Alrosa Unearths 27-Carat Pink Diamond

Alrosa said Thursday that one of its subsidiaries unearthed a pink rough diamond weighing 27.85 carats. If the Russian mining giant decides to cut the stone, it has the potential to be the most expensive polished diamond in its history.

The rough diamond has dimensions of 22.47 mm x 15.69 mm x 10.9 mm, Alrosa said in statement Thursday. The pink stone is of gem-quality and almost free of inclusions.

The diamond was unearthed by Almazy Anabara, an Alrosa subsidiary with a diamond mining operation in Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in northeast Russia. It is by far the largest pink diamond Alrosa ever mined—with the previous largest pink rough being 3.86 carats, found in 2012. Apart from this stone, for the past eight years, Alrosa recovered only 3 pink diamonds weighing more than 2 carats. Alrosa said its mining operations discover colored diamonds weighing more than 10 carats about once a year. 

Alrosa, a rough diamond mining operation, has been increasing investment in its polishing division. The company said it is deciding whether to sell it as a rough or to cut it and polish it themselves. 

“If the company decided to cut it, it would become the most expensive diamond in the entire history of Alrosa,” said Evgeny Agureev, head of United Selling Organization of Alrosa. 

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LA Museum Hosts Rare Colored Diamonds Exhibit By L.J. West

The Juliet Pink Diamond, set in a necklace with marquise, pear and round-cut white diamonds totaling 98.70 carats. Image courtesy of Brian Lazar.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is set to unveil “Diamonds: Rare Brilliance” that brings together rare colored gems never before seen in the United States. 

The exhibition inside the museum’s Gem and Mineral Hall will open Friday and run through March 19, 2017. The colored diamonds and jewels in the exhibition are owned by L.J. West Diamonds, which specializes in the sourcing, manufacturing and distribution of colored diamonds.

At the exhibition’s centerpiece is the “Juliet Pink Diamond,” an extremely rare pink diamond of more than 30 carats, and a Fancy Deep Grayish Bluish Violet named the “Argyle Violet Diamond” after the Argyle mine in Western Australia, where it was discovered in 2015. Through examples, such as the fluorescent lighting of a “rainbow” diamond necklace and a very rare Victorian Orchid Diamond, the exhibition will attempt to bring to light the rare properties of colored gemstones, the science behind natural colored diamonds, and how the interplay of light and chemistry gives diamonds color. 

The diamonds on display include the following:

Image courtesy of Brian Lazar.

The Juliet Pink Diamond – This 30.03-carat Fancy Intense Pink oval diamond, with a VVS2 clarity grade, is cut from a 90-carat rough from South Africa. It is set in a necklace with marquise, pear and round-cut shape white diamonds, VVS E-F, totaling 98.70 carats. 

Image courtesy of Brian Lazar

The Argyle Violet – The 2.83-carat oval shaped gem is the largest violet diamond unearthed from the Argyle diamond mine, polished from a 9.17-carat rough diamond. It possesses the unique color grading of Fancy Deep Grayish Bluish Violet, and served as the headline stone of the 2016 Argyle Pink Diamonds Signature Tender, an annual sale of rare pink, red and blue diamonds, unearthed from the Argyle Diamond Mine in Western Australia.

Image courtesy of Brian Lazar

The Rainbow Necklace – A jewel made of approximately 100 rare natural colored diamonds from the color spectrum. It features radiant-cut shape multi-color diamonds at a noteworthy 35.93-carat weight and is set in a custom 18k white gold arch necklace. It took more than five years to source and assemble the jewel. 

Image courtesy of Aaron Celestian, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

The Victorian Orchid Vivid Purple Diamond – It is one of the rarest stones currently worldwide because of its unusual color, according to LJ West. It is a 1.64-carat Fancy Vivid Purple diamond with an SI2 clarity grade is fashioned in a cushion-cut shaped and is set in a platinum flower designed ring with a matching pair of kite- shape diamonds.

The exhibition coincides with the reopening of NHMLA’s Gem and Mineral Store. 

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Graff Diamonds Reveals Largest D Flawless Heart-Shaped Diamond In The World

The Graff Venus

Graff Diamonds just unveiled “The Graff Venus.” At 118.78 carats, the London-based jeweler said it is the world’s largest D-color, flawless heart-shaped diamond.

This is a diamond that is not only large but is among the purest in color, clarity and cut. The D color grade means it is colorless, the top of the color scale for diamonds. It is flawless, the top of the clarity scale. It is a Type IIa diamond, meaning it is almost or entirely devoid of impurities. They make up between 1 and 2 percent of all natural diamonds.

The diamond also possesses excellent polish, excellent symmetry and no fluorescence—again the very highest accolades a diamond can achieve. 

The Graff Venus was cut from a 357-carat rough diamond discovered in 2015 at the Letšeng Mine in Lesotho, the company said, addition that Laurence Graff, the founder of the London-based high jewelry brand, “knew instinctively that hidden within its depths lay the potential to create diamond history—it displayed an outstanding size, color and clarity of the highest standard.” 

The company added, “A heart shape diamond must be perfectly faceted and entirely symmetrical to ensure a perfect silhouette and exquisite scintillation. The exceptional size of the heart required the development of special tools and new technologies. The process was incredibly risky and tense.”

From discovery to completion, the process of analysis, cutting and polishing the diamond took 18 months.

More than half of the world’s top 20 largest diamonds discovered this century have been cut and polished by Graff. 

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8-Carat ‘Sky Blue Diamond’ Could Be Yours For $25 Million

The latest blue diamond to come up for auction is an 8.01-carat fancy vivid blue diamond being called the “Sky Blue Diamond.” It is the top item in Sotheby’s auction of Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels in Geneva to be held November 16. 

The ring set on a Cartier mount surrounded by white diamonds, has a presale estimate of $15 - $25 million.

Describing the diamond, David Bennett, worldwide chairman of Sotheby’s International Jewellery Division, said, “The Sky Blue Diamond is of a wonderfully clear celestial blue, presented in an extremely elegant square emerald cut—in my view, the most flattering of all the cuts for a colored diamond.”

In recent years, colored diamonds have been highly prized at auctions with blue diamonds being the most sought after—setting numerous records. Among them:

* The 14.62-carat “Oppenheimer Blue” diamond, which sold for more than $57.5 million at Christie’s Geneva in May, setting a world record for any jewel sold at auction. 

* The 12.03-carat “Blue Moon of Josephine,” which sold for $48.4 million at Sotheby’s Geneva, November 2015, setting a world record for the price per carat for any diamond or gem at just over $4 million.

* The 9.75-carat Zoe Diamond, which sold for more than $32.5 million at Sotheby’s New York, November 2014.

* The 10.10-carat Millennium Blue Fancy, which sold for more than $31.8 million at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, April 2016.

* The 24.18-carat “Cullinan Dream,” which sold for $25.3 million at Christie’s New York in June. 

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The Hong Kong Jewelry Fair Begins

The September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair opened Tuesday at AsiaWorld-Expo. AWE houses the raw materials section of the September Fair. The fine jewelry section, meanwhile, will open on September 15 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). 

Celebrating its 34th edition, the September Fair hosts more than 3,600 exhibitors from 55 countries and regions. Fair organizer UBM Asia expects about 58,000 buyers from around the world to create active traffic in the two venues. 

Among the highlights of the Hong Kong fair include:

* Exhibition space in the two venues totals more than 135,000 square meters.

* Debut of the Myanmar and Portugal Pavilions. The new additions bring to 24 the number of group pavilions in the two venues. 

* The single largest showcase of Hong Kong jewelry, with more than 1,250 Hong Kong companies participating in the two venues, accounting for around 35 percent of exhibitors.

* Once again the fair is home to the world’s largest diamond pavilion, with around 500 diamond companies, and Asia’s biggest gemstone marketplace, with more than 750 gemstone companies.

* New exhibitors from Nigeria, Peru, Portugal, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Slovak Republic (Slovakia), French Polynesia and the Republic of Vanuatu are participating.
* ALROSA, Russia’s diamond company and the world’s biggest diamond miner by volume, is hosting its diamond auction at the Fair from September 13 to 17 at AWE. Admission is by invitation only.

* Two international pearl auctions, the 68th Robert Wan Tahiti Perles Auction and the 59th Paspaley Pearl Auction, will also be held by invitation during the fair.

* The “Declaration Program on Exhibits of Natural Diamond”, is being introduced at this edition. Participants in the program will have on display at their booths a “Declaration Program on Exhibits of Natural Diamond” poster, which will demonstrate clearly to buyers that diamonds from these exhibitors are natural. This program provides an easier and quicker way for buyers to make an informed decision when purchasing diamonds. Participants in the program are members of global diamond trade organizations, including the Diamond Federation of Hong Kong, the Antwerp World Diamond Center, Belgium and the Israel Diamond Institute. The diamond exhibitors will be housed in Halls 5, 7, 9 and 11 at AWE. 

* Since June 2012, the Trade Buyer ID has enjoyed warm reception from our esteemed buyers from around the world. Beginning at this edition of the September Fair, holders of the Trade Buyer ID can enjoy up to 25 percent discount on dining privileges at participating restaurants. Buyers simply need to present the Trade Buyer ID to enjoy this privilege. 

Despite challenging economic conditions in some parts of the world, consumer confidence in China and the rest of Asia remains steady, according to the Nielsen Global Survey of Consumer Confidence and Spending Intentions, Markets. The region’s confidence score reached or exceeded 100 points in the second quarter of 2016, the survey said. Countries surveyed in Asia included the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Pakistan and Thailand.

The continued healthy growth of the Asian market, particularly China, is not lost on players in the jewelry industry. According to Celine Lau, director of Jewellery Fairs at UBM Asia, more internationally renowned organizations and laboratories are establishing their presence in the China market. 

“They partner with local authorities to hold seminars, set up scholarships and share knowledge about the latest technologies in the industry. They believe there is room for growth in the China market so they are establishing their brands here through these activities,” Lau said. 

Over the last decade, the September fair has served as a bridge to tap into China’s lucrative market. As the preeminent jewelry fair for the industry, the fair provides the greatest product range not only for Chinese buyers but also for buyers from around the world. 

“The Fair is not only an effective marketplace and platform to tap into the Asian markets, but also functions as a ‘filter’ as only serious buyers and exhibitors will attend world-class fairs like the September Fair,” Lau said. “A fair of this caliber offers tremendous value to both exhibitors and buyers. It also provides easy access to some of the industry’s most reputable vendors, thus helping the industry to continue to grow.” 

To bring in more buyers from robust markets, UBM Asia has enhanced visitor promotion in certain markets. As a result, 24 buyer delegations from the mainland China are visiting this edition. Overseas delegates from Finland, Israel, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Russian Federation and Vietnam are also coming.

The Hong Kong Premier Pavilion features around 30 of the city’s outstanding jewelry companies and their brands. Visitors are sure to be captivated by the exquisitely crafted jewelry collections that reflect the very best of Hong Kong’s jewelry manufacturing traditions. The pavilion is located in Halls 1D & E of HKCEC.

The International Premier Pavilion is a destination for the trendy. Located in Halls 3B & C of HKCEC, the pavilion houses a select group of over 50 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions, namely Belgium, mainland China, France, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Russian Federation, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

The Fine Design Pavilion hosts 76 internationally renowned jewelrs in the Grand Hall of HKCEC. They will showcase exquisite jewelry set with luxurious and rare diamonds, gemstones and pearls, as well as top-quality bejeweled watches, valuable masterpieces, and exclusive jewels from around the world.

The Fine Gem Pavilion is dedicated to the world’s finest loose diamonds, pearls and gemstones. Located in Hall 9 of AWE, 54 esteemed exhibitors will showcase a variety of high-quality loose gems.

The Fair press conference will be held on September 15 at 11 a.m. in meeting rooms S226 – S227 of HKCEC. Heads of jewelry associations will share their views on the developments in the jewelry trade. The Senior Vice President of UBM Asia, Wolfram Diener, will announce the latest developments in UBM Asia’s jewelry fairs portfolio.

A Welcome Reception organized by UBM Asia will be held on September 15 at 6:30pm at the Grand Foyer of HKCEC. 

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Pilot Hong Kong Mineral And Gem Fair To Continue Under New Name

The first edition of Mineral & Gem Asia at the AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong, attracted more than 4,600 local and overseas visitors. UBM Asia, which owns and organized the event, said more than 1,900 of the visitors were trade buyers, including exhibitors and visitors from UBM Asia’s June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, which ran simultaneously with the mineral fair. 

“The launch of Mineral & Gem Asia was an important milestone in UBM Asia’s fair history,” said Wolfram Diener, senior VP, UBM Asia. “It gave global buyers a platform to source effectively from suppliers from around the world without having to travel to many overseas shows.”

The fair featured 103 exhibitors from 27 countries and regions while the visitors came from 55 countries and regions in Asia Pacific, Africa, Europe, Oceania, Middle East, Central, North and South America.

Rare and preserved fossils from the Stephen Hui Geological Museum of The University of Hong Kong were among the exhibits at the fair, including Permian invertebrate fossils and Jurassic and Tertiary plant fossils unearthed from Lantau Island and Dong Ping Chau in Hong Kong.

Both the Hong Kong Geological Museum and the Mineralogy Society of Hong Kong hosted onsite educational activities.

Christoph Keilmann, CEO of Mineralientage München Fachmesse GmbH, the fair organizer of The Munich Show, gave the new fair early praise, saying “it was an excellent start with the potential to become Asia's leading mineral show.”

Hong Kong-based visitors totaled 2,981. The largest group of visitors from outside Hong Kong came from mainland China (835); followed by Taiwan (126), India (83), Thailand (82), Japan (62) and Australia (41).

The fair included a showcase of three dinosaurs—Tyrannosaurus rex-King Kong, the Allosaurus and the Suuwassea—which were displayed to the public for the first time in Asia; along with a three-dimensional model of the Thermopolis Archaeopteryx and an Archaeopteryx fossil.

Six seminars discussed a variety of topics, including minerals, gemstones and gold specimen collecting. 

The fair will be renamed Mineral, Gem & Fossil Asia and will be held June 25 – 28, 2016, at AsiaWorld-Expo. The June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, meanwhile, will be held June 23 – 26, 2016, at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. 

Holding the two fairs at the same time will enable gemstone exhibitors at the Hong Kong fair to attend the mineral and gem fair, UBM Asia said. In addition, there will be an enhanced advertising and promotion campaign to attract more trade buyers to the fair. 

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Piaget Launches ‘Secrets & Lights – A Mythical Journey’ High Jewelry Collection

18k white gold cuff set with a cushion-cut emerald (3.46 cts), 8 marquise-cut emeralds (4.80 cts), 8 marquise-cut blue sapphires ( 7.66 cts), 10 brilliant-cut diamonds (1.08 cts) and feathers

Venice and Samarkand are different and unique in so many ways. But what the two cities do share a connection to one of the world’s most storied trading routes in history: The Silk Road.

Secret ring in 18k white gold set with a cushion-cut blue sapphire (1.43 cts), 71 marquise cut diamonds (4.83 cts), 78 brilliant cut diamonds (approx. 2.67 cts) and enamel. the top slides open to reveal a night blue sky crafted in Grand Feu champlevé enamel

The diverse 4,000 mile network of trade routes on land and sea were crucial not only for the exchange of goods from away places, but for its interaction with a myriad of cultures. The Swiss luxury brand, Piaget, used this dynamic environment as the inspiration for its latest high jewelry collection: “Secrets & Lights – A Mythical Journey.”

18k pink gold necklace set with a cushion cut emerald (4.18 cts), 84 marquise-cut diamonds (9.30 cts), 208 turquoise beads (16.22 cts) and 430 brilliant-cut diamonds (7.44 cts)

The collection was unveiled a week ago during the haute couture shows in Paris.

18k pink gold bracelet set with 105 marquise-cut diamonds (5.18 cts), five turquoise beads (4.50 cts) and 717 brilliant-cut diamonds (9.36 cts)

The Swiss luxury brand created 94 jewels using a variety of colorful gems combined with diamonds and gold to recreate this cultural mix. However, the most attention is paid to perhaps two of the most legendary cities along the 4,000 mile trade route: Venice and Samarkand.

18k pink gold ring set with a round-cut red spinel (6.31 cts), 12 round-cut red spinels ( 0.44 ct), eight pear-shaped red spinels (0.80 ct), 16 pear-shaped diamonds (3.20 cts), 14 princess-cut diamonds (0.88 ct), six marquise-cut diamonds (0.60 ct) and 150 brilliant cut diamonds (0.80 ct)

Piaget says the two cities were chosen for their cultural wealth, architecture and creativity. “Each place provides a remarkable field of expression from which the exceptional artisans in the workshops of the Piaget manufacture have been inspired,” the company said in a statement.

18k white gold necklace set with a pear shaped ruby (4.41 cts), 45 pear-shaped rubies (48.90 cts), a princess-cut diamond (1.77 cts) and 158 brilliant cut diamonds

Samarkand, on the plain of Zarafshan in Uzbekistan, whose Persian name means “supplier of gold,” is an ancient desert city. Piaget’s jewelry reflects the colors of the city’s public square (the Registan) and the desert.

18k white gold earrings set with four pear shaped rubies (4.23 cts), two princess-cut diamonds (1.41 cts) and 38 brilliant cut diamonds (4.42 cts)

For example, a long necklace with cascading turquoise beads is contrasted by emerald-heart flowers and a scattering of diamonds throughout. A four-leaf flower-ring is centered with a Colombian emerald. An arabesque-style bracelet made of sculpted yellow gold that takes the appearance of fabric is punctuated by turquoise beads. Prong-set marquise-cut stones, taking the appearance of lacework, light up an airy necklace. Ear pendants with cascading diamond motifs punctuated by sapphires reflect light as it moves.

18K white gold earrings set with 40 marquise-cut blue sapphires (4.50 cts), 16 marquise-cut blue diamonds (8.78 cts) and 154 brilliant-cut diamonds (5.59 cts)

Meanwhile, the Venice portion of the collection is inspired by the light, water, architecture, art and mystery of the famed Italian city.

18k pink gold cuff set with a cushion-cut ruby (5.01 cts), eight marquise-cut rubies (3.38 cts), six marquise-cut pink spinels (7.20 cts), eight marquise-cut mandarin garnets ( 4.08 cts), 10 marquise-cut yellow beryls (4.66 cts) and 20 brilliant-cut diamonds (2.37 cts)

For example, a signature white gold cuff bracelet is adorned with a “bird-flower” that mimics the famous Venetian masks worn at balls. The central design includes a flurry of turquoise feathers in a marquetry pattern created by award-winning feather artist Nelly Saunier. An emerald serves as the heart of the design amid a constellation of sapphires and diamonds.

18K white gold emerald necklace set with a cushion-cut emerald (11.16 cts), 12 marquise-cut diamonds (4.20 cts), 32 turquoise beads (11.10 cts) and 151 brilliant-cut diamonds (9.86 cts)

A “secret” ring echoes Venetian celebrations. The sliding diamond and gold cover reveals a night blue sky crafted in Grand Feu champlevé enamel. The Palazzo ring uses interlacing red spinel and diamond motifs to evoke the flashing camera bulbs on the red carpet of the Venice Film Festival, or the royal box at the Teatro La Fenice. Long earrings with geometrically arranged rubies are inspired by Byzantine windows of the palazzos lining the Grand Canal. An embroidered pink gold cuff bracelet is topped with marquise-cut diamonds are reminiscent of the stone bars on the windows of the Bridge of Sighs.

18k white gold ring set with a cushion-cut emerald (7.29 cts), 12 marquise-cut diamonds (1.20 cts), four turquoise beads (approx. 0.50 ct) and 130 brilliant-cut diamonds (3.12 cts)

Along with the jewelry, the collection includes 38 new timepieces.

18k white gold earrings set with two pear shaped rubies (4.13 cts), two fancy-cut ruby roots (12.88 cts), two princess-cut diamond (1.41 cts) and 120 brilliant cut diamonds (2.93 cts)

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18k pink gold bracelet set with 88 marquise-cut diamonds (20.24 cts) and 776 brilliant-cut diamonds (10 cts)

The Inaugural Mineral & Gem Asia Fair Opened Today

The first edition of the Mineral & Gem Asia opened Saturday and will run until Tuesday at the AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong. Organized by UBM Asia, the fair has 101 local and overseas exhibitors in about 12,000sqm of exhibition space. Participants include exhibitors from about 27 countries and regions around the world displaying a variety of rough and polished gemstones, fossils, art pieces and rough, loose, semi- and fully finished mineral products.

Exhibitors include Amberstream from Poland; Blue Gems, Chili Jewels, Iskcon Gems, KGE Rough & Gems and Rusgems from Hong Kong, Duarte & Bastos from Brazil; Ram Narayan from India; and Star Mountain Mining from the US.

Apart from the rare mineral specimens, three dinosaur fossils are on display. They include a pair of dinosaur fossils in fighting position, Allosaurus atrox and Suuwassea emiliea, which are being shown for the first time in Asia. Tyrannosaurus rex – King Kong, which was displayed at the June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair 2014, will be at Mineral & Gem Asia as well. In addition, a three-dimensional model of the Thermopolis archaeopteryx specimen, the first of its kind, is on display.

“The launch of Mineral & Gem Asia is an important milestone in UBM Asia’s fair history. We are glad that the fair is receiving great support from the industry,” said UBM Asia Senior VP Wolfram Diener. 

This support includes The Stephen Hui Geological Museum of The University of Hong Kong and The Mineralogy Society of Hong Kong. The organizations are showing their latest mineral and fossil collections and are hosting onsite activities, such as a game and workshops, to give students the opportunity to explore, learn and appreciate mineral specimens, fossils and rare stones from around the world.

The Stephen Hui Geological Museum is displaying rare fossils including the skull of a Hipparion coelophyes, a well-preserved Jurassic plant fossil from Lantau Island and a two-cm large fossilized cone of pine from Tertiary rocks of Dong Ping Chau found in Hong Kong.

The Mineralogy Society of Hong Kong is showcasing valuable mineral specimens found from around the world including Calcite, Dioptase, Tourmaline, Tsavorite.

Mineral & Gem Asia at the AsiaWorld-Expo is running in parallel with the 2015 edition of the June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, which at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, June 25-28. The June fair features 2,273 exhibitors from 45 countries and regions. 

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5-Carat Pink Diamond Fetches $5.7 Million, Natural Pearl Necklace Sets World Auction Record

A 5.29-carat purplish pink diamond sold for more than $5.7 million at Christie’s New York Magnificent Jewels sale Tuesday. The fancy intense gem was the top lot sold at the auction, surpassing its $5 million high estimate and fetching just under $1.1 million per carat.

Natural pearls were also in high demand Tuesday. The second-highest lot of the sale was a four-strand natural colored pearl necklace that sold for nearly $5.1 million, setting a world auction record for a natural colored pearl necklace. 

The necklace comprises four strands of 81, 76, 69 and 63 natural gray and brown pearls, measuring approximately 12.65 to 4.90 mm. The Swiss Gemmological Institute report confirms the authenticity of these saltwater natural pearls that, according to the report, have no indication of artificial color modification.

In addition, a single-strand natural pearl necklace was also among the top 10 lots. Designed as a graduated strand of 46 natural pearls, measuring 6.95 to 11.90 mm, they are joined by a marquise-cut diamond clasp, mounted in platinum, it sold for just over $1 million.

Rahul Kadakia, International head of Christie’s Jewelry, noted that colored diamonds and the jewelry creations of JAR also performed well with “spirited bidding.”

Graff Diamonds had two of its pieces sell among the top 10 lots. A pear-shaped D-color potentially internally flawless diamond pendant of 25.49 carats, was the third highest lot of the sale, fetching more than $3.4 million ($134,000 per carat) (pictured dangling from a diamond necklace); and a cushion-cut D-color potentially internally flawless diamond of 11.03 carats sold for more than $1.3 million ($120,000 per carat).

Whether diamonds or gems, color remains extremely popular on the auction market. Among the top sellers of the auction were a 5.04-carat circular-cut fancy gray-blue diamond that sold for nearly $2.3 million (pictured above); and a 9.40-carat cushion-shaped Burmese ruby that sold for more than $2.1 million, more than double its $1 million high estimate (pictured below).

JAR jewelry continues to command high prices. A pair of emerald, diamond and colored diamond ear clips sold for $845,000, smashing its $350,000 high estimate (below). It was the ninth highest selling lot of the auction.

Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale totaled more than $41.9 million, with 77 percent sold by lot and 77 percent sold by value.

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Shenzhen Jewelry Fair To Open April 20

The 13th edition of the China International Gold, Jewellery & Gem Fair – Shenzhen, the jewelry trade event for Southern China, will be held April 20 to 22 at the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center. 

The Shenzhen Fair, which occupies 22,000 square meters of exhibition space, brings together more than 380 exhibitors from 12 countries and regions, including Germany, mainland China, Dubai, Thailand, the United States, as well as Hong Kong and Taiwan. They will display jewelry, raw materials, and tools and equipment.

The Shenzhen Fair is timed for jewelers needing to replenish stock after a number of festivals and holidays. The dates for the fair over the past few years have been dependent on the Chinese New Year dates. But beginning this year, fair organizer UBM Asia will hold the event every April to enable buyers and exhibitors to plan in advance.

Participating jewelry companies include CHQ GmbH Fancy Gem House, KGE Rough & Gems HK Co Ltd, S. T. Trading STS Gems Ltd, Sunny Gem Co, Fai Dee Gems Co Ltd, Zhejiang Angeperle Co Ltd, Fai Po Group, Shanghai Kimberlite Diamond Co Ltd, Colorful Gems Ltd Divine Star (HK) Ltd, Rio Pearl, Shenzhen Himens Jewellery & Gold Co Ltd, and Vetorisn Jewellery Co Ltd.

As part of the Shenzhen Fair, Jewellery News Asia, the largest jewelry trade magazine in Asia, is presenting its second annual China Jewellery Market Summit, April 21 at 2:30 p.m. with its magazine. The Summit is divided into two main parts: 2015 New Products Launch - Jewellery Parade, and a dialogue with China jewelry brands and retailers.

This year, the Shenzhen Fair presents specialized pavilions to global buyers, including the China Gold Association Pavilion, the Baolin Pavilion, the Korea Pavilion and the Designer Pavilion.

The fair is open to jewelry trade buyers and the public.

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The Best of The Best Jewelry At Baselworld 2015

Fabergé Secret Garden necklace

Baselworld is known as a watch show but it is also one of the best places in the world to see the newest and best in jewelry from around the world, particularly at the luxury end. 

Among the brands that really made an impression this year was Fabergé. Not only with its first Imperial style jeweled egg in nearly a century. I already featured its Pearl Egg but the company exhibited several high jewelry collections reminiscent of the Fabergé of old, including a candy-colored collection of jewels called “Secret Garden (top photo).” Natalia Shugaeva, Fabergé’s head designer, said she wanted to create a collection of jewels that are opulent and refined. She succeeded.

From friends to those who actually work for the brand the word most used to describe the work of Fawaz Gruosi and his high jewelry brand, De Grisogono, is “crazy.” It is meant in the best possible sense. His singular creative designs have won the brand fame throughout the world and this year at Baselworld there were several ultra-imaginative masterpieces on displays. It’s almost become typical to expect the wonderfully unexpected from De Grisogono. Yhe De Grisogono High Jewelry necklace picture is a perfect example in 18k white and rose gold, 12 briolette-cut emeralds, 19 round-cut rubies (approximately 12.66 cts.), 29 marquise-cut white diamonds (approximately 11.01 cts.), 1,366 emeralds (approx. 60.20 ct s ) and 2603 white diamonds (approximately 137.54 cts.).

Chopard unveiled its High Jewelry Collection at Baselworld and even among the selection of jewelry destined for Red Carpet events one piece stood out. An ocean blue ring featuring a 41.57-carat oval shaped paraíba tourmaline from Mozambique and 8.8-carats of diamonds set in a lace-work of 18k white gold.

Georg Jensen and its managing director of jewelry, Meeling Wong, created several collections of refined jewelry that reinterpret the traditional designs of the famed silversmith brand. Among the items that stood out was a collection of pieces in collaboration with colored gemstone mining company, Gemfields.

Graff Diamonds also provided an exceptional jewelry not only in terms of size but in nuanced ways, showcasing several pieces that can be worn in a variety of ways or with clever use of material. The latter could be seen in the diamond tassel necklace pictured above.

Antonini, introduced a number of new collections with what it calls “natural” white gold, which is more like white mixed with a grey or yellow tint. It is used in a matte finished. Meanwhile more traditional rhodium-finished white and black gold is creatively used as a background for rough-textured pavé settings.

Pasquale Bruni introduced a number of colorful items led by Fiori in Fiore (Flowers in Bloom), featuring diamonds mixed with pink sapphires and morganite. 

Roberto Coin made a statement with its steely-eyed Falco (hawk or falcon, take your pick) ring and bracelet.  

Brumani was again as always a great designer of multi-colored stones that reflect the vibrancy of its home country Brazil and this year was no different as with these pastel colored earrings show. 

Like few other brands, Sutra brought color to the party with exceptional gemstones and creative designs as with these turquoise, diamond and gold earrings. 

More color was provided by Yoko London through its pearl-centric designs. 

Spanish brand Carrera y Carrera celebrated its 140th year anniversary with a collection of delicate, hand-made gold pieces. 

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