intelligence

A 555.55 carat diamond, recorded in the Guinness World Records as the largest polished black diamond in existence, will be offered at a single-lot auction at Sotheby’s early next month. The online sale will be without reserve, and cryptocurrency will be accepted as payment.

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.

The legendary Mir Diamond Mine, built at the order of Joseph Stalin, had a surface operation which lasted 44 years. The recent discovery of an estimated 38 million carats of diamond reserves at Mir have now led to optimism from Mining giant Alrosa about its restoration and further development.

Astronomers call Neptune and Uranus “Ice Giants.” How appropriate, then, that the 7th and 8th planets most distant from our sun may be under a constant deluge of diamond rain?

The auction market soared to new heights in 2021, with a total of $12.6 billion in sales brought in worldwide […]

John Pollard is a professional educator who has been collaborating on projects with IGI for more than a decade. On January 1, 2022 he became Senior Director of Education for the institute.

The Billionaire Ashoka Watch is covered with more than 171 carats of diamonds. The crown of the watch, at 3 o’clock, has been seen with different accents, including a rose cut diamond, an emerald, and a ruby. Here are videos featuring all three accents.

In November we announced the results of the IGI Expressions™ Jewelry Design Competition. Now we are pleased to feature all seven winning creations together, bringing our coverage of this uplifting event to a close.

Rio Tinto Minerals has named Angela Bigg the President and Chief Operating Officer operator of their Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories. Angela will be the first female to oversee the mine and its 1,100 employees.

In November 2020 industry analyst Edahn Golan correctly predicted a positive US holiday season for jewelry. After analyzing trends in 2021, Mr. Golan has again forecast a booming holiday season.

IGI congratulates Malvika Vadsak, honored for her winning IGI Expressions™ design. Selected from 555 submissions representing 21 countries, this year’s creative works were all designed as interpretations of the word “dream,” the competition’s theme.

IGI congratulates Melika Etemadi, receiving Honorary Mention for her IGI Expressions™ design. Selected from 555 submissions representing 21 countries, this year’s creative works were all designed as interpretations of the word “dream,” the competition’s theme.

IGI congratulates Leila Bahrami, honored for her winning IGI Expressions™ design. Selected from 555 submissions representing 21 countries, this year’s creative works were all designed as interpretations of the word “dream,” the competition’s theme.

IGI congratulates Shirin Kazemi, honored for her winning IGI Expressions™ design. Selected from 555 submissions representing 21 countries, this year’s creative works were all designed as interpretations of the word “dream,” the competition’s theme.

IGI congratulates Sanaz Ghafari, honored for her winning IGI Expressions™ design. Selected from 555 submissions representing 21 countries, this year’s creative works were all designed as interpretations of the word “dream,” the competition’s theme.

IGI congratulates Haniyeh Mohsenizadeh, honored for her winning IGI Expressions™ design. Selected from 555 submissions representing 21 countries, this year’s creative works were all designed as interpretations of the word “dream,” the competition’s theme.

IGI congratulates Dr. Dushyant Dave, honored for his winning IGI Expressions™ design. Selected from 555 submissions representing 21 countries, this year’s creative works were all designed as interpretations of the word “dream,” the competition’s theme.

As lab grown producers continue to sharpen their skills we are seeing quality advancements in many areas, including fancy colors. This video compilation features a visual buffet of lab grown diamonds, recently submitted to IGI North America for grading.

On November 9 a pair of three-strand diamond bracelets, formerly owned by Marie Antoinette, smashed expectations at Christie’s Magnificent Gems Auction in Geneva, when they sold for 7,459,000 Swiss Francs (more than $8 million), several times more than their pre-sale estimate.

The IGI D Show will take place again on November 24-25 at the Grand Hyatt, Goa, India. Focused entirely on the Indian jewelry market and its dynamics, this national meet has become a benchmark among diamond and jewelry industry events.

Researchers from the University of Waterloo have discovered residue inside a 2.5 billion-year-old ruby which may be the remains of microbial life.

Each year the Natural Diamond Council projects the latest jewelry trends, as identified by their “Style Collective,” a group of leaders across jewelry, fashion and media.

CNBC TV India called upon IGI India Managing Director Tehmasp Printer, to comment on the current explosive growth of diamond jewelry sales in that country.

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is a standalone, one-of-a-kind experience and should be on the visit list for all lovers of diamonds, gemstones and jewelry.