds selling proposition that was once said by the founder of Gemesis company specializing on creating laboratory diamonds:

"If you give a woman a choice between a 2-carat stone and a 1-carat stone and everything else is the same, including the price, what's she gonna choose? ….Does she care if it's synthetic or not? Is anybody at a party going to walk up to her and ask, 'Is that synthetic?' There's no way in hell. So I'll bite your ass if she chooses the smaller one."

Diamond-Encrusted Addition to Lady's Wardrobe — Million-Dollar Shoes

With a diamond-encrusted sun glasses, leather belt with a diamond-encrusted buckle luxury lingerie and many more diamond covered attires a diamond lover can really make up a whole wardrobe of extravagant outfits. Now add a pair of diamond stiletto shoes to that list.

This is a pair of unique hand-strassed, diamond-encrusted shoes created by Evelyn Fox, the founder of Crystal Heels™. Fox, who has been in the fashion industry for very many years already, claims to know much in high-end fashion. She always strives to turn common shoes into exquisite accessories, striking and eye-catching. But this time she made her best – mouth-watering diamond-encrusted pumps priced at $1 million. This is rather a jewelry than a pair of shoes, don't you think so?

76.02 Flawless Colorless Diamond Fetched More Than Expected at Christie's Auction

 

As it turned our fall is a harvest season not merely for fruit and vegetables but for auctions either. While Sotheby's Auction was proud to sell such exquisite lot as fancy deep blue diamond, Christie's Auction in Geneva didn't lag behind and dazzled with flawless colorless diamond gem.

The diamond is 76.02 carat stone, really huge in size, but this is its history that adds up to its dimensions and perfectness: the Archduke Joseph diamonds is the gem with a name. The unmounted gem comes from Golconda region in India famous for its eminent world-known diamonds. This gem was previously owned by the Archduke Joseph August of Austria, Palatine of Hungary, a member of the House of Habsburg, after whom it got its name.

According to Gemological Institute of America, this is the largest D-color, IF diamond it ever graded. The starting price was $15 million and it raised to $21.5 million quite fast, setting a record price ever given for colorless diamond. There is always a buzz after that sort of sales concerning who the lucky owner is, but the latter preferred to remain anonymous and placed bids via the telephone. Alfredo J. Molina, the former diamond owner, was really surprised to get such a high price for the gem: “I am thrilled but not surprised that the Archduke Joseph Diamond should have fetched such a high price. I was blessed to be the Archduke’s guardian and champion for the past 13 years, and indeed it has become part of my very identity.”

Yet Another Company to Produce Synthetic Diamonds

The competition is getting tough on jewelry market, where alongside jewelry manufacturers offering natural diamond gems there is a range of diamond growing labs that can boast 100% diamonds of non-natural origin, extremely high quality and less price. Now there is another company to add to that list: Washington Diamonds Corp.

In order to win the customers Washington Diamonds Corp. should offer something different and they will. First of all, there are going to be diamonds of larger size. As you know, large diamonds are very rare similar as their number is scarce in natural conditions. However, gems of 1-2 carats size are most sought after. Just to meet the needs of the customers Washington Diamonds Corp.

will grow diamonds of 1+ carat. The largest stone they have managed to create is 2.3 carat in size. With the use of CVD technology they will cultivate approximately 150 ct. a month, what is a few thousand carats a year. But don't be in a hurry to seek for these stones, since the company hasn't yet decided how it's going to sell it. Following Gemesis experience, a world-know diamond growing company, Washington Diamonds Corp. inclines to internet distribution.

All the stones will be certified by American Gem Society with the inscription of the latter. The clarity to expect is SI and the color rage is from G to I, what is colorless.

Diamond Tattoo – the Priciest Tattoo in the World

It's known that diamonds are loved both by men and women and while women try to adorn anything they have with these precious gems be it a handbag or the iPad, men managed to set them in luxury autos. It seems the whole world is competing for making something special of diamonds like the Swiss jeweler, but this time the setting for diamonds is very unusual – human body!
The world's most expensive tattoo is made of 612 diamonds. All of them are of 0.5 carat size ideally cut and colorless. As far as 'the setting' is very tender the jeweler, rather than a tattoo master, applied a water based adhesive to firmly stick them. This is Minki van der Westhuizen model who desired to become a princess for a while and try on an unusual tattoo. However to become one cost her a pretty sum of money - $924,000!

A New Celebrated Engagement: Drew Barrymore and Will Kopelman

Celebrities are always in the focus of everybody's attention whether they are glamoring on the Red Carpet or having a vacation. But there is still a focal point that magnets paparazzi who dying for a scoop – a diamond engagement ring! This time this was Drew Barrymore and Will Kopelman, her fiancé, caught by photographers, who took a chance of taking pictures of a couple and close-ups of Barrymore's ring.

As an art consultant, no doubt Will Kopelman took a privilege of choosing the ring for his bride, which in it's turn is a 4-carat piece of art: not too big and flashy yet very stunning. Designed by Graff Diamonds, this is a radiant cut diamond of a classic white color mounted in a band covered by many tiny diamonds.

After two unlucky marriage experiences with Tom Green and Jeremy Thomas, hope Drew Barrymore will make this relationship last long. The couple has been romantically involved since February 2011, a little less than a year they needed to realize that they are ready to get to the 'next level'. Wish them be happy and let this ring be a true symbol of their everlasting love.

Tell us what do think of this event and Barrymore's ring.

Diamond-Encrusted iPad

It has been a tradition already to encrust any new device with diamonds. Logically now there is an iPad that features not only 300 carats of diamonds but a pretty high price tag running up to $1.2 million.

The idea of encrusting an iPad belongs to the British jewelry brand Camael Diamonds, that can now boast to create the most expensive tablet computer in the world. While iPad's usual retails price is $700, it was raised on accounts of one kilogram of 18-karat gold and white and black diamonds mounted onto the top of the iPad. Black were used for the home button and the logo sign and white filled the rest of the space on the top. What is more, if for some reason you don't like this very design, the company offers a range of other one-million styles to pick. But be aware, they are available only for iPad, not for iPad 2.

Before it was Stuart Hughes who offered a limited addition of iPads covered by solid gold and diamond encrusted apple logo. The price was much lower - $192.000, but it still was affordable only for wealthy customers.

If you had enough money, would you like to have such a lavish iPad?

Treasures from the Past: Diamonds from Golconda Mines at the Christie's Sale

Legendary Golconda mines of south India were known for their diamonds of unique Type II clarity, that make only a tiny part of all mined diamonds, approximately 2%. Golconda diamonds differ from diamonds found elsewhere, either in Russia, Australia, or Brazil and Africa. They possess unique degree of transparency seen in such world-known diamonds found there as Wittelsbach diamond, Regent diamond, Hope diamond, Koh-i-Noor and Darya-e-nur.

The Golconda city was found in 13th century, it developed and flourished for over two centuries and was known for its diamond mines. It was a real diamond trade center that couldn't help but draw attention of the British dealers. Even nowadays Golconda diamonds are highly prized and referred to imperial diamonds.

So, this is a pair of ear pendants that are announced to be sold at the Christie's Hong Kong Magnificent Jewel Sale on May 31. These are so called the Imperial Cushions, a pair of 23.49ct and 23.11ct potentially flawless D color diamonds, that are estimated between HK$55 million and $78 million, that is between US $7 million and $10 million. The Imperial Cushions are of exceptional calible each, they match in size, shape and cut even though they are of different weight. Though all the parameters like quality, rarity and workmanship apart from aforementioned characteristics speak for the royal origin, the jewel comes without imperial certification. Well, it's a real marvel and rarity such a jewelry is seen at auction.

Unique Diamonds of White Color Hit the Market

What is the best thing to present to a close person for him/her to remember you for a whole life? Some years ago the answer was – photo of yours. But pictures fade and rumple leaving only blurred image of a person. Currently this problem can be solved forever. “Forever” is not just an overstatement or publicity stunt, this is a true statement as it refers to... diamonds.

DNA2Diamonds is one of the manufacturers of real created diamonds, but the distinctive feature of this very company is that it cultivates diamonds from signature carbon taken from human's lock of hair or a piece of nail. This manufacturer helps to feel a beloved person closely to you.

Before the company could boast to grow dazzling red, fancy blue, stunning cognac and greenish diamonds. Currently they grow traditional white gems which are extremely popular among engaged couples. “Engagement diamond rings with white diamond gems are in greater demand among women than rings with any other color of diamond” said the president of DNA2Diamonds Tom Bischoff. “That is why when we launched our new line of white diamonds we were just bombed by requests”.

People tend to have unique special things and created diamonds with a lock of hair of a loving person inside meet the case. The exclusive white diamond can be of different cut up to your choice. The size of a gem varies between 0.2 and 2.0 carats. It takes about 70 days to create such an extraordinary gem, so you should join the queue if you want to purchase white created diamond.

However, for somebody the question about diamonds created from a piece of carbon-saturated part of a human body is rather controversial. They say it's like wearing somebody else's cloths when you feel a kind of discomfort. Still, tastes differ and for each product there is a buyer.

And what do you think about it: would you like to have a ring with such diamond?