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.

Read more...

A Language to Describe Natural Color Diamonds Or A Rose by Any Other Name

 by Alan Bronstein

The structure and design of one universally accepted system for grading natural colored diamonds has been dominated for 30 years as the standard for the gemstone and jewelry industry. It presents communication limitations that often inhibit consumers and retailers from having confidence in their own judgment of what is perceived attractive, charming, desirable and beautiful. We can state with great confidence, however, that the color grading of colorless and near colorless diamonds has achieved a standard of objective, consistent repeatability. Natural color diamonds, because of their subtle and infinite possibilities, remain difficult if not impossible to describe on a consistent basis of nomenclature that is universal and does not create a hierarchy of relative importance. In truth there may never be a perfect system that can accurately describe the color of a diamond or any other object without reducing it to a code, such as used in other industries, standardized by color specialists Pantone Corporation and Munsell Corporation. This is the equivalent of describing the features and beauty of a human being by presenting their DNA code.

Colored diamonds, whether they be a pure color (hue) or modified by one or more colors will always fall in a range of description based on its primary color (hue) and modifiers if any; (saturation), the strength, vividness or amount of color present; and the (value or tone), the scale or measurement of lightness to darkness, or white to black of an object.

The present use of terms used by most labs in the world such as Light, Fancy Light, Fancy. Fancy Intense, Fancy Vivid, Fancy Deep and Fancy Dark; take into account all levels of lightness, saturation, value and tone. The demarcations of such grades can often vary between competing labs. The terms used to describe the color of a diamond for example, Purplish Pink, will presumably take into account any stone that has a primary visible color (hue) of pink, and a secondary or modified color of purple. As long as the primary color is seen as pink, the percentage of purple as the modifier can theoretically vary from 1%-49%. While this may be the best way to scientifically describe natural colored diamonds, subjectivity of grading and nomenclature choices, in addition to differences of opinion between labs, does become a factor. The hierarchy of this language thus has an effect on perceived value and desirability.

We feel it is necessary to assist the process of decision making for the retailer and most of all the consumers, in a way that gets everyone involved in a non technical dialogue that opens up the perception of color relative to the natural and fashion world around us. This process does not create the concept of one color being superior or inferior to another. Could one describe sky blue as more or less desirable, then ocean blue? If we were to use these terms, do we imply the sky at a particular time of day or the ocean in a particular part of the world? Color terms in nature and fashion are not absolute and often are interchangeable with other descriptive terms. They are used to enhance the mental image of an object. The use of common color terms in nature and fashion, are analogies that allows the potential customer to experience the color on an emotional and personal level. They now have a language, even though it is subjective and probably interchangeable with a variety of other terms, which they can relate to.

In no way does the use of such terms reduce the scientific and technical information supplied which provides the crucial “color origin.” Is the diamond natural color, manmade, enhanced, altered or treated? The primary color and modifiers are identified to the highest standards, and under controlled conditions. All identifying characteristics, measurements, etc. required and requested by the submitting owner are documented.

The addition of common color terms as a possible description is strictly for the purpose of romancing the stone and allowing the clients to relate to colored diamonds in a new light.

Scientific language and color descriptions are all too powerful in the consumers mind. Often what is perceived as an unfavorable description creates a negative attitude towards a stone that may be truly unique and beautiful. The concept of what is desirable shouldn’t be interpreted by the attempt to define the color by scientific means.

The belief that a pure color, (i.e. pink, blue, green, purple) is somehow more desirable or attractive than a modified color has created a false and unrealistic goal for color diamond collectors. As a matter of fact most so called pure color diamonds are not pure colors at all with blue diamonds containing gray as a modifying component; pink diamonds containing purple, orange or brown; red diamonds containing purple or brown; green diamonds containing yellow, blue or gray; and purple diamonds containing pink, brown or gray. Color differences in diamonds require analogies from other natural or fashion objects to visually identify their appearance.

Thus a blue diamond can be cornflower, sky, sea, ink, navy, etc
A pink diamond can be shell, strawberry, shrimp, bubblegum, etc.
A red diamond can be wine, garnet, maroon, burgundy, etc
A green diamond can be jade, grass, sea foam, teal, lime, etc.
A purple diamond can be lilac, plum, orchid, eggplant, etc.
This was the language of color description before the development of the lab created color scales of the last few decades.

When we look beyond the scientific description to the colors we see in nature, our mind and taste can open to express what excites us, makes us happy, and one should not be intimidated by the possibility of making a bad choice. There is no wrong choice if it is your taste.

There is no flower or color that is universally favored by everyone. We must go beyond the diagnostic limitation to the personal experience that is unique and satisfying to each of us. Let the imagination and the language of color run wild. The world of diamonds is too magnificent and diverse to be contained in a one or two word description.

In no way do we suggest that the terms used are other than the opinion of the individual and are possibly interchangeable with another similar color description. In no way does our description imply the rarity, value, desirability or beauty of the diamond. Beauty cannot be defined by any grading report or color description because beauty is different to every individual in every part of the world. The use of common color terms is open to interpretation and is only meant to encourage discussion and greater enthusiasm for a broader range of natural color diamonds that cannot be classified by gemological terms that imply something is the rarest, best, or most valuable of gemstones.

Ultimately it is up to consumers to follow due diligence before buying any product. This approach to color and language will assist consumers in making more meaningful choices.

A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet and be as beautiful.

View Original Source: http://www.auroragems.com/articles.html

Photo Courtesy of The Aurora Collection at British Natural History Museum.

The One

Story Lauren Kranz 
 

Marriage is something that every girl thinks about from the time she can first pronounce the word “boy”. When a girl finds that special boy whom she wants to commit to for life, it is something so heart warming, so special, so uttterly amazing that she wants the whole world to know just how happy and in love she is.  She picks every little detail, sends out beautiful engagement announcements and even gets the event printed in the local paper.

But let’s be real here, what’s the way she really wants to let the world know that she has found the person which completes her search for “the one”?  An engagement ring, of course. An engagement ring so special and fabulous – one that is better than everyone else’s.  What better way to stand apart from them all than with a natural color diamond engagement ring?

Q: Seal, Ben Afflek and Charlie Sheen – What do these 3 men have in common? A: They all popped the question (at some point) with a natural color diamond. We’ve all heard about the rings. That’s because they all had something unique that stood out from the rest of the more traditional celebrity engagements - natural color diamonds. 

Yellow diamonds have been popping up everywhere from Paris Hilton’s fingers to the red carpet of awards shows.  Pink diamonds have been making their mark all over the celebrity fashion and engagement scene as well.  These pieces always seem to get an enormous amount of publicity due to their stunning beauty and uniqueness. 

Think colored diamonds are attainable to only the rich and famous?  Think again.  When seeing or hearing about a natural color diamond, people tend to automatically rule it out, thinking that the cost is too steep for their piggy banks.  However, if you do your research properly you will find that they are not much less attainable than colorless diamonds.  If you find the right jeweler they will always be more than happy to help you find a natural color diamond that suits your budget.

Your wedding day is already something not to be forgotten.  So why not make your engagement unforgettable too?  Don a color diamond on your left ring finger and you will leave no head unturned and no person wondering why you picked your guy to be “the one”.

————————————

Lauren Kranz is an aspiring fashion commentator, freelancing from her suite in Manhattan.

Rio Tinto’s Pink Tender Breaks Records

National Jeweler

October 25

Antwerp, Belgium—All 65 pink diamonds included in the 23rd annual Rio Tinto Diamonds Argyle Pink Diamond Tender sold to 17 different bidders from around the world, many at record-breaking prices.

The diamond sale featured some of the world’s rarest pink diamonds from the Argyle mine in Australia, with about 100 clientele personally viewing the diamonds in secret locations in Hong Kong, New York and Perth, Australia.

Details of the number of bidders, winning bids and the total revenue generated from the tender are not disclosed to protect successful bidders’ confidentiality; however, pink diamonds are known to fetch prices exceeding $400,000 per carat due to rarity and market demand.

The collection will become even more rare in the years to come, according to Gavin Pearce, senior sales executive for Argyle Diamonds. The mine will transition to an underground operation after 2008, cutting production by half, and is expected to run out completely by 2018.

Leading colored-diamond designer and luxury retailer John Calleija, participating for the 11th time in the tender, said this year’s collection exceeded the quality and depth of color seen in previous years.

“Competition is always fierce, and this year we had many interested parties who were very keen on acquiring such rare and spectacular diamonds,” Calleija said in a press release. “As a result, I was thrilled to successfully win four diamonds, including three of the incredible purplish-red diamonds.”

Calleija said he is already planning jewelry designs for the stones for his new London flagship store, to be opened in The Royal Arcade, Old Bond Street, in February 2008.

Jean-Marc Lieberherr, general manager of sales and marketing for Rio Tinto Diamonds, said this year the diamonds received an unprecedented amount of interest.

“Rio Tinto’s pink diamonds are coveted by diamond collectors worldwide for their color, energy and vibrancy that can literally take the breath away,” Lieberherr said. “But, as only a handful of such high-quality diamonds are produced each year, they are also a smart investment choice, guaranteed to grow in value.”

Editor’s note:For earlier developments in this story, see Pink tender on view in New York.

View Original Source: http://www.nationaljewelernetwork.com/njn/content_display/diamonds/e3i322308809550e01ba7892881ee3836e7

Winning Bids for Rio Tinto Pink Diamonds

JCK-Jewelers Circular Keystone

10/25/2007

A total of 65 pink diamonds were sold to 17 successful bidders from around the globe, many at record breaking prices, during the 23rd annual Rio Tinto Diamonds Argyle Pink Diamond Tender, held in Perth, Australia, Hong Kong, and New York.

The exclusive diamond sale featured the world’s rarest pink diamonds from the Argyle mine in Australia, with about 100 key clientele personally viewing the diamonds in secret locations.

The Argyle Signature Stones picked for 2007’s tender attracted substantial interest due to the range of vivid and deep colors. Purplish reds, deep pinks, and a rare grey-violet diamond were included in this year’s collection, Rio Tinto said in a statement. 

Details of winning bids for the diamonds, amount of bidders, and total revenue generated from the Tender are not disclosed to protect successful bidders’ confidentiality. However, Rio Tinto pink diamonds are known to command prices exceeding $400,000 per carat, 20 times the price of equivalent white diamonds, due to rarity and market demand.

Leading colored diamond designer and luxury retailer, John Calleija, did participate in the tender for the 11th consecutive year, and spoke about it.

“I was thrilled to successfully win four diamonds, including three of the incredible purplish red diamonds,” he said. “I am already planning jewellery designs for my Argyle Signature Stones, which will be the flagship of my new London store.”

The Rio Tinto Pink diamonds are predicted to run out by 2018.

View Original Article: http://www.jckonline.com/article/CA6494379.html?nid=3115

A Diamond Of A Different Color

Artfact.com

10.17.07, 1:10 PM ET

Story Nina P. West,

On Oct. 8, in front of an audience hushed in anticipation, Sotheby’s broke an auction record that had stood for more than two decades. Under the gavel? A 6.04-carat internally flawless emerald-cut blue diamond ring, ultimately sold for $7,981,835, setting the per-carat record for a gemstone at auction. Sold at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong by an Asian collector and purchased by Moussaieff Jewelers of London, the stunning stone sold for $1.32 million per carat, easily beating the previous record of $926,000 per carat.

View Full Article: http://www.forbes.com/collecting/2007/10/17/collecting-auctions-jewelry-cx_nw_1015diamond.html

Amgad’s Colored Diamonds Featured in W Magazine

From LupRocks.com 

Growing up, everyone has been filled with excitement upon looking up and seeing an arch of colors across the usually blue sky, at which point we have all screamed, “I think I see a rainbow!” This is how I felt, when flipping through the November 2007 issue of W Magazine I came across an article entitled, “Color Wheel: How to Buy Rare Rainbow-Hued Diamonds,” accompanied by a picture of a swirl of colored diamonds in different cuts and sizes. To make up this diamond color wheel, W used eight out of twelve diamonds from LupRocks.com member Amgad, one of the leading wholesalers and foremost experts on colored diamonds. Vice president of Amgad, Jordon Fine is quoted in the article regarding how the shape or cut of a colored diamond affects its natural color from shining, although the article also covers sizes of existing colored diamonds, the origin behind colored diamonds, and the color diamond coding system.

Run to the news stand today, and pick up W to read everything you need to know about the bright world of colored diamonds.

Check out Amgad’s Brochure on LupRocks.com to see amazing colored diamond jewelry!

View: http://www.luprocks.com/casestudies/

Pink Diamonds: Pink is Perfect

 Kimberly Fine Diamonds

http://www.kimberleydiamonds.com.au

Pink diamonds are truly one of the world’s best kept secrets. In a range of stunning hues and intensities, from a very intense purplish pink to a blush pink champagne, these diamonds are so rare most people will never see one.

The diamonds are mined in the far north of Western Australia, at the Argyle Diamond Mine, where the world’s only intense pink diamonds are found.

To put the true rarity of the gems into perspective, of every million tonnes of rough diamonds produced at the mine, a mere one carat is suitable for the exclusive Argyle Diamond tender. These diamonds are of superior quality and are sought by jewellers the world over.

Kimberley Fine Diamonds is Australia’s leading supplier of pink diamonds and is proud to also have acquired several pink diamonds from tender.

The pink diamonds are handcrafted into stunning fine jewellery pieces, the full collection of which is on display in our Kimberley showroom.

Kimberley Fine Diamonds has one of the finest collections of loose pink diamonds in Australia which can also be handcrafted into individually designed pieces to ensure your rare diamond purchase is displayed in a wholly unique fashion.

For all pink diamonds weighing 50 points or more a gem identification certificate is available upon request.

There is also a stunning array of Argyle pink champagne diamonds available.

The Colour of Passion

Pink diamonds are graded according to the intensity of colour in each individual stone. Argyle Diamonds uses a scale from 1 to 8 one being the most intense colour and eight the lightest colour.

The 1 to 8 grading is then given an additional grade according to each individual diamond hue.

Pink Diamonds Hue in order of rarity

• PP: Purplish Pink
• P : Pink
• BP: Brownish Pink
• PC: Pink Champagne

Intensity of Pink Diamonds

• Very intense
• Intense
• Strong
• Medium
• Medium Light
• Light
• Very Light
• Blush

We at Kimberley Fine Diamonds can help you to find a colour to match your Secret Passion. We have one of the finest collection of loose Pink Argyle diamonds in Australia and are therefore able to source particular requests.

For all pink diamonds weighing 50 points or more a gem identification certificate is available upon request.

Argyle Pink Champagne Diamonds

Argyle Pink Champagne Diamonds are a beautiful mixture of elegant champagne with whimsical pinks. Pink champagne diamonds are graded and valued according to the intensity of champagne hue.

• PC1- Pink and light champagne (C1 and C2)
• PC2- Pink and medium champagne (C3 and C4)
• PC3- Pink and dark champagne (C5, C6 and C7)

Pink Diamond Tender

The most exciting time of the year in the jewellery industry is the exclusive Argyle Pink Diamond Tender.

An invitation only event, Argyle Diamonds selects quality jewellers from across the world to view their very best pink diamonds. The tender diamond collection of just 50-60 diamonds, all over half a carat in weight each, travel to exclusive jewellers in Sydney, Hong Kong, Tokyo, New York, London and Geneva. These jewellers are invited to make a written offer on the diamonds and then eagerly wait to hear if it has been accepted. Kimberley Fine Diamonds has on six occasions been successful in acquiring these precious pink tender diamonds – making their collection of Argyle pink tender diamonds the largest in the country.

FAMOUS PINK DIAMONDS

Celebrities and Pink Diamonds

It was when US singer Jennifer Lopez whipped out a whopping 6 carat pink diamond engagement ring that the modern celebrity world stood up and took notice of the stunning gems. As celebrities learned of the rarity of the diamonds they quickly became one of the hottest accessories on demand.

UK celebrity royalty Posh and Becks, model Helena Christiansen, Cilla Black and US actress Salma Hayek have all been spotted wearing pink diamonds to A-list events. Never to be outdone, US popstar Britney Spears has dazzled audiences with pink diamond bellychains and has several pink diamond necklaces in her multi-million dollar collection of jewellery.

The stunning Miss World Australia 2006, Sabrina Houssami, has been showcasing pink diamonds to the world through her sponsorship with Kimberley Fine Diamonds.

In fiction one of the most famous pink diamonds is the Pink Panther, brought to fame in the movies of the same name. More recently singer and actress Beyonce Knowles was adorned with a pink diamond necklace in the modern version of the film.

Famous pink diamonds in history

Diamonds have long been worn by royalty but it is pink diamonds that are at the centre of some of the most famous pieces.

The largest pink diamond in the world is the Darya-i-Nur or Sea of Light at 175 carats. The discovery of the light pink diamond dates back to 1642 and was part of the crown jewels of India until 1739 when is was taken by the invading Persian army and carried to Iran where it remains today.

The Pink Conde Diamond or Le Grand Conde is a 9 carat pear shaped diamond given to Louis de Bourbon, Prince of Conde in 1643 by King Louis 13th of France in recognition of war service, which he placed as the centerpiece of his bejeweled walking stick. It was later placed in the French Crown.

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II received a 23 carat pink diamond as a wedding present. She had the diamond placed at the centre of a diamond encrusted brooch.

The largest vivid pink diamond, as graded by the Gemological Institute of America is the Steinmetz Pink at 59.6 carats, unveiled in Monaco in May, 2003.

View Original Article: http://www.kimberleydiamonds.com.au/diamonds_pink.php

Black Diamond: Fire, Colour & Scintillation.

Solitaire Magazine Asia-Pacific

December January 2006 Archive

Story P.J Joeseph

BLACK diamond is a variety of diamond that was once held in low esteem. Today, however, it has found favour amongst some of the world’s innovative jewellers. The credit goes to Swiss jeweller Fawaz Gruosi, who started the trend with his one-of-a-kind black diamond jewellery collection and watches. Since then, black diamond has been catapulted into the world of fine jewellery, and is no longer just a by-product of mining.
Colour The colour of black diamond ranges from grey to black. Darker, even shades are more desirable.The presence of numerous inclusions, sometimes lining cleavages and fractures, results in the black colour. Natural black diamonds are heavily included, while pure black, a rarer type, may look similar to black onyx. To judge colour, use a transmitted, reflected and fibre-optic light source to observe the colour contrast. The best natural black diamonds are not easy to find.Cut Black diamonds are cut brilliant and in other popular shapes, depending on the size and shape of the rough. They are very hard to polish and require great care in setting. They are widely used in pave settings. In order to simulate an antique look, black diamonds are also cut briolette for necklaces and earrings.

Synthetic and Simulants
Synthetic black diamond is opaque. Proper magnification and fibre-optic lighting may reveal metallic flux inclusions.The most frequently encountered simulants are synthetic black (non-transparent) cubic zirconia, black onyx, hematite and imitation hematite. Most simulants can be distinguished based on gemological properties.

Buying Tips
– Use transmitted, reflected and fibre-optic light source to view the colour contrast between treated, natural black diamond and simulants.– Use 10x magnification to view the stone’s overall appearance. Uneven colour and a spotty surface may indicate it is not a natural black diamond. Black diamonds have numerous black inclusions; non-included areas varies from light grey to colourless.– Diamond simulants, both loose and mounted, are sometimes mixed together with natural diamonds, so be cautious with secondhand or estate jewellery.