Announcements

Around the world, IGI welcomes the arrival of New Year’s Day over a period of 16 hours. As we celebrate from one location to the next and the next – stepping into the new year with anticipation, excitement and hope – we share this collection of positive expressions and sentiments.

The IGI Expressions™ Jewelry Design Competition will accept submissions through this Saturday December 31, 2022. All entries must be uploaded by the end of this calendar year to be considered for one of nine grand prizes of $500, design fabrication, press coverage and more.

Rio Tinto has introduced an 18.08 carat yellow diamond from their Diavik mine in Canada, flanked by 4.09 carats of pink diamonds from their retired Argyle mine in Australia.

On November 17 IGI honored Leysen with a diamond craftsmanship award, recognizing the jewelry Maison’s ‘Blue Flame Diamond.’ The ceremony, attended by diplomats, industry principals and members of the press, took place at the Consulate General of the Kingdom of Belgium in Shanghai.

The IGI Expressions™ Jewelry Design Competition is now accepting submissions through December 31, 2022. The organizers granted this extension, recognizing how busy the jewelry industry becomes during the holiday season.

Donna Hourani’s exquisite jewelry has a focus on minimal, feminine designs that easily transition from day to night. Her journey to jewelry design included earning a BA in Interior Architecture and experience in both art and dance, as well as formal training in gemology.

Laksh Pahuja is a name synonymous with unusual jewelry. An innovative designer from Mumbai, India, his creative designs are known for capturing the minds and hearts of professionals and enthusiasts alike.

Sheikha Dalia Zaal Al Maari is a Dubai based, Emirati artist and an alumni of the IGI School of Gemology, Middle East. Coming from a professional background in the Aviation & Tourism industries, Sheikha Dalia found her true calling in jewelry design.

It’s been over ten years since Varuna D Jani burst onto the Indian jewelry scene with a fresh, modern aesthetic. One thing hasn’t changed, though, and that is her quest to surprise and delight her customers from the moment they walk in through the door.

Kyle Roderick is a jewelry industry influencer and journalist for Forbes.com, Rapaport, NouvelleBox and other influential media outlets. Her Instagram account @bijouxreview has nearly 100,000 followers.

Chris Ploof specializes in unique, hand-forged pieces made with distinctive metals paired with the ancient art of Mokume Gane. Each of the rings he creates boasts its own unique pattern. His pendants, bracelets, earrings and other accessories represent an array of distinctive, sustainable choices for modern jewelry lovers.

Sarah François-Poncet is a US national who has lived half her life outside of the United States. For 11 years Sarah was the Global General Counsel for Chanel, after having been Secretary General of Chanel’s companies in France.

IGI is again calling upon the world’s creatives to step forward and contribute. Starting next week submissions will be accepted for the 2022  IGI Expressions™ Jewelry Excellence Awards. Provided free of charge, this opportunity to share and celebrate talent is open to jewelers, designers, students, teachers, and fans alike.

Italian luxury fashion house Prada has entered the fine jewelry market with ‘Eternal Gold,’ a collection made entirely of recycled gold, processed according to standards set by the Responsible Jewelry Council.

The IGI GemBlog has earned a top position among thousands of blogs and websites, ranked by traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness according to Feedspot, the internet’s largest human-curated database of bloggers.

Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas has now yielded 35,000 diamonds to visitors – and counting – since opening to the public 50 years ago. The park’s 37.5-acres field is the world’s only diamond-bearing site accessible to the public.

IGI has added a grade for cut to fancy shape diamond reports. In addition to traditional polish and symmetry analysis, the institute is now assessing the influence cut quality has on light behavior seen in shapes other than round.

The 11.15 carat Williamson Pink Star is the second largest internally flawless fancy vivid pink diamond to appear at auction. The cushion cut diamond, estimated at $21 million, will be sold in a single-lot auction in Hong Kong on October 5.

IGI has partnered with Luxus, a new platform permitting people to invest in a “best in class” selection of precious gems, high jewelry and rare watches. The institute will serve as Luxus’ independent valuation partner, setting the value of pieces listed on the platform. 

Calling all rebels with a cause: London-based jeweler CHELSEA ROCKS has launched a competition inviting creative university students around the world to design a lapel pin incorporating lab grown diamonds as a symbol of generational expression, societal comment or social activism.

SWA Diamonds of India has produced a ring set with 24,697 diamonds, a new world record. Designed by Rijisha TV, a post graduate in lifestyle accessory design, from the National Institute of Design, the ring has been named ‘The Touch of Ami.’

Diamond lovers in London are invited to a seven-room display at the Saatchi Gallery, featuring over 400 items from Tiffany & Co’s illustrious history. Open through August 19, the exhibition will travel to New York this fall.

Diamonds de Canada (DdC) has been awarded the Polar Bear Diamond™ license, allowing them to bring the iconic trademark back into the market with a renewed look and feel.

A new exhibit has been unveiled at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. “Great American Diamonds,” featuring four of the most significant diamonds found in the United States.