The report shows that couples are searching for vintage and antique rings, gold jewelry, pearls, and colorful pieces.
The reasons behind the big diamond finds
I feel as though I’ve written a fair number of “large rough unearthed” stories in recent months, so many, in fact, that I began to wonder: Has this been an unusually active year for finding rough diamonds that are 100 carats or larger?
The two largest, publicized finds to date in 2014 belong to Vancouver-based Lucara Diamond Corp.: a 259-carat piece of rough and a 239-carat piece of rough, both found at the company’s Karowe mine in Botswana.
These two huge finds were part of a larger haul the diamond company removed from Karowe in the second quarter, a bounty that included 13 diamonds larger than 100 carats, eight of which were gem-quality. In addition to these two 200-carat-plus diamonds, the company found two rough diamonds weighing 153 carats each and a 133-carat stone.
The third biggest gem-quality rough find of the year was a very recent one: Gem Diamonds Ltd. discovered a 198-carat “exceptional white” Type IIa rough diamond (pictured above) late last month at its Letšeng mine in Lesotho, a small nation entirely enveloped within South Africa. The rarest type of diamond on earth, Type IIa’s contain no measurable nitrogen or boron impurities, and colorless Type IIa stones are known for their exceptional color and clarity.
The discovery of this 198-carat piece of rough comes in addition to Gem’s unearthing of a 162.06-carat Type IIa diamond and a 161.74-carat Type I stone earlier this year, also at Letšeng.
And, of course, I cannot omit the 122.52-carat piece of blue rough (pictured below) Petra Diamonds Ltd. pulled out of the Cullinan mine in South Africa, a stone that could set a new world record price for a rough diamond when it’s sold.
Given all of these large rough finds, which are sure to yield some exceptional polished diamonds, I asked Martin Potts, research director for mining at London-based financial advisory firm finnCap, if, comparatively speaking, 2014 has been a year in which miners have found an unusually high number of large rough diamonds.
He said “probably yes,” and it is mostly due to the Karowe mine. Fully commissioned by the second quarter of 2012, the mine has proved to be a consistent supplier of large stones, which was not necessarily expected to be the case when the mine was built.
Also contributing to the wealth of big diamonds coming up is the fact that Gem Diamonds is mining in Letšeng’s satellite pipe again, which historically has been the source of most of the mine’s large stones, Potts said.
And, as Russell Shor, a senior industry analyst with the Gemological Institute of America, points out, it is a mine with quite a history.
“The latest find,” Shor observes, “is not unusual for this particular mine.”
He adds that the Cullinan mine, which produced the 122.52-carat blue stone this year that could shatter the world rough diamond price record, also historically has been a prolific source of significant stones.
It is the source of one-fourth of all diamonds more than 100 carats in size, including the largest rough diamond discovered to date: a 3,106-carat piece of rough aptly named the Cullinan diamond.
The Latest
He’s remembered as a “font of passion,” leaving behind a legacy of dedication to his craft and community.
The first one will take place next month during the Jewelers of Louisiana’s and Mississippi Jewelers Association’s conventions.
For over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
The redesigned boutique features interactive displays and a workshop space for hands-on learning about watchmaking.
There is a willingness to comply with new government-mandated regulations, with an insistence that they should be practical and realistic.
A combination of factors is driving growth in the industry despite the precipitous drop in prices across the board.
Ho Brothers offers scalable solutions for the future of custom jewelry.
The zone’s modernization will enhance and increase India’s jewelry manufacturing capabilities while aiding small and mid-sized businesses.
By the end of this year, SRK’s diamond manufacturing complexes will achieve net zero emissions, one of an impressive array of achievements.
The company plans to invest $25 million in marketing initiatives to boost awareness around its namesake and licensed brands.
Optimism about the current state of the economy was offset by anxiety around inflation and the political environment.
The former WJA executive director is MFM’s new managing director.
DDG encourages retailers to educate customers on the positive impact of purchasing natural diamonds.
Highlighting the most iconic Tiffany collections, it’s inspired by the company’s late window designer, Gene Moore.
Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen explore how jewelers can save time and money by using AI to analyze engagement and create content.
The retailer previously turned down an $8.4 billion offer in 2018.
The Florida store’s owner Miguel Gonzalez is retiring.
The lab stresses the importance of accurate identification, as the difference in price is “substantial.”
The brand also plans to expand its retail footprint from 138 to 200 stores over the next three years.
One is reserved for a NAJA member, the other for a non-member.
Longtime employees Carie Lehrke and Megan Mattice have received promotions.
Three guests joined National Jeweler and Jewelers of America to discuss trending time periods, spotting reproductions, and more.
Chris Clipper and Robert Lepere join the company with 50 years of combined experience.
The trendy, metallic earrings wink at classic spring colors.
JSA said a man and woman pulled the safe out of an Oakland jewelry store but couldn’t quite get it into their van.
The miner’s March auction generated $19 million.