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September 28th, 2009 From admin
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The IGI (International Gemological Institute) has expanded its operations by inaugurating a new gemological laboratory in the Diamond Exchange in Ramat Gan, Israel, the heart of the Israeli diamond industry.
Alongside the opening of the new lab, the IGI will also be launchig a new service for customers; “diamond laser inscription” IGI CEO Roland Lorié announced at the same time that the lab and new service needs meant that a necessary employment drive grew the operation from 10 to 15, with plans to grow further. Lorie announced that “Israel needs a major laboratory to support efficient and successful trades within the industry,”
In parallel, the RJC (The Responsible Jewellery Council) confirmed that the IGI lab has had its application approved to the Council. The RJC is an industry organization set on promoting a responsible supply chain end to end from mine to shop to customer.
Council members must apply the RJC System by upholding the RJC Code of Practices and undergoing third-party auditing to become certified. This unique system builds on recognized international initiatives like the Kimberley Process and ISO standards, such as SA8000 and ISO 14001.
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September 20th, 2009 From admin
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Continuing our British football related diamond stories, former Thai premier and Manchester City Chairman Thaksin Shinawatra last week gave a radio interview, the first since his exile, from Thailand in which he confirmed his investment in a diamond mine was financed by profit from the sale of Manchester City Football Club.
Thanksin said that capital used for the purchase of the diamond mined were not impounded by the British because he simply had no bank accounts in England at the time. Regarding his freedom to travel, he said none of the countries he visited had any objection or embarrassment to grant him entry.
The story came about when it was alledged he used his wife’s ID card to purchase a plot of land marked as a Diamond Reserve.
In concluding his interview, he denied speculation about his illness with cancer. He said he was in good health.
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September 17th, 2009 From admin
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British footballer Wayne Rooney has reportedly bought a custom designed 50,000-pound diamond encrusted watch to give as a celebration present to his wife when she gives birth to their first child next month.
The Manchester United striker said ‘Coleen is crazy about diamonds so that was key to the design of the watch. Wayne has spent weeks making sure it looks just right,’ News of the World quoted a source close to the pair as saying.
The famous tabloid couple; footballer and WAG (Wife and Girlfriend) are due to become first time parents on October 24, the same day Rooney celebrates his own birthday.
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September 15th, 2009 From admin
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In India Hinduism rules the culture and none more than for devout believer Kanubhai Asodaria who is offering prayers directly to a Diamond Idol in the shape of Lord Ganesha.
Asodaria acquired this 182.53 carat rough cut loose diamond over 10 years ago from a dealer in Antwerp, Belgium.
‘‘I had purchased rough stones in bulk. When I was sorting them out at home, I could make out that the biggest stone resembled Lord Ganesha. I decided to preserve it and this is the only stone I have refused to part with all these years,’’ said Asodaria, who runs Karam Exports, a small diamond firm.
Like other diamond traders, he sources roughs from abroad and gets them polished in Surat, India. Though he refuses point blank to get this particular gem polished since he feels it would lose its divine shape and thus significance However the diamond is certified by the central government-run Indian Diamond Institute (IDI), Surat. The yellowish grey stone is 48 mm high, 32 mm wide and 20 mm thick and weighs in at 36.50 grams.
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September 15th, 2009 From admin
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We are happy to announce a special offer for September on one of our most popular diamond rings. The Seven diamonds ring can be used elegantly for either a wedding or anniversary ring. The piece has the following characteristics:
Stone: Diamond
Carat: 0.37
Shape: Round
Color: Average F
Clarity: Average VS2
PRICE WAS:
$905
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$724
* FREE World-Wide Shipping on All Orders
* Receive your purchase Before you Pay
* Complimentary Jewelry Box and Bag Wrapping
* All Our Diamonds are Certified
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September 12th, 2009 From admin
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The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has recently introduced a new “GIA Gem Pass Book” when making a purchase from two of its colored stone identification services: the GIA Identification Report and the GIA Origin Report.
Each passbook from the GIA has inside 50 pre-paid GIA GemPasses™ which are redeemable for identification or country-of-origin services.
The GIA has announced the following prices:
1. Identification GemPasses will be priced at $50 each,
2. Passes for country-of-origin services will cost $100.
Each GIA GemPass is valid for one service per loose diamond, regardless of gemstone size. Passbooks may be purchased and redeemed at GIA Laboratories in New York, Carlsbad or Bangkok.
“We hope our new GemPassbooks will make GIA identification services more affordable and accessible to the colored stone industry,” said Tom Moses, senior vice president, GIA Laboratory and Research. “GIA GemPasses are also transferable, meaning our clients can extend these savings to their customers.”
The reports will offer a highly detailed appraisal of the gem material including the identifying factors for the gem such as colour, transparency, shape, cut, dimensions, weight. The PassBook report will also feature a full color photo of the diamond.
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September 8th, 2009 From admin
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Despite the recession, diamond sales continue to perform well. When comparing sales figures for In recent months both Christie’s and Sotheby’s auction houses have suffered badly due to the recession. However they both have recently confirmed that one sector that both see positive positive sales figures are diamonds sales.
According to the New York Times article, David Bennet, chairman of Sotheby’s jewelry departments in Europe and the Middle East, is quoted at recent auctions “it felt like being back in the good old days of the mid-1990s.”
In recent auction lots, the “Star of Josephine,” a vivid blue colored diamond, with a weight of 7.03 carats., sold for $9.48 million equivalent to just over $1.34 million a carat, making it the most expensive gem per carat ever sold in any auction. At a similar period in an auction in Geneva, a rare pink pear diamond weighing almost 5.29 carats, sold for over $2.04 million, or $385,633 per carat.
Also selling well were jewelry pieces that were either already collectible, or interpreted by the market as being collectible.
Tiaras necklaces and earrings all with documented ownership by European royalty at times almost quadrupled their estimates. For example, a pair of ear clips described as “the property of a German Princely and Liechtenstein Ruling Family,” did just that when it just barely missed sold for $420,000.
Because of the desire for collectible pieces, 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s stamped and marked pieces by famous designers are also doing well. A mystery set by Van Cleef & Arpels designed in the form of two intertwined leaves set with sapphires and diamonds hauled in $112,845, well over the expected price.
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September 2nd, 2009 From admin
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Finally the much anticipated wedding of ex-Playboy Playmate and ex-girlfriend of Hugh Hefner Kendra Wilkinson and NFL player Hank Baskett took place at the Playboy mansion in Los Angeles.
Both of Kendra’s former playmates and co-stars (Bridget Marquardt and Holly Madison) from the hit program “Girls Next Door” were bridesmaids. Playboy boss Hugh Hefner was also present among over 500 invited guests.
Kendra said “I could not be more delighted” While Playboy millionaire Hugh Hefner said “This is one of the happiest days in one of the happiest places on earth.”
After the ceremony, Kendra blogged, “Wussup everyone???? It’s the new Mrs. Hank Baskett!!!!!!!!! Ahhhh hahahahahha!! I cant believe I’m a married woman! Yayyyyy.”
Kendra wore an incredible flowing wedding dress and wore her sparkling diamond engagement ring bought months earlier by lover and fiance Hank Baskett.
