An exceptionally rare, clear diamond "the size of a lollipop" is being offered without reserve at auction by Sotheby's. According to the auction house, an item of this historic importance and value has never been offered with no-reserve before.
This 10+ carat HPHT produced lab-grown diamond was initially graded Fancy Intense Yellow by IGI. When it returned to the lab its color had been changed to Fancy Vivid Pink. IGI confirmed that the color had been shifted from yellow to pink through irradiation using a 5MeV Electron Beam Transfer system.
Last year, Hong Kong based Coronet, a division of Aaron Shum Jewelry, set the Guinness World Record for most diamonds set on a watch at Baselworld, with "Mudan," adorned with an astonishing 15,858 diamonds weighing 50.01 carats.
No matter if I am Black, Crystal, White, Fire, Water or in a Matrix, depending on the basic color and in a decreasing progression of red, violet, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo... The title of Noble Opal is the one that I deserved and I still deserve.
Maynard Ferguson had a different blues in mind when composing his jazz masterpiece for the 1993 album "It's My Time," but blue diamonds have a special appeal and character all their own. Like the call and response motifs which characterize blues jazz, blue diamonds seem to call out to each other in their individual but harmonious combinations of hue, tone and saturation.
Treatments have been used to enhance the appearance of gemstones since ancient times. The Egyptians, Greeks and Romans used dyes, coatings, oils and other methods to improve the color, durability and luster of their gemstones and pearls. But the most fascinating and fanciful tool used for enhancements may very well be the humble chicken.
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.
Right now there are delicious hot-dog, hamburger, steak and brisket barbecues occurring across the USA. There are potato salads, crisps and coleslaw. There's corn on the cob and baked beans. I am inspired to mark America's birthday with the sparkle of three American gemstones, all local to the USA, in her three patriotic colors.
Whether it's imagination, disagreement or politics over rare and expensive objects, or planets aligning poorly - there are a number of gemstones rumored to curse those who own them. Of course, in at least one famous case below, the rumors may have been exaggerated to appeal to a buyer. But whatever the case there's entertainment value in what I'm bringing below.
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.