#Auction Upcoming Fine Jewelry Auction at Bonham's NY Features Hollywood Royalty

via Press Release from Bonhams

The October 13 Fine Jewelry auction at Bonhams New York features an extensive and distinguished collection of diamond rings, alongside an assortment of one-of-a-kind character pieces, such as a glamorous retro, amethyst gold ring once owned by Hollywood starlet Marlene Dietrich.

Among the top lots is an elegant green diamond and diamond ring, signed Golkonda, weighing more than three carats and set within a circular pink diamond surround (estimate $350,000-$450,000, photo above). Golkonda pieces are recognized for superior cutting and polishing with an impressive understanding of balance and design. The brand merges ancient tradition and modern technology in each jewel.

Also of note is a suite of 18-karat gold, tiger's eye and diamond jewels, signed by Kutchinsky and featuring a remarkable pendant set with a carved tiger's eye drop and suspending a gold rope tassle (estimate $8,000-$12,000, photo to left).

"The eclectic nature of this sale offers something for everyone, whether it is a tradition colorless diamond, a fabulous piece of signed jewelry, or a chic splash of color," said Bonhams' Vice President, U.S. Jewelry Department Susan F. Abeles.

Other auction highlights include:

A retro amethyst and 18-karat gold ring, circa 1940
estimate $3,000-$5,000

• Centering a rectangular-cut amethyst, accented by a scrolling gallery; possibly Paul Flato; 

   amethyst weighs approximately 60.00 carats; size 9;
• Formally the property of Marlene Dietrich gifted to members of the present family;
• Marlene Dietrich was known worldwide for her influential style both on and off the stage 

   and silver screen. She often adorned herself with large colorful chunky gemstones set in 

   dramatic designs from Paul Flato, Trabert Hoffer & Mauboussin, and Van Cleef & Arpels.

A diamond ring, Harry Winston, 1949 (shown on the Catalog Cover)

estimate $70,000-$90,000

• Of crossover design, set with two triangular-cut diamonds, weighing 3.64 and 4.80 carats; with baguette-cut diamond shoulders;
• Estimated remaining diamond weight: 1.19 carats; size 7 ¼.

An Emerald & Diamond Ring

estimate $250,000 - 350,000

• Featuring a cushion cut Columbian Emerald weighing 32.20 carats
• within an openwork pavé-set diamond mount, with marquise-cut diamond detail

ABOUT BONHAMS FINE JEWELRYBonhams handles and sells more jewelry lots each year than any other international house and has more dedicated jewelry auctions annually. Bonhams Jewelry Department is a highly regarded and respected force in the global market place. With dedicated teams based in Asia, Europe and America, Bonhams is able to offer a service of unparalleled responsiveness.

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son & Neale. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street and Knightsbridge; and a further three in the UK regions and Scotland. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Connecticut in the USA; and Germany, France, Monaco, Hong Kong and Australia. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments go to  www.bonhams.com

#GandG Summer 2015 Gems & Gemology: A Focus on Gem Inclusions

Summer 2015 Gems & Gemology: 
A Focus on Gem Inclusions

The beauty and value of inclusions, double stars, 
and corundum from Tajikistan

The Summer 2015 issue of Gems & Gemology (G&G), GIA’s quarterly professional journal, takes a deep look at gem inclusions, including how they are documented using modern digital photography and image-processing software, how some interact with light inside a fashioned gem to produce a rare form of asterism, and the value that might be gained by studying them. The issue, which also debuts a new quarterly column on gem inclusions called “Micro-World” and features an examination of corundum from Tajikstan, is now available in print and online.

G&G’s cover story “Digital Photomicrography for Gemologists” offers basic image-capture techniques and tips to get the most out of gem photomicrographs by applying digital processing. The article by Nathan Renfro, analytical manager of GIA’s gem identification department, builds on the landmark 2003 paper by his longtime mentor and master of inclusion photography John Koivula, GIA’s analytical microscopist, to offer a highly practical and relevant guide for the gemologist.

Next, a team led by independent researcher Dr. Karl Schmetzer offers a comprehensive description of the dual-color “double stars” observed in some natural sapphire, ruby and quartz, as well as synthetic corundum, including diffusion-treated examples. The issue’s third article, by Dr. Elena Sorokina of the Fedorovsky All-Russian Research Institute of Mineral Resources and her coauthors, provides an update on the geology, mining and internal and external features of ruby and sapphire from Snezhnoe, Tajikistan.

The issue also features G&G’s regular Lab Notes and Gem News International sections, which include entries from the 2015 Tucson shows and a report of the recent Maine pegmatite workshop. In the inaugural “Micro-World” column, section editors Nathan Renfro, Elise Skalwold and John Koivula provide concise reports accompanied by stunning photomicrographs of specially chosen specimens, inviting gemologists to take a closer look at the astounding beauty and variety of inclusions in gems.

G&G’s free archive containing every issue from 1934 to present, more in-depth coverage, hundreds of additional photos, and exclusive video footage are available on GIA’s website at http://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology.

About GIA

An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight in the early 1950s and in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world.

Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. Visit www.gia.edu. 

Amnesty International Report Brings Out World Diamond Council Statement in Response

from Press Release Issued by WDC

World Diamond Council Issues Statement in Response to Amnesty International Report

The World Diamond Council (WDC) has issued a statement in response to the recently published report by Amnesty International focusing on the global diamond supply chain and the Central African Republic.

In its statement, the WDC urges Amnesty International to engage with the Kimberley Process (KP) and work together with the KP participating governments, the industry and the Civil Society Coalition of the KP to achieve the goal of zero conflict in the rough diamond supply chain.

The full text of the statement follows:
“As the representative organization of the global diamond and jewellery industry at the
Kimberley Process, the World Diamond Council (WDC) is the first to agree that there is more
work to be done when it comes to managing the global diamond supply chain. While the vast
majority of diamonds contribute a significant benefit to the countries in which they’re
produced, as an industry we are committed to staying the course until we reach the goal of
zero conflict diamonds.

We welcome the recommendations in the Amnesty International report and are working
together as an industry in full support of the goal of zero conflict. In addition, governments
must assert their control in mining areas and along their borders to prevent smuggling.

However, the Amnesty International report ignores the careful and conscientious framework being put in place in CAR. Interim arrangements regarding future CAR diamond exports and green export zones have been approved by the Kimberley Process and the Civil Society Coalition of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, who have in addition commissioned an outside company to audit the stockpile. 

We also applaud the Antwerp Diamond Office's strict control mechanism for each import or 

export of diamonds. Their close monitoring led to the interception and seizure in 2014 of two
shipments containing rough diamonds from the Central African Republic. This is an example of our members' commitment to ensuring the integrity of the industry.

Amnesty International has been a member of the Civil Society Coalition of the Kimberley
Process in the past. We invite them to participate by re-engaging with the Civil Society
Coalition.  We will continue to encourage the industry, governments, the UN, and NGOs to
work together to improve the Kimberley Process and the international monitoring of the
process, so that the goal of zero conflict diamonds can be achieved.”

About the World Diamond CouncilThe primary objective of the WDC is to represent the diamond industry in the development and implementation of the regulatory and voluntary systems to control the trade in diamonds embargoed by the United Nations or covered by the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.  Visit http://www.worlddiamondcouncil.org to learn more.

www.worlddiamondcouncil.org
www.diamondfacts.org

#TheDailyJewel Today's #DailyJewel Comes From Award Winning Jewelry Designer Ornella Iannuzzi

We first met Ornella when she won Best of the Best at the CPAA Pearl Design Contest....you remember this multiple award winning pearl ring!

....you remember this multiple award winning ring!

I am #obsessed with Ornella and her unique pieces...click through to her website, but remember - you were warned  ;)

Prehnite on Epidote from Mali set in green vermeil and black rhodium silver, 2013.   (80 x 30 x 15 mm)

Website:     http://ornella-iannuzzi.com/
Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/Fine-Art-Jewellery-by-Ornella-Iannuzzi-127569430658107/timeline/

You may remember her from Stephen Webster's Rock Vault at the Couture Show in Las Vegas

She has made name for herself with her Coral Collection

My favorites are her one - of - a - kind mineral pieces

Ring " L'Exceptionnel Grenat Démantoïde " made with a demantoid garnet crystal from
Madagascar set in 22k gold - 2011.