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‘The Perfect Palette’ of Colored Diamonds to Be Featured at Christie’s NY

by Howard Cohen on Mar 30 2021
On April 13, Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale in New York will showcase “The Perfect Palette,” a vibrant trio of colored diamonds that will be sold separately at the auction house’s Rockefeller Plaza headquarters. The most anticipated lot among the three is a 2.13-carat fancy vivid blue diamond that’s expected to sell for $2 million to... The post ‘The Perfect Palette’ of Colored Diamonds to Be Featured at Christie’s NY appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Spanish Conquistadors Tossed Platinum Aside When Searching for Silver in Colombia

by Howard Cohen on Mar 25 2021
Since the late 1800s, platinum has maintained its stature as the ultimate precious metal due to its rarity, beauty, strength and durability. But it’s amazing to imagine that a precious metal that is prominently featured in the world’s finest jewelry was once belittled and cast aside by the Spanish conquistadors who encountered the material while... The post Spanish Conquistadors Tossed Platinum Aside When Searching for Silver in Colombia appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Archeologists Unearth Cache of 1,300-Year-Old Gold Foil Figures in Sweden

by Howard Cohen on Mar 24 2021
Archeologists in Sweden recently unearthed a cache of wisp-thin gold foil figures at the Aska archeological site in Hagebyhöga. The delicate specimens, which depict embracing couples and date back about 1,300 years, were found at the bottom of post holes in the remains of a great hall at this historic site. The foil shown, above,... The post Archeologists Unearth Cache of 1,300-Year-Old Gold Foil Figures in Sweden appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Dazzling Diamond and Rock Crystal Bracelet May Fetch $8.4MM at Sotheby’s HK

by Howard Cohen on Mar 23 2021
Reflecting nearly 2,000 hours of hand fabrication, this diamond and rock crystal bangle bracelet will headline Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels sale in Hong Kong on April 20. The bracelet by Cartier features a D-flawless, 63.66-carat, pear-shaped white diamond set among smaller white diamonds and rock crystal. The architectural masterpiece carries a pre-auction high estimate of $8.4... The post Dazzling Diamond and Rock Crystal Bracelet May Fetch $8.4MM at Sotheby’s HK appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Raging Flood Waters in Sapphire, Australia, Present Rare Fossicking Opportunity

by Howard Cohen on Mar 22 2021
Aussie authorities urged the residents of Sapphire to move to higher ground last Wednesday when violent thunderstorms dropped 215mm (8.5 inches) of rain on one of the largest precious gem-bearing areas in the world. While most residents scrambled their way to safety, others characterized the raging flood waters as liquid gold. “There are already people... The post Raging Flood Waters in Sapphire, Australia, Present Rare Fossicking Opportunity appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Music Friday: In This Soulful Hit, Anita Baker Bets Everything on Her Wedding Ring

by Howard Cohen on Mar 19 2021
Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you sensational songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, we present the soulful Anita Baker singing her biggest hit, “Giving You the Best That I Got.” In this entrancing love song, the eight-time Grammy Award winner tells her husband how much she... The post Music Friday: In This Soulful Hit, Anita Baker Bets Everything on Her Wedding Ring appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Pantone’s Color Palette for Autumn/Winter Reflects Our Natural Environment

by Howard Cohen on Mar 18 2021
The Pantone Color Institute recently revealed its top 10 colors for Autumn/Winter 2021/2022. Described as “heartening hues reflective of our natural environment,” the Pantone standouts were widely seen in February’s multi-media, digital-only installment of London Fashion Week. Green Bee / Tomato Cream / Ibiza Blue / Illuminating / Winery According to Pantone, the autumn/winter picks... The post Pantone’s Color Palette for Autumn/Winter Reflects Our Natural Environment appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Apple Files Patent for Smart Ring That Can Interpret Hand Gestures

by Howard Cohen on Mar 17 2021
Apple, the tech giant that changed your world with the introduction of the iPhone, iPad, iPod, iMac, AirPods and Apple Watch, just filed a patent for a unique ring that has the ability to interpret hand gestures and interact with other devices. Technically, Apple describes the ring as “a self-mixing interferometry (SMI) sensor-based gesture input... The post Apple Files Patent for Smart Ring That Can Interpret Hand Gestures appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Scientists Excited to Study Precious Metal Content of Near-Earth Asteroid

by Howard Cohen on Mar 16 2021
An asteroid about twice the size of New York’s Empire State Building will be zooming past the Earth at 77,000 mph (124,000 kph) on Sunday, giving scientists a rare opportunity to learn whether it contains precious metals, such as silver, gold and platinum. The asteroid named “2001 FO32” will come within 1.25 million miles of... The post Scientists Excited to Study Precious Metal Content of Near-Earth Asteroid appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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55.55-Carat Flawless Diamond Is a Fitting Tribute to 100 Years of Chanel No. 5

by Howard Cohen on Mar 15 2021
To mark the 100th anniversary of its Chanel No. 5 perfume, the French luxury house unveiled last week a 55.55-carat, octagonal, D-flawless diamond at the center of a commemorative necklace. The center diamond is framed by 104 round diamonds and 42 baguette diamonds, and when viewed from the side resembles the profile of the perfume... The post 55.55-Carat Flawless Diamond Is a Fitting Tribute to 100 Years of Chanel No. 5 appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Music Friday: Tom Misch Wants to Stay ‘South of the River’ Where the ‘Loving Is Gold’

by Howard Cohen on Mar 12 2021
Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you groovy songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, 25-year-old Tom Misch and hundreds of his fans perform “South of the River,” his tribute to South London where the “loving is gold.” For those of you unfamiliar with the geography of London,... The post Music Friday: Tom Misch Wants to Stay ‘South of the River’ Where the ‘Loving Is Gold’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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299.3-Carat Gem-Quality Stone From Famous Cullinan Mine Sells for $12.18MM

by Howard Cohen on Mar 11 2021
The 299.3-carat diamond recovered in January at the iconic Cullinan mine in South Africa has been sold to Stargems for $12.18 million, according to Petra Diamonds. The impressive per-carat price of $40,701 is equivalent to the MSRP for a 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan. Imagine, a precious stone weighing in at just over 2 ounces has... The post 299.3-Carat Gem-Quality Stone From Famous Cullinan Mine Sells for $12.18MM appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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‘Dragon Stone’ Plays Central Role in Disney’s ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’

by Howard Cohen on Mar 10 2021
A radiant, powerful “dragon stone” plays a central role in the newly released — and critically acclaimed — Disney fantasy film, Raya and the Last Dragon. The stone is a symbol of power and peace in the mythical land of Kumandra. When the stone is fractured, its powers dissipate and the peaceful land becomes vulnerable... The post ‘Dragon Stone’ Plays Central Role in Disney’s ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Gem and Mineral Museum in Tucson Is One Step Closer to Opening

by Howard Cohen on Mar 09 2021
The University of Arizona’s Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum, a brand new 12,000-square-foot facility at the historic Pima County Courthouse in downtown Tucson, is one step closer to opening. With the buildout and renovation complete, the museum staff is now working on completing exhibits and displays. While an opening date for the museum has... The post Gem and Mineral Museum in Tucson Is One Step Closer to Opening appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Proposal Photo Plays Critical Role in Recovery of Lost Ring on Tybee Island, GA

by Howard Cohen on Mar 04 2021
A joyous moment captured by a professional photographer played a critical role in the recovery of a diamond engagement ring that was lost in the sand on Tybee Island, GA, just seconds after Brian Quercia dropped to one knee and popped the question to Anna Davis. Davis said “Yes” to Quercia’s proposal, but then the... The post Proposal Photo Plays Critical Role in Recovery of Lost Ring on Tybee Island, GA appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Nat Geo’s Mega Gemstone Mine Dig Kit Blends Education With Thrilling Discoveries

by Howard Cohen on Mar 03 2021
With National Geographic’s Mega Gemstone Mine Dig Kit, kids will experience the thrill of digging in a real gem mine as they chip away at a hardened block of sand to reveal 15 crystal treasures. Designed for kids 8 and older, the product emphasizes fun, exploration and discovery! Amazon.com reviewers awarded the product 4.8 out... The post Nat Geo’s Mega Gemstone Mine Dig Kit Blends Education With Thrilling Discoveries appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Alrosa’s 100th Auction to Be Headlined by 242-Carat, Gem-Quality Stunner

by Howard Cohen on Mar 02 2021
In honor of its 100th international auction, Russian diamond mining giant Alrosa will be featuring a 242.31-carat, gem-quality crystal at its Dubai event on March 22. The rough diamond is one of the largest gem-quality crystals mined by the group since 2000 and the most significant prize to hit the Alrosa auction block since 2016.... The post Alrosa’s 100th Auction to Be Headlined by 242-Carat, Gem-Quality Stunner appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Hey, March Babies! The Cool, Blue Aquamarine Is Your Official Birthstone

by Howard Cohen on Mar 01 2021
Named after the color of seawater, aquamarine is the stunning cool, blue variety of the mineral beryl and the official birthstone for the month of March. A museum-worthy example of aquamarine is seen in this Art Deco platinum ring that was once owned by Lady Annie Francis Cullinan (1866-1963), the wife of Thomas Cullinan, who... The post Hey, March Babies! The Cool, Blue Aquamarine Is Your Official Birthstone appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Music Friday: Stevie Wonder Sings About the Vitality of Youth in 1983’s ‘Stay Gold’

by Howard Cohen on Feb 26 2021
Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you great songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the lyrics or title. Today, the incomparable Stevie Wonder performs “Stay Gold,” a beautiful ballad he co-wrote for the 1983 cult movie classic, The Outsiders. In the song inspired by Robert Frost’s 1923 poem, “Nothing Gold Can Stay,”... The post Music Friday: Stevie Wonder Sings About the Vitality of Youth in 1983’s ‘Stay Gold’ appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.

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Diamonds Do Very, Very Well Under Extreme Pressure, Scientists Confirm

by Howard Cohen on Feb 25 2021
American diplomat Henry Kissinger once joked that “a diamond is merely a lump of coal that did well under pressure.” Now, scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California have taken that notion to the extreme. Researchers predicted that a diamond crystal would shift to a new, more stable structure when subjected to 2... The post Diamonds Do Very, Very Well Under Extreme Pressure, Scientists Confirm appeared first on Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store.