Did anyone catch Sunday’s episode of Brothers and Sisters? Luc (Giles Marini) proposed to Sarah (Rachel Griffiths) with an exquisite Simon G engagement ring (model LP1239)! Concerned about the distance between her and Luc, Sarah has become convinced that Luc was cheating on her. However, when Luc returns home, he proved his devotion to their relationship when he pulled out this stunning diamond engagement ring and proposed seen here: Product #2160 http://www.firenzejewels.com/simon-g-diamond-antique-style-platinum-engagement-ring-setting_2160.html
View the unexpected moment in the video clip below:
This Thursday October 28th, the exquisite and rare blue 31.06 carat Wittlesbach-Graff Diamond is set to be displayed to the public at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Admired for its size, color and remarkable history, the original Fancy Deep Grayish Blue diamond with VS2 clarity included past owners such as King Philip IV of Spain who used the gemstone as part of a dowry for his teenage daughter, Margaret Teresa, in 1664. Since then, it has gone through the hands of several royal families and millionaires before being sold to a private owner in 1964. The diamond resurfaced once again in 2008 where billionaire diamond dealer, Lawrence Graff purchased the stone during a record smashing auction for approximately $23.4 million. For diamonds and gemstones, this was the highest price paid at auction for one at the time.
Experts theorized for a long time whether the diamond was cut from the same stone as the Hope Diamond. Recent examinations however, have suggested this is unlikely. The original Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond was 35.56 carats after being cut and polished. However, in January 2010, Graff decided to re-cut the gem to enhance the stone’s color and clarity, resulting in a 4.45 carat loss as well as a cloud of heavy public criticism. “That stone has a pedigree that is incomparable,” Daniela Mascetti, a senior global specialist in jewelry at Sotheby’s said to the New York Times “The Wittlesback blue, you knew how it came into existence and in a rather exciting way…It is a shame to have altered what has been preserved for so many years.”
Graff responded to criticism by comparing his restoration to what is occasionally done in the art world. “If you discovered a Leonardo da Vinci with a tear in it and covered in mud, you would want to repair it. We have similarly cleaned up the diamond and repaired damage caused over the years,” Graff told BBC News in January 2010. “I decided that to create beauty, or acts of beauty, is not a sin,” Graff said. “All we did was remove the blemishes and now it’s true perfection.”, he added.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) evaluated the diamond after being re-cut and graded the clarity as Internally Flawless or IF(improved from Very Slightly Included or VS1) and color as Fancy Deep Blue(amended from Fancy Deep Grayish Blue). The diamond is “the largest Flawless or Internally Flawless, Fancy Deep Blue, Natural Color we have graded to date.”, says a G.I.A. spokesperson. The stone will be displayed at the American Museum of Natural History Harry Frank Guggenheim Hall of Minerals, through January 2, 2011.
Here’s a video of the diamond making an appearance on the TODAY show.
Anticipating trends is what the fashion industry is all about. It comes as no surprise that jewelry designer powerhouse Le Vian just weighed in on their predictions with a 2011 Jewelry Trend Forecast report. Renowned for their collection of sumptuous chocolate diamonds, the designer included wardrobe staples in their list such as earth tones and sheer metallics along with snakes, equestrian and wild animal themes. Among their predictions were also carved gems and vibrant stones of pink, blue and purples hues. They predict rhodium plated jewelry to continue to dominate the industry as well. What are your thoughts on some of the designer jewelry pieces below?
On October 20th, the world’s most expensive Barbie adorned in diamonds was sold to an anonymous bidder at Christie’s “Jewels: The New York Sale” for an astounding $302,500. While the winning bid was at the low end of the auctioneer’s estimated $300,000-$500,000, it still makes it the most expensive Barbie ever sold. The last record-shattering Barbie sold in 2006 for $17,091.
“The modified square-cut fancy vivid purplish pink diamond transcends this exceptional Barbie into a historical investment piece.” said Christie’s in New York auctioneer highlighting the rarity of the Australian Argyle pink diamond.
Canturi, the doll’s accessory designer, spent 6 months working on the Barbie. He told Fairfax Media that he specifically searched for one of the rarest diamonds in the world to adorn the doll’s neck. “And pink is absolutely perfect for Barbie,” Canturi said. Pink is also perfect for October, being breast cancer awareness month. Those who feel uneasy about a Barbie selling for that amount should take comfort knowing all proceeds of the sale will go towards American National Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Watch as jewelry designer Stefano Canturi and Mattel spokesperson Robert Best unveil the Barbie during Australian Fashion Week in the video below.
Victoria’s Secret unveiled 2010’s diamond encrusted Fantasy Bra to be modeled this year by none other than Adrianna Lima. Valued at $2 million, the incredible 142 carat piece features 3,000 brilliant cut white diamonds (60 carats in total), light blue sapphires, and oval-shaped topazes (82 carats in total), which are all set in 18 karat white gold. Reports speculate that it took craftsmen 1,500 hours to complete the piece.
This will be the second time the Victoria’s Secret Angel has done the Fantasy Bra honors. She first wore the Black Diamond Fantasy Miracle Bra valued at $5 million in 2008. This year however, she is set to strut the runway in the spectacular undergarment just 1 year after giving birth to daughter Valentina.
“After having a baby my body was very different. I went to see a nutritionist. Who better to help you than a doctor?” said the Brazilian bombshell regarding her post-natal fitness strategy. “He taught me how to eat right and I have to exercise.” she added. She says her 2 hour workout routine consists of boxing and jumping rope for 60 minutes everyday!
Be sure to tune into the annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show where Lima is set to wear the bra November 30th on CBS.
Celebrities graced numerous November issue magazines wearing Simon G jewelry. First Katy Perry rocked the cover of Cosmopolitan wearing a charming Simon G diamond and 18k yellow gold heart shaped pendant necklace. There was also editorial coverage within the magazine showcasing an exquisite Simon G diamond and 18k yellow gold bracelet. Next, Brooke Burke was featured in Redbook wearing a Simon G diamond and 18k three tone gold fine pendant necklace with a letter ‘B’ design during her photoshoot. Finally, November’s issue of Glamour highlights a gorgeous pair of Simon G diamond and 18k two tone gold dangle earrings. We absolutely adore these exquisite earrings (also comes in a full white gold design with matching pendant) and the only thing more appealing than its delicate aesthetic, is the price. Ladies, these would make an excellent gift for the fast approaching holiday season, wouldn’t you agree?
A Star of David was discovered within a natural 8.53 carat polished diamond. Hidabroot TV, Israels’s first Jewish issues television station, aired a YouTube video that describes the intriguing design.
According to reports, the owner wishes to remain anonymous but has made it clear that the diamond is not for sale and is to be kept locked in a safe for protection. When first realizing the significance of the discovery, he gave it to Rabbi Cohen, founder of Hidabroot, in hopes the stone will be used for religious purposes.
A relative told Israel National News the story began 10 years ago when a batch of raw material had been bought from a merchant in a country from South America. When business was faltering during the start of the global financial crisis in 2008, the relative found work at a firm and was told to make diamonds from a bag of raw material that had been untouched. Even though the finished stones brought in little money, the employer of the polisher rejected advice to sell the remaining raw material and instead continue polishing the remaining two diamonds.
“I did it carefully, and I saw that in one of them there was a design of the Star of David,” said the relative. “It was not clear in the beginning, but after polishing it again and again, it was clearer than ever.”
An uncommon inclusion in the stone(technically referred to as a cloud), “follows the structure of the formation growth of the crystal” and sits precisely in the center of the diamond, says Yehudah Yeker, senior gemology expert at the G.C.A. The video below video reports the stone has been independently graded by Gem Tech and the GIA and was graded as a natural, fancy cut, grayish yellowish green diamond. The yellowish greenish color stated in the diamond grading reports comes from stone’s richness in hydrogen.
The President has a good eye for fine jewelry. In December 2009, Mr. Obama gave this exquisite custom made Garavelli diamond brooch pin to Michelle as an anniversary gift. The brooch has a floral design and scintillates with pave-set round brilliant cut white diamonds. She first wore it on Oprah’s “Christmas at the White House” special and has been wearing it in a variety of creative ways ever since, including attached to her pearl necklace as a pendant on the cover of Good Housekeeping. Michelle Obama’s diamond brooch pin, has a very similar design to one of Garavelli’s other floral inspired designs that was sold at Firenze Jewels earlier this year. 2010 has seen a significant theme in floral jewelry – everything from engagement rings to beautiful pieces such as this one.
Here’s a few photos of Mrs. Obama proudly wearing her anniversary gift:
Bracelets