Botswana Diamonds shares good news from Thorny River

Botswana Diamonds has announced that eleven diamonds and abundant kimberlitic indicators were recovered from drill samples at the recently discovered River Kimberlite pipe at Thorny River in South Africa.

John Teeling, Chairman, commented:

“The recovery of so many kimberlitic indicators and in particular diamonds, which are very rare to recover in small sample narrow reverse circulation drill holes is highly encouraging and bodes well for the potential commerciality of this exciting discovery”.

Following a detailed ground geophysical programme in October 2020, 6, six-inch percussion reverse circulation holes were drilled into the newly discovered River Kimberlite pipe.

A combined total of 39.5 m intersected kimberlite while an additional 55 m intersected a weathered kimberlite breccia.

Samples from these holes were taken at one metre intervals and twenty of these totalling about 500 kg were selected and submitted to an independent processing facility for assessment through screening, dense media separation and hand sorting.

11 Diamonds, 172 G10 pyrope garnets, 623 G9 pyrope garnets, 555 eclogitic garnets, 438 chromites and 268 chromium diopsides (clinopyroxene) were recovered at sizes between -1.0+0.3mm.

Recoveries of a specific mineral species were capped at 20 grains and thus this picture is a snapshot of the overall sample indicator content. Importantly, all the samples contained abundant kimberlitic indicators.

The diamonds are all notably of good colour and clarity and are of commercial quality and in high demand by the market. The diamonds were not weighed as the sample size was small and they are not representative of a possible population.

Pyrope garnets are common in peridotite xenoliths from kimberlite pipes, some of which are diamond-bearing. Pyrope found in association with diamond commonly has a Chromium Oxide content of three to eight percent which imparts a distinctive violet to deep purple colouration.

These are called G10 and G9 pyrope garnets. Eclogites typically result from high to ultrahigh pressure metamorphism of mafic rocks at low thermal gradients as they were subducted to the upper mantle in a subduction zone.

Garnets found in eclogitic xenoliths tend to have a deep orange colour. Diamonds in kimberlite come from both peridotitic and eclogitic xenoliths so the abundance of both types of garnet in this sample is noteworthy and this is supported by the recovery of diamonds from a relatively small drill sample.

Of significance too is that these diamonds are all of good colour and clarity. The next step is a detailed core drilling programme which is planned for the dry season.

Source: DCLA

Botswana Diamonds shares good news from Thorny River

Botswana Diamonds has announced that eleven diamonds and abundant kimberlitic indicators were recovered from drill samples at the recently discovered River Kimberlite pipe at Thorny River in South Africa.

John Teeling, Chairman, commented:

“The recovery of so many kimberlitic indicators and in particular diamonds, which are very rare to recover in small sample narrow reverse circulation drill holes is highly encouraging and bodes well for the potential commerciality of this exciting discovery”.

Following a detailed ground geophysical programme in October 2020, 6, six-inch percussion reverse circulation holes were drilled into the newly discovered River Kimberlite pipe.

A combined total of 39.5 m intersected kimberlite while an additional 55 m intersected a weathered kimberlite breccia.

Samples from these holes were taken at one metre intervals and twenty of these totalling about 500 kg were selected and submitted to an independent processing facility for assessment through screening, dense media separation and hand sorting.

11 Diamonds, 172 G10 pyrope garnets, 623 G9 pyrope garnets, 555 eclogitic garnets, 438 chromites and 268 chromium diopsides (clinopyroxene) were recovered at sizes between -1.0+0.3mm.

Recoveries of a specific mineral species were capped at 20 grains and thus this picture is a snapshot of the overall sample indicator content. Importantly, all the samples contained abundant kimberlitic indicators.

The diamonds are all notably of good colour and clarity and are of commercial quality and in high demand by the market. The diamonds were not weighed as the sample size was small and they are not representative of a possible population.

Pyrope garnets are common in peridotite xenoliths from kimberlite pipes, some of which are diamond-bearing. Pyrope found in association with diamond commonly has a Chromium Oxide content of three to eight percent which imparts a distinctive violet to deep purple colouration.

These are called G10 and G9 pyrope garnets. Eclogites typically result from high to ultrahigh pressure metamorphism of mafic rocks at low thermal gradients as they were subducted to the upper mantle in a subduction zone.

Garnets found in eclogitic xenoliths tend to have a deep orange colour. Diamonds in kimberlite come from both peridotitic and eclogitic xenoliths so the abundance of both types of garnet in this sample is noteworthy and this is supported by the recovery of diamonds from a relatively small drill sample.

Of significance too is that these diamonds are all of good colour and clarity. The next step is a detailed core drilling programme which is planned for the dry season.

Source: DCLA

Christie’s Gets Colorful with New York Auction

 

Three rings featuring diamonds with fancy-vivid color will head up the Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction in New York next month.

The trio of jewels, called the Perfect Palette, comprises a 2.13-carat, fancy-vivid-blue diamond ring, estimated at $2 million to $3 million, Christie’s said Tuesday. Also included are a 2.34-carat, fancy-vivid-orange diamond ring and a 2.17-carat, fancy-vivid-purplish-pink diamond ring, both with a high valuation of $2.5 million. Each will be offered as a separate lot at the April 13 sale, the auction house added.

Other notable items are two oval modified brilliant-cut diamonds. The first — a 25.55-carat, fancy-vivid-yellow, VS1-clarity diamond ring — has a high estimate of $1.2 million, while the 6.56-carat, fancy-intense-orangey-pink, VVS1-clarity diamond ring carries an upper valuation of $1 million.

An oval mixed-cut, 3.02-carat, fancy-vivid-purplish-pink, SI2-clarity diamond ring, set with round pink diamonds on the band, is estimated at up to $1.5 million. Christie’s will offer that piece without reserve.

Meanwhile, a pear brilliant-cut, 38.04-carat, D-flawless, type IIa diamond ring with a high estimate of $3.5 million will feature as a top lot. An emerald-cut, 14.50-carat, D-color, internally flawless, type IIa diamond valued at up to $1 million is also up for sale, as are signed pieces by designers Suzanne Belperron, Bulgari, Cartier, David Webb, Harry Winston, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Verdura.

Christie’s will hold a concurrent Online Jewels auction from April 8 to 20, featuring a selection of items from Bulgari, Cartier and Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co., among others. The auction house has not decided whether it will hold an in-person sale or conduct live bidding over the phone and online, a spokesperson told Rapaport News.

Source: DCLA

Christie’s Gets Colorful with New York Auction

 

Three rings featuring diamonds with fancy-vivid color will head up the Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction in New York next month.

The trio of jewels, called the Perfect Palette, comprises a 2.13-carat, fancy-vivid-blue diamond ring, estimated at $2 million to $3 million, Christie’s said Tuesday. Also included are a 2.34-carat, fancy-vivid-orange diamond ring and a 2.17-carat, fancy-vivid-purplish-pink diamond ring, both with a high valuation of $2.5 million. Each will be offered as a separate lot at the April 13 sale, the auction house added.

Other notable items are two oval modified brilliant-cut diamonds. The first — a 25.55-carat, fancy-vivid-yellow, VS1-clarity diamond ring — has a high estimate of $1.2 million, while the 6.56-carat, fancy-intense-orangey-pink, VVS1-clarity diamond ring carries an upper valuation of $1 million.

An oval mixed-cut, 3.02-carat, fancy-vivid-purplish-pink, SI2-clarity diamond ring, set with round pink diamonds on the band, is estimated at up to $1.5 million. Christie’s will offer that piece without reserve.

Meanwhile, a pear brilliant-cut, 38.04-carat, D-flawless, type IIa diamond ring with a high estimate of $3.5 million will feature as a top lot. An emerald-cut, 14.50-carat, D-color, internally flawless, type IIa diamond valued at up to $1 million is also up for sale, as are signed pieces by designers Suzanne Belperron, Bulgari, Cartier, David Webb, Harry Winston, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Verdura.

Christie’s will hold a concurrent Online Jewels auction from April 8 to 20, featuring a selection of items from Bulgari, Cartier and Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co., among others. The auction house has not decided whether it will hold an in-person sale or conduct live bidding over the phone and online, a spokesperson told Rapaport News.

Source: DCLA

Christie’s Online Jewelry Auction Sells Out

 

Christie’s garnered $799,125 from its online sale of jewelry by designer Michele della Valle, with 100% of items finding buyers.

The top lot at the auction was a pair of yellow sapphire, tsavorite garnet and diamond lemon earrings, which went for $75,000, smashing its $10,000 high estimate, Christie’s said last week. Another set of earrings — containing 52 round and 12 baguette-cut diamonds weighing a total of 1.55 carats, tsavorite garnets, and red agate beads — also soared past its upper valuation. The pair, designed to look like cherries, brought in $37,500, well over its $6,000 estimate.

A number of emerald and tourmaline pieces also fared well. A brooch featuring round emeralds and cabochon green tourmalines sold for $37,500, well above its estimate, while a pair of earrings set with round, oval and marquise-cut emeralds fetched $25,000, nearly four times its high valuation. A square step-cut, 13.25-carat orange tourmaline ring, surrounded by cabochon green tourmalines and diamonds, brought in $23,750, against a high valuation of $6,000.

“With a background in opera and the arts, della Valle’s aptitude for creative output knows no bounds,” said Caroline Ervin, a specialist for Christie’s jewelry department. “For decades, della Valle has delighted jewelry collectors and fans alike with his bold and colorful creations. His unexpected and whimsical creations offered in our sale were met with enthusiasm from Christie’s clients around the world.”

In total, Christie’s offered 65 pieces by the designer, with bidders from 24 countries participating in the auction.

Source: DCLA

Christie’s Online Jewelry Auction Sells Out

 

Christie’s garnered $799,125 from its online sale of jewelry by designer Michele della Valle, with 100% of items finding buyers.

The top lot at the auction was a pair of yellow sapphire, tsavorite garnet and diamond lemon earrings, which went for $75,000, smashing its $10,000 high estimate, Christie’s said last week. Another set of earrings — containing 52 round and 12 baguette-cut diamonds weighing a total of 1.55 carats, tsavorite garnets, and red agate beads — also soared past its upper valuation. The pair, designed to look like cherries, brought in $37,500, well over its $6,000 estimate.

A number of emerald and tourmaline pieces also fared well. A brooch featuring round emeralds and cabochon green tourmalines sold for $37,500, well above its estimate, while a pair of earrings set with round, oval and marquise-cut emeralds fetched $25,000, nearly four times its high valuation. A square step-cut, 13.25-carat orange tourmaline ring, surrounded by cabochon green tourmalines and diamonds, brought in $23,750, against a high valuation of $6,000.

“With a background in opera and the arts, della Valle’s aptitude for creative output knows no bounds,” said Caroline Ervin, a specialist for Christie’s jewelry department. “For decades, della Valle has delighted jewelry collectors and fans alike with his bold and colorful creations. His unexpected and whimsical creations offered in our sale were met with enthusiasm from Christie’s clients around the world.”

In total, Christie’s offered 65 pieces by the designer, with bidders from 24 countries participating in the auction.

Source: DCLA

Graff Unveils New High-Jewelry Collection: Tribal

 

Graff is known for its exquisite diamonds. The London-based jewelry house has acquired many notable diamond acquisitions, some that set world records. As a vertically integrated jeweler, the house cuts, polishes, and sets these incredible diamonds in-house, allowing it to control every facet of these stunning diamonds. 

Graff is known for its incredible diamonds GRAFF

To coincide with the spring equinox, Graff unveiled Tribal, its newest high-jewelry collection. The collection focuses on white and yellow diamonds, with one exceptional emerald suite, in three sculptural motifs. The collection is inspired by the stories that our ancestors would tell themselves to explain the world around them and the heavens above, so these motifs focus on the sky, sun, and stars — a language understood around the world. 

Francois Graff, CEO of Graff, tells Forbes, “Tribal is a fabulous collection, inspired by the magical folktale of the girl who created the stars. For me, the iconic, timeless symbols that unite the collection evoke a deep feeling of being connected to the world around us on a universal level. Tribal raises the bar in high jewelry and pushes the boundaries of creativity, craftsmanship, and exceptional stones for which we are known.”

The Graff Gateway pieces feature abstract ovals GRAFF

Graff Graff Gateway features striking, architectural designs. These pieces feature abstract ovals with pear-cut or round diamonds within. They evoke swirling galaxies with a brilliant diamond star at the heart. For a more delicate, almost lace-inspired look, the Graff Gateway choker and cuff bracelets alternate rows of round diamonds and diamonds with a more subtle oval motif. 

The Sun Worship necklace features 374 white and yellow diamonds with a 10.56-carat pear-shaped Fancy … [+] GRAFF

The powerful New Dawn collection is inspired by the sun’s rays as it rises above the horizon. These pieces feature sunburst motifs set in white or yellow diamonds. Some diamond rays spiral from a significant central stone, while other pieces focus on geometric compositions. The Sun Worship necklace features 374 white and yellow diamonds with a 10.56-carat pear-shaped Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond in the center. 

Sara Sampaio wears the Night Moon pieces MIKAEL JANSSON FOR GRAFF

Finally, the Night Moon collection features glittering diamonds reminiscent of starry night skies. These pieces feature pavé diamond half-moons in striking geometric motifs inspired by elemental shapes found in nature. 

The collection launched with a gorgeous campaign shot on location in the Atlantis Dune in South Africa. Mikael Jansson shot Portuguese supermodel Sara Sampaio in these remote dunes alongside custom-made blacked steel sculptures inspired by the motifs in the Tribal jewelry collection.

Source: DCLA