Year: 2020

Jonathan Kendall to step down from De Beers role

De Beers Group has announced that after 20 years with the business, Jonathan Kendall the head of industry services and its Forevermark operations, will be retiring at the end of the year. The diamond company said Kendall has played an “integral role” in leading the evolution of many of De…

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Largest purple-pink diamond sells for record price

Sotheby’s Geneva has announced the sale of a 14.83-carat pink diamond for $26m (£19.7m), a record price for a sale of its kind at an auction. Named the Spirit of the Rose after a 20th Century Russian ballet, it is the largest purple-pink diamond to ever appear at auction, and…

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Gem-A Instruments partners with Gemometrics AB

Gem-A Instruments has announced it is entering into an official distributor agreement with Gemometrics AB, innovators of the gemmological screening tool GemPen. The new screening device utilises full spectrum Xenon ultraviolet (UV) light technology with a unique combination of wavelengths and filters. Once the device is turned on and directed…

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Christie’s Geneva sale totals $40m

Christie’s Geneva’s recent ‘Magnificent Jewels’ sale has achieved a total of $40m (£30m), selling 89% of all lots and 100% by value. This season’s sale was held in a new adapted format due to the pandemic, with both a live hybrid and online component, attracting over 1,500 bids from around…

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HB Antwerp to receive 998 carat diamond

HB Antwerp is set to receive a 998 carat diamond that has been discovered in the Botswana Karowe mine. When the diamond arrives the firm will analyse, plan and eventually cut the stone ready for consumer purchasing. HB Antwerp is known for its diamond trade chain and uses technology to…

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Watches of Switzerland partners with Breitling on timepiece

Breitling has launched an exclusive timepiece to celebrate its long-standing partnership with Watches of Switzerland. Limited to 150 pieces, the timepiece has been designed in collaboration and available exclusively at Goldsmiths, Mappin & Webb, Watches of Switzerland and Mayors (US). The new Premier B01 Chronograph 42, the Watches of Switzerland…

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Aether creates first ‘air-made’ diamonds

Diamond group Aether has successfully created gemstone quality diamonds out of air, which will launch on the company’s website in December. Using the company’s protected technology, Aether converts excess carbon dioxide air pollution in the atmosphere into “beautiful precious stones”. With this process, Aether said it will be able to…

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Industry reacts to Argyle mine closure

Western Australia’s Argyle mine closed today (10 October) after more than 30 years of being in operation. The mine, owned by Rio Tinto, was known to have been the source of the world’s most prized pink diamonds, which have gone on to be sold to Ernest Jones and H Samuel…

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Consumers adapting to new normal, says De Beers 

De Beers Group has released its 2020 Diamond Insight Report, which highlights new and accelerated trends in the industry with a focus on consumers adapting to the ”new normal”. The report is based on the outcomes of monthly sentiment surveys with US consumers from March to August, and includes research…

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The Alkemistry and Wolf announce collaboration

The Alkemistry, a fine-jewellery brand, has collaborated with the global luxury accessories specialist, Wolf, to offer a limited-edition jewellery box. The box, worth £139, is set to launch in mid-November, and comes in navy velvet with embroidered gold stars, turquoise moons, and an eye centrepiece. Designed to represent female-empowerment, the…

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