Natural Color Diamonds

Natural-color diamonds hold margins, value

May 29, 2009

Las Vegas–Jewelers looking for a product that sets their store apart and holds its own when it comes to margins might want to try natural-color diamonds, retailers told an audience of hundreds at a breakfast event held on Friday morning during the JCK Las Vegas show. For the event, titled “The Language of Color,” Natural Color Diamond Association (NCDIA) Executive Director Robert May and consultant Diane Warga Arias, of DWA Communications, introduced four retail jeweler panelists, who then spent about an hour sharing stories of selling natural-color diamonds in their stores. At Wick and Greene Jewelers in Ashville, N.C., owner Michael Greene told the story of a professional athlete who entered his store looking for an anniversary gift for his wife when a display of natural-color diamonds caught his eye. He gave his a wife a piece showcasing the stones and it was a success, so much so that the wife is now requesting additional natural-color diamond jewelry as a gift to mark the upcoming birth of their first child.

“Natural-color diamonds–they are the ultimate colored gemstones,” Greene said. In addition to being a favorite among customers, natural-color diamonds–unlike colorless diamonds–cannot be shopped on price, Greene said, which allows jewelers to obtain greater margins with these stones. “There are no Rap lists or other comparative lists for our fancy natural-color diamonds,” he said. Michael Pollack, co-founder and chief executive officer of Hyde Park Jewelers, with stores in Denver, Phoenix and Las Vegas, agrees. “If you sell something that can be compared, the consumer is going to see if there is a better value out there for them,” he said. Pollack said he sold a customer a five-carat natural fancy yellow diamond ring simply because she fell in the love with the piece and, though she tried, couldn’t find anything exactly like it anywhere else. Pollack also noted that natural-color diamonds hold their value–they have doubled in value every 10 years since the 1970s–and have their place in history.

Recently, a 7.03-carat blue diamond sold at Sotheby’s set the per-carat record price for a gemstone sold at auction, and some of the world’s best-known diamonds are natural-color stones, including the Hope Diamond, the Tiffany Diamond and celebrity-gifted stones, such as singer Jennifer Lopez’s pink engagement ring from ex-fiance Ben Affleck. The stones also are rare–only one in 10,000 stones that come out of the ground are considered natural-color diamonds. When asked about how to market natural-color diamonds, retailer Alfredo Molina, of the Phoenix-based Molina Group, said that to sell natural-color diamonds, retailers have to advertise that they carry them. He said he recently had success advertising a yellow diamond on The Robb Report. George Walton, of Golden Diamond Co. in Anchorage, Alaska, said that traditional ways of marketing, such as advertising in the newspapers, don’t work for natural-color diamonds, just as they don’t work for general advertising anymore. He recommends that retailers “step out of the box” and embrace new forms of advertising when marketing natural-color diamonds.

Huge Blue Diamond Sells for Record Price

Posted by Michelle Orman on December 11, 2008

For all of you bling lovers out there (and I know you’re out there), how’s this for some super-sized glam?  The Wittelsbach Diamond, a 35.56 carat cushion-shaped blue diamond sold at Christie’s for a record $24.3 million.  The piece marks the highest bid ever placed on a gemstone at auction.  The piece, a 35.56 carat cushion-shaped blue diamond, was purchased by Laurence Graff of Graff Diamonds in London. 

The diamond was originally purchased by King Philip IV of Spain in 1664 for his daughter’s dowry and passed down through the family.  It acquired the Wittelsbach name when the great grand daughter of King Philip married into Bavarian royalty, including the first king who incorporated the gem into his crown. 

The diamond sold double what it was originally appraised (an encouraging sign about the public’s continuing interest in the jewelry industry!).

View Original Article: http://njn.typepad.com/couture_blog/natural_color_diamonds/

Aurora Collection Dawns in London

By Gary Roskin, G.G, FGA

JCK – Jewelers Circular Keystone

3/1/08

The London Museum of Natural History’s new permanent gallery, The Vault, which opened in late November, brings together crystals, gems, rare metals, and meteorites. Alongside the museum’s permanent collection are loans from private collectors, including the Aurora Collection of fancy colored diamonds, on loan from diamond collectors Alan Bronstein and Harry Rodman.

The Aurora Collection is a world-class assortment of 296 naturally colored diamonds, weighing a total of 267.45 cts. For many years, it was on display at New York’s American Museum of Natural History.

“Gems like these were not meant to be imprisoned in a dark underground safe for the momentary pleasure of a few eyes,” says Bronstein. “The true value of a collection is sharing it with as many people who are interested, to experience nature’s diversity of expression. It’s thrilling to think that the collection will be seen by the 3.6 million visitors that come to the C each year.”“Each colored diamond tells its own story, giving us insight not only into its formation, but also to the deep earth processes that took place when the gem was formed,” writes Alan Hart, curator of minerals at the Natural History Museum. “For example, yellow diamonds are due to the presence of nitrogen in the structure, and green diamonds owe their color to natural radiation damage. It’s an amazing opportunity to be able to display this unique collection of exceptionally rare gems at the museum.”   Read Full Article >>

Product I.D.’s Likely Color Diamond Buyers

JCK-Jewelers Circular Keystone

2/13/2008

The Natural Color Diamond Association has launched a new program that it says will provide its members with qualified customers for natural color diamonds.

Called MarketScope, it is a partnership with The Nielsen Company, which provides marker research and demographic data. The program was unveiled during the recently concluded Centurion Show in Ticson, Ariz.

NCDIA says that being able to target most likely buyers of natural color diamonds and jewelry will allow retail members to boost their effectiveness of marketing and increase sales results. NCDIA supplier/manufacturers should benefit by being able to identify retailers that will most likely be successful selling natural color diamonds.

View Full Article: http://www.jckonline.com/article/CA6532124.html?q=ncdia

Argyle Pink Prices Skyrocket

By Gary Roskin, G.G., FGA

JCK-Jewelers Circular Keystone,

1/1/2008The 23rd annual Rio Tinto Diamonds Argyle Pink Diamond Tender held last September in Hong Kong, New York, and Perth, Australia, was, as usual, exciting and unpredictable. Sixty-five diamonds—64 saturated pinks and reds and one violet—were sold to 17 successful bidders at record-breaking prices.Making up the 65 special selections were 28 straight pinks, 28 purplish pinks, four purple pinks, four Fancy Purplish-Reds, and a 0.77 ct. shield-cut Fancy Dark Gray-Violet. Not many exceeded 1.50 cts., and clarities this year were notably lower, with three I₂s, and 19 I₁s.

Colored-diamond suppliers generally were overbid by retailers and collectors for the Fancy Intense, Vivid, and Deep pinks. The collectors, unconcerned with resale value at this point, were able to place bids high enough to guarantee a win.

View Full Article: http://www.jckonline.com/article/CA6516131.html

May to Head NCDIA

By Rob Bates — JCK-Jewelers Circular Keystone, 2/1/2008

Robert May has become the new executive director of the Natural Color Diamond Association, the industry group that promotes colored diamonds. He replaces Sam Merksamer, who resigned to pursue opportunities in the for-profit sector.May was previously the brand manager for Pluczenik Diamond Co. Prior to that, he spent 20 years with the Diamond Promotion Service at JWT.

“Robert May is uniquely positioned within the market to build our association, and the NCDIA board is looking forward to the leadership platform and programs that Robert is developing,” said Jordan Fine, NCDIA president.

View Full Article: http://www.jckonline.com/article/CA6528063.html

Pink Fantasy: Sophistication and Piece de Resistance for Gem Connoisseurs.

Solitaire Magazine

Story Joshua Lamothe

Regarded as the ultimate incarnation of youthfulness, femininity and love, pink is the most cherished colour of women across the globe and is often the staple blush in the wardrobes of many well-heeled socialites. It stands to reason therefore that natural fancy pink diamonds are among the most widely desired of all natural colour diamonds.

Encompassing a variety of hues, ranging from subtle shades of faint ‘baby’ pink, to more vivacious flavours of ‘bubblegum’ and ‘raspberry’ observed in intense and vivid pinks, pink diamonds embody an air of sophistication and beauty unmatched by any other gemstone. As an understated accent in a cocktail ring or diamond drop earrings, or as the opulent centrepiece of a statement-making ensemble such as a large pendant, natural colour pink diamonds can be the pièce de resistance for any woman wishing to define her personal style. Like the diamonds themselves, the existence of pink colouration within a diamond is unique. Distinct from their colourful counterparts, such as yellow and blue diamonds, which generally contain trace elements in addition to their primary carbon make-up, a pink diamond’s colour is caused by microscopic imperfections known as graining. This effect of pressure exerted on the diamond rough while deep within the earth.Pink diamonds, like all other natural colour diamonds, often contain additional hues known as secondary colour modifiers. These colours, such as purple, orange or brown, can alter the appearance of the diamond, widening the spectrum of available pink hues, and creating the warm shades of brownish and orangy pinks or the vibrant purplish pinks.Historically, pink diamonds have been unearthed in areas of Asia, Africa and South America and until recently were reserved for the elite. Today, the premier source of natural colour pink diamonds is the Argyle mine in northwestern Australia, which produces 90-95% of world supply. The Argyle mine is famous for generating the deep and vivid pinks that have recently become popular among collectors.

Each year Argyle holds an invitationonly auction known as the ‘Annual Pink Diamond Tender.’ Here, select diamond dealers are given the opportunity to view and place bids on the year’s top production, generating instant buzz and increased accessibility for the sophisticated consumer. For private investors discerning enough to obtain one of these gems, pricing can be gauged on a yearly basis, offering a rare opportunity to track their value over time.

Once selected only for the privileged few and always coveted for their extreme beauty and charm, the natural colour pink diamond has captivated hearts for centuries. While the fashion-savvy will enjoy the attention that comes with donning a miraculous gift of nature, the fiscally savvy will be delighted knowing that their investment in a natural pink diamond will flourish over time. Among those in the know, the lure is undeniable: natural pink diamonds are creating a true passion for pink. S

To read more about gems under this series, click here.

View Original Article: http://www.solitaire.com.sg/magazine/story5.html

What Are The Meanings For Different Color Diamonds

By Yolanda Nash

On the day your handsome prince pops that all important question, it is the beginning of one of the most exciting and romantic periods in your life. The engagement ring he presents to you will be one you wear for many years to come, and you may want something different than the conventional crystal, clear colored diamond. There are diamonds of different hues and each one has a sentiment for giving behind it.

Pink Diamonds for a Creative Lady

If you are a creative and artistic type of person, wearing a pink diamond is a reflection of that aspect of your personality. Of course, you may only get a pink diamond if money is no object. A pink diamond is one of the rarest types in the world and those who purchase them have plenty of money to spend on this valued prize.

Yellow Diamonds for the Selfless Bride

If your fiancé thinks you are one of the most thoughtful and considerate people he knows, he may want to show his appreciation for those qualities by presenting you with a yellow diamond. The yellow diamond celebrates the sweetness of the bride’s personality as well as her willingness to come to the aid of others.

Blue Diamonds for Peace and Good Health

It is said that the groom who purchases a blue diamond for his soon to be bride will be promoting serenity and calm in all of their communication. This may be a lucky charm that keeps you from having a fight that may send you home, crying to your mother. The blue diamond also represents good health for the blushing bride to be.

The Bold and Beautiful Red Diamond

If the groom looks on his future bride as a source of strength and stability, he may consider purchasing an engagement ring that is a beautiful shade of red. It is thought that a red diamond is also a tool to relieve stress, so it can help your emotional and mental health once you begin your journey of life together.

Deciding what color and style of engagement ring may be a daunting task for many prospective grooms. You can drop hints by pointing out the styles and designs you like for an engagement ring. When your groom uses color to make a statement of his love for his new bride, it shows that he too is kind and considerate and is dedicated to showing his new wife just how much she means to him.

If you need some wedding favors such as beach wedding favors, silver wedding favors, coaster favors and more we got you covered.

Also we have a wide variety of bottle stopper favors that will be great for your cocktail hour.

Don’t forget the ladies either purchase them some nice bridesmaid gifts they’ll love.

Article Source:

Video Podcasts on Selling Color Diamonds

JCK-Jewelers Circular Keystone

11/05/2007

2:16:00 PM

The Natural Color Diamond Association has launched a new training program, “How to Sell Natural Color Diamonds.” Highlights of the program will be presented on www.ncdia.com through three video podcasts featuring Diane Warga-Arias of DWA Communications.

The three separate video podcast programs are:
• Podcast 1 “Introduction to Natural Color Diamonds.”
• Podcast 2 “Grading Considerations and Origin of Color.”
• Podcast 3 “Presenting Natural Color Diamonds to your Customer”

It is the first and only training program that deals exclusively with Natural Color Diamonds and is available in both print and CD format to NCDIA Members. The podcasts are the first in a series of events and programs the NCDIA has planned in 2008 to educate retailers and consumers on the benefits and beauty of natural color diamonds.

“We are so excited by the positive response and tremendous interest in natural color diamonds from all participants during this years seminars and presentations at trade shows,” Warga-Arias said.

The Natural Color Diamond Association is the leading authority on natural color diamonds. The organization is dedicated to growing the Natural Color Diamond market by educating and informing both business and consumers alike. The NCDIA has over 75 members and represents mining companies, diamond manufacturers, designers and retailers from around the world who are dedicated to expanding the market for the broad spectrum of natural color diamonds.

For more information about the NCDIA or about joining the NCDIA, go to www.ncdia.com or contact the NCDIA office in New York: info@ncdia.com 212-644-9747.

View Original Source: http://www.jckonline.com/article/CA6497623.html?industryid=668

Collecting Colored Diamonds: The Aurora Collection

In 1979 the diamond market experienced a significant financial and philosophical change. By mid-1980 there was a great rush to promote colorless and near-colorless diamonds as rare objects for investment. Laboratory grading reports fueled this idea of classifying diamonds as a commodity, using grading scales to rate the degree of colorlessness (D-Z) and the degree of purity (FL-I3). Diamond grading scales and related technology had reached a point that still seems difficult to improve upon.

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