Category Archives: Diamond Talk

I am continuously asked about the reality of conflict-free diamonds, the truth is, there is no such thing. Many poor countries have long regarded the Kimberly Process as a plot by Western countries to control the diamond trade — and … Continue reading →

Rose-cut belongs to the ‘antique’ family of diamond cuts introduced as early as the 1500′s. By the mid-16th century, various forms of the rose-cut diamonds were developed, derived from the preceding types of cuts. A flat base and a crown … Continue reading →

Pink. It’s on everyone’s lips this month. And we’re not talking lipstick color. It’s the buzz surrounding a fabulous pink diamond that blew away all expectations at auction recently. Touted as a rare ‘vivid pink’ nearly flawless 5 carat cushion … Continue reading →

Britain’s 84-year-old monarch laid a wreath at the site of the World Trade Center, to pay tribute to the victims of the September 11th terror attacks and spoke with several families who lost loved ones on 9/11. The queen praised … Continue reading →

Iraq – SGT Vernon W. Riley of the 3d ACR Vernon W. Riley hasn’t seen his wife or son for two Christmas’s so I dedicate this Newsletter to his family and his generous and noble words of appreciation. Our thanks … Continue reading →

Asking if it should really take 15 years for such an experienced company as De Beers to conclude that Marange fields diamonds were of no value to them, Charamba commented on the fact that De Beers hurriedly pulled out and … Continue reading →

The U.S. Marshals Service for the Northern District of Ohio auctioned a 43.51ct, fancy-intense, internally flawless, yellow diamond graded by the the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) on June 8, 2011 for $2,843,623 or about $65,355 per carat. This diamond’s … Continue reading →

The planned diamond mine at the centre of an international controversy over the forced relocation of Botswana’s Bushmen has been shelved due to the global recession. Demand for diamonds has collapsed in recent months, and all Botswana’s diamond mines closed … Continue reading →

ONE BILLION REASONS BANK ASKS DE BEERS FOR COLLATERAL The De Beers 2009 financial results indicated that the company’s market influence still extends well beyond the 40 percent global production share it holds. Indeed, Chairman Nicky Oppenheimer shared that De … Continue reading →

Currently in vogue and enjoying great popularity, ‘fancy diamonds’ offer a fascinating palette of colors of varying intensity, which amongst other factors, can greatly determine value. The unique colors of fancy diamonds are naturally caused by ‘impurities’ in the stone, … Continue reading →