Threat of synthetics is an opportunity for diamond traceability

 

The Namibia Desert Diamonds General Manager of Sales and Marketing, Lelly Usiku, said the threat of synthetic diamonds has brought about an opportunity in the diamond industry to focus on the traceability of the precious stones to verify diamond origins from the mines to jewellery.

Usiku expressed these sentiments during a panel discussion on the diamond industry and its associated value chains. She further outlined that Covid-19 forced Namdia to investigate the possibilities of online trading in order to replicate the physical viewing with a virtual viewing experience.

Chief Executive Officer of Namdia, Kennedy Hamutenya, said in protecting the image of diamonds, the industry made a commitment in 2008 on the number of producers and manufacturers through the Kimberly Process. He said the process helped squeeze out undesirable elements from the diamond business.

According to Hamutenya, trading partnered states agreed to create a menu for the world and buyers that ensured diamonds on the market would not be associated with conflict diamonds. Conflict diamonds are diamonds mined in a war zone and sold to finance an insurgency, an invading army’s war efforts, or warlord activities.
“So, we said every country must implement systems and procedures from the very starting point of mining to the point of export to ensure that there is no penetration of conflict diamonds.

Today, as we speak, 99.8% of all our diamonds are clean, thanks to the Kimberly Process. We have done everything possible to prevent conflict diamonds to penetrate our pipeline,” Hamutenya stated.

According to him, Namdeb Holdings has spent N$3 billion on local procurement of goods and services for the last financial year.
Also, at the same occasion, Brent Eiseb, CEO of the Namibia Diamond Trading Company, elaborated on their mandate and said they sort and value diamonds. He noted that the process entails highly skilled employees as well as technology.
He added that whether diamond mining happens on land or offshore, the value is only confirmed when the stones go through NDTC’s evaluation process.

“This is an important process as it determines the value of royalties and taxes that is to be paid by producers to the government. Another mandate is to facilitate downstream diamond beneficiation.
We take about N$430 million in indexed diamonds and make them available for value addition in Namibia,” explained Eiseb.
He added that this process is vital because it requires quality infrastructure, especially in Namibia, for cutting and polishing of diamonds and also for creating the most job opportunities.

Eiseb concluded that the diamond industry is important in providing for the country at large through development diamonds. He indicated that 85% of total revenue that is created through the sales of diamonds ends up in state coffers through royalties, taxes, and levies that are payable and dividends.

Source: DCLA

Threat of synthetics is an opportunity for diamond traceability

 

The Namibia Desert Diamonds General Manager of Sales and Marketing, Lelly Usiku, said the threat of synthetic diamonds has brought about an opportunity in the diamond industry to focus on the traceability of the precious stones to verify diamond origins from the mines to jewellery.

Usiku expressed these sentiments during a panel discussion on the diamond industry and its associated value chains. She further outlined that Covid-19 forced Namdia to investigate the possibilities of online trading in order to replicate the physical viewing with a virtual viewing experience.

Chief Executive Officer of Namdia, Kennedy Hamutenya, said in protecting the image of diamonds, the industry made a commitment in 2008 on the number of producers and manufacturers through the Kimberly Process. He said the process helped squeeze out undesirable elements from the diamond business.

According to Hamutenya, trading partnered states agreed to create a menu for the world and buyers that ensured diamonds on the market would not be associated with conflict diamonds. Conflict diamonds are diamonds mined in a war zone and sold to finance an insurgency, an invading army’s war efforts, or warlord activities.
“So, we said every country must implement systems and procedures from the very starting point of mining to the point of export to ensure that there is no penetration of conflict diamonds.

Today, as we speak, 99.8% of all our diamonds are clean, thanks to the Kimberly Process. We have done everything possible to prevent conflict diamonds to penetrate our pipeline,” Hamutenya stated.

According to him, Namdeb Holdings has spent N$3 billion on local procurement of goods and services for the last financial year.
Also, at the same occasion, Brent Eiseb, CEO of the Namibia Diamond Trading Company, elaborated on their mandate and said they sort and value diamonds. He noted that the process entails highly skilled employees as well as technology.
He added that whether diamond mining happens on land or offshore, the value is only confirmed when the stones go through NDTC’s evaluation process.

“This is an important process as it determines the value of royalties and taxes that is to be paid by producers to the government. Another mandate is to facilitate downstream diamond beneficiation.
We take about N$430 million in indexed diamonds and make them available for value addition in Namibia,” explained Eiseb.
He added that this process is vital because it requires quality infrastructure, especially in Namibia, for cutting and polishing of diamonds and also for creating the most job opportunities.

Eiseb concluded that the diamond industry is important in providing for the country at large through development diamonds. He indicated that 85% of total revenue that is created through the sales of diamonds ends up in state coffers through royalties, taxes, and levies that are payable and dividends.

Source: DCLA

Christie’s Sets $10M Price Tag on Muzo Necklace

 

A Muzo emerald and diamond necklace is expected to sell for up to HKD 80 million ($10.3 million) when it goes under the hammer at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction in Hong Kong on November 29.

The double rivière piece, designed by Edmond Chin for the House of Boghossian, contains 28 perfectly cut and matched, near-flawless emeralds, weighing a total of 117.60 carats. The gems were hand-selected by Boghossian CEO Albert Boghossian, the auction house said Tuesday.

Christie’s expects the necklace to prove extremely popular, given it sold the Grand Muzos, a pair of earrings containing emeralds from the same Colombian mine, for almost $100,000 per carat last year.

“The offering of this necklace marks a major moment in the auction world, and will no doubt create a stir among global connoisseurs,” Christie’s said.

Source: DCLA

Christie’s Sets $10M Price Tag on Muzo Necklace

 

A Muzo emerald and diamond necklace is expected to sell for up to HKD 80 million ($10.3 million) when it goes under the hammer at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction in Hong Kong on November 29.

The double rivière piece, designed by Edmond Chin for the House of Boghossian, contains 28 perfectly cut and matched, near-flawless emeralds, weighing a total of 117.60 carats. The gems were hand-selected by Boghossian CEO Albert Boghossian, the auction house said Tuesday.

Christie’s expects the necklace to prove extremely popular, given it sold the Grand Muzos, a pair of earrings containing emeralds from the same Colombian mine, for almost $100,000 per carat last year.

“The offering of this necklace marks a major moment in the auction world, and will no doubt create a stir among global connoisseurs,” Christie’s said.

Source: DCLA

Bulgari's Roman Inspired Barocko Collection

 

Named after the extravagant Baroque period of Rembrandt and Johann Sebastian Bach, Bulgari has created a jewellery collection designed to wow

As a jeweller, Bulgari designs baubles that never fail to elicit gasps of awe and delight. With Barocko, the Italian luxury maison’s latest high jewellery collection, Bulgari has remained faithful to its tradition of fanciful, colourful and extravagant pieces guaranteed to make the paparazzi on the red carpet go wild.

Creative director Lucia Silvestri was inspired by the Baroque architecture of Rome and, with her team, scoured the world for the gemstones that would help realise her vision of an era defined by exuberance, grandeur and excess.

While the Barocko collection consists of every type of jewellery, the necklaces brilliantly highlight the Baroque era’s dramatic flair and the intricate work Silvestri and her team have undertaken to translate them. Here are the neck adornments poised to steal the spotlight at the next social events:

Cabochon Exhuberance

ROMAN LANDMARK: HORTI FARENESIANI

The magnificent gardens of Horti Farnesiani on Palatino Hill inspire this one-of-a-kind necklace consisting of two tanzanites from New York, rubellites and emeralds from Jaipur and aquamarines acquired in Hong Kong. 

Lady Arabesque

FEATURED GEMSTONES: SRI LANKAN SAPPHIRES

Set with pink and violet sapphires from Sri Lanka, Paraida tourmalines and emeralds, the Lady Arabesque is a fascinating coming together of multiple shapes and volumes in a harmonious spectacle. 

Rosso Caravaggio

FEATURED GEMSTONE: MOZAMBIQUE RUBY

A breathtaking 10-carat cushion-shaped ruby sourced from Mozambique shows off, in spectacular fashion, this diamond necklace that took 1,500 hours to complete.

Sapphire Lace Necklace

FEATURED GEMSTONES: DIAMONDS & SAPPHIRES

An interpretation of Baroque lace fabric but draped in diamonds and blue sapphires, this necklace evokes a sensual lightness with its sinuous texture.

Wings of Rome

ROMAN LANDMARK: ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

The wings of Archangel Michael statue at Castel Sant’Angelo were the basis of this bewitching platinum necklace set with diamonds of three different cuts—marquise, round and drop. The diamonds are also set at three levels to create that exquisite sense of depth.

Peacock

FEATURED GEMSTONES: TANZANITES, AQUAMARINES, CHRYSOPRASES & EMERALDS

One of the most dramatic creations in the Barocko collection is the Peacock, aptly named for its kaleidoscope of coloured gems namely tanzanites, aquamarines, chrysoprases and emeralds that evoke the colourful vibrant nature of its namesake bird.

Source: DCLA

Bulgari's Roman Inspired Barocko Collection

 

Named after the extravagant Baroque period of Rembrandt and Johann Sebastian Bach, Bulgari has created a jewellery collection designed to wow

As a jeweller, Bulgari designs baubles that never fail to elicit gasps of awe and delight. With Barocko, the Italian luxury maison’s latest high jewellery collection, Bulgari has remained faithful to its tradition of fanciful, colourful and extravagant pieces guaranteed to make the paparazzi on the red carpet go wild.

Creative director Lucia Silvestri was inspired by the Baroque architecture of Rome and, with her team, scoured the world for the gemstones that would help realise her vision of an era defined by exuberance, grandeur and excess.

While the Barocko collection consists of every type of jewellery, the necklaces brilliantly highlight the Baroque era’s dramatic flair and the intricate work Silvestri and her team have undertaken to translate them. Here are the neck adornments poised to steal the spotlight at the next social events:

Cabochon Exhuberance

ROMAN LANDMARK: HORTI FARENESIANI

The magnificent gardens of Horti Farnesiani on Palatino Hill inspire this one-of-a-kind necklace consisting of two tanzanites from New York, rubellites and emeralds from Jaipur and aquamarines acquired in Hong Kong. 

Lady Arabesque

FEATURED GEMSTONES: SRI LANKAN SAPPHIRES

Set with pink and violet sapphires from Sri Lanka, Paraida tourmalines and emeralds, the Lady Arabesque is a fascinating coming together of multiple shapes and volumes in a harmonious spectacle. 

Rosso Caravaggio

FEATURED GEMSTONE: MOZAMBIQUE RUBY

A breathtaking 10-carat cushion-shaped ruby sourced from Mozambique shows off, in spectacular fashion, this diamond necklace that took 1,500 hours to complete.

Sapphire Lace Necklace

FEATURED GEMSTONES: DIAMONDS & SAPPHIRES

An interpretation of Baroque lace fabric but draped in diamonds and blue sapphires, this necklace evokes a sensual lightness with its sinuous texture.

Wings of Rome

ROMAN LANDMARK: ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

The wings of Archangel Michael statue at Castel Sant’Angelo were the basis of this bewitching platinum necklace set with diamonds of three different cuts—marquise, round and drop. The diamonds are also set at three levels to create that exquisite sense of depth.

Peacock

FEATURED GEMSTONES: TANZANITES, AQUAMARINES, CHRYSOPRASES & EMERALDS

One of the most dramatic creations in the Barocko collection is the Peacock, aptly named for its kaleidoscope of coloured gems namely tanzanites, aquamarines, chrysoprases and emeralds that evoke the colourful vibrant nature of its namesake bird.

Source: DCLA

102 Carat D Flawless Diamond Fetches $15.6 Million

 

A 102.39 carat D color flawless oval diamond was sold in a single lot auction for more than $15.6 million. The sale by Sotheby’s Hong Kong was the first time a diamond of more than 100 carats was sold in a combined online and live auction and such an important diamond was offered without reserve.

The diamond was purchased by a private Japanese collector who requested anonymity, Sotheby’s said in a statement. The person named the gem, “Maiko Star” after his second daughter. The same collector bought the 88.22 carat “Manami Star” at Sotheby’s in April 2019.

The sale of the Type IIa diamond the purest and rarest kind of mined diamond resulted in the highest price achieved for a diamond sold online and earned the most bids for a world class diamond. In addition, it was only the eighth diamond of more than 100 carats ever sold at auction. The auction house describes the diamond as “perfect,” not only because of its top color and clarity grades, but also for its “excellent polish and symmetry.”

However, the total price fell far short of what similar diamonds sold for at auction.

102.39-carat D-color flawless oval diamond

Source: DCLA