Proportion is graded alongside Symmetry, polish and importantly the Transparency.
This is why the Diamond Exchange are the most sought after for those who want the finest diamonds available.
To ensure the highest quality, the Diamond Exchange works with the finest rough diamond producers based in South Africa, Antwerp, Israel and India.
Each diamond is then meticulously analysed by our Laboratory diamond gemologists.
Using sophisticated laboratory equipment every aspect of the individual stone is checked, including the all-important proportions that will produce the most brilliance.
Proportions
Proportions affect how light travels within the diamond.
Diamonds that are cut too shallow and wide, or too deep and narrow lose light out the sides or bottom, causing the diamond to lose brilliance.
A select Diamond exchange Diamond are cut to ideal diamond proportions, creating a superior diamond to reflecting the maximum amount of light back to the eye.
Symmetry
The alignment of a diamond’s facets in relation to each other or opposing facets affects the diamond’s light performance.
Facets which are symmetrical and aligned, reflect light directly back to your eye.
Symmetry grading to Hearts and Arrows standards ensure its brilliance and fire is emitted evenly.
Certification
All Diamond Exchange diamonds are certified by recognised international accredited laboratories.
This provides you an authoritative analysis of your diamond.
Diamond Exchange also verifies that your diamond meets all the specific quality requirements and checks the diamond is cold laser inscribed.
Transparency
Transparency, also called pellucidity, is the material property of allowing light to pass through. In mineralogy, another term for this property is diaphaneity.
Developed by the DCLA , the Transparency Grade is the degree to which a diamond transmits light, directly relevant to its ‘cloudiness’ or ‘haziness.
In other words, it is a comprehensive assessment of light performance based on the quality of the diamond crystal itself.
Three rings featuring diamonds with fancy-vivid color stole the show at the Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction, selling for more than $8 million combined.
The trio of jewels, called the Perfect Palette, achieved a total of $8.4 million at the New York sale, Christie’s said Tuesday. A 2.17-carat, fancy-vivid-purplish-pink diamond ring brought in $3.5 million, beating its $2.5 million high estimate, while a 2.13-carat, fancy-vivid-blue diamond ring sold for $2.7 million, toward the upper end of its valuation. The third — a 2.34-carat, fancy-vivid-orange diamond ring — went for $2.2 million, just under its top estimate at the April 13 sale. The entire auction garnered $35 million, with 94% of items on offer finding buyers.
Another high earner was a pear brilliant-cut, 38.04-carat, D-flawless, type IIa diamond ring, which fetched $3 million. A Burmese ruby ring by F.J. Cooper, a prominent Philadelphia jeweler, went for $1.7 million. Both pieces fell within their presale estimates.
Other notable items included an oval modified brilliant-cut, 25.55-carat, fancy-vivid-yellow, VS1-clarity diamond ring, which sold for $1.7 million, smashing its $1.2 million high estimate. An emerald-cut, 14.50-carat, D-color, internally flawless, type IIa diamond ring also shattered its $1 million upper valuation, selling for $1.4 million at the auction.
A diamond and onyx Serpenti wristwatch, donated by Bulgari, fetched $50,000, within estimates. Proceeds from the timepiece will benefit the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.
Participants at the sale originated from 40 countries across five continents, Christie’s noted. The auction house is still holding its Online Jewels sale, which began on April 8 and will run through April 20. It features a selection of items from Bulgari, Cartier and Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co., among others.
Pink and red diamonds are among the most special gems in the world. The value of these highly sought-after natural stones speaks for itself, but their rarity has arguably increased since the closure of Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine.
The asset, which ceased mining activity on November 3, 2020, had been in operation since 1983. In that time, 865 million carats of rough diamonds were produced.
The unique geological chemistry of the Western Australia location birthed the rarest hues, including champagne, cognac, blue, violet and of course, the coveted Argyle pink and red diamonds. Millions of carats of white diamonds were produced at the prolific property as well.
After 37 years of output, Argyle’s closure came at a time of flux for the diamond market. The sector has been dealing with reduced demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as shifting demographics.
While mining activity has concluded at the source of 90 percent of the world’s pink gems, diamond analyst Paul Zimnisky noted that Rio Tinto is likely still processing ore from Argyle.
“So Argyle diamonds will probably still be ‘produced’ this year,” he said. “Also, Rio may have some rough inventory overhang following all of the supply chain disruptions last year. But by the end of this calendar year or early next year, I think most of the primary market Argyle rough goods will be off the market.”
Demand for pink diamonds steadily growing
Colored diamonds, especially pink and red, are among the most valued gems on Earth. Prices can range from US$10,000 per carat for less intensely colored stones up to US$70,000 per carat for vivid hues.
Ahead of the Argyle closure, pink diamond prices were on the rise. According to the Fancy Color Research Foundation FCRF, the value of pink diamonds rose 116 percent between 2010 and 2020. That’s more than any other colored diamond segment, including the extremely rare blue diamonds.
Even 2020’s disruptions and closures didn’t dent the rosy outlook for colored stones.
“The prices of all pink diamonds overall remained without a change in Q4 2020, with fancy and fancy intense categories presenting a slight increase,” a FCRF report states. “Although 2020 was challenging in terms of logistics and travel, contrary to market expectations, fancy color diamond prices proved to be resilient, with minor price decreases across the board.”
With as much as 95 percent of global pink diamond supply now removed, there is some anticipation that prices for the gems will continue to increase, perhaps at a faster rate.
The Murowa mine, in Zimbabwe, reported a 15 per cent drop in its diamond production for 2020 as known deposits begin to run dry.
Owners RioZim said it was exploring sites near the three kimberlites pipes currently being worked in the southern central Midlands Province.
Rough output in the year ending 31 December 2020 from the RioZim associate RZM Murowa Private Limited was 579,000 carats, down from 685,000 carats the previous year.
RioZim chairman Saleem Rashid Beebeejaun said the main reason for the drop in yields was that the mine had been processing low-grade resources from its K2 pipe. High-grade resources at K1 have become depleted.
But firm gold prices helped the minerals and mining parent company RioZim bounce back with a $454m profit in 2020, after a $584m loss in 2020.
Two new 36mm Explorers, one of them two-tone, headline Rolex’s 2021 introductions, released today. Other new models include a Daytona with a meteorite dial, a diamond-studded Day-Date with orange accents and a fully set Lady-Datejust
The Explorer is sized down a notch to 36mm from 39mm. But it’s really back to the beginning – the Explorer was 36mm when it was introduced in 1963, which also bore the iconic 3,6 and 9 numeral placement. The two-tone 18k yellow gold and Oystersteel combo is new. The dial is lacquered now, in keeping with its notch up the scale into gold territory. Inside is the caliber 3230, featuring Rolex’s signature Chronergy escapement and a blue Parachrom hairspring, with a power reserve of 70 hours. $10,800
The second new stunner from Rolex is out of this world in more ways than one. Not only is it likely to be even more unattainable than the standard Daytona at retail, but it has a solid meteorite dial. The 18k white gold version is the same size, same movement, same ceramic bezel, same Oysterflex bracelet as the standard model, but the meteorite dial somehow changes everything. It is now more than a sports watch, more than an investment piece. It is a fashion statement! There are also yellow gold and Everose gold versions, but this dial is more than perfect on the white gold version, which is priced at $34,050.
Rolex is also demonstrating its metiers and gemsetting prowess with two jeweled watches this year: a diamond paved Day-Date 36 with orange enameled numerals and an orange alligator strap to match; and a fully set Lady-Datejust set with more than 500 diamonds – there are also turquoise and burgundy editions. The numerals on the Day-Date shine with the unmistakable glow of enamel. On the Lady-Datejust, the numerals are made of gold with a black PVD coating. The Lady-Datejust is set with 1,089 diamonds.
Lucapa Diamond Company and its partners, Empresa Nacional de Diamantes E.P. and Rosas & Petalas, have recovered the 23rd rough diamond over 100 carats at the Sociedade Mineira Do Lulo from the Lulo alluvial diamond mine in Angola.
The 144 carat Type IIa D colour diamond was recovered from Mining Block 08, is the sixth 100 carat diamond recovered in 2021 so far and 23rd 100 carat stone recovered at Lulo since exploration and mining operations began.
Including the first 100 carat recovery from MB46 as 2020 ended, SML has now recovered seven 100 carat diamonds in a little over three months. With these 100 carat recoveries and the two Special pink diamonds in inventory, SML is well positioned to achieve record diamond revenues for the first half of 2021.
South Africa’s Petra Diamonds has found yet another big rock at its iconic Cullinan mine, a 39.34 carat Type IIb gem said to be of “exceptional quality” due to both its colour and clarity.
The miner didn’t indicate the diamond’s potential value but said it would sell it in a special tender.
Cullinan is known as the world’s most important source of blue diamonds, as well as being the birthplace of the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond, which was cut to form the 530-carat Great Star of Africa.
The operation also yielded the 317-carat Second Star of Africa. They are the two largest diamonds in the British Crown Jewels.
Do April birthdays have it best? With diamonds as their birthstone, they just might. Our selection of diamond April birthstone jewelry spans the wide range of diamond jewelry available today, from classic diamond high-jewelry from Harry Winston, the King of Diamonds, to demi-fine jewelry that perfectly expresses your unique style.
Harry Winston
The Winston Cluster has been an icon for Harry Winston — and the jewelry world — since it debuted in the 1940s. Mr. Winston decided to place diamonds at different heights and angles, bringing in more light and increasing their sparkle. This high-jewelry necklace features 195 pear- and marquise-cut diamonds.
Harry Winston Winston Cluster necklace in platinum with 136.66 carats diamond, price on request, harrywinston.com
G by Glenn Spiro
Glenn Spiro is a London-based gemstone dealer and jewelry designer who specializes in exquisite stones. This ring features an exceptional 10.01-carat, D-colored, internally flawless, Type II A marquise-cut diamond. Type II A diamonds are the purest diamonds that exist, so a diamond of this size, color, and clarity is a rare find. The old mine diamond is set in 18K red gold and bronze, an unusual metal choice for a stone of this quality, and there are pavé diamonds that trim the shank. MORE FOR YOU Audemars Piguet Debuts Five New Royal Oak Watches, Including Three Flying Tourbillons And A Platinum Limited Edition 15202Celebrate Peridot, An August Birthstone, With These Beautiful Pieces Of Peridot Jewelry The Most Beautiful Opal Jewelry For October Birthdays
G by Glenn Spiro ring in 18K red gold and bronze with a 10.01-carat marquise-cut diamond and pavé diamonds, price on request, glennspiro.co.uk
Ananya
London-based designer Ananya honors her Indian heritage in her pieces, but updates them with a contemporary design. The Scatter earrings feature 4.9 carats of baguette diamonds set in an organic pattern.
AnanyaScatter earrings in 18K white gold with 4.9 carats diamond, $16,600, ananya.com
Anita Ko
Anita Ko is known for her stunning diamond jewelry. She brings her unique design aesthetic to classic pieces, like this eternity band, which she makes modern and chic by using diagonally set diamonds. While eternity bands are traditional wedding bands, this piece is so chic it could easily be an everyday fashion statement.
Anita Ko ring in 18K white gold with 3.8 carats diamond, $18,800, anitako.com
Kwiat
Kwiat’s superb stones are on full display in the Legacy Embrace earrings. Two round brilliant diamonds, each around 1 carat, sit at the top of the earrings. Two diamond-set X motifs connect them to gorgeous pear-shaped diamonds, one weighing 11.06 carats, the other 11.19 carats.
KwiatLegacy Embrace earrings in platinum with 25.46 carats diamond, price on request, kwiat.com
Fred Leighton
Fred Leighton takes an unusual design approach in the Collet ring. It features a 10.05-carat marquise-cut diamond set in silver-topped 18K gold, a stark contrast to the white diamond. A smattering of round diamonds tops the yellow gold band.
Fred Leighton Collet ring in 18K gold with 11.19 carats diamond, $254,000, fredleighton.com
Graziela
These chic Ascension Fringe earrings from Graziela have five strands of baguette diamonds that hang from cleverly-set baguette diamonds that recreate the look of a large emerald-cut diamond. Round-cut diamonds encircle the baguettes.
Graziela Ascension Fringe earrings in 18K white gold with 13.11 carats diamond, $91,000, grazielagems.com
Judith Ripka
Judith Ripka’s Eros ring is perfect for wearing everyday. The sculptural rhodium-plated sterling silver ring curves around the finger and two rows of diamonds add sparkle. The Eros collection comes in 18K yellow gold, which is perfect for stacking.
Judith Ripka Eros ring in sterling silver with .265 carats diamond, $895, judithripka.com
Caye Joaillier
This playful bracelet from Caye Joaillier is part of its Dizzy Diamonds collection. Three moving diamonds sit atop a diamond-set bar, and the three diamonds slide back and forth along the bar as you move.
Caye Joaillier Dizzy Diamonds bracelet in 18K yellow gold with .82 carats diamond, $2,950, cayejoaillier.com
Otiumberg
Otiumerg is a chic demi-fine jewelry brand based in London. It was founded in 2016 by sisters Christie and Rosanna Wollenberg who couldn’t find affordable fine jewelry with cool designs that they wanted to wear. This 9K yellow gold hoop features 10 round brilliant diamonds on the hoops and has a single diamond drop. It’s sold individually, so you can mix and match.
Otiumberg Diamond Charm Hoop earring in 9K yellow gold with .15 carats diamond, $730, otiumberg.com
Source: luxury expert who specializes in style Kristen Shirley
A 15.81 carat Sakura diamond, the largest of its kind to ever appear for sale, will go under the hammer at Christie’s upcoming Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels Live Auction on May 23, the auction house announced on Tuesday. Estimated at $25 million to $38 million, the “fancy vivid purple pink internally flawless” diamond will be the star highlight of the sale.
It is the diamond’s exceptional rarity, extraordinary optical transparency, brilliant colour, and enormous size that make it an immensely important, and eternal masterpiece of nature.
As fewer than 10 per cent of pink diamonds weigh more than one-fifth of a carat, this fancy vivid purple-pink diamond is of an unprecedented size of 15.81 carats, which is the largest of its kind Fancy Vivid Purple Pink to be offered at any auction.
It added that the lot fell in the exclusive group of the four per cent of pink diamonds that possess a colour deep enough to qualify as “fancy vivid”.
This magnificent gem is graded ‘fancy vivid’ for its perfect display of strong saturation and remarkable pink hue with a secondary colour of purple, resembling the fascinating colour of cherry blossoms – appropriately coinciding with spring.
Lucapa Diamond Company and its partners Endiama and Rosas & Petalas have announced the recovery of three +100 carat diamonds by Sociedade Mineira Do Lulo from the Lulo alluvial diamond mine in Angola.
The 131-carat is a Type IIa D-colour diamond, the 118-carat is a brown diamond and the 133-carat stone is a lower-quality grey diamond.
Six +100 carat diamonds have been recovered from Mining Block 46 (MB46) in the last three months, reaffirming its recent elevation to the Lulo mining block with the best +100 carat diamond occurrence rate – one +100 carat diamond for every ~20,000 bcm’s of gravel.
The Canguige catchment and adjacent priority kimberlites are already the focus of the Project Lulo JV kimberlite exploration program, and the frequent recovery of large high-value diamonds underpins the prospectivity of this area.