Jewelry Headlines: April News

It’s the end of the month, which means it’s time for your round up of newsworthy jewelry stories from around the world. April Fool’s day kicks off this month, but I assure you none of these stories are pranks.

Celebrity Heart Engagement Ring

Famous rappers Nicki Minaj and Meek Mill are tying the knot! Mill proposed to Minaj earlier this month with a giant yellow heart engagement ring with a double halo of diamonds. Minaj proudly Instagrammed her engagement ring that’s estimated to be worth $500,000. Heart shaped engagement rings seem to be the latest trend amongst celebrities—Lady Gaga also was gifted a heart ring in February. Get on board with this romantic trend here!

100 Carat Diamond is Perfect

Just when you thought Minaj’s ring was as good as it gets. Meet the truly gorgeous 100 carat, emerald-cut perfect diamond. It was sold for an outstanding $22.1 million at Sotheby’s New York Magnificent Jewels auction. Other highlights at the auction included a Pear-Shape Fancy Purplish Pink Diamond for $2.4 million and a Kashmir Sapphire Ring for $1.9 million.

343 Carat Diamond Recovered in Mine

Lucara Diamond Corp. recovered a 341.9 carat diamond at the 100% Karowe mining site in Botswana. It was deemed as a Type IIa diamond with excellent color and clarity. The Lucara Diamond Corp. has seen tremendous growth and diamond recovery over the past few years proving the Karowe sight to be lucrative.

TAG Heuer Smartwatch

It’s the era of smartwatches, so it’s no surprise that TAG Heuer, one of the leading luxury watch suppliers, announced they will release their rival in November of this year. It will sell at an estimated $1,400 and is the “first luxury Android Wear smartwatch,” according to the company’s CEO, Jean-Claude Biver.

Thievery in Traffic

While in Paris, a Taiwanese art collector was stuck in traffic when robbers smashed the taxi window and stole her handbag that had $5.4 million in jewelry, including a $1.8 million ring. Police are not sure if this woman was intentionally targeted or if it was a random occurrence.

Platinum Sales Grow

According to Platinum Guild International, platinum jewelry sales are up 8%. This is based off a survey they conducted through the Jewelry Industry Research Institute. Some factors of higher sales are due to platinum prices being closer to gold and it’s wide use in engagement rings.

Colored Diamonds Now Affordable

Love colored diamonds but not the hefty price tag? Well thanks to some jewelry industry experts, there are methods to transform naturally colorless diamonds into a variety of colors. These methods include lab enhanced irradiated or high pressure, high temperature treated diamonds.

Diamond Fraudster Jail Time

Anna Foord, along with the rest of her gang, was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud and money laundering. Foord was able to live a lavish lifestyle for sometime by selling low grade diamonds upwards of 2,000% of their actual worth.