Diamond Blog

Set for its New York Sale auction in October, the fine arts auction house Christie’s will sell the two big, rectangular-cut Ponahalo diamonds. Christie’s was founded in 1766 by James Christie and has conducted some of the top auctions of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. With over 600 sales each year, New York is home to just one of its 14 salesrooms, with others located in Los Angeles, London, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Tel Aviv, Dubai, and Hong Kong.

Although Christie’s provides auctioned sales in a number of different categories, it is the sale of the large and rare diamonds that often bring the highest purchase prices. While these diamonds can be purchased by individuals, they are often assisted by private donations, which allow the diamonds to be displayed in art galleries and such, throughout the United States. Many times, these large diamonds are beautiful, but they are not set in any jewelry and their history provides an interesting tale. Continue reading »

If you have watched any part of the latest coverage on the campaign for the next president of the United States, you will likely notice that the attire of the potential First Ladies is getting coverage as well. Included in the wardrobe coverage are an impressive number of diamond brooches and pins that have made their way onto the wives of the presidential candidates during the Democratic and Republican Conventions, as well as on stops along the way.One of the most notable was the brooch that Michelle Obama wore on the first night of the Democratic Convention. This brooch, which blended perfectly with her turquoise dress, is the perfect example of how to wear a gemstone or diamond brooch. Without being too gaudy, the brooch created the perfect accent to a simple and elegant outfit. It also made a fashion statement that let people talk about her for days after she appeared at the convention. Continue reading »

The big diamonds that catch your eye on celebrities as they flaunt them on magazine covers, television shows, and movie premieres are often out of the price range for the average person. However, that does not mean that we can’t admore their creative settings and the beautiful types of jewelry that attract us to diamonds and gemstones in the first place. Here are just a few of the ways that celebrities wear attractive diamonds on a daily basis, and a few ways that even their beautiful diamonds may lose their luster. Celebrities on all levels wear diamond earrings on a daily basis. Whether big diamonds or little diamonds, diamond earrings are the perfect accessory and continue to be in style for both women and men. Generally, men choose large diamond studs in square cuts that show off more of the diamond than the sparkle. Women, on the other hand, choose brilliant cut diamond studs because of the sparkle and not because of the size. Whether their hair is long or short, up or down, diamond earrings that sparkle and shine can make a statement. Continue reading »

History shows that most “objects” of any value tend to cause trouble. Wars occur over land, oil, water or other items that have a specific value at a specific point in time. People fight over possessions, money and material goods as well, and one item that has a long history of controversy and material value is the diamond.Even the stone’s name comes from ancient times, when the Greeks called them “adamas” (the unconquerable). The strength and durability of a diamond was quickly recognized, and soon it was regularly seen on the leather “armor” of royalty, more as an amulet of protection than as an actual barrier against physical harm. Soon however, the beauty of diamonds for ornaments was recognized and royals began crafting elaborate crowns and ornamental jewelry. Continue reading »

Millions of people know the tune and words of the song made famous by Marilyn Monroe, “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend”, and even more than fifty years later that phrase is still very true. In fact, diamonds have become “everyone’s” best friend with trends indicating their increasing popularity with teens, men and women of all ages. This includes those who are purchasing them to wear as jewelry and those who are looking to diamonds as a good investment vehicle.Diamonds are more popular than ever, in part due to the constant coverage given to celebrities and the fashions they select - which includes their jewelry. For example, Jennifer Lopez received an enormous pink diamond ring from her then fiancé Ben Affleck. Suddenly colored diamonds began appearing everywhere. Continue reading »

When thinking about diamonds most people don’t think of a rainbow of color, with every hue or shade possible, but actually diamonds come naturally in over three hundred possible colors. They range from “pumpkin” orange, to pale pink and “canary” yellow. In fact, some of the world’s most well-known and largest stones are not clear, glass-like examples of a diamond, but enormous colored gems.In the history of diamonds there are ten on record that weigh more than two hundred carats each. Some belong to royal families, governments and private individuals. Some have passed from public notoriety into complete secrecy, and some have even been used to do good deeds. They all come from different sources, and some have a great deal of mystery attached to their origins, but they are all remarkable for their size and notoriety. Continue reading »

While diamonds are the hardest material in the world, graphite is one of the softest materials known to man; yet, both are pure carbon. The difference between diamonds and graphite is pressure.Pure carbon is a short-lived substance. If not pressurized, but clumped together, it will form graphite. If, however, that same clump of carbon is pressurized, it transforms into a diamond. Continue reading »

With the exception of a silver spoon or a pair of bronzed shoes, children are typically not given the finer things in life at such a young age. Many people believe that these types of gifts are not appropriate and that they will not be well cared for by the child. However, there are certain milestones that a person reaches that makes gold, silver, and diamond gifts for children and young adults appropriate. The first milestone is the birth or first birthday of a young child. At this time, a special gift may be give as a memento of this time, although it typically will not be worn or used except for special occasion or for a short period of time. Such items include a pair of earrings like small diamond studs or a pair of earrings with a delicate diamond accent in each earring. Other popular diamond gifts for children include bracelets and necklaces. In most cases, the bracelets are either bangle or I.D. bracelets. Necklaces, however, range in style, although the most popular are lockets, crosses, and pendants. Continue reading »

Although it is not completely clear when the traditions of wedding and anniversary gifts began, there is evidence that shows the 25th and 50th years, the silver and golden anniversaries, where practiced in medieval Europe by the Germans when they gifted to each other silver and gold garlands on their anniversary. After that time, the list of materials and items associated with each anniversary was only followed on the first anniversary and major anniversary years following that year. The history links back to the beliefs that when certain substances or materials are combined with a specific number of years it will bring good luck. The American National Retail Jewelery Association, however, determined that a full list need to be created to include every year up to year 15 and every five years following the 15th. This new list was incorporated in 1937 and has followed ever since, though some changes have been made over the years. Originally designed to power retailers with a list of items to purchase for each anniversary, the list has turned into a traditional means of getting your spouse something new and different for each anniversary. Continue reading »

Sometimes, it can hard to know what to get a person. Sometimes you just want to get a person something that they’ll love, and when you get it wrong it leaves both sides feeling disappointed, which is never something that you want to happen on an occasion that should be happy and festive.Historically, diamond earrings have been the perfect gift for a number of different occasions. Whether for a birthday, an anniversary, a holiday, or a number of other special days throughout the year, diamond earrings present a way to show someone just how much you care. Continue reading »