Announcements

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.

The gavel fell at $12.9 million for the 101.41 carat ‘Juno’ diamond and $0.7 million for the 111.59 carat ‘Earth Star’ at Sotheby’s New York last week, pushing the total sum for this distinctive pair of pear shaped diamonds over the $13 million mark.

IGI has analyzed and graded a 30.18 carat emerald cut laboratory grown diamond, the world’s largest to date. Produced by Ethereal Green Diamond, LLP the 30.18 ct “Pride of India” is the first polished lab grown diamond to exceed 30 cts.

IGI Education Director John Pollard will join Rob Bates, Tanya Nisguretsky and Marty Hurwitz to present “The State of Lab Grown Diamond Industry” this Thursday. Rather than the usual “pro/con” arguments, the panel will address evolving new topics including melee, the implications of patent expirations and paradigm shifts in planning and cutting.

IGI recently graded 27.27 carat, 20.24 carat and 15.16 carat lab grown diamonds produced by Greenlab Diamonds LLP as part of their “sustainable and affordable luxury” project. The 27.27 and 20.24 carat gemstones are the largest polished lab grown diamonds ever produced.

Petra Diamonds, owner of the legendary Cullinan diamond mine, is looking to sell their Koffiefontein mine, a sister operation acquired from DeBeers’ in 2007. Established in 1870, Koffiefontein is one of South Africa’s oldest diamond mines, located just 50 miles south of Kimberley.

A phenomenal 50 carat diamond is available for viewing by appointment in Palm Beach. The centerpiece of a high jewelry collection titled “Graffabulous,” the new owner of this historic D Flawless oval cut will have the opportunity to name the diamond before Graff adds it to their timeline of famous gemstones.

On May 11 a 228.31 carat diamond discovered in South Africa more than 20 years ago, will become the largest white diamond ever sold at auction, according to auction house Christie’s, with a presale estimate between $20 and $30 million.

IGI will offer complimentary consultation services to attendees of this week’s Watch & Jewellery Middle East Show. The five day event is taking place Wednesday-Sunday March 23-27 at Expo Centre Sharjah, UAE, and is expected to attract more than 60,000 visitors and 500 industry brands.

The 2022 GEM Awards, presented by Jewelers of America, will take place in New York tomorrow night, marking the event’s 20th anniversary. The black tie affair at Cipriani 42nd Street begins at 6:30 pm with a social hour followed by the GEM Awards dinner.

Christian Dior founded his business on the 8th of October in 1946. Located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, his atelier included 8 studios from an 8 story building situated on Avenue Montaigne. Now Christian Dior’s favorite number has been “written in stone,” to celebrate a historic reopening.

“The mother of all fairs,” Jewellery & Gem World (JGW) will temporarily relocate from Hong Kong to Singapore in 2022. The move is made with pandemic restrictions in mind, with a goal of becoming more accessible to international suppliers and buyers. Update: The event will now be staged September 27-30 at the Singapore Expo.

Mountain Province Diamonds, joint-owner of Canada’s Gahcho Kué diamond mine, has announced a supply agreement with Chow Tai Fook, one of the world’s top jewelers. Under the terms of the agreement, Chow Tai Fook will purchase a selected range of rough diamonds from Mountain Province over a renewable one year period.

Sotheby’s is taking an exceptional 15.10 carat fancy vivid blue diamond on a world tour, with a pre-sale estimate of $48 million.

The Year of the Tiger officially began on February 1, marking the start of holiday festivities celebrated by nearly two billion people around the world. To all who are celebrating Lunar New Year, Chinese New Year and Spring Festival this week, IGI wishes you health, prosperity and a joyful year ahead.

In 2017 Nick Boulle became the first certified Rolex retailer to win the Rolex 24 at Daytona. This weekend he’ll compete in the 24 hour sunset-sunrise event again, driving the No. 99 Porsche 911 GT3 R, which boasts the name of his family’s Texas based jewelry store.

IGI has analyzed world record setting 150.42 and 141.48 carat lab grown diamond crystals produced by Meylor Global. These crystals smash the previous world record of 115 carats, also set by Meylor Global in September, 2020.