Tradition dictates that it is time for our yearly roundup of the 10 most read articles on Rubel & Ménasché in 2017. Those that you preferred, that won the most votes… and that also allow us to take a step back as editors and see what has happened over the year.
I also take the opportunity to thank our colleagues and partners. Their excellent work let that information website exist every weak.
2017 : a calmer year for the diamond industry ?
Rubel & Ménasché, Marianne Riou, February 6, 2017
A large success at our own level. We are all looking for points of reference, big trends and outlooks, and the subjects that will offer us a clear vision of the year ahead. 2017 was expected to be a calm year, where everything would “run like clockwork” in an overall positive atmosphere, following the same lines as 2016. A balance between India and China, a more stable and less volatile market, a focus on CSR, and synthetic diamonds that, though they still drive passions, are less of a concern to an industry that is more familiar with them.
Synthetic diamonds are the future of newest technologies
Rough & Polished, Yuri Danilov, Mai 15, 2017
The article looked at the production of synthetic diamonds, in particular those “made in Russia”. The author looked at the methods used to create diamonds, either the HPHT or CVD, and recalls that large synthetic diamonds are intended primarily for industrial and high-tech uses (optics and electronics). Gemesis (HPHT) and Apollo Diamond (CVD) produce the most synthetic diamonds in the USA, but there are also companies in China, India, Japan, etc., each of which has their own specialty.
Colored diamond hammer prices in 2016 show continuing appeal
Idexonline, January 5, 2017
In 2016, auction sales of outstanding color diamonds were a hot-button issue. This article gives us a chance to look at the most beautiful ones, and the amazing sales they caused, confirming a new trend for “investment” properties. We could linger once again on the Unique Pink (May 2016, Sotheby’s, Geneva), an extremely rare, 15.38 carat, Fancy Vivid Pink VVS2 IIa, pear-cut diamond, which sold for $31.6 million (beating the record held by Sweet Joséphine). Or on The Oppenheimer Blue (May 2016, Christie’s, Geneva), an emerald-cut 14.62 carat Fancy Vivid Blue VVS1, accompanied by a GIA report confirming the rarity and origin of the stone, that sold for $58,002,681! Not forgetting the Aurora Green (green is a color that does not often come up at auctions and three exceptional green diamonds were on offer in 2016 – May, Christie’s, Hong Kong), a radiant cut, 5.03 carat, Fancy Vivid Green VS2, which sold for the “modest” sum of… $16,818,983!
De Beers 2018 Sight dates
De Beers, November 8, 2017
As its name suggests, here are the details of the official dates for De Beers’ Sights in 2018—which should prove practical!
India’s new GST: what you need to know
Rough & Polished, Joshua Freedman, 6 juillet 2017
A great article that sums up the impacts and consequences of the new GST tax in India, which came into force on 1 July. Its aim is to simplify transactions (by reducing the number of levies) and to provide greater transparency. It should be recalled that the tax rate for most of the industry is 3%. A new tax of 0.25% is applied to rough diamonds and other rough stones. The government has reduced tax on “professional works” for the industry to 5%, from 18% at the outset; as for “customer services”, such as creating and repairing jewels, they pay the higher rate of 18%.
“The Secret” of the Van Cleef & Arpels Maison
Rubel & Ménasché, Marianne Riou, 6 février 2017
The highly beautiful fine jewelry collection The Secret, by Van Cleef & Arpels, pleased us greatly. And you too no doubt. Poetry, secrecy of course, imagination and technical prowess were combined for our greater pleasure. Go back and take another look through the keyhole…
The biggest diamond in Washington
National Jeweler, Michelle Graff, 21 janvier 2017
Here, Michelle Graff looks back at the story of the 187.63 carat Foxfire diamond, a temporary guest at the Harry Winston Gallery of the National Museum of Natural History in the Smithsonian (that also hosts the 45.52 carat Hope diamond—more about that later), in Washington. This is therefore the biggest diamond ever mined in North America: it was discovered in Diavik in August 2015. It is now the property of Deepak Sheth of Amadena Investments/Excellent Facets Inc. Its blue fluorescence and orange phosphorescence make this an astonishing stone.
The MAS is exhibiting Queen Elisabeth of Belgium’s Cartier diadem with the participation of Rubel & Ménasché and Dali Diamond
Rubel & Ménasché, Marianne Riou, 18 octobre 2017
Last autumn, Rubel & Ménasché and the Dali Group were patrons for an exhibition at the MAS. They contributed to bringing the Cartier diadem of Queen Elisabeth of Belgium, as part of the Dazzling Desire/L’éclat du désir exhibition. This was part of the many festivities organized by Antwerp to celebrate its long history as the queen of diamonds. The magnificent scroll tiara produced by the French fine jewelry house in 1910 was well worth our attention and, to quote Stephan Wolzok, CEO of Rubel & Ménasché: “It’s always the jewel that we remember in the end!”
Synthetics: cheaper but more expensive
Rough & Polished, Elena Levina, 16 mars 2017
Another article about synthetic diamonds. Elena Levina analyses the price of synthetic diamonds—one of their supposed major advantages over natural diamonds—and what they really cost when set in a jewel! And the result, for a stone with the same characteristics, is that natural diamonds still come out on top… Which corrects a few misconceptions and is still surprising. Read or re-read this article, it really is most educational.
Rolex’s Oscars spot highlights its cinematic history
National Jeweler, Brecken Branstrator, 2 mars 2017
A “celebrity” article to finish: Rolex, official sponsor of the 2017 Oscars for the first time, showed an advert during the ceremony depicting its creations on the wrists of famous film stars. The DPA also showed its Runaways ad during the ceremony. The Oscars are, of course, one of the most watched television events every year.
