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.
Rough sellers are partnering with technology providers to facilitate digital-scans, videos and potential polishing plans for rough diamonds to their customers. Originally intended to facilitate pre-selection of choices ahead of traditional tenders, remote-purchasing has now become an option.
Did you know whatever device you're using to read this post - mobile, tablet or desktop - wouldn't exist without lab-grown diamonds? Did you know diamonds are being used for medical imaging, quantum entanglement and (you read it right) teleportation? Read on.
Did you ever wonder what happened to the incredible Esperanza Diamond? After a charmed journey, but a failed auction, this national treasure is still for sale. Let’s re-visit her unique story and see where things stand today.
As the world watches the engaging achievements of NASA and SpaceX - and Boeing sits in the wings hungry to make their own space-shots - let's take a fanciful look at the landscape ahead for diamond and jewelry enthusiasts.
Nature never stops providing the extraordinary, unexpected and unique. This adamantine oddity was unearthed at an open-pit mine 200 miles north of Nyurba, Russia last October. Specialists immediately passed it to ALROSA's Research and Development Geological Enterprise.
When someone says "Cat's-Eye" reference to a colored gemstone they are referencing a specific variety of chrysoberyl. Cat's-Eye chrysoberyl and its cousin Alexandrite, also known as Color-Change chrysoberyl are gemstones which can display the following phenomenal optical properties.
Last weekend I was asked to provide guidance for a quarantined self-gifter buying a diamond online. In order to make this online purchase she wanted a no-fail combination of weight, color, clarity and (drum roll, please) cut-quality.
“A diamond is forever,” but the makers of that slogan considered it a two-way street, connecting a diamond’s billion-year past with an infinite-future. They never imagined someone proposing with a “forever” diamond that’s younger than the bride.
Believe it or not, there are people who like to presume they're wearing big money but don’t actually want that theory tested. That's harmless - until it leads to misunderstandings.
It's a fair question. Health, safety and shelter must be our priorities right now. So why are people continuing to discuss, debate, and obsess over jewelry? Katherine, an active enthusiast in an online jewelry community, provided a response for the ages. Literally.
I was visiting with my esteemed colleague Luigi Costantini in Italy - practicing safe social email-distancing of course - and the topic of expressions came up. Namely, how the internet has influenced symbology.
Dispersion is a physical constant. Fire is a variable aesthetic. Fortunately, the fact that these terms have been co-mingled and transposed over time creates an opportunity to revisit them and sharpen our skills as communicators.
Crack! Fracture! Cleavage! Gletz! These words are used to describe one of mother nature’s most common clarity characteristics. The feather. The dreaded feather. That notorious, ticking-time-bomb that could cause your diamond to EXPLODE!
For countless ages a steady stream of rough diamonds tumbled down the Orange and Vaal Rivers to the sea, washed there from inland volcanic pipes. Distributed far and wide along the coast by tidal activity, millions of carats now lie hidden beneath the territorial waters of Namibia.
Once upon a time… A lonely rough diamond met another. The two began growing together. For countless ages they shared their lattices, twinning happily with each other until they were…
When the Great Imperial Crown was made for the coronation of Catherine the Great in 1762 the court jewelers believed they were topping over 5,000 diamonds and pearls with an enormous 398 carat ruby. But it was never so. They had been fooled by a charming imposter.