Author: Angela Oliffe

Advancements in Lab-Grown Diamonds The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) recently examined a lab-grown diamond that sets a new record. Its Hong Kong laboratory had the opportunity to study a 34.59-carat diamond, called the ‘Pride of India’ marking the largest faceted lab-grown diamond that the GIA has ever tested. The diamond was produced by Ethereal Green Diamond, a company based in Mumbai that utilises the Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) process. The 34.59-carat diamond’s dimensions are 24.94 x 13.95 x 9.39mm. The last record holder was a 30.18 carat diamond, also called the ‘Pride of India’, it was produced in 2022.…

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has announced the addition of a report comment using the trade colour term “Peacock” for specific colours of cultured pearls from the Pinctada margaritifera black-lipped pearl oyster, also known as Tahitian pearls. After a year of researching the historical and current use of the colour term “Peacock,” as well as considering industry feedback, GIA decided to add this descriptive term to better inform consumers. The new term will be used when a pearl, strand or jewellery item meets carefully defined colour parameters for ‘Peacock’. Defining the “Peacock” Colour Range GIA’s industry analysis has identified…

The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has recently released a series of recommendations for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States, aiming to clarify the use of certain terms in the jewelry industry. These recommendations, made public through the Jewelry Vigilance Committee (JVC), are intended to ensure consumer protection, uphold the integrity of the supply chain, and promote transparency in the industry. The AGTA Industry Terms Committee In January, AGTA unveiled a new committee with the goal of standardizing terms surrounding sustainability and ethics within the jewelry industry. This committee, under the leadership of President Kim Collins, is…

The Met Gala 2023 was not just about the clothes – the jewelry worn by the attendees was equally as stunning. The event, which was dedicated to the late Karl Lagerfeld, saw celebrities and fashionistas adorned with pieces that reflected Lagerfeld’s love for pearls and fine jewelry, and served as testament to the transformative power of accessories in creating unforgettable looks. We take you through our top 5 looks below. Dua Lipa’s Legendary Tiffany & Co Diamond Necklace As one of the event chairs, Dua Lipa was expected to shine, and she did just that. The singer wore an eggshell-colored…

Following a brief and tumultuous transition to a digital-only model, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has announced a swift return to issuing paper Diamond Dossier reports, in response to industry-wide criticism and concern. In January 2023, the GIA had embarked on an ambitious endeavour to transition to a ‘paperless’ operation, only to backtrack on its decision four months later. This quick reversal came after the diamond trade voiced disapproval over the new digital system, citing concerns about potential disruptions, customer dissatisfaction, and the risk of abuse. The GIA’s Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Pritesh Patel, admitted that…

Diamond Fluorescence isn’t a topic commonly talked about within the consumer market for diamond jewellery. However, in the professional world it is a topic for debate. Does it enhance or detract from the appearance of a stone? How does this affect the stones value?  Discover what fluorescence is, how it is measured and what it means when purchasing your special piece of jewellery. So what exactly is diamond fluorescence? To put it simply diamond fluorescence is like the glow in the dark paint you can buy for black light parties, or Ross’ glowing teeth in that one episode of friends.…

Diamonds are a classic symbol of love, but what if you want to show your appreciation for someone in a more unique way? Pink diamonds are growing in popularity, both for use in jewellery and as an potential investment.Here’s everything you need to know about these beautiful stones. What are pink diamonds? Pink diamonds are one of the rarest colours of ‘fancy coloured’ diamonds – a term that covers diamonds outside the normal white to yellow colour range. In fact, pink diamonds are the second rarest colour of diamond – second only to red diamonds. This rarity can result in…