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<p>The recent huge diamond find in a mine in Botswana could not be better timed to renew the sparkle of a luxury sector plagued by flagging sales and struggling to outshine consumer demand for synthetic alternatives. Discovered by Canada’s Lucara Diamond at the Karowe mine this August, the 2,492-carat rough diamond is the biggest gemstone-quality discovery for about 120 years. The previous whopper, the Cullinan Diamond unearthed in 1905, was cut into faceted gems and now forms a part of the British Crown Jewels – putting the enormity of this recent discovery into historical perspective.</p>



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<p>The potential of a fillip to the natural diamond market is much needed as industry sources suggest prices have dropped by more than 30% since a peak in early 2022. Such was the concern in the sector that last October De Beers suspended all online sales for rough diamonds in a bid to halt the slide. Other major players also ceased auction sales last year to suppress supply.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="660" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_04_Botswana-Diamond-1024x660.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-83658" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_04_Botswana-Diamond-1024x660.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_04_Botswana-Diamond-434x280.jpg 434w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_04_Botswana-Diamond-768x495.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_04_Botswana-Diamond-1536x991.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_04_Botswana-Diamond-2048x1321.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_04_Botswana-Diamond-200x129.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_04_Botswana-Diamond-800x516.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>“The demand for [natural] diamonds has declined as its allure fades in a key consumer market, China,” says Sam Kima, Senior Vice-President of First Gold. “Falling marriage rates as well as growing popularity for gold and lab-grown gems all drove down Chinese demand for diamonds.”</p>



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<p>He also points out that despite Indian manufacturers reducing production, sales fell at a sharper rate due to weak demand. India is thought to cut and polish about 90% of the world’s rough diamonds. “This led to an oversupply and pressure to sell. Synthetics continued to take market share from natural diamonds and will likely do so throughout 2024,” he opines.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Synthetic alternative</h3>



<p>Kima suggests the price dynamics of lab-grown diamonds (LGDs) are offering affordable alternatives to consumers on a budget. “A natural stone costs roughly US$2,500, versus about US$500 for a same-quality lab-grown equivalent,” he says. “A natural two-carat round-cut diamond with a high-quality colour and clarity rating costs about US$13,000-14,000, whereas the equivalent LGD sells for about US$1,000.”</p>



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<p>He also highlights that loose LGD sales soared 47% in 2023 compared with one year earlier.</p>



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<p>“Theoretically, the only limitation on the supply of LGDs is the rate at which they can be made. With demand increasing, more producers are entering the LGD market and prices are dropping even further.”</p>



<div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_06B-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-83660 size-full" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_06B-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_06B-280x280.jpg 280w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_06B-768x768.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_06B-200x200.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_06B-800x800.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_06B-100x100.jpg 100w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_06B.jpg 1125w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_06A-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-83659" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_06A-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_06A-280x280.jpg 280w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_06A-768x768.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_06A-200x200.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_06A-800x800.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_06A-100x100.jpg 100w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_06A.jpg 1180w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
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<p>Industry analysts have speculated that the boom in LGDs may now have peaked, and there are reports that some retailers are switching back to natural stones to boost profitability and margins. “Demand remains robust for natural diamonds and while they are much rarer than lab-grown, their supply is also quite tightly controlled so that prices stay robust,” says Kima.</p>



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<p>He also questions how sustainable synthetic diamonds really are, calling for further research, and highlights other advantages of natural stones: “There is a unique rarity about natural diamonds and the journey they go on before becoming beautiful pieces of jewellery. The initial investment for a natural diamond may be higher, but their timeless elegance will never go out of style, or value.”</p>



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<p>He insists that LGDs do not have the rare qualities and long-lasting value of natural diamonds, or their sentimental value and potential for investment. He says consumers should make up their own minds based on their values, budget and the significance of tradition, and warns that consumers should be aware of misleading marketing.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Natural shift / Lab implosion</h3>



<p>David Kwok, founder of Absolute Luxury, a strategic consultancy dedicated to premium and luxury jewellery brands, thinks retailers will progressively move away from LGDs. In his view, the gigantic volumes required to sustain the lab-grown business to cope with the current economic environment has created a “vicious circle”.</p>



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<p>Though manufactured diamonds now account for a sizeable chunk of the jewellery market, the dramatic 90% drop in LGD prices from $300 to $30 per carat is causing many players in the industry to reassess their role. In June, De Beers announced that it has ceased production of synthetic diamonds for its Lightbox jewellery brand and will instead manufacture and sell natural polished stones. “We believe the value of lab-grown diamonds lies in technology rather than in jewellery,” said Al Cook, CEO of De Beers Group.</p>



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<p>Kwok cites the example of Israeli venture Lusix, which attracted funding from LVMH Luxury Ventures just two years ago, as a precautionary tale. “Lusix, a pioneer in LGDs, raised US$90 million in 2022 with high hopes for its ‘sun-grown diamonds’. Fast forward to today, the company is on the brink of insolvency,” he says.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="467" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_02-1024x467.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-83655" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_02-1024x467.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_02-614x280.jpg 614w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_02-768x350.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_02-1536x700.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_02-2048x934.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_02-200x91.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_02-800x365.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>He puts the recent plunge in prices of natural diamonds into perspective. “The industry had been one of the great winners of the global pandemic; stuck-at-home shoppers turned to diamond jewellery and other luxury buys,” he explains. “But as economies opened up, demand quickly cooled, leaving traders holding too much stock. This quickly turned into a plunge.”</p>



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<p>He also cites inflationary pressures in the US economy and sapping consumer confidence in China as major factors in declining demand. Yet he believes the true value of natural diamonds is becoming increasingly clear, and despite initial enthusiasm, LGDs have failed to replace natural diamonds in the luxury market.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Fancy fortunes</h3>



<p>Roi Sheinfeld, Managing Partner of diamond manufacturer M&amp;B Group, affirms that natural diamonds will always hold that special allure for luxury consumers given that they are billions of years old. “This is especially so for well-cut fancy shapes and fancy-colour diamonds; they are always in shortage, and each of them is unique and different. Nothing can replace this,” he says.</p>



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<p>He has not experienced a big drop in prices in the larger, higher-end fancy-colour diamonds over recent times, and believes there is no substitute for natural diamonds. He does, however, retail the synthetic version as well.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="512" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_03_Sewelo-Diamond02_clip-1024x512.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-83657" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_03_Sewelo-Diamond02_clip-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_03_Sewelo-Diamond02_clip-560x280.jpg 560w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_03_Sewelo-Diamond02_clip-768x384.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_03_Sewelo-Diamond02_clip-1536x768.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_03_Sewelo-Diamond02_clip-2048x1024.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_03_Sewelo-Diamond02_clip-200x100.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_03_Sewelo-Diamond02_clip-800x400.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>“Lab-grown diamonds are fun, and they are great for anyone who wants to wear fun jewellery without breaking the bank account or to be concerned about the safety of wearing very expensive jewellery,” he says, while indicating that it is the responsibility of retailers to explain that LGDs do not pose a resale value.</p>



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<p>Sheinfeld is optimistic about the potential impact of the Botswana discovery on the wider impact for the diamond sector. “It’s an outstanding historical discovery and definitely puts a spotlight on diamonds and how important the industry is,” he enthuses. “I tend to agree with others in the industry that, in contrast to most rough diamonds, [this stone] will retain more value if kept uncut as a true historical collector’s item.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Collectors’ market</h3>



<p>Speculating on the possible buyer of the world’s second-largest gem-quality diamond, he opines: “If sold to be cut-and-polished, my best guess is that a big-name brand will make a whole collection from the polished outcome. If kept unpolished, some very lucky collector will be the happy new owner!” Indeed, it has been reported that Lucara has been inundated with enquiries since the stone was found, and it was exploring luxury brands, museums, collectors and royal families as potential buyers.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="682" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_03_Sewelo-Diamond01-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-83656" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_03_Sewelo-Diamond01-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_03_Sewelo-Diamond01-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_03_Sewelo-Diamond01-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_03_Sewelo-Diamond01-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_03_Sewelo-Diamond01-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_03_Sewelo-Diamond01-800x533.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Diamond_03_Sewelo-Diamond01.jpg 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Kwok also believes the find will boost the luxury diamond market and is bullish about the broader prospects of Botswana, which has used its diamond resources wisely since independence in 1966 to build schools, roads and hospitals. He says these monster diamonds from deep in the earth – or clipper diamonds (Cullinan-like, Large, Inclusion-Poor, Pure, Irregular and Resorbed) – are typically acquired by the wealthiest 1%, possibly at a prestigious auction sale as a collector asset. High jewellery houses and large jewellery groups, private trusts, investment companies and family offices are also potential buyers.</p>



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<p>Interestingly, it was Louis Vuitton which scooped up the newly unearthed 1,758-carat Sewelo diamond in 2020, the world’s second-biggest sparkler at the time. Kima notes: “Louis Vuitton bought it for an undisclosed sum, even though it was black in appearance and it was unclear how many gems could be cut from it.”</p>


A Matter of Facets: Natural diamonds have endured a rough few years, but they are recovering their supreme allure 


<p>Pets hold a special place in our hearts, and their unconditional love brings immense joy to our lives. When they pass away, we are inconsolable. There is a way, however, for owners to treasure their pets beyond the grave – through a pet memorial diamond. Set in jewellery, these exquisite sparkling mementos not only celebrate the bond shared with a furry friend but also serve as a tangible reminder of their cherished presence even after they are gone.</p>



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<p>A memorial diamond is a diamond created from carbon extracted from cremated ashes, hair or a combination of ashes and hair. Since it serves to immortalise the memory of a loved one, Hong Kong pet owners have wholeheartedly embraced this trend, recognising the value of preserving the emotional connection with their companions in a refined and tangible manner.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/a1a_p-1024x875.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77906" width="512" height="438" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/a1a_p-1024x875.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/a1a_p-328x280.jpg 328w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/a1a_p-768x656.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/a1a_p-1536x1312.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/a1a_p-2048x1749.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/a1a_p-200x171.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/a1a_p-800x683.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></figure></div>


<p>As cremation diamonds have become a burgeoning industry around the world including Hong Kong, numerous retailers have sprung up to cater to the demand for these precious jewellery keepsakes. Local jewellery shops are also offering specialised collections and bespoke services to meet the diverse needs of pet owners.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Algordanza</h3>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/a1b-1024x1003.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77907" width="512" height="502" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/a1b-1024x1003.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/a1b-286x280.jpg 286w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/a1b-768x753.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/a1b-1536x1505.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/a1b-2048x2007.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/a1b-200x196.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/a1b-800x784.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></figure></div>


<p>Established in Switzerland in 2004, Algordanza has steadily become a global enterprise. Its name, which stems from the Rhaeto-Romanic word for ‘remembrance’, is a fitting title for a company that is dedicated to preserving the special memories of a lost loved one in a unique way. They need 300 to 400 grams of your pet’s ashes or 11 grams of their fur, which is sent to their Swiss labs where experts begin the process of extracting pure carbon to create a diamond.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/a3-920x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77908" width="460" height="512" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/a3-920x1024.jpg 920w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/a3-252x280.jpg 252w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/a3-768x855.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/a3-1380x1536.jpg 1380w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/a3-200x223.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/a3-800x890.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/a3.jpg 1676w" sizes="(max-width: 460px) 100vw, 460px" /></figure></div>


<p>Algordanza’s Swiss-made cremation diamonds are 100% crafted from a pet’s ashes or hair – no extra carbon is sourced or artificial colouring added. Delivery takes from four to nine months depending on the complexity of the design.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Heart In Diamond</h3>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/H4_p-962x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77916" width="481" height="512" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/H4_p-962x1024.jpg 962w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/H4_p-263x280.jpg 263w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/H4_p-768x817.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/H4_p-1443x1536.jpg 1443w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/H4_p-1924x2048.jpg 1924w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/H4_p-200x213.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/H4_p-800x851.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 481px) 100vw, 481px" /></figure></div>


<p>Natural diamonds must grow for more than one billion years deep under the Earth’s crust, but fortunately, you don’t need to wait for this long to receive your unique memorial gemstone. At Heart In Diamond, it takes only from 75 to 120 days on average to produce a customised cremation diamond. This production time is one of the fastest in the market, and their prices are relatively affordable, too.</p>



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<p>Founded in 2005 in the UK, Heart In Diamond’s vision is to help people all around the world by producing a true and lasting reminder of a loved one. The expert team extracts carbon from an original sample (whether it’s hair, ashes or an alternative organic material) and adds it to the diamond core foundation. Shortly after, the foundation is placed in an HPHT (High Pressure, High Temperature) machine that recreates, in the lab, the process of natural diamond creation with the help of extreme temperatures of 2,000°C and pressure levels of 60,000 atmospheres.</p>



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<p><em>Prices start from HK$8,000 for 0.03 carats and rise to HK$156,000 for a two-carat stone. <a href="http://en.heart-in-diamond.hk">en.heart-in-diamond.hk</a></em></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Petmento</h3>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Petmento_memorabilia-1024x698.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77928" width="512" height="349" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Petmento_memorabilia-1024x698.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Petmento_memorabilia-411x280.jpg 411w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Petmento_memorabilia-768x523.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Petmento_memorabilia-200x136.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Petmento_memorabilia-800x545.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Petmento_memorabilia.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></figure></div>


<p>Hong Kong-based pet memorial diamond venture Petmento emphasises simplicity when communicating with clients. Each item is then crafted accordingly with skilful devotion to the finest detail and the highest possible standard, creating gemstones or other mementos such as ornaments that keep alive the memory of a pet. The animal’s image or silhouette can be incorporated into some designs.</p>



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<p>Specialists in their Hong Kong workshop first use a unique technology to purify the ashes by removing unwanted substances. At least 10 grams of ashes are required, and these are homogenised with biogenic ingredients and fused at a temperature of more than 800°C into ash gems. Natural stone colours include white, grey and green, while occasionally the fusion produces a darker hue. Petmento’s Rainbow collection provides a spectrum of colours to choose from.</p>



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<p><em>Prices start from HK$6,500. / Prices for gemstones start from HK$7,800 or $11,800 for a pendant. <a href="http://petmento.hk">petmento.hk</a></em></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Lonité</h3>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/L2-1024x681.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77923" width="512" height="341" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/L2-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/L2-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/L2-768x511.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/L2-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/L2-2048x1363.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/L2-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/L2-800x532.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></figure></div>


<p>For pet owners who want to go the extra mile to preserve memories of their furry friends, Lonité could be the answer. Their memorial journey started in a small town near the Swiss Alps, a 25-minute train ride south of Zürich, where the company founders harnessed advancements in lab-grown diamond techniques to turn ashes into diamonds.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/L1a-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-77922" width="384" height="512" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/L1a-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/L1a-210x280.jpg 210w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/L1a-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/L1a-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/L1a-200x267.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/L1a-800x1067.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/L1a-scaled.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></figure></div>


<p>The name ‘Lonité’ originates from ‘longévité’ in Swiss French and nods to the precious timelessness of their lab-grown creations. Today, they offer 10 options of diamond cut and five colour choices. The most popular colour is amber, which is also the most basic. Their Naturally Amber shade is achieved from ashes with no added micro-elements or special technical treatments, hence the production costs and creation time are lower. Owners generally request that the ash diamond is set in a ring, or perhaps a pendant or a pair of earrings, so they can keep their pet who has passed close to them at all times.</p>



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<p><em>Prices start from about HK$13,000 for .25 carats and increase to $180,000 for a three-carat diamond. <a href="http://lonite.com.hk">lonite.com.hk</a></em></p>



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<p>In a world where pets hold such significant places in our lives, pet diamond mementos have become more than just jewellery – they embody love, companionship and the enduring bond between humans and their most faithful companions.</p>


Fur Ever Diamond: A memorial gemstone created after a beloved pet’s passing keeps their memory alive

<p class="p1"><span class="s1">B</span>y all accounts, a truly special father-daughter bonding moment&nbsp;took place at a recent Sotheby’s auction when, after a fierce&nbsp;bidding war, a gargantuan 88.22-carat oval diamond was&nbsp;sold to a Japanese collector for US$13.8 million. Immediately upon&nbsp;completing the sale, the purchaser then renamed the precious stone&nbsp;the Manami Star after his eldest daughter.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-47021" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Manami-Star_1.jpg" alt="Manami Star" width="466" height="700" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Manami-Star_1.jpg 466w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Manami-Star_1-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Manami-Star_1-186x280.jpg 186w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Manami-Star_1-120x180.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Manami-Star_1-400x601.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px" /></p>
<p class="p1">This poignant gesture only further added to the undoubted allure&nbsp;of the gemstone, one of only three oval diamonds of 50 carats or more&nbsp;to have been offered for auction in living memory. Officially deemed a&nbsp;category D, Flawless, Type IIa, Brilliant diamond, it holds the particular&nbsp;distinction of notching up a perfect score across all the 4 C’s that&nbsp;count – cut, colour, clarity and carat weight.</p>
<p class="p1">The original rough diamond that morphed into the 88.22-carat&nbsp;gem was mined in Botswana at a site co-owned by the De Beers&nbsp;diamond merchants and the Botswanan government, a site that&nbsp;was already renowned as a source of stones of the highest quality.&nbsp;Weighing in at a staggering 242 carats, the original was then&nbsp;painstakingly professionally polished and cut over several months,&nbsp;before emerging in its ultimately symmetrical, iridescent form.</p>


Child Star: Daughter Gets Diamond Name-checked as Manami Star

<p>Harry Winston was surely in the pink this Tuesday as the American luxury brand purchased the Pink Legacy diamond from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.christies.com/">Christie’s</a> auction house in Geneva, for a record setting US$50 million.</p>
<p>Within five minutes at the auction, the 18.96-carat diamond known as the Pink Legacy became the world’s record holder for price paid per carat for a pink diamond.</p>
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<div id="gallery-954" class="ngg-gallery">[{"id" : "40743","image" : "https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/gallery/pink-legacy/Screen-Shot-2018-11-15-at-2.36.07-PM-min.png","caption" : "Screen Shot 2018-11-15 at 2.36.07 PM-min"},{"id" : "40746","image" : "https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/gallery/pink-legacy/Screen-Shot-2018-11-15-at-2.35.35-PM-min.png","caption" : "Screen Shot 2018-11-15 at 2.35.35 PM-min"},{"id" : "40748","image" : "https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/gallery/pink-legacy/Screen-Shot-2018-11-15-at-2.36.36-PM-min.png","caption" : "Screen Shot 2018-11-15 at 2.36.36 PM-min"}]</div></p>
<p>The dazzling diamond is truly a rare find because it is singularly unique to find a pink diamond over 10 carats. Categorised as a “Fancy Vivid”, the Pink Legacy is of the highest grade of colour intensity, being 1 in 100,000 of its kind.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Soon to be renamed Winston Pink Legacy, the diamond is reported to be in good health and continues the trend of rising prices of pink diamonds.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-40753" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-1-min.png" alt="Pink Star" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-1-min.png 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-1-min-200x133.png 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-1-min-421x280.png 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-1-min-120x80.png 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-1-min-500x333.png 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-1-min-400x266.png 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-1-min-600x399.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></p>
<p>Last April, Hong Kong became the city where the largest polished diamond the Pink Star – 59.6-carat stone – was auctioned off for a cool US$71.2 million at Sotheby’s.</p>
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<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-40740" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/pink-promise-min.jpg" alt="Pink Promise" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/pink-promise-min.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/pink-promise-min-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/pink-promise-min-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/pink-promise-min-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/pink-promise-min-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/pink-promise-min-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/pink-promise-min-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></p>
<p>Following the Pink Star was the cut and improved Pink Promise diamond that was auctioned off at Christie&#8217;s Magnificent Jewels Hong Kong auction. The 15-carat diamond sold for US$32.5 million, at the time a record-beating price at US$2.176 million per carat. At US$2.637 million per carat, the sale of the Pink Legacy has surpassed the once-infamous Pink Promise.</p>
<p>The Pink Legacy is undoubtedly exceptional as it set forth a major moment in auctioneering history. The popularity of pink diamonds is coming up roses.</p>
<p><em>Text: Bailey Atkinson<br />
</em><em>Images courtesy: Christie&#8217;s</em></p>


The Pink Legacy diamond sells for record-breaking numbers

<p>
<div id="gallery-717" class="ngg-gallery">[{"id" : "27721","image" : "https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/gallery/1012degrisogono/Gruosi.jpg","caption" : "Gruosi"},{"id" : "27724","image" : "https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/gallery/1012degrisogono/Bracelet.jpg","caption" : "Bracelet"},{"id" : "27726","image" : "https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/gallery/1012degrisogono/Necklace.jpg","caption" : "Necklace"}]</div></p>
<p>Italian high jewellery atelier De GRISOGONO created some serious shockwaves when they unveiled the highly anticipated “The Art of De GRISOGONO” necklace at Christie’s Hong Kong.</p>
<p>Set in an elegant swirl of emeralds and diamonds, the necklace’s stunning centrepiece is a staggering 163.41-carat flawless D-colour emerald-cut white diamond.</p>
<p>Already gargantuan in size, the stone was cut down from a mind-bogglingly large 404.20-carat rough diamond mined by Nemesis International in Angola.</p>
<p>De GRISOGONO founder Fawaz Gruosi snuck in a second surprise reveal – an elegant diamond-studded black bracelet into which the large gem can also be socketed.</p>
<p>Gruosi shared, “In my entire 40 years in this business, I even imagined that I would have the chance to hold in my hand something so beyond beauty.”</p>
<p>The Art of De GRISOGONO necklace and bracelet are set to tour London, Dubai and New York before heading to Christie’s Geneva in November for auction. Keep your eyes peeled, there may be some records broken that day!</p>
<p><em>Text by: Tenzing Thondup&nbsp;</em></p>


Diamond Daze: Stunning necklace unveiled by De GRISOGONO

<p><div style="width: 640px;" class="wp-video">
<video class="wp-video-shortcode" id="video-17571-1" width="640" height="360" autoplay="1" preload="metadata" controls="controls"><source type="video/mp4" src="http://www.igafencu.com/video/1703/March01_chopard_REV.mp4?_=1" /><a href="http://www.igafencu.com/video/1703/March01_chopard_REV.mp4">http://www.igafencu.com/video/1703/March01_chopard_REV.mp4</a></video></div></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Chopard displayed its ‘Queen of the Kalahari’ jewellery collection in Hong Kong recently. The collection showcases 23 absolutely pure diamonds including 5 weighing over 20 carats, all cut from one single 342-carat diamond.</span></p>
<p>The Queen of Kalahari, a D-colour rough of flawless clarity grade, was recovered from the Karowe Mine in Botswana.</p>
<p>The centrepiece of the collection is The Garden of Kalahari necklace, which “testifies to the ingenuity and the playful spirit governing Chopard design,” according to the jeweller.</p>
<p>Guests at the event also enjoyed a screening of a film about the story of the 342-carat diamond.</p>
<p>The event was held at Chopard’s IFC boutique.</p>

Chopard displays its ‘Queen of the Kalahari’ jewellery collection in Hong Kong

<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15959" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/pink-diamond-2.jpg" alt="pink diamond 2" width="900" height="900" /> What makes an 18-million-dollar diamond so dazzling? In the case of this pretty pink gem that sold for exactly US$18.11 million (HK$140.5 million) at a recent Christie’s auction in Geneva, the high price tag stemmed from its rarity, clarity and colour grading.</p>
<p>Weighing 9.14 carats, the pear-shaped diamond has VS2-level clarity, meaning that only an expert would be able to detect minor imperfections while examining it under a microscope with 10x magnification. Succinctly dubbed “The Pink” – or more poetically, “The Light of Memory” – this nearly flawless stone also carries a “fancy vivid pink” rating, which is the highest possible grade for colour intensity.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15960" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/pink-diamond.jpg" alt="pink diamond" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/pink-diamond.jpg 900w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/pink-diamond-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/pink-diamond-800x533.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/pink-diamond-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/pink-diamond-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/pink-diamond-400x267.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/pink-diamond-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></p>
<p>If that’s not enough to inspire some envy for the anonymous Asian buyer who snapped up this darling diamond, the stone also set a record for the second highest price ever paid at auction for a pink pear-shaped diamond. It pales in comparison only to the 15.38 – carat rock sold last year by competing auction house Sotheby’s – with the hammer coming down on a chart-topping bid of $31.46 million.</p>
<p>But with higher-than-ever demand for flawless coloured gemstones driving prices up, it’s only a matter of time before the next impeccable rock breaks onto the scene and shatters records with its ice-cold aesthetic.</p>


Tag: diamond

A Matter of Facets: Natural diamonds have endured a rough few years, but they are recovering their supreme allure

Fur Ever Diamond: A memorial gemstone created after a beloved pet’s passing keeps their memory alive

Child Star: Daughter Gets Diamond Name-checked as Manami Star

The Pink Legacy diamond sells for record-breaking numbers

Diamond Daze: Stunning necklace unveiled by De GRISOGONO

Chopard displays its ‘Queen of the Kalahari’ jewellery collection in Hong Kong

Dear Diamond: Tickled in pink

Tag: diamond

Blog Section

A Matter of Facets: Natural diamonds have endured a rough few years, but they are recovering their supreme allure

Fur Ever Diamond: A memorial gemstone created after a beloved pet’s passing keeps their memory alive

Child Star: Daughter Gets Diamond Name-checked as Manami Star

The Pink Legacy diamond sells for record-breaking numbers

Diamond Daze: Stunning necklace unveiled by De GRISOGONO

Chopard displays its ‘Queen of the Kalahari’ jewellery collection in Hong Kong

Dear Diamond: Tickled in pink