You Can Buy JAR Jewelry at Metropolitan Museum Exhibition

La Dame Aux Gardenias (The Invisible Flower of Madame X), white resin & 18k clip earrings, $4,000.

As I previously promised, I have the photographs of jewelry by Joel A. Rosenthal, better known to jewelry lovers across the globe as JAR, that he created specifically for the exhibition, Jewels By JAR, which opens Wednesday at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and runs till March 9, 2014. They are available for purchase exclusively at the museum.

Carnaval à Venise red titanium earrings with gold Venetian glass, $2,000.

The pieces include earrings made of resin, 18k over aluminum, titanium and Venetian glass ranging in price from $2,000 to $7,500. There are also two watches designed for the event that cost $600. These creations will be available exclusively at the Museum through the close of the exhibition. These are not limited edition pieces but they are numbered.

Tickle Me Feather clip earrings, 18k over aluminum, $7,500.

The exhibition will be the first retrospective in the United States of JAR’s work and the first retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum devoted to a contemporary artist of gems. It is only the second time his pieces were available to be seen at an exhibition, with the first being in London in 2002.

JAR watches in two styles, $600 each. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

Born in New York and educated at Harvard, Rosenthal moved to Paris soon after graduation and began to experiment with jewelry making. He opened JAR in 1978 on the Place Vendôme, in the same space he occupies today.

Carnaval à Venise black titanium earrings with gold Venetian glass, $2,000.

“JAR jewels became known for their unique design, the exquisite quality of the gemstones, and their remarkable craftsmanship—but above all for their fearless beauty,” the museum said in a statement. “Rosenthal’s one-of-a-kind creations place him among the ranks of history’s greatest jewelers.”

Tickle Me Feather violet clip earrings made of resin and 18k gold, $4,000.

The exhibition is described by the museum as a retrospective of his work for the 35 years he’s been designing jewelry under the JAR name. The exhibition of 400 works, mostly from private collections, presents a rare glimpse into the work of JAR and the museum store provides a rare opportunity to buy one of his pieces. 

View my write up of the exhibition by clicking this link. 

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes Website.

La Dame Aux Gardenias (The Invisible Flower of Madame X), white resin & 18k clip earrings, $4,000.

As I previously promised, I have the photographs of jewelry by Joel A. Rosenthal, better known to jewelry lovers across the globe as JAR, that he created specifically for the exhibition, Jewels By JAR, which opens Wednesday at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and runs till March 9, 2014. They are available for purchase exclusively at the museum.

Carnaval à Venise red titanium earrings with gold Venetian glass, $2,000.

The pieces include earrings made of resin, 18k over aluminum, titanium and Venetian glass ranging in price from $2,000 to $7,500. There are also two watches designed for the event that cost $600. These creations will be available exclusively at the Museum through the close of the exhibition. These are not limited edition pieces but they are numbered.

Tickle Me Feather clip earrings, 18k over aluminum, $7,500.

The exhibition will be the first retrospective in the United States of JAR’s work and the first retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum devoted to a contemporary artist of gems. It is only the second time his pieces were available to be seen at an exhibition, with the first being in London in 2002.

JAR watches in two styles, $600 each. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

Born in New York and educated at Harvard, Rosenthal moved to Paris soon after graduation and began to experiment with jewelry making. He opened JAR in 1978 on the Place Vendôme, in the same space he occupies today.

Carnaval à Venise black titanium earrings with gold Venetian glass, $2,000.

“JAR jewels became known for their unique design, the exquisite quality of the gemstones, and their remarkable craftsmanship—but above all for their fearless beauty,” the museum said in a statement. “Rosenthal’s one-of-a-kind creations place him among the ranks of history’s greatest jewelers.”

Tickle Me Feather violet clip earrings made of resin and 18k gold, $4,000.

The exhibition is described by the museum as a retrospective of his work for the 35 years he’s been designing jewelry under the JAR name. The exhibition of 400 works, mostly from private collections, presents a rare glimpse into the work of JAR and the museum store provides a rare opportunity to buy one of his pieces. 

View my write up of the exhibition by clicking this link. 

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes Website.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Jewels By Jar, a Dazzling Display of Darkness and Light

Butterfly Brooch, 1994; Sapphires, fire opals, rubies, amethyst, garnets, diamonds, silver and gold; Private collection. Photograph by Katharina Faerber. Courtesy of JAR, Paris

Jewelry is supposed to sparkle, glitter and glow. Joel A. Rosenthal, better known as JAR, also says it should “flicker,” which is why in his first exhibition in 2002 at the Somerset House in London, he requested that his jewelry be seen in the dark aided only by tiny flashlights.

Multicolored Handkerchief Earrings, 2011; Sapphires, demantoid and other garnets, zircons, tourmalines, emeralds, rubies, fire opals, spinels, beryls, diamonds, platinum, silver, and gold; Private collection. Photograph by Jozsef Tari. Courtesy of JAR, Paris.

Those visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the landmark U.S. exhibition of Jewels By Jar won’t be asked to do anything drastic this time. However, in a museum bathed in light, the space dedicated to JAR is in darkness, with the exception of the spotted glow of jewelry displays.

Colored Balls Necklace, 1999; Rubies, sapphires, emeralds, amethysts, spinels, garnets, opals, tourmalines, aquamarines, citrines, diamonds, silver, and gold; Private collection. Photograph by Jozsef Tari. Courtesy of JAR, Paris.

The exhibition, which opens Wednesday and runs till March 9, 2014, is the first US viewing of jewelry by the famed and famously reclusive jewelry artist. The exhibition will be the first retrospective in the United States of his work and the first retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum devoted to a contemporary artist of gems.

Raspberry Brooch, 2011; Rubies, diamonds, bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. Collection of Sien M. Chew. Photograph by Jozsef Tari. Courtesy of JAR, Paris.

The press preview Monday at the museum was my first opportunity to see JAR jewelry pieces in the flesh and it didn’t disappoint. The 400 pieces on display, nearly all lent by private collectors, represent 35 years of designing jewelry at the highest level.

Lilac Brooches, 2001; Diamonds, lilac sapphires, garnets, aluminum, silver, and gold; Private collection. Photograph by Jozsef Tari. Courtesy of JAR, Paris.

It’s obvious that Rosenthal isn’t a just a jewelry designer but an artist. In brief words during the press preview Monday, Jane Adlin, the exhibition curator, was a bit more specific, describing him as a sculptor.

Poppy Brooch, 1982; Diamond, tourmalines, and gold; Private collection. Photograph by Katharina Faerber. Courtesy of JAR, Paris

“I think Joel is best known for his technique of pavé. He’s discriminating but indiscriminate in his use of gemstones,” Adlin said. “So he’ll mix very, very fine perfectly cut, perfectly flawless gemstones with some that are not. He will use lesser quality stones. He will use lesser-known stones. But the outcome is this extraordinary piece of jewelry, which if you just put it on your dresser or your coffee table it would in fact be a piece of sculpture.”

Bracelet, 2010; Diamonds, silver, and platinum; Private collection. Photograph by Jozsef Tari. Courtesy of JAR, Paris

That’s probably the best way to look at the works of JAR. From the time of the Greeks, great sculptors are able to take a subject and create a more perfect vision of it. That’s part of Rosenthal’s skill and expertise. For example, his flowers and animals, in addition to being precise, seem to be more perfect than what nature intended. He can create texture with jewels, such as his colorful handkerchief earrings in which one has a fold. And, as previously mentioned, there’s his exemplary use of pavé combined with exceptional colors from the many types of gems he’ll use for a single piece. He treats metals the same way in his pieces as it ranges from gold, platinum and titanium to silver and aluminum.

Earrings, 2011; Emeralds, oriental pearls, diamonds, and platinum; Private collection. Photograph by Jozsef Tari. Courtesy of JAR, Paris.

His 1994 butterfly brooch (one of many he created over the years) may be the best example of all of his sculptural attributes. Like many of his pieces it’s a combination of multiple materials. In this case sapphires, fire opals, rubies, amethyst, garnets, diamonds, silver and gold. Colors include different shades of violet, red, orange, yellow, blue and green with specks of white. Micro pavé is used throughout. In some cases there’s clear separation of color, in other parts of the creature, the colors seem to blend together.

Zebra Brooch, 1987; Agate, diamonds, a sapphire, silver, and gold; Private collection. Photograph by Katharina Faerber. Courtesy of JAR, Paris.

The mystique of JAR is enhanced by the man himself. Rosenthal is famously private. The New York native who lives and works in Paris has rarely given interviews although he did agree to a select few for this exhibition. The window of his store on Place Vendôme, perhaps the most famous luxury shopping district in the world, is often blank or showing a single object unrelated to jewelry design, such as a twig. The customers who are fortunate enough to enter his chambers get singular treatment and leave, eventually, with unique pieces of art created just for them.

Tulip Brooch, 2008; Rubies, diamonds, pink sapphires, garnets, silver, gold, and enamel; Private collection; Photograph by Jozsef Tari. Courtesy of JAR, Paris.

His eccentricity was apparently on display during the preparation of the Met exhibit. To the disappointment of many Rosenthal wasn’t present at the press preview with staff saying he is “shy.”

But we did get a bit more detail of the man behind JAR from Jennifer Russell, Metropolitan Museum associate director for exhibitions.

“Joel is passionate, he’s opinionated, he has a very definite point of view about almost everything, from what he’s going to eat for lunch to how the show should be arranged,” she said. “But he listens too and it’s been a wonderful dialogue in deciding how things should be arranged and discussing the exhibition in general.”

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes Website.

Butterfly Brooch, 1994; Sapphires, fire opals, rubies, amethyst, garnets, diamonds, silver and gold; Private collection. Photograph by Katharina Faerber. Courtesy of JAR, Paris

Jewelry is supposed to sparkle, glitter and glow. Joel A. Rosenthal, better known as JAR, also says it should “flicker,” which is why in his first exhibition in 2002 at the Somerset House in London, he requested that his jewelry be seen in the dark aided only by tiny flashlights.

Multicolored Handkerchief Earrings, 2011; Sapphires, demantoid and other garnets, zircons, tourmalines, emeralds, rubies, fire opals, spinels, beryls, diamonds, platinum, silver, and gold; Private collection. Photograph by Jozsef Tari. Courtesy of JAR, Paris.

Those visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the landmark U.S. exhibition of Jewels By Jar won’t be asked to do anything drastic this time. However, in a museum bathed in light, the space dedicated to JAR is in darkness, with the exception of the spotted glow of jewelry displays.

Colored Balls Necklace, 1999; Rubies, sapphires, emeralds, amethysts, spinels, garnets, opals, tourmalines, aquamarines, citrines, diamonds, silver, and gold; Private collection. Photograph by Jozsef Tari. Courtesy of JAR, Paris.

The exhibition, which opens Wednesday and runs till March 9, 2014, is the first US viewing of jewelry by the famed and famously reclusive jewelry artist. The exhibition will be the first retrospective in the United States of his work and the first retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum devoted to a contemporary artist of gems.

Raspberry Brooch, 2011; Rubies, diamonds, bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. Collection of Sien M. Chew. Photograph by Jozsef Tari. Courtesy of JAR, Paris.

The press preview Monday at the museum was my first opportunity to see JAR jewelry pieces in the flesh and it didn’t disappoint. The 400 pieces on display, nearly all lent by private collectors, represent 35 years of designing jewelry at the highest level.

Lilac Brooches, 2001; Diamonds, lilac sapphires, garnets, aluminum, silver, and gold; Private collection. Photograph by Jozsef Tari. Courtesy of JAR, Paris.

It’s obvious that Rosenthal isn’t a just a jewelry designer but an artist. In brief words during the press preview Monday, Jane Adlin, the exhibition curator, was a bit more specific, describing him as a sculptor.

Poppy Brooch, 1982; Diamond, tourmalines, and gold; Private collection. Photograph by Katharina Faerber. Courtesy of JAR, Paris

“I think Joel is best known for his technique of pavé. He’s discriminating but indiscriminate in his use of gemstones,” Adlin said. “So he’ll mix very, very fine perfectly cut, perfectly flawless gemstones with some that are not. He will use lesser quality stones. He will use lesser-known stones. But the outcome is this extraordinary piece of jewelry, which if you just put it on your dresser or your coffee table it would in fact be a piece of sculpture.”

Bracelet, 2010; Diamonds, silver, and platinum; Private collection. Photograph by Jozsef Tari. Courtesy of JAR, Paris

That’s probably the best way to look at the works of JAR. From the time of the Greeks, great sculptors are able to take a subject and create a more perfect vision of it. That’s part of Rosenthal’s skill and expertise. For example, his flowers and animals, in addition to being precise, seem to be more perfect than what nature intended. He can create texture with jewels, such as his colorful handkerchief earrings in which one has a fold. And, as previously mentioned, there’s his exemplary use of pavé combined with exceptional colors from the many types of gems he’ll use for a single piece. He treats metals the same way in his pieces as it ranges from gold, platinum and titanium to silver and aluminum.

Earrings, 2011; Emeralds, oriental pearls, diamonds, and platinum; Private collection. Photograph by Jozsef Tari. Courtesy of JAR, Paris.

His 1994 butterfly brooch (one of many he created over the years) may be the best example of all of his sculptural attributes. Like many of his pieces it’s a combination of multiple materials. In this case sapphires, fire opals, rubies, amethyst, garnets, diamonds, silver and gold. Colors include different shades of violet, red, orange, yellow, blue and green with specks of white. Micro pavé is used throughout. In some cases there’s clear separation of color, in other parts of the creature, the colors seem to blend together.

Zebra Brooch, 1987; Agate, diamonds, a sapphire, silver, and gold; Private collection. Photograph by Katharina Faerber. Courtesy of JAR, Paris.

The mystique of JAR is enhanced by the man himself. Rosenthal is famously private. The New York native who lives and works in Paris has rarely given interviews although he did agree to a select few for this exhibition. The window of his store on Place Vendôme, perhaps the most famous luxury shopping district in the world, is often blank or showing a single object unrelated to jewelry design, such as a twig. The customers who are fortunate enough to enter his chambers get singular treatment and leave, eventually, with unique pieces of art created just for them.

Tulip Brooch, 2008; Rubies, diamonds, pink sapphires, garnets, silver, gold, and enamel; Private collection; Photograph by Jozsef Tari. Courtesy of JAR, Paris.

His eccentricity was apparently on display during the preparation of the Met exhibit. To the disappointment of many Rosenthal wasn’t present at the press preview with staff saying he is “shy.”

But we did get a bit more detail of the man behind JAR from Jennifer Russell, Metropolitan Museum associate director for exhibitions.

“Joel is passionate, he’s opinionated, he has a very definite point of view about almost everything, from what he’s going to eat for lunch to how the show should be arranged,” she said. “But he listens too and it’s been a wonderful dialogue in deciding how things should be arranged and discussing the exhibition in general.”

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes Website.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

5% Increase in Q3 Gold Jewelry Demand

Gold jewelry demand for the third quarter of 2013 increased 5 percent year-over-year to 486.7 tons, the World Gold Council said Thursday, marking the best third quarter performance for the precious metal since 2010. 

In terms of value, gold being used for jewelry for the period fell by 15 percent year-over-year, due to a drop in the trading price of the precious metal, according to the WGC’s Gold Demand Trends report for the third quarter of 2013. Demand for the period was worth $20.8 billion, the lowest quarterly value since the third quarter of 2010.

Global growth for the period was led by high-karat gold jewelry purchases in Asia, the Middle East and the US, 

“An almost universal phenomenon in the third quarter was the increasing popularity of higher carat jewelry,” the WGC said in its report. “Across Asia, the Middle East and in the US, higher carat jewelry was noted as an area of particular growth as the increased investment properties associated with gold of higher purity came to the fore. The fact that jewelry retailers in a number of markets were increasingly stocking investment products (small bars and coins) provided further evidence of the greater blurring of the jewelry/investment distinction.”

Consumers in China generated 163.7 tons of jewelry demand in the third quarter, making it by far the largest single jewelry market. The country’s year-to-date, demand of 518 tons already equals the same amount for the full-year 2012.

“To some extent, exhaustion set in towards the end of Q3 after such a frenetic second quarter, but continued expansion of the retail network confirms that the trade sees prospects for growth,” the WGC said.

Increases were reported in 24k jewelry (known as “chuk kam”), which has a purity rating of 95.95 percent and in “four nines” gold (gold jewelry of 99.99% purity, compared with the typical 24-carat purity of 99.95%). The WGC explained that the former is unique to China and is most popular with consumers in lower tier markets and rural areas as an investment hedge.

Mainland Chinese consumers also attributed to a 28 percent increase in gold jewelry consumption in Hong Kong to 7.5 tons.

In the US, the WGC noted that “demand was a key development.” Gold jewelry demand for the third quarter rose 14 percent year-over-year to 43.4 million tons.

With the exception of fourth quarter demand (driven by holiday sales), the third quarter was the first quarter in four years in which gross jewelry demand exceeded recycling—creating net positive jewelry demand,” the WGC said. “Since Q3 2009, gross new quarterly jewelry demand had been exceeded by the recycling of old gold jewelry as distress selling took off during the economic downturn,” WGC said. “Increasingly positive sentiment among US consumers during the third quarter reversed this trend.”

The report also notes a shift towards 18k jewelry from 14k.

“Given recent developments in the US, consumer sentiment has taken a hit early in the fourth quarter, but the seasonal impact, together with prices holding below US$1,400/oz, suggests a certain amount of resilience,” the WGC said.

India, one of the world’s largest markets for gold jewelry, saw demand drop by 23 percent year-over-year to 104.7 tons due to import restrictions imposed by the government. “Demand for gold jewelry among Indian consumers remains strong, but reduced supply has prevented this demand from being fully realized,” the WGC said.

"The smaller Asian markets had robust growth for the period, with the exception of South Korea where weak consumer sentiment and a sluggish domestic economy dampened demand," the WGC said. "Across the rest of the region, there was a trend for higher karat jewelry pieces of relatively simple design as consumers across the region took advantage of gold’s increased affordability."

Gold jewelry demand in the Middle East increased 9 percent to 51.2 million tons, due to lower prices across the region, the WGC said. The “unsurprising” exception was Egypt.

“The emphasis on 22-karat gold at the expense of 21- and 18-carat diamond-set jewelry suggests demand was stronger among domestic consumers relative to western tourists.”

The third quarter in Turkey, which is traditionally strong, saw year-over-year demand increase 14 percent. In value terms, demand was virtually flat, due to a 12 percent decline in the local currency price of the precious metal.

Russia’s growing middle class, armed with greater disposable income, helped generate a 7 percent year-over-year growth in jewelry demand.

“European markets were again the exceptions to the more positive global picture, with both UK (-14%) and Italy (-7%) posting year-over-year declines due to “economic concerns,” WGC said.

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes Website.

Gold jewelry demand for the third quarter of 2013 increased 5 percent year-over-year to 486.7 tons, the World Gold Council said Thursday, marking the best third quarter performance for the precious metal since 2010. 

In terms of value, gold being used for jewelry for the period fell by 15 percent year-over-year, due to a drop in the trading price of the precious metal, according to the WGC’s Gold Demand Trends report for the third quarter of 2013. Demand for the period was worth $20.8 billion, the lowest quarterly value since the third quarter of 2010.

Global growth for the period was led by high-karat gold jewelry purchases in Asia, the Middle East and the US, 

“An almost universal phenomenon in the third quarter was the increasing popularity of higher carat jewelry,” the WGC said in its report. “Across Asia, the Middle East and in the US, higher carat jewelry was noted as an area of particular growth as the increased investment properties associated with gold of higher purity came to the fore. The fact that jewelry retailers in a number of markets were increasingly stocking investment products (small bars and coins) provided further evidence of the greater blurring of the jewelry/investment distinction.”

Consumers in China generated 163.7 tons of jewelry demand in the third quarter, making it by far the largest single jewelry market. The country’s year-to-date, demand of 518 tons already equals the same amount for the full-year 2012.

“To some extent, exhaustion set in towards the end of Q3 after such a frenetic second quarter, but continued expansion of the retail network confirms that the trade sees prospects for growth,” the WGC said.

Increases were reported in 24k jewelry (known as “chuk kam”), which has a purity rating of 95.95 percent and in “four nines” gold (gold jewelry of 99.99% purity, compared with the typical 24-carat purity of 99.95%). The WGC explained that the former is unique to China and is most popular with consumers in lower tier markets and rural areas as an investment hedge.

Mainland Chinese consumers also attributed to a 28 percent increase in gold jewelry consumption in Hong Kong to 7.5 tons.

In the US, the WGC noted that “demand was a key development.” Gold jewelry demand for the third quarter rose 14 percent year-over-year to 43.4 million tons.

With the exception of fourth quarter demand (driven by holiday sales), the third quarter was the first quarter in four years in which gross jewelry demand exceeded recycling—creating net positive jewelry demand,” the WGC said. “Since Q3 2009, gross new quarterly jewelry demand had been exceeded by the recycling of old gold jewelry as distress selling took off during the economic downturn,” WGC said. “Increasingly positive sentiment among US consumers during the third quarter reversed this trend.”

The report also notes a shift towards 18k jewelry from 14k.

“Given recent developments in the US, consumer sentiment has taken a hit early in the fourth quarter, but the seasonal impact, together with prices holding below US$1,400/oz, suggests a certain amount of resilience,” the WGC said.

India, one of the world’s largest markets for gold jewelry, saw demand drop by 23 percent year-over-year to 104.7 tons due to import restrictions imposed by the government. “Demand for gold jewelry among Indian consumers remains strong, but reduced supply has prevented this demand from being fully realized,” the WGC said.

"The smaller Asian markets had robust growth for the period, with the exception of South Korea where weak consumer sentiment and a sluggish domestic economy dampened demand," the WGC said. "Across the rest of the region, there was a trend for higher karat jewelry pieces of relatively simple design as consumers across the region took advantage of gold’s increased affordability."

Gold jewelry demand in the Middle East increased 9 percent to 51.2 million tons, due to lower prices across the region, the WGC said. The “unsurprising” exception was Egypt.

“The emphasis on 22-karat gold at the expense of 21- and 18-carat diamond-set jewelry suggests demand was stronger among domestic consumers relative to western tourists.”

The third quarter in Turkey, which is traditionally strong, saw year-over-year demand increase 14 percent. In value terms, demand was virtually flat, due to a 12 percent decline in the local currency price of the precious metal.

Russia’s growing middle class, armed with greater disposable income, helped generate a 7 percent year-over-year growth in jewelry demand.

“European markets were again the exceptions to the more positive global picture, with both UK (-14%) and Italy (-7%) posting year-over-year declines due to “economic concerns,” WGC said.

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes Website.

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The Pink Star Diamond Fetches World Auction Record Of $83 Million

The 59.6-carat Pink Star diamond lived up to its hype by selling for a world record price of approximately $83.4 million at Sotheby’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels sale Wednesday.

When introducing the internally flawless fancy pink vivid diamond, David Bennett, chairman of Sotheby’s Jewellery Division in Europe and the Middle East, called it “one of the most remarkable gems to ever appear at auction.”

Bidding opened at 48 million Swiss francs and gradually climbed to 64 million Swiss francs. After a pause it quickly climbed to 67 million francs ($73.2 million), shattering its $60 million high estimate. Nervous laughter could be heard on Sotheby’s live feed as the bidding slowly pushed up to the winning bid 68 million Swiss francs. Commission fees pushed the final total to more than 76.3 million Swiss francs ($83.4 million).

The diamond is graded as Type IIa, which is rare for any pink diamond, much less one of this size and color. Cut over a period of two years, The Pink Star is more than twice the size of the Graff Pink—a 24.78-carat fancy intense pink diamond that established a world auction record for a diamond and any gemstone or jewel at $46.2 million, at Sotheby’s Geneva in 2010. The current record price per carat for a fancy vivid pink diamond of $2,155,332 is set by a 5-carat diamond, sold in Hong Kong in January 2009. The current record price for any colored diamond sold at auction is $2,398,151 per carat, for “the Orange,” a 14.82-carat fancy vivid orange diamond that sold a day earlier at Christie’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels auction. The per carat price for the The Pink Star has yet to be released and will be updated.

Cut by Steinmetz Diamonds over a period of nearly two years from a 132.5-carat rough, the diamond was first unveiled to the public in May 2003 as the “Steinmetz Pink.” The stone was first sold privately in 2007 and renamed The Pink Star.

 Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes Website.

The 59.6-carat Pink Star diamond lived up to its hype by selling for a world record price of approximately $83.4 million at Sotheby’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels sale Wednesday.

When introducing the internally flawless fancy pink vivid diamond, David Bennett, chairman of Sotheby’s Jewellery Division in Europe and the Middle East, called it “one of the most remarkable gems to ever appear at auction.”

Bidding opened at 48 million Swiss francs and gradually climbed to 64 million Swiss francs. After a pause it quickly climbed to 67 million francs ($73.2 million), shattering its $60 million high estimate. Nervous laughter could be heard on Sotheby’s live feed as the bidding slowly pushed up to the winning bid 68 million Swiss francs. Commission fees pushed the final total to more than 76.3 million Swiss francs ($83.4 million).

The diamond is graded as Type IIa, which is rare for any pink diamond, much less one of this size and color. Cut over a period of two years, The Pink Star is more than twice the size of the Graff Pink—a 24.78-carat fancy intense pink diamond that established a world auction record for a diamond and any gemstone or jewel at $46.2 million, at Sotheby’s Geneva in 2010. The current record price per carat for a fancy vivid pink diamond of $2,155,332 is set by a 5-carat diamond, sold in Hong Kong in January 2009. The current record price for any colored diamond sold at auction is $2,398,151 per carat, for “the Orange,” a 14.82-carat fancy vivid orange diamond that sold a day earlier at Christie’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels auction. The per carat price for the The Pink Star has yet to be released and will be updated.

Cut by Steinmetz Diamonds over a period of nearly two years from a 132.5-carat rough, the diamond was first unveiled to the public in May 2003 as the “Steinmetz Pink.” The stone was first sold privately in 2007 and renamed The Pink Star.

 Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes Website.

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World’s Largest Orange Diamond Sells For A World Record $35.5 Million

A 14.82-carat fancy vivid orange diamond set two world records as it sold for more than $35.5 million at Christie’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels sale held Tuesday.

Simply called “The Orange,” the gem set a world record for a fancy vivid orange diamond. And at $2,398,151 per carat, it also set a world record price per carat for any colored diamond sold at auction. It shattered its high estimate of $21 million.

“Time and again, a stone will appear on the market that is truly a miracle of nature,” said François Curiel, International head of Christie's Jewellery Department. “The 14.82-carat orange diamond is one such a stone, a rare gem, which will perhaps only be seen once in a lifetime. In the sale on Tuesday, it soared far above all previous records for any orange diamond ever sold at auction, placing The Orange among the greatest pinks and blues, which are traditionally the most appreciated colored diamonds.”

There was little question that the diamond was going to fetch a record price. It is believed to be easily the world’s largest orange diamond. It is approximately three times larger than the two other known large orange diamonds: The 5.54-carat “Pumpkin Diamond,” which was sold privately, and a 4.19 carat fancy vivid orange diamond sold at auction for a record price of $2.95 million in October 2011.

It was the last of the 286 lots that were up for sale at the auction held at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues. 

The bidding opened at 10 million Swiss francs and quickly reached $20 million francs before the bidding slowed and the increments of bids switched from 1 million francs to a half-million. It appeared on the Christie’s live Internet feed that several bidders were in the room competing with those on the phones. Applause followed the winning bid of 29 million francs ($31.6 million). The final total of $35,531,974 million includes fees and commissions.

Pure orange diamonds are exceptionally rare, the auction house said. It is more common to find orange diamonds with secondary colors. The orange color is the result of the presence of nitrogen during the diamond’s creation.

The Gemological Institute of America, which graded the diamond and issued its report, recently said: “Strongly colored diamonds in the orange hue range rarely exceed three or four carats in size when polished. (This diamond) is almost four times larger than that size range. In GIA’s colored diamond grading system, as the color appearance of strongly colored diamonds transitions from orangy yellow to orange the occurrence becomes progressively more rare—that is—the less yellow present the more rarely they occur.”

In the GIA report, the diamond was graded as VS1 clarity, and classified as a Type IA.

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes Website.

A 14.82-carat fancy vivid orange diamond set two world records as it sold for more than $35.5 million at Christie’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels sale held Tuesday.

Simply called “The Orange,” the gem set a world record for a fancy vivid orange diamond. And at $2,398,151 per carat, it also set a world record price per carat for any colored diamond sold at auction. It shattered its high estimate of $21 million.

“Time and again, a stone will appear on the market that is truly a miracle of nature,” said François Curiel, International head of Christie's Jewellery Department. “The 14.82-carat orange diamond is one such a stone, a rare gem, which will perhaps only be seen once in a lifetime. In the sale on Tuesday, it soared far above all previous records for any orange diamond ever sold at auction, placing The Orange among the greatest pinks and blues, which are traditionally the most appreciated colored diamonds.”

There was little question that the diamond was going to fetch a record price. It is believed to be easily the world’s largest orange diamond. It is approximately three times larger than the two other known large orange diamonds: The 5.54-carat “Pumpkin Diamond,” which was sold privately, and a 4.19 carat fancy vivid orange diamond sold at auction for a record price of $2.95 million in October 2011.

It was the last of the 286 lots that were up for sale at the auction held at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues. 

The bidding opened at 10 million Swiss francs and quickly reached $20 million francs before the bidding slowed and the increments of bids switched from 1 million francs to a half-million. It appeared on the Christie’s live Internet feed that several bidders were in the room competing with those on the phones. Applause followed the winning bid of 29 million francs ($31.6 million). The final total of $35,531,974 million includes fees and commissions.

Pure orange diamonds are exceptionally rare, the auction house said. It is more common to find orange diamonds with secondary colors. The orange color is the result of the presence of nitrogen during the diamond’s creation.

The Gemological Institute of America, which graded the diamond and issued its report, recently said: “Strongly colored diamonds in the orange hue range rarely exceed three or four carats in size when polished. (This diamond) is almost four times larger than that size range. In GIA’s colored diamond grading system, as the color appearance of strongly colored diamonds transitions from orangy yellow to orange the occurrence becomes progressively more rare—that is—the less yellow present the more rarely they occur.”

In the GIA report, the diamond was graded as VS1 clarity, and classified as a Type IA.

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Big Pink and Orange Diamonds to Lead Geneva Auctions

The 59.6 carat "Pink Star."

If one would compare major jewelry auctions to prizefights (like I’m doing), than the large, statement diamonds would be the heavyweight contenders. The top prizes in the heavyweight division this year are extremely rare fancy colored diamonds that will be put up for auction in Geneva this week by Sotheby’s and Christie’s.

Sotheby’s on Wednesday will be offering what it calls “the most valuable diamond ever to come to auction” as part of its Magnificent Jewels sale. The Pink Star is a 59.6 carat internally flawless fancy pink vivid diamond and has a pre-sale estimate in excess of $60 million.

The diamond is graded as Type IIa, which rare for a pink diamond of this size and color. Cut over a period of two years, The Pink Star is more than twice the size of the Graff Pink—a 24.78-carat fancy intense pink diamond that established a world auction record for a diamond and any gemstone or jewel at $46.2 million, at Sotheby’s Geneva in 2010. The current record price per carat for a fancy vivid pink diamond ($2,155,332) set by a 5-carat diamond, sold in Hong Kong in January 2009.

Cut by Steinmetz Diamonds from a 132.5-carat rough, the diamond was first unveiled to the public in May 2003 as the “Steinmetz Pink.” The stone was first sold privately in 2007 and renamed The Pink Star.

In total, the Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels sale will comprise over 370 lots, including iconic jewels, such as the “Walska Briolette Diamond” brooch with an estimate in excess of $8 million. The total sale has a pre-sale estimate of $123 million to $167 million.

The 14,82 carat "Orange"

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, not to be outdone, Christie’s will sell the largest fancy vivid orange diamond ever to appear at auction at its Magnificent Jewels sale. Weighing approximately 14.82 carats, this diamond, called simply “The Orange,” is expected to fetch between $17 million and $21 million.

Pure orange diamonds are exceptionally rare, the auction house said. It is more common to find orange diamonds with secondary colors. The orange color is the result of the presence of nitrogen during the diamond’s creation. Among the very few fancy vivid orange diamonds that were ever sold at auction, the largest was the “Pumpkin Diamond” 5.54 carats. The Orange is more than double that size. A 4.19 carat fancy vivid orange diamond sold at auction for a record price of $2.95 million in October 2011.

Other items being presented at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction include three jewels from the world famous collection of Bolivian tycoon Simón Itturi Patiño, with the highlight being an emerald and diamond necklace by Cartier, 1937. The ‘Property of Hélène Rochas’ will include 18 lots, with a rare diamond and colored diamond ‘Tiger’ shoulder brooch, by Boivin. The Art Deco period will be represented by HRH Princess Faiza of Egypt emerald drop and diamond necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels, 1929, and an “Orientalist” emerald and diamond sautoir by Cartier, 1926.

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes Website.

The 59.6 carat "Pink Star."

If one would compare major jewelry auctions to prizefights (like I’m doing), than the large, statement diamonds would be the heavyweight contenders. The top prizes in the heavyweight division this year are extremely rare fancy colored diamonds that will be put up for auction in Geneva this week by Sotheby’s and Christie’s.

Sotheby’s on Wednesday will be offering what it calls “the most valuable diamond ever to come to auction” as part of its Magnificent Jewels sale. The Pink Star is a 59.6 carat internally flawless fancy pink vivid diamond and has a pre-sale estimate in excess of $60 million.

The diamond is graded as Type IIa, which rare for a pink diamond of this size and color. Cut over a period of two years, The Pink Star is more than twice the size of the Graff Pink—a 24.78-carat fancy intense pink diamond that established a world auction record for a diamond and any gemstone or jewel at $46.2 million, at Sotheby’s Geneva in 2010. The current record price per carat for a fancy vivid pink diamond ($2,155,332) set by a 5-carat diamond, sold in Hong Kong in January 2009.

Cut by Steinmetz Diamonds from a 132.5-carat rough, the diamond was first unveiled to the public in May 2003 as the “Steinmetz Pink.” The stone was first sold privately in 2007 and renamed The Pink Star.

In total, the Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels sale will comprise over 370 lots, including iconic jewels, such as the “Walska Briolette Diamond” brooch with an estimate in excess of $8 million. The total sale has a pre-sale estimate of $123 million to $167 million.

The 14,82 carat "Orange"

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, not to be outdone, Christie’s will sell the largest fancy vivid orange diamond ever to appear at auction at its Magnificent Jewels sale. Weighing approximately 14.82 carats, this diamond, called simply “The Orange,” is expected to fetch between $17 million and $21 million.

Pure orange diamonds are exceptionally rare, the auction house said. It is more common to find orange diamonds with secondary colors. The orange color is the result of the presence of nitrogen during the diamond’s creation. Among the very few fancy vivid orange diamonds that were ever sold at auction, the largest was the “Pumpkin Diamond” 5.54 carats. The Orange is more than double that size. A 4.19 carat fancy vivid orange diamond sold at auction for a record price of $2.95 million in October 2011.

Other items being presented at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction include three jewels from the world famous collection of Bolivian tycoon Simón Itturi Patiño, with the highlight being an emerald and diamond necklace by Cartier, 1937. The ‘Property of Hélène Rochas’ will include 18 lots, with a rare diamond and colored diamond ‘Tiger’ shoulder brooch, by Boivin. The Art Deco period will be represented by HRH Princess Faiza of Egypt emerald drop and diamond necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels, 1929, and an “Orientalist” emerald and diamond sautoir by Cartier, 1926.

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes Website.

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Christmas Ornament Bead Tutorial

 

I don't know where the time has gone, but it is surely flying, and we are soon to enter the Christmas season!  I know that I have been very busy, but I wanted to post this because I just completed my first Etsy bead tutorial!  I love the season of Christmas!  Especially here in New York, where we have the big tree in Rockefeller Center.  It is usually topped by a large Swarovski crystal ornament!  These ornaments which I created have Swarovski crystal as well, and are easy to make.  Follow the link to purchase the pattern https://www.etsy.com/listing/168288028/simple-netted-christmas-ornament-cover.

 

Happy Holiday's!

Happy Beading!



 

I don't know where the time has gone, but it is surely flying, and we are soon to enter the Christmas season!  I know that I have been very busy, but I wanted to post this because I just completed my first Etsy bead tutorial!  I love the season of Christmas!  Especially here in New York, where we have the big tree in Rockefeller Center.  It is usually topped by a large Swarovski crystal ornament!  These ornaments which I created have Swarovski crystal as well, and are easy to make.  Follow the link to purchase the pattern https://www.etsy.com/listing/168288028/simple-netted-christmas-ornament-cover.

 

Happy Holiday's!

Happy Beading!



reade more... Résuméabuiyad