The New Israeli Diamond Mesuem

Diamond Market Report

WFDB calls for boycott of Venezuelan diamonds

WFDB calls for boycott of Venezuelan diamonds

Athina Onassis sells Millions Worth of Inherited Jewelry

Athina Onassis, will auction off jewelry that she inherited from her mother Christina. The jewelry collection is anticipated to generate £8 million on 11 June at Christie’s. The collection includes a pear-shaped 38-carat diamond estimated at up to £2.2 million, a ruby and diamond necklace by Van Cleef and Arpels expected to fetch £40,000, a rare Buddha by Carl Fabergé likely to generate £250,000 to £350,000 plus a 14.79 carat diamond ring £500,000-£700,000.

Sotheby's Sell a Rare Blue Diamond for $57.14Mil.

Sotheby's Sale of Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels in Geneva Thursday raised $57.14 million, the second highest total the auction house achieved for a sale held worldwide.
“We are absolutely delighted with the results of today’s sale, which has performed supremely well across the board," said David Bennett, chairman, Europe and the Middle East, Sotheby’s International Jewellery department. We’ve had great success with important stones, with period pieces, and particularly with jewels of noble provenance."

A 3.73-ct. fancy vivid blue diamond was sold for $4.95 million, or 1.3 million per carat—a world record per-carat price—well above its pre-sale estimate of $2.6 million to $3.3 million.
In fact, a total of 66 percent of lots were sold above their high estimate—"an impressive figure," Bennett said. Other gems and jewelry that received top bids included:

* A 5.06-ct. fancy vivid purplish pink diamond, oval-cut, ring sold for $2.5 million.

* A 6.26-ct. fancy light pink diamond ring, claw-set with a fancy light pink cut-cornered rectangular-cut diamond sold for $1.6 million.
Period pieces were also extremely sought-after, including:

* A late 1920s diamond sautoir by Van Cleef & Arpels, designed as a series of geometric and round links set with diamonds and suspending a diamond tassel pendant sold for $985,684, well above its pre-sale estimate of $143,237 to $238,654.

* The cover lot of the sale, a fine emerald and diamond bracelet of graduated emerald beads alternating with lines of brilliant-cut and baguette diamonds sold for $772,275, more than eight times its pre-sale low estimate.

The Noble Jewels sale, a theme which was inaugurated by Sotheby’s last year, included a pearl and diamond brooch from the mid 19th century. The old mine ‘Golconda’ diamond weighing 7.86 cts., suspending a natural pearl drop sold for $857,639, more than doubling its pre-sale low estimate.

Blue Diamons Identification

Research Shows Possibility for Identifying, Tracking Blue Diamonds

Conflict Diamond Struggle Continues Despite Congo Joining KP

Diamonds.net News - Conflict Diamond Struggle Continues Despite Congo Joining KP

Polished Diamond Prices Rise Significantly in November

IDEX Online Research: Polished Diamond Prices Rise Significantly in November

World’s most expensive perfume comes in a bottle set with a 5 carat, brilliant cut white diamond in an 18k solid gold collar

The Guinness World Records Book has officially recognised ‘No।1 Perfume’ created by Clive Christian, as the world’s most expensive perfume. The perfume range for men and women starts at $2,600 per ounce. A larger version called ‘No.1 Imperial Majesty’ is valued at $215,000 (£104,043) and contains 16.9 oz of perfume and comes in a bottle set with a 5 carat, brilliant cut white diamond in an 18k solid gold collar. Only 10 were made. According to reports, the perfume is driven to the buyer’s door-step in a Bentley.

Court orders jeweler H. Stern to reimburse for fallen diamonds - MarketWatch

Court orders jeweler H. Stern to reimburse for fallen diamonds - MarketWatch

China: Time to Take Diamond Industry to New Level

China: Time to Take Diamond Industry to New Level

China Daily, SHANGHAI: A senior official yesterday called for intensified efforts to further develop the diamond industry in China, the world's fifth largest consumer of the precious stone.
"Under the current favorable tax policy, it is time to take the diamond industry to a new level," Ma Xiuhong, vice minister of commerce, said at the 2007 China International Diamond Conference held in Shanghai.

In July 2006 the tariff on diamonds was reduced to 10 percent from 15.3 percent. Since the new tax policy on diamond industry took effect, diamond trade has grown at a much faster pace.
According to latest figures compiled by the Shanghai-based Diamond Administration of China (DAC) total imports and exports of diamond plus turnover of the precious stone on the Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE) amounted to $610 million in 2006, up 44 percent from 2005. The total trading volume in 2007 is expected to increase by a further 50 percent to $900 million, seven times that of 2001 when the SDE was first established.

Tang Dengjie, vice mayor of Shanghai, said more work was needed establish Shanghai into an international diamond trading center in China.
DAC yesterday signed a cooperation memorandum with the Antwerp World Diamond Centre in a bid to broaden the scope of cooperation in the future. Antwerp center is one of the largest diamond-trading hubs in the world.