Friday, March 29, 2013

$50M Diamond Heist & International Museum of Emeralds

 International Museum of Emeralds, the name truly says it all! We have been in the Colombian emerald business for over 20 years. These gorgeous and mystifying stones never cease to amaze me.

 We currently have in our possession 11 of these incredible specimens from the International Museum of Emeralds in Bogota, Colombia. And they are FOR SALE. This is the ONLY time the specimens have been out of the museum. I had posted pictures in the last Blog entry but here's a few more....  Serious inquiries only! (we do have more pictures on our facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/j.r.colombianemeralds.corp )




  The prices for the specimens depends on the crystal and on the color. But how wonderful would it be to actually own an item that was once housed in a museum dedicated to Colombian Emeralds? We can be reached at 1 800 840 6828 for details.

  I was surprised that there wasn't much was in the news about the $50 million Diamond heist that happened at the Brussels airport in Belgium last month in February.  The stones were being transported to the cargo hold on an airplane going to Switzerland when 7 black cars and flashing blue lights stormed the tarmac. (I always wondered what goes in the cargo hold, who knew diamonds and jewels!) Eight men with assault rifles seized the 120 parcels of diamonds.  None of the passengers, the crew or even the police were aware of what had happened.

  Ten years ago to the week when the biggest diamond heist ever took place back in 2003 in Antwerp. A reported 100 million dollars worth of diamonds was taken from an impregnable vault in diamond district of Antwerp. Supposedly that heist was done by a crew of very knowledgeable and seasoned thieves (sounds like it would be a great movie) led by Leonardo Notarbartolo. At the time of current robbery he was  incarcerated and had no knowledge. I'm assuming more details about this heist will come to light in the future.

There are always interesting lots that come up for Auction at the major auction houses. this one definitely wont go unnoticed. Fabulous and the beginning of the Italian actresses that stormed on Hollywood in the 40's and 50's. Gina Lollobrigida's is auctioning 11 pieces from her Bulgari collection. These are items that she had collected during important moments in her life. Here are a few pieces that are going up for auction on May 14th at Christies. There are also a few gems from unnamed noble families, Ive included those pictures too. They're all incredible~


                 Emerald and Diamond brooch, emeerald weighs 27.57cts

            Gorgeous emerald and two row diamond ring, emerald weighs 16.62cts

                                                                                                                                                 
                   Stunning 19.03cts Cushion cut Diamond Ring



Diamond and Emerald ear pendants


Necklace and Bracelet combination that she also wore as a tiara


                   Always a stunning woman, here she is in the 1950's

         Wearing fabulous gems in the 1980's (seriously this woman has not aged at all!

  And I couldnt believe it myself but Napoleon's ring he had given to Josephine for their engagement, a small sapphire and diamond ring that is less than 1 carats sold at auction or $1 million dollars. they had projected the sale to be around $23,000 but with the historic significance of this ring I can see why it sold for such a high price.

Napoloens engagement ring presented to Josephine, less than 1.0ct sapphire and diamond ring

                 This has been a quick and news filled year so far!
 But making more news and had come as a surprise to us was the sale of Famed jeweler to everyone, Harry Winston.  We didn’t even see that one coming!  But late last year we were hearing grumblings that Harry Winston was in trouble financial and was possibly thinking of selling. When a there’s a storey, it usually comes from somewhere. All but which harry Winston had denied. So now the famous jeweler is owned by, wait for it, Swatch! Is that going to change tht look of the brand? I have somewhat fond memories of the plastic watches that were all the rage when the brand was first debuted in the 80’s.
Winston currently has 21 operating retail salons worldwide , 21 directly operated retail salons worldwide, four licensed salons, and a line of watches which are just to fabulous for words. 

   From all of us at JR Colombian Emeralds we wish everyone a happy Good Friday and a Happy Easter!
Keep sparkling, until next time!

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Wolrds Largest D Color Diamond 101.73cts & International Museum of Emeralds~

We have very special news to announce~ For the FIRST time, 11 Colombian Emerald specimens are leaving their home at the International Emerald Museum in Bogota, Colombia and are on loan to JR Jewels in Jupiter, Florida USA for a very limited time. These specimens are for SALE, SERIOUS Inquiries only!! We can be reached at 1 800 840 6828.
  These exquisite specimens have been seen by thousands of people since the inception of the museum. Noticing that the Smithsonian has a Hall dedicated to the world’s largest and best diamonds Alberto Sepulveda was thinking that if Colombia has the best emeralds why not a museum for them? He has been collecting these spectacular gems and specimens for over thirty years. With the help of Herbert King an actor, they opened a museum in Bogota featuring the world’s best Emeralds.

  This is the only museum in the world that just features Colombian emeralds. With over 3,ooo of the best Colombian emerald specimens, jewelry and carvings it is a sight to see! 




   
   This quality of Colombian emerald specimens are coveted the world over by collectors and other museum curators. These pieces are also for sale. The largest of the specimens has over 200 emerald crystals in the specimen.




  These 11 incredible Colombian Emerald specimens can be viewed specially at our showroom at JR Jewels (we are the only wholesaler of Colombian Emeralds in Florida)


 There’s other big news in the jewelry world. Christies Auction House is set to auction the largest D colour diamond EVER in Geneva on the May 15 2013. It is difficult to judge the size, but it is a whopping 101.73cts! This is the first time it is being offered for sale. From the research that I have done I’m figuring that this stone was found about 2 years ago. The stone was carved from a rough diamond that weighed 236 carats.   It meets every criteria for an excellent quality gem and can possible command in excess of 20 million.

                            Glorious 101.73ct Pear shaped Diamond
 
  This whopper of a diamond is not only one of the largest pear-shaped diamonds ever seen but it is also one of the world's most perfect diamonds that is D color. This incredible diamond was mined at the Jwaneng diamond mine in Botswana. Only about 1-2% of the diamonds mined in the world such as the famous Cullinan and the Koh-I-Noor have this grading.
 There hasn’t been an estimate as to how much this stone will be auctioned for, but I’m sure it’s going to set many world records! Is it possible for this stone to reach an auction price of 40 million? We’ll see who in the diamond world has deep pockets. You can believe that many of the top Jewelry houses in the world will be vying for this top gem.  And after the stone is purchased the new owners will give this stone a name.  Because every great diamond needs name!

                  The yet unnamed 101.73ct Pear shaped Diamond

  Recently auctions for vintage jewelry and large white diamonds have been setting auction records. If you remember the last large diamond that was up for auction was “The Duke” or the Archduke Joseph diamond which weighs 76.45cts and had a pre-sale estimate of $15 million.  That Diamond and had sold for $21.5 million.  This stone was owned by Alfredo J. Molina, chairman of California-based jeweler Black, Starr & Frost. The winning bidder, who wished to remain anonymous, is going to donate the diamond for display at a museum. So in the meantime that lovely stone is awaiting its moment of glory at the chosen museum. It’ll be great to actually view that stone in person~

                       The Archduke Joseph Diamond 76.43cts

 Larger white diamonds have been selling well at the auction house. After a small slump in larger stones and items of jewelry (who can forget the incredible and news worthy jewelry from dame Elizabeth Taylors estate?)

 I was searching on Christies site to see what other jewels are going to be auctioned with the Pear Diamond, my mind is spinning with all the possibilities!

                                  Keep sparkling til next time~

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Oscar Jewelry Rundown! The Best and the Blingiest!

 Awards season, one of the best indications other than Fashion week ( going on now in Paris) as to the newest styles, trends, and colors that we are sure to see the following season. This past Oscar show, and from what we have heard there was some good and not so good reviews. Me personally, I think it was a tad boring!  The best part of the show other than watching the winners is the red carpet with all of those divine dresses. And I have to tell you, I do not think that Seth was the best host either!

We were amazed at the sea of colors that we saw, and the style of the dresses, mostly vintage haute couture (how fabulous!)

 The girls on the red carpet shown brightly in vibrant  Jane Fonda in that canary yellow Versace ( did we mention she's 75??) with her sparkling Chopard 25.0cts Yellow diamond chandelier earrings. Many actresses opted to go for  vintage jewelry from the best fashion houses.

 One of the actresses that caught our eye was Charlize Therons in US$4.5 million worth of Harry Winston diamonds: emerald-cut earstuds at 5ct each (US$1.6 million); vintage 1959 diamond lattice bracelet, 58.07ct; vintage 1959 cluster bracelet 57.30ct; diamond marquise lattice bracelet; and marquise-cut diamond cluster ring, all set in platinum. They were spectacular! And paired with her stunning white form dress, she was definitely statuesque!

Jane Fondas fabulous canary yellow Versace gown, not bad for 75!

                         Chopards 25.0cts yellow diamond chandelier earrings

              Charlize Therons white column dress by Dior, shes their spokesperson



Now that's alot of sparkle! Gives you an idea of how large the bracelets are

                             Harry Winston vintage diamond bracelet in platinum
 Singer Norah Jones wore these incredible Kimberly McDonald for Forevermark diamond bangles.  Wish we could of seen these in person, in love with the uniqueness of these!

         Worn by singer/songwriter Norah Jones, Kimberly McDonald for Forever mark diamond bangles
Singer/songwriter Norah Jones

    And of course everyone had their tongues wagging when it came to Best Actress in a Leading Role Winner Jennifer Lawrence wore Chopard with a pair of white gold diamond earrings featuring rose-cut pear-shaped diamonds (12cts), round-cut diamonds (9cts) and brilliants, a white gold long necklace set with diamond beads (73cts) and brilliants, a ring featuring three platinum flowers set with rose-cut diamonds (6cts) and brilliant-cut diamonds (2cts) and a white gold ring from the Ice Cube Collection set with diamonds (4 cts). Her dress by Gucci was simple and stunning and captured her youth and innocence!

              She truly glows! Beautiful dress with simple large diamond jewelry!

  As it was reported and by Anne herself she switched gowns at the last moment because her Costar from Le Mis Amanda Seyfried wore a dress that was similar to Annes Valentino. She switched to a simple Prada sheath gown, but still wore the same jewelry she was going to wear with the other dress. But not without a huge tantrum from what we've heard! I think that this dress needed big earrings and not so much of a busy necklace. The necklace by Tiffany, was exquisite with alot of detail, but you weren't able to view it. The necklace was in to much competition with the straps of her dress.

Tiffany & Co diamond "Corsage" necklace, love the flower detail! (reportedly worth $354,300)

 And another personal favorite in a sea of neutrals and pastels was Jennifer Garners purple hued dress by Gucci accented with 2.5million dollars of diamonds by Neil Lane. The simple silhouette of the front of the dress really focused on her divine figure, AND she's had 3 children! She looked just breathless. Jennifer was wearing an antique diamond bib style necklace in black rhodium. Plus her bracelet, and her best accessory, her gorgeous husband and Oscar winner Ben Affleck. What girl wouldn't be happy to be on his arm!

                    Close up of Jennifer Garners diamond bracelets by Neil Lane

                Antique diamond bib necklace by Neil Lane in Black rhodium


                            Love the color of her dress and the ruffle detail 


                            
                       And her best accessory is her gorgeous hubby Ben affleck, lucky girl!

 One of my all time favorite moments it happened on the red carpet a few years ago. Oprah Winfrey was at an event on the red carpet and a reporter had asked her the obligatory question, "who's jewelry are you wearing?" She replied, "My own", now my darlings that's rich!

                                           Keep Sparkling, until next time~