Bulgari's Blue Diamond Trombino' Ring Sets New World Record at Bonham's London Sale

Bonhams Takes World Record of £6.2 Million 

For Exceptional Blue Diamond

Bonhams reports a new record was set at their Fine Jewelry sale in London's New Bond Street,  April 24th. The exceptional stone? a rare fancy deep-blue diamond weighing 5.30 carats which sold for a record $1.8 mil per carat.

The previous world record price per carat for a blue diamond was $1.68 mil. This rare gem was bought by Graff Diamonds, the international diamond house headquartered in New Bond Street. London. Bidding came from round the world via 25 telephone lines as well as bidders in the packed saleroom.

The fancy deep-blue diamond is set in a 'Trombino' ring made by Bulgari, the renowned Italian jeweler favored by Hollywood film stars, and the epitome of fashion and innovation during the 1960s. The ring was made circa 1965 and sold for close to four times the estimate of just over £1,000,000 per carat by Bonhams.

Jean Ghika, Director of Bonhams Jewelry Department for Europe commented after the sale: "We are delighted with the price it has made. It was a sensational stone which charmed everyone who viewed it prior to the sale. Blue diamonds, especially those over 5.00 carats, are extremely rare to see on the market and continue to be highly sought-after. We are honored to have handled the sale of such a unique gem."

Blue diamonds are very rarely seen on the market and fancy-coloured diamonds are among the most valuable and sought-after in the world. They have delighted royals and celebrities over the centuries, with the most famous blue 'Hope Diamond' bought by King Louis XIV of France in the late 17th Century. The stunning 45.52-carat diamond, originating from India was eventually stolen from the Crown Jewels by thieves in the French Revolution and then smuggled to London, finally coming to rest in the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington, D.C.

The Bulgari ring features a cushion-shaped fancy deep-blue diamond, weighing 5.30 carats. It is set horizontally within a mount pavé-set with brilliant-cut diamonds and courses of baguette-cut diamonds.

The term "fancy" is used to describe a diamond of intense color and the color "fancy deep-blue" is one of the rarest. The extraordinary color blue is derived from small atoms of boron mixing with the carbon atoms in a diamond, affecting the absorption of light passing through the stone and lending it a blue appearance. Blue diamonds are structurally very pure and account for less than one per cent of all diamonds mined.

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 go to www.bonhams.com

Celebrity Jewel: June Premieres In Living Colored Gems and Diamonds!

Charlize Theron sparkled in platinum jewelry by Bulgari at the world premiere of her film "Prometheus" in London on May 31st:

• Platinum bracelet with 100 sapphire beads (178 carats) and round diamonds (3.51 carats)

Laura Kaeppeler Miss USA Sparkles in Neil Lane Diamonds at The Annual US Army Ball - June 1st

• Diamond and platinum tear drop earrings, 
• a diamond and platinum bracelet
• a white and pink diamond and platinum ring

Actress Katherine Heigl wore Le Vian earrings to the AFI Life Achievement Awards presented by TV Land, held at Sony Studios in Los Angeles, CA, on June 7th. 

Le Vian 14k Chocolate Diamond® and Vanilla Diamond® Earrings, Retail: $7,148, www.LeVian.com

Jada Pinkett Smith donned a jangle of assorted Le Vian bangles at the New York premiere of "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted", held at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City, on June 7th.

Le Vian Assorted Bangles in Vanilla Diamonds™ and Chocolate Diamonds®, Price Available Upon Request, www.LeVian.com

At "Girl Scouts Rock The Mall", held at the National Mall in Washington, DC, on June 9th, Jessica Jarrell and Mandy Moore attended the Dove presentation of positive role models. 

Mandy Moore wore Amrapali's 14K Gold Flower Ring with Diamonds, Retail: $440, www.AmrapaliJewels.com

Beth Behrs in Neil Lane Jewelry at the 66th Annual Tony Awards

Diamond and platinum earrings and rings by Neil Lane Jewelry

TV Personality Catt Sadler dazzled in KumKum earrings to the 2012 Plush Event - L.A.'s premier luxury baby and toddler show at Vibiana on June 10, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. 

KumKum 'The X Collection' Sterling Silver Zircon Earrings, Retail: $135, www.KumKum-usa.com

TV Host Catt Sadler selected a handcrafted diamond fashion ring with pave accents from MICHAEL M. to wear on E! News on June 11th (Style R304).

  

Michael M. jewelry is handcrafted in Los Angeles: www.michaelmcollection.com 

Jada Pinkett Smith loves an arm FULL of assorted Le Vian bangles, here she is at the Capri Sun 'Super V' Launch, held at Paramount Pictures Screening Room in New York City, on June 8th.

Le Vian Assorted Bangles in Vanilla Diamonds™ and Chocolate Diamonds®, Price Available Upon Request, www.LeVian.com

Singer Alicia Keys was a golden Goddess in Hellmuth earrings and a Karine Sultan necklace while performing at the City of Hope's event at MOCA in Los Angeles on June 12, 2012. 

Hellmuth 18 K Gold Croco Pattern Diamond Earrings, Retail: $9800, www.Hellmuthusa.com

Last Tuesday night Viola Davis and hubby Julius Tennon attended the 2012 Women In Film Crystal + Lucy Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.   Meryl Streep presented the Crystal Award for Excellence in Film to Viola, her co-star from 2008′s Doubt.  

Viola wore Max Mara in a black strapless dress with bow accessorized with Earrings and this AMAZING Katerina Maxine 18K White Gold Scallop Bracelet with 6.87ct. Diamonds, Retail: $38,400, www.KaterinaMaxine.com

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Catherine Zeta Jones wore Adeler earrings on NBC News "Today Show" where she chatted with Matt Lauer on June 14th. 

Adeler 18k Yellow Gold Black Onyx and Black Druzy Earrings, Retail: $3,888, www.AdelerJewelers.com

Actress Camilla Luddington wearing M.C.L By Matthew Campbell Laurenza ring and handbag to the Los Angeles Confidential Magazine Celebrates Their Summer Issue Cover Party With Oliver Stone and Taylor Kitsch at Palihouse on June 14, 2012 in West Hollywood, California. 

M.C.L By Matthew Campbell Laurenza Pave Sapphire Horseshoe Ring with Decorative Enamel and Semi Preciou Stones, Retail: $735,www.MCLDesign.ne

M.C.L By Matthew Campbell Laurenza 'Jackie' Printed Handbag, Retail: $260, www.MCLDesign.net

WHEWWWWWW - well, lots of colored diamonds especially thos amazing LeVian Chocolates and some stunning colored gems...and that is just the first half of June!!!   see you again at the end of the month.

Celebrity Jewel: Bulgari's Mission Possible!

This from Bulgari's Facebook page...for original post see:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=417847174962&set=a.78101649962.21233.48981224962&type=1&theater 

BULGARI ON A MISSION! 

Bulgari is thrilled to announce that it makes a remarkable appearance in the latest "Mission: Impossible"' installment - "Ghost Protocol".

The brand was the natural partner for the stylized universe of M:I4, perfectly complimenting the glamourous and chic aesthetic of a key scene of the highly anticipated film.

The stunning one of a kind Bulgari earrings, made of yellow gold with turquoises, green tourmalines and round brilliant cut diamonds 2.49 ct.are the obvious choice for Agent Jane Carter, clearly adorning the sophisticated and sexy look of her character.

"Mission: Impossible, Ghost Protocol" is currently being released in theaters worldwide.

Your mission, should you accept it: go watch the movie in a cinema near you and let us know what you think about Bulgari's latest Hollywood cameo!


Find out more on: http://www.missionimpossible.com/
Credits: ©2011 Paramount Pictures - all rights reserved.

Bulgari at 125 years!!!

The following Press Release is from the Iconic Luxury Design Firm - Bulgari. While this isn't the type of jewelry that I tend to cover, I felt that the efforts of Bulgari for such a wonderful cause deserved the space....and they must be doing something right, how many companies do you know of that have been doing business for 125 years!

The Ads are lux to the max, in the tradition of Bulgari. If you have seen the latest Vanity Fair - there is a four page spread of dramatic black & white photos of actors and celebrities of all kind wearing the ring. The ring has all the bells & whistles - from the elegant Bulgari signature to the logo and name of Save The Children etched in the inside.

Bulgari - Rewrites The Future

On the 125th anniversary of its foundation, Bulgari launches a major fund-raising project for the defence of children’s rights.

As part of the initiatives scheduled for 2009 to celebrate the 125th anniversary of its foundation, Bulgari has chosen to support the “Rewrite the Future” campaign of Save the Children, the largest independent international organisation for the defence and championing of children’s rights, present in over 100 countries around the world.

Through “Rewrite the Future” campaign Save the Children is committed to providing within 2010 quality education to 8 million children living in conflict-affected areas. Thanks to the campaign, up to now Save the Children has rebuilt schools, supplied school materials and protected children from abuse and exploitation, paving the way for a durable change in the life of almost 6 million children.

Bulgari has decided to make its own contribution to Save the Children with the objective of raising € 10 million by the end of 2009, of which € 1 million will be donated by Bulgari to the organisation in advance, while the remaining figure will be raised during the next year.
The symbol par excellence of Bulgari’s commitment alongside Save the Children – and a tribute to the silversmith origins of Sotirio Bulgari, the company’s founder – will be a silver ring specially created for the campaign and featuring the Save the Children logo engraved inside.

The ring will be on sale from 1 February to 31 December 2009 in all Bulgari stores throughout the world, in some selected department stores, and on Bulgari’s e-commerce website, active in the USA, at the price of €290 / $290 (including VAT) of which €50 / $60 will be donated to the campaign. Besides the ring, to mark the occasion Bulgari will also develop a collection of 15 pieces of high jewellery and 8 high-end timepieces, of an estimated total value of € 3 million.

It will be officially presented on 4 June 2009 in Rome, on occasion of the retrospective exhibition “Between Eternity and History”, hosted at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni, to celebrate the 125 years of the Bulgari brand.This collection of jewels and watches will then be present at high-profile Bulgari events throughout the world – ultimately becoming the leading player of an auction that will be held on 7 December 2009 in New York and whose proceeds will be totally donated to Save the Children.

All the initiatives connected with the operation will be totally non-profit for the Bulgari Group.
The numerous celebrities of the world of films, show business, and music who, thus far, have decided to support the initiative include, among many others, Julianne Moore, Benicio Del Toro, Ben Stiller, Sally Field, Sting, Willem Dafoe, Rosario Fiorello, Gabriele Muccino, Jason Lewis, Andy Garcia, Valeria Golino, Fabrizio Ferri.

Francesco Trapani, Chief Executive Officer of the Bulgari Group, commented on the initiative: “For Bulgari, being part of history and at the same time being able to help change it by giving less fortunate people the possibility of a new future is the best possible way of celebrating its 125 years. I am therefore really delighted that the company is actively working on the success of the “Rewrite the Future” campaign – a project consistent with the commitment Bulgari has decided to make to initiatives aiding youth education throughout the world. I am also convinced that, thanks to the help of our customers and Save the Children supporters, we will succeed in achieving – and hopefully in exceeding – the ambitious target we have set ourselves.”

Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, Secretary General of the International Save the Children Alliance commented: “We are very pleased to announce this global partnership with Bulgari. Their commitment and support for education is one of the most valuable ways to make a difference to children's lives in war afflicted countries.”

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Bulgari is one of the global players on the luxury market. In 2007 the Group posted a turnover of 1,091.0 million Euro. Bulgari relies on a stores network in the most exclusive shopping areas in the world and on selected distributors. Bulgari has a product portfolio that ranges from jewels and watches to accessories and perfumes. The Group is controlled by the Bulgari family, holding about 52.0% of the share capital. The remaining 48.0% is floating on the Milan Stock Exchange.

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Save the Children is the world's largest independent organization for children, making a difference to children's lives in over 120 countries. From emergency relief to long-term development, Save the Children helps children to achieve a happy, healthy and secure childhood. Save the Children listens to children, involves children and ensures their views are taken into account. Save the Children secures and protects children's rights - to food, shelter, health care, education and freedom from violence, abuse and exploitation.