intelligence

A chance to win awards, cash-prizes, education, recognition and exposure: The 2020 IGI JEWEL Jewelry Design Contest invites jewelers, artists, teachers, students and fans alike to submit design-concepts in four categories by August 20. Participation is free of charge and open to anyone, whether professional or not.

Discussing the world situation, the need to evolve and the importance of education, transparency and authority, Avi Levy, President of IGI North America provided diamond industry insight to Smiling Rocks CEO and Co-founder Zulu Ghevriya on their company podcast.

Have you ever heard of “trapiche” gemstones? Those elegant six- pointed stars, so unique, so rare, so peculiar, such as emerald-beryl, ruby-corundum and sapphire-corundum, garnet, tourmaline and chiastolite? What about Carmel Sapphire, never found before on the whole terraqueous globe

The stories of beautiful, creative 2020 wedding proposals are ongoing. This is something to celebrate. Something to share and spread. Every time I hear of a new adaptive, creative spirited marriage proposals during these past months are uplifting. I thought it would be nice to “share and spread” some of that joy here.

Just imagine – a humble mapmaker’s son travels the ancient world, discovers fantastic treasures, rescues a damsel and rises to the highest levels of French aristocracy. If you don’t know the story, “The French Blue” is a terrific read for true-lovers of diamonds, gemstones, travel, excitement and romance. 

Rough sellers are partnering with technology providers to facilitate digital-scans, videos and potential polishing plans for rough diamonds to their customers. Originally intended to facilitate pre-selection of choices ahead of traditional tenders, remote-purchasing has now become an option.

Courtesy of The New Yorker earlier this year, “The Woman Shaking Up The Diamond Industry” is a thoroughly composed, thoughtful and uplifting story of history, intrigue, discovery and achievement – definitely worth an hour of your time.

Did you ever wonder what happened to the incredible Esperanza Diamond? After a charmed journey, but a failed auction, this national treasure is still for sale. Let’s re-visit her unique story and see where things stand today.

The Guinness World Record for most diamonds set in one ring belongs to the IGI-graded Lotus Temple ring created by Mumbai’s Lakshikaa Jewels. Enjoy this wonderful video documenting the careful grading of each of its seven components.

As the world watches the engaging achievements of NASA and SpaceX – and Boeing sits in the wings hungry to make their own space-shots – let’s take a fanciful look at the landscape ahead for diamond and jewelry enthusiasts.

On this USA holiday, when we honor and remember those who serve our country, I thought it would be appropriate to visit symbolic tokens along the same lines. Patriotic jewelry has traditionally connected sweethearts, wives, mothers and families at home to loved ones fighting overseas.

They had been smacking their lips at the Argyle diamond mine. They were hungry to receive the $10 million that beautiful, rare rough pink diamond would bring them. Alas, evil fate!

Last weekend I was asked to provide guidance for a quarantined self-gifter buying a diamond online. In order to make this online purchase she wanted a no-fail combination of weight, color, clarity and (drum roll, please) cut-quality.

Have you heard of X-Ray diamond sorting? If not, be my guest and travel behind the scenes to an alluvial diamond-mining operation overseen by our friends at Alrosa. They have provided an amazing video example of this efficient method of separating the wheat from the chaff, as it were.

Advocating proactivity during the ongoing crisis, IGI North American President Avi Levy champions the premise that this can’t be an ‘only the strong survive’ scenario.

In their article titled “How to Buy a Diamond From Home” we are pleased to be Orlando Magazine’s diamond grading laboratory of choice – especially in a piece relating to consumer confidence.

This fascinating game gets played where the resources are rich, but the people are poor. It is like being on the stock market floor, I suppose. A point upward or downward can quickly bring delight – or defeat.

Living in our world’s new normal, is there a chance the thieves who shattered the Green Vault and plundered Dresden Castle would turn to e-Fencing or even outright anonymous sale?

It’s a fair question. Health, safety and shelter must be our priorities right now. So why are people continuing to discuss, debate, and obsess over jewelry? Katherine, an active enthusiast in an online jewelry community, provided a response for the ages. Literally.

The new normal is here. We are quarantined and the future is unclear. IGI is not involved in health or government. However, as the world’s largest organization of our kind we can speak with authority about the current situation.

I was visiting with my esteemed colleague Luigi Costantini in Italy – practicing safe social email-distancing of course – and the topic of expressions came up. Namely, how the internet has influenced symbology.

Livia Firth and Andrew Morgan recently teamed up again to produce a 14-minute documentary, investigating the positive-seeming impact the diamond industry has on this mid-sized African country.

Dispersion is a physical constant. Fire is a variable aesthetic. Fortunately, the fact that these terms have been co-mingled and transposed over time creates an opportunity to revisit them and sharpen our skills as communicators.

Whether we like it or not, human beings just can’t resist a little gossip. So why not make the best of it? As a professional, mixing just the right amount into a sales presentation can add flavor.