How do I know where my diamond comes from?
A sure trend is that couples are wanting to know the story behind where their diamonds come from – the provenance of the gems which are going into their special ring. They also like to know that they are natural, sustainable and ethically sourced.
Are coloured diamonds popular in engagement rings?
While pink diamonds are eternally popular, there is a growing interest in other natural coloured diamonds such as yellow, blue and the champagne and cognac hues. Whether these are used as accent stones to highlight a main diamond, or as the centre stone of an engagement ring, really depends on the personal taste and price […]
What are popular engagement ring styles?
Currently, engagement ring design is reflecting a trend towards greater personal expression. While the classic Round Brilliant cut is still the most popular choice, many more couples are choosing “fancy” shapes such as Oval, Pear and Emerald cut, and to a lesser extent, Marquise. We have seen growing interest in Oval diamonds as an alternative […]
What to look for in an engagement ring?
The most important point to remember is that the ring is about you…. your style, who you are and where you are in life. Just as your love story is unique, let the ring you choose be something you love on your finger and makes you smile every time you look at it. If you […]
What is the best way to choose an engagement ring?
“Remember that shopping for your engagement ring should be an enjoyable experience, so try not to let the significance, cost or abundance of choice overwhelm you. This is a special moment in your lives, so take the opportunity to make the most of it and enjoy this once in a lifetime event!” Some people will […]
Jana Pittman joins Diamond Guild Australia in helping to raise money for Beyond Blue
The beautiful “Hope Will Catch the Tears” pendant is 100% crafted in Australia, featuring 18ct rose and white gold and ethically sourced diamonds and is exclusively available from DGA members across the country. A limited edition of only 100 of the pendants will be sold for $4950, with $2000 from the sale of each piece […]
Zara Tindall dazzles in Calleija diamonds
Among Zara’s collection of sparkling accessories was a 5.52ct Magnifique white ring by Australian diamond specialist and Diamond Guild Australia member Calleija, which cost $550,000. Princess Anne’s daughter also wore elegant Cascade drop earrings worth $115,000 and a black-and-white diamond cuff valued at $23,900. Zara, 33, completed her summery look with a sleeveless monochrome dress […]
What makes pink diamonds pink?
That hasn’t stopped investors from snapping them up at auction and sending prices skyrocketing. In October a new world record was set at a Sotheby’s sale in Hong Kong when an 8.41-carat pink diamond sold for $17,768,041 (£11,438,714) – more than $2.1m (£1.8m) a carat. “Everybody’s talking about them, and everybody loves them,” says Jeffrey […]
New Creation ‘Paradiso’ from Mondial
This unique and versatile piece has taken over 150 hours of master craftsmanship to create, and can be worn as a ring, pendant and brooch. “Paradiso’s incredible versatility should be a wonderfully attractive proposition for its potential owner. I believe our clientele will be captivated by the idea that they are effectively purchasing three spectacular […]
Members win at JAA Australasian Jewellery Awards
Rhys Turner took out the pinnacle award of Jeweller of the Year for his angular and architecturally inspired piece, Facets of Morality. Turner won the Coloured Gemstone award earlier in the evening for the platinum and parti sapphire ring that features multiple finishes including sandblast, polish and emery. He said being recognised among the other […]
Member Mondial Wins Lifetime Achievement Award
The award was introduced to promote excellence in the jewellery industry and according to JAA president Selwyn Brandt, is the highest honour that the association would bestow on one of its members. Speaking on behalf of Neuman at the ceremony was his son Michael who said, “As a family we’re so proud of Fred. It’s […]
Three Guild members to feature at Argyle Pink Diamond exhibition in London
Out of the Vault – Pink Diamonds and Royalty The royal exhibition titled “Out of The Vault – Pink Diamonds and Royalty.” was a celebration of Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and will bring together a number of the world’s premier jewellers to exhibit a selection of pieces featuring amazing Argyle Pink Diamonds sourced […]
Kate’s Royal Jewels
The Nizam instructed Elizabeth to choose anything she wanted from Cartier; she selected this long chain with 38 diamonds at its center, plus 13 emerald cut diamonds and a pear-shaped drop. “It was one of the most magnificent wedding presents,” says Leslie Field, author of The Queen’s Jewels. It was the fourth time the Queen […]
Introducing The Argyle Pink Diamonds 2014 Tender Collection
The 30th Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender collection comprises 55 diamonds, including 51 pink and purplish red diamonds and the four Fancy Red diamonds. Only 13 Fancy Red diamonds, including the four from this year, have been included in the annual in the 30 years of the tender. The hero of the 2014 collection is a […]
Flawless 100-carat diamond sells for $22 million
The perfect, classic emerald-cut D colour diamond was purchased by an anonymous buyer via a telephone bid. It had a pre-sale estimate of $19 million to $25 million. The diamond is about the size of a walnut and was mined by De Beers in Southern Africa. Originally weighing over 200 carats, its owner spent more […]
Estate Treasures
Some of the most important fancy colored stones sold at auction come from the depths of bank vaults. Estate jewellery is a small but prestigious source of extremely fine fancy colour diamonds, according to Gary Schuler, director of Sotheby’s New York jewellery department. “Yes,” he says, “people are coming in with things from their vaults. […]
Sunny Yellow
Beyond the multitude of Argyle’s various shades of brown diamonds, yellow diamonds comprise the largest group of fancy colours available. According to Kimberley Diamonds Ltd. (KDL), which purchased the Ellendale diamond mine in Western Australia from Gem Diamonds in 2013, the mine supplies around 50 percent of the world’s fancy yellow diamonds, currently producing about […]
In the Pink
When it comes to pink diamonds, there is a reliable producer and a dominant one but the diamonds are relatively small. Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine in Western Australia yields 20 million carats of diamonds in an array of brownish tones. Occasionally, a pink diamond is discovered. Josephine Johnson, manager of Argyle Pink Diamonds, says, “Less […]
La Serlas
Blues of consequence are among the rarest of the rare among fancy colour diamonds. Since the Cullinan mine in South Africa was acquired by Petra from De Beers in 2008, it has produced six important blue diamonds. The most recent was the stunning 122.52-carat blue, recovered in June 2014, that sold this September for $27.6 […]
1. The Ocean Dream Diamond
No precise estimate of the value of this 5.51 carat stone exists but its incredible rarity means it takes top spot in this Billionaires countdown. The Ocean Dream was the first, and remains one of only a miniscule number, to be classed as fancy deep-blue green in colour. It gained its unique colour after being […]
2. The Hope Diamond
Worth an astonishing $350 million, the Hope Diamond is a blue stone that is 45.52 carats in size and according to legend, it is cursed because so many people associated with it have died. The Hope Diamond is believed to have been mined in India in the 17th Century and was taken to France, where […]
3. Graff Pink Diamond
This fancy intense pink is 24.78 carats in size and is valued at $46 million. It was once owned by the legendary jeweller Harry Winston. It was sold at auction by Sotheby’s in 2010 and is now owned by collector Laurence Graff. It has been described as one of the greatest diamonds ever discovered. The […]
4. The Pink Star
This vivid pink diamond is valued at $25 million and is 59.60 carats – the largest vivid pink diamond known to exist. Previously known as the Steinmetz Pink, it was found in De Beers’ South African mine in 1999 and took expert diamond cutters 20 months to cut and shape. It was sold privately to […]
5. The Wittelsbach Diamond
This royal diamond is a blue stone that is believed to have originated in India. It was once part of both the Bavarian and Austrian Crown Jewels. But the diamond that exists today is markedly different to the blue stone that was once owned by royalty. It was substantially recut by Laurence Graff, who paid […]