It’s bee one heck of a crazy year in the jewelry industry. We’ve had everything from jaw-droppingly huge diamonds, to jaw-droppingly dumb places to put diamonds, and everything in between. We’ve said goodbye to a legend, but greeted a new one, and even taken part in some good deeds. So let’s take a moment to relive some of the highlights from the past year, it’s been an amazing ride.
We started out the year by saying farewell to a giant in the industry, Elizabeth Taylor. Known for her many loves in life, she was married 8 times after all, but the thing that she was most famous for was her jewelry. From the “it’s Tuesday, I love you” presents to rings won in a match of ping pong, and her own self-proclaimed passion for all things that sparkled, she was able to amass the “greatest private collection of jewelry ever assembled in one place. And when they labeled the collection The Crown Jewels of Hollywood, they weren’t kidding. Aside from the sheer volume, rarity, and value of the pieces, which is staggering, many items had been part of actual crown jewels at one time or another. So when it came time to auction off her collection, everyone waited with baited breath to see just how much it would all be worth.
Well it turns out, more than anyone’s wildest dreams. The collection was valued at a mere 30 million dollars by the experts at Christie’s. But when the final hammer fell the jewels had sold for a mind-numbing 137.2 million dollars, 116 million just from the first night’s sales alone. Many items broke records including the highest price ever paid for a pearl with the sale of La Peregrina for $11.8 million. There was so much excitement around this sale that there was a fierce bidding war for a set of paper “joke” jewelry. That’s right, thousands of dollars for paper! Well we hope that the new owners of Ms. Taylor’s baubles love them as much as she did.
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| Photo : Christie's Ltd. |
Now not even Elizabeth Taylor’s huge diamonds could compete with an entire planet made of diamond. Yes, you read that right; astronomers have discovered a planet that seems to be made of extremely dense carbon which scientists have calculated to be mostly diamond. Scientists believe that he planet is probably the remnant of a large star. However the most important question, that of how on earth can we get up there and mine that stuff, they seem to have ignored completely. I feel sure that they will come to their senses soon and then we all can have gigantic Elizabeth Taylor sized diamonds of our very own!
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| Photo : Reuters / Handout |
But just in case you can’t wait for that, and you happen to have a few million dollars lying around, there humongous diamonds right here on earth that you can buy, one example being the Sun Drop Diamond. This 110.3 carat diamond is graded fancy vivid yellow, the highest and most coveted color grading level possible. The dazzling yellow color is caused by nitrogen atoms that were trapped within the carbon molecules during the diamond’s formation millions of years ago. This record breaking diamond sold at auction for a steal at $12.4 million dollars. That’s a little steep for me, but I could always tape the photo to my hand and dream a little right?
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| Photo : Anja Niedringhaus |
And while I’m dreaming, I’ll pretend that I’m the world’s newest style icon, Kate Middleton. Millions watched the real life fairytale of a commoner marrying her prince this past April. And more stunning than the church, or her dress, or even her Prince Charming, was her jewelry! The newly minted Duchess of Cambridge made a true princess statement with a tiara made of Precious Platinum which was loaned to her by none other than the Queen. And let me tell you, the Queen has one or two pieces of gorgeous jewelry to loan. Kate then accessorized with dazzling platinum and diamond drop earrings designed and given to her by her parents. She of course also wore her stunning engagement ring which is also platinum with a large Sapphire surrounded with diamonds and is part of the legacy left behind by the late Diana, Princess of Wales. It is already evident that Kate is worthy of stepping into Diana’s shoes.
Unfortunately the American version of the royal wedding did not fare too well. Of course I am speaking of the ill-fated 72 day marriage of Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries. However, this is a jewelry blog, and that’s the best thing that came out of the union after all. And this bling was spectacular weighing in at 20.5 carats. I’m amazed that she was able to lift her left hand with it on! Fortunately it seems that Kim will be able to keep her sparkler because I personally can’t wait to see what she does with it!
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| Photo : Clint Brewer/Splash News |
Also fortunate for us is that the people of India really love diamonds, really. Because they came out with not only a vending machine to dispense them, but contacts to wear them on! These gold plated contact lenses are custom made and feature 18 tiny diamonds. Creator Chandrashekhar Chawan believes that the diamond encrusted lenses will be a big hit. “We always talk eye to eye, and if your eyes are sparkling with diamonds… their eyes will be glued to you and your personality.” He even believes that the sparkly eye-pieces will become the new engagement ring. The price for looking demonically, I mean, lovingly at your sweetheart? A cool $15,000.
But if you thought that was strange, let’s now turn our attention to those vending machines. The new ‘Go for Gold’ Diamond ATM made headlines by not only dispensing gold and silver bars, and coins, but actual diamond jewelry. The machine utilizes a touch screen and gives customers and choice of around 36 different pieces in varying sizes, designs and price points ranging from $20 to $160 dollars. So men, did you forget your anniversary? Well if you’re in Mumbai, just swing by and let the ‘Go for Gold’ machine save the day!
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| Photo : Shekhar Eye Group |
But my favorite story originated right here, at Union Diamond. In September we announced the My Perfect Union contest in which one deserving member of the U.S. Armed Forces could win a $40,000 Platinum Diamond Engagement Ring by Natalie K featuring a 1 carat diamond that was D in color and Internally Flawless. We received over 240 incredible nominations filled with stories of bravery and honor. We were humbled by your stories and uplifted by your courage and perseverance. Out of the hundreds, a winner was chosen, and he is incredibly deserving of not only the prize, but of our immense gratitude.
Michael is currently an active duty Army Wounded Warrior and a recipient of the Purple Heart. Wounded in Afghanistan when the convoy he was leading was ambushed, he pushed through his debilitating injuries until he was sure that every man and woman in his group was safely out of the kill zone. Unfortunately Michael was severely wounded in the attack and has undergone 11 surgeries to date on his face and hands, but he hasn’t lost hope because he is not alone. He has another hero with him, his wife Jill. Jill has dropped everything to become Michael’s primary caregiver and is an unlimited source of strength for him. They are the Perfect Union and so deserving of this ring and our humble and sincere thanks.
We are so glad that we have been able to share this past year with you. It’s been one incredible ride!
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