diamonds

Amidst continuing waves of uncertainty, fostered by Covid variants, travel restrictions, climate change and supply shortages one thing that’s certain is the importance of diamonds and jewelry to consumers.

Sapphire is the birthstone of September and the gem of the 45th anniversary. Second in hardness only to diamond, its mineral species, corundum, is well suited for jewelry. Let’s enjoy some scrumptious sapphire pieces.

IGI India recently certified a 14.60 carat lab grown diamond, reportedly the largest ever produced using the Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) growth method. The recorded weight surpasses the previous record-holder, certified by IGI last November, by nearly two carats.

National Geographic will expand their efforts in protecting the Okavango river basin in the south of Africa through a five year partnership with a diamond industry giant.

Earlier this year Diamond Standard and IGI received regulatory approval to offer the world’s only market-traded diamond commodity. On August 20 Bloomberg’s Alix Steel interviewed Cormac Kinney, Diamond Standard’s Founder and CEO about the Diamond Standard Coin.

IGI Graduate Namita Naik was recently featured in The Pune Mirror, a publication by The Times Group, an Indian mega conglomerate which also publishes the largest selling English-language daily in the world.

Australia’s retired Argyle mine, most famous for fancy pink diamonds, is also renowned for diamond deposits ensconced in lamproite, rather than kimberlite. Did you know Argyle was not the only lamproite mine, nor the first place diamonds were discovered in Oz?

In November, 2020, we said “Goodbye, dear friend,” when Australia’s legendary Argyle Diamond Mine was retired. As 2021 concludes, the final diamond collection from the final year of Argyle operations will be sold, closing out nearly four decades of ongoing excitement.

Ancient diamonds reveal that Earth was ready to explode with life as early as 2.7 billion years ago, according to a study presented at last week’s Goldschmidt Geochemistry conference.

IGI has been designated Knowledge Partner for Dubai Gold and Jewelry Group’s “City of Gold” initiative, starting immediately. In this capacity, IGI will provide interactive seminars across a diverse range of topics for industry professionals in one of the world’s largest jewelry markets.

IGI class of 2003 Graduate Anita Bhandari has won several prestigious international jewelry design awards in collaboration with friend, colleague and fellow Canadian Anita Agrawal, a part-time professor at Centennial College.

Almost 150 carats of colorful rough diamonds splashed the news in July. As we close out the month, let’s visit these blue, pink and violet creations of nature and their origins.

IGI is offering interactive online lessons on a variety of topics, from introductory 4Cs training on diamonds and gemstones to comprehensive education about lab grown diamonds to timely lessons covering the significant and vital benefits the natural diamond industry brings to millions of indigenous people in the upstream value chain.

Buccellati, Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels spearheaded a 129% increase in sales for luxury group Richemont over the quarter ending June 30. This triple digit boost occurred in sales across nearly all regions, channels and business areas.

IGI is partnering with Virtual Diamond Boutique on an auction of lab grown diamonds and jewelry to benefit Jewelers For Children. The auction begins prior to JCK Las Vegas and concludes the night of the Facets of Hope Dinner. We are accepting product or cash donations and encourage you to join us in this important mission.

The Responsible Jewelry Council, now approaching 1,500 members, released its latest progress report along with a joint video on sustainability, featuring leaders in the global diamond, jewelry and watch industry citing collective action as an accelerant for positive change.

Yesterday Sotheby’s sold an exceptional 101.38 carat pear-shaped Flawless clarity D color diamond for 12.3 million dollars in cryptocurrency.
The diamond’s name, ‘The Key 10138’, was was selected to represent the past, and the present and future. How appropriate…

Proposal season in the USA runs from Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day. Of course suitors should choose the month and day best suited to their situation, but 40% of engagements normally occur between November and February. Prepare yourself with this information on recent trends, pricing and preparation.

A diamond’s journey through our laboratory is one of sophisticated assessment and analysis. From intake through inscription, every step is performed with careful attention to detail and thorough, transparent reporting. See how Your Diamond Story may be told to the world with confidence, in this descriptive video.

While you’re preparing for the big celebration, I thought it would be nice to share some videos featuring iconic dazzling red, white and blue gemstones… Two pieces sold by Christie’s and Sotheby’s – and a little something to tempt you with, at the end. Enjoy!

Less than 90 days after Tiffany’s Instagram account pulled an April Fools’ Day prank, the company made good on their promise of “coming excitement” by fulfilling the Fools’ Day foreshadowing with a yellow makeover of their Rodeo Drive boutique. What else are we in store for?

IGI’s laboratory in Mumbai, India, recently graded a large, heart shaped laboratory grown diamond. The choice of fancy shape, top color grade and exceptional craftsmanship combine to make this large, heart-shaped specimen unique.

Last November Kay Jewelers introduced us to a sparkling sterling silver version of “The Child” from the hit Star Wars series. The jewelers at Kay have now forged six additional pieces commemorating The Mandalorian and its popular characters and icons.

Lucara has reported the discovery of a 1,174 carat rough diamond at its Karowe diamond mine in northern Botswana, giving that operation the distinction of being the world’s first to produce three rough diamonds of 1,000 carats or more.