EDITOR’S PICK
Color Diamonds
As colored diamonds reach new heights at auction, what reveals their timeless desirability?
Diamonds are universally regarded as a symbol of power, wealth and love. Yet among diamonds it is the rarest colored diamonds that have become the most coveted. At international auctions, fancy diamonds are going under the hammer at exorbitant prices as the world's richest families bid for unique heirlooms that can be passed down from generation to generation.
In Nov. 2016, Christie's in Geneva auctioned a 16.08ct "fancy vivid" graded pink diamond for a record US$2.85 million (NT$940 million) to Hong Kong businessman Liu LuanXiong. Mr. Liu named this exceptional pink diamond "The Sweet Josephine" after his beloved daughter. A few days later, Mr. Liu again successfully bid for a piece weighing 12.03ct at Sotheby's, this time for an even greater sum of US$4.84 million (NT$1.59 billion). The blue diamond, originally named "Blue Moony," was renamed the "Blue Moon of Josephine."
In Nov. 2016, Christie's in Geneva auctioned a 16.08ct "fancy vivid" graded pink diamond for a record US$2.85 million (NT$940 million) to Hong Kong businessman Liu LuanXiong. Mr. Liu named this exceptional pink diamond "The Sweet Josephine" after his beloved daughter. A few days later, Mr. Liu again successfully bid for a piece weighing 12.03ct at Sotheby's, this time for an even greater sum of US$4.84 million (NT$1.59 billion). The blue diamond, originally named "Blue Moony," was renamed the "Blue Moon of Josephine."
A Diamond As Individual As Its Owner
Understanding the appeal of naturally colored diamonds is all about recognizing their extreme rarity. This is well illustrated by unfolding trends in the diamond market. While people have been collecting white diamonds for centuries the market has experienced a shift in recent times. The trigger for this can be explained by a society reaching a certain threshold of personal wealth, and a small number of sophisticated collectors starting to want something different to others. It is then that they begin to collect colored diamonds. In particular, the shift they are making is from acquiring white diamonds displaying a "general beauty" to colored diamomds that possess "personal beauty." Each color diamond with its different shade, intensity and hue, has the ability to reflect a person's complex emotions, giving colored diamonds the ability to represent an individual's own tastes and distinctive style. In this way, colored diamonds possess a spiritual appeal and aesthetic power.
Collecting colored diamonds naturally expands a person’s appreciation of these rare stones, with a focus on their high aesthetics and spiritual appeal.
Serious color diamond collectors are now becoming part of a small set of people distinguished by their possession of the finest jewels in the world — with all the status, sophistication and taste this confers upon them.
Serious color diamond collectors are now becoming part of a small set of people distinguished by their possession of the finest jewels in the world — with all the status, sophistication and taste this confers upon them.
Diamonds at International Auction Have Increased Value
Coloured diamonds at international auction are the most valuable in the world, not only measured by price, but in terms of different factors such as their fame and myth. A complex web of value is created through the following pieces of the jigsaw: who owned the colored diamond in the past? What is the story behind its inheritance? What is the color of the diamond and the experiences of such previous colored diamonds sold in the past? Why was this diamond released at auction? It is an understanding of all the above, combined, that forms the basis of evaluation for a colored diamond collection. All this makes bidding for colored diamonds at these global auctions highly complex, pressured affairs. Yet following clear principles can help ease the pressure on collectors. Focusing foremost on beauty, and understanding that for beauty to show, certain conditions should be met, will simplify the process. Firstly, the quality of the diamond itself must be good. It should be sourced from a reputable company, with an inspetion certificate issued by the industry authortiy GIA. Second, the jewelry outght to be created by a respected international designer.
Knowledge Empowers And Enriches
To avoid the pitfalls of buying a fake, astute collectors will arm themselves with knowledge and insight into color diamonds, learning especially about the colour grades, design concepts, and craftsmanship.
Two different sources are recommended for knowledge acquisition. Colored diamond lectures are indispensable, as well as being a useful source for the latest market trends. Together with building up your own judgement, finding a professional color diamond consultant will equip you with good advice. In sum, every high grade color diamond imparts a unique, indescribable beauty that appeals directly to our souls. The deeper one's understanidng and knowledge of color diamonds, the more fascinating and valuable they become.
Two different sources are recommended for knowledge acquisition. Colored diamond lectures are indispensable, as well as being a useful source for the latest market trends. Together with building up your own judgement, finding a professional color diamond consultant will equip you with good advice. In sum, every high grade color diamond imparts a unique, indescribable beauty that appeals directly to our souls. The deeper one's understanidng and knowledge of color diamonds, the more fascinating and valuable they become.