Glittering Stones News,Diamonds news,Gems and jewelry news

GIA Gem Project

The Gemological Institute of America has recently launched a gem project comprising of data collected from gemstones in Edward J Gubelin collection. The institute acquired the collection in 2005 and the online resource includes photo, description and gemological properties for each sample.

For the public and the trade, the GIA gem project is free at anytime from anywhere in the world. The information about the gemstones is available in PDF format.

For more information about GIA gem project, visit www.gia.edu/GIA-Gem-Project.

On Friday, the Petra Diamond Limited sold the Cullinan Heritage diamond00 for $35.3 million. It is the highest sale price record ever achieved for a rough diamond.

Cullinan heritage diamond was sold on tender in South Africa and was purchased by a Hong Kong Company Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Company Limited.

The Cullinan Heritage - 507ct white diamond (Image Src - miningweekly)

Johannesburg – The 507 carat egg sized white diamond discovered by Petra Diamonds in Cullinan Mine South Africa has been named “the Cullinan Heritage”. The stone is put on for sale this week by Petra Diamonds. It is one of the 20 largest high quality rough diamonds ever to be found in the earth.

The name Cullinan Heritage is derived has the stone origin from Cullinan mine which has produced majority of worlds famous diamonds and its day of recovery. The day was heritage day in South Africa.

The company is expecting to sell 100 gram diamond for $ 25 million. Actually, the analyst has placed the diamond price at around $20 million, but it is expected a raise in diamond’s sales prices due to buyers demand and rising of rough diamond prices. Its sale enhances the company annual financial results.

The level of interest for Cullinan Heritage is getting increased in diamond market which began in early October.

The Petra says that, it is rare to view diamond of such size and quality which is to be sold and people shows more interest in viewing the diamond and bidding it.

The company listed on London alternative investment market had a first half profit on higher production and sales, and adjustments related to Cullinan mine.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Thailand will host its 33rd gemstone gathering on February 24 2010. In the gathering, Mr. Richard W. Wise, a graduate gemologist and president of R.W. Wise goldsmiths will share his experience as a gem explorer and author.

Richard who began his career as a goldsmith has traveled from the ruby mines of upper Burma to the outback of Australia and Brazil hinterland for black pearl farms of Tahiti in search of rare and beautiful gemstones. Also, he interviewed the world famous gemstone experts and received their entrée for private collections. He recently completed his first novel, the French blue based upon the life of the 17th century gem dealer jean baptiste Tavernier.

Richard’s “Secrets Of The Gem Trade, The Connoisseur’s Guide To Precious Gemstones“, presents a variation of classic 4 C’s applied to the grading diamonds which he calls The Four C’s of Connoisseurship” or the four factors for quality-grading colored gemstones and pearls. Wise discuss the history and use of these four factors as they relate to grade ruby and sapphire.

The event begins at 6 pm in Pacific Rooms 1 – 3. Light refreshments will be provided.

Venue
Pan Pacific Bangkok Hotel,
952 Rama IV Road, Bangkok 10500.

Event gatherings are eligible for an autographed copy of the French Blue.

The Responsible Jewellery Council issued a statement to its members regarding the caution in dealing the diamonds illegally smuggled out of the marange field in Zimbabwe.

The council reminded its member that no one should trade in exported Marange diamonds and members should demonstrate the due diligence as they comply with the KPCS and world diamond system of warranties. Also, they instructed the members to exercise extreme caution when buying rough diamonds from the market and ensure that the diamond do not originate from marange due to KPCS current suspension. Since Zimbabwe is under KP examine, all exports from marange must bear the signature on KP certificate.

The council reported that the placing of auditors for extra level of vigilance on potential for non-conformances in the area will be ensured. Updation for auditors regarding the training delivered by RJC and alerts on relevant developments will be provided.