Carat
Carat weight remains a defining factor in the value and appeal of diamonds and other gemstones, making it a key consideration for professionals across the jewellery trade. For UK jewellers, designers, and wholesalers, staying informed on how carat trends influence pricing, consumer demand, and supply chain decisions is essential. Jewellery Focus offers in-depth coverage on carat-related topics, including market analysis, consumer education, pricing strategies, and insights into the ethical sourcing of larger stones. Our reporting helps trade professionals navigate this critical aspect of the gemstone and diamond market.
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Jul- 2016 -13 JulyManufacturers
Rio Tinto to sell world’s first red diamond coin
Mining firm Rio Tinto has unveiled what is believed to be the world’s first coin to feature a rare red diamond. Known as ‘The Kimberley Treasure’ and for sale at AU$1 million (£574,000), the collectable piece has been crafted from one kilogram of 99.99% fine gold and features a radiant-cut…
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5 JulyEconomy
Brexit fuels uncertainty as polished diamond prices slide in June
Polished diamond prices fell in June and sentiment softened after “relatively weak” Las Vegas and Hong Kong shows, according to the Rapaport Group. The group said steady US demand supported the market but overall demand was sluggish, with Britain’s decision to leave the EU, the US election and continued weakness…
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Jun- 2016 -30 JuneAuctions
Largest diamond discovered in a decade fails to sell at auction
The world’s largest rough diamond found in a decade has failed to sell at a London auction after bids did not reach the minimum reserve price. The 1109-carat ‘Lesedi la Rona’ – the largest rough diamond in existence today – was uncovered by diamond production firm Lucara in November 2015…
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21 JuneCurrent Affairs
Petra recovers 121.26-carat white diamond
Mining firm Petra Diamonds has announced the recovery of a 121.26-carat white diamond from its Cullinan mine in South Africa. The stone is a type II diamond of ‘exceptional colour and clarity’ and is an example of the large and high-quality diamonds the mine is known. The largest rough diamond…
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15 JuneEconomy
Gold continues to perform well as overall hallmarking figures fall in May
Gold jewellery continued to perform well in May as overall hallmarking figures fell 7.2% when compared with the same month last year. Hallmarking figures from the four UK assay offices – and compiled by the Assay Office Birmingham – found there was a total of 713,564 items hallmarked in May,…
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10 JuneAuctions
Blue diamond sells for record-breaking £17.5m
The Cullinan Dream has sold at auction for $25.3m (£17.5m), making it the most expensive fancy intense blue diamond to have ever gone under the hammer. The 24.18-carat diamond – sold at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels & The Cullinan Dream auction in New York on Thursday 9 June – is named…
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7 JuneEconomy
Polished diamond prices dip in May
The price of polished diamonds declined slightly in May as buyers waited for the JCK Las Vegas show, which took place between 3 to 6 June. Despite this, the Rapaport Group’s RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI) said trading at the show was “relatively weak” with slower traffic than in previous years.…
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2 JuneAuctions
‘Aurora Green’ sells for record breaking £11.7m
The 5.03ct ‘Aurora Green’ diamond has gone under the hammer for $16.8m (£11.7m) – a world auction record for a green diamond. The rectangular-cut fancy vivid green diamond was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong Spring Sales of Magnificent Jewels for more than $3.3m (£2.3m) per carat. In total, the auction…
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May- 2016 -18 MayAuctions
Pink diamond sells for record-breaking £21.8m
The seller of the most expensive polished diamond ever sold at auction has broke another record with the sale of the largest fancy vivid pear-shaped pink diamond. The 15.38-carat diamond – named ‘Unique Pink’ – sold for $31.56m (£21.8m) at Sotheby’s Geneva on Tuesday 17 March and became the most…
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16 MayEconomy
9-carat gold soars 15.8% as overall hallmarking figures fall
The number of 9-carat items hallmarked in April jumped 15.8%, despite an overall decline in hallmarking figures. The latest data from the four UK assay offices – compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office – found there was a total of 790,594 items hallmarked in April, compared with 810,831 in April…
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