Posts by Elisabeth Austin
Your Bitcoin Password and Your GIA Report – It’s All Money.
Bitcoin Passwords on a piece of paper and GIA diamond report certificates have something in common. You want to keep a hard copy somewhere safe. Cryptocurrency, while more volatile than your “hard” asset, is out there in the current conversation with the gut churning stories of an early investor in receipt of their password or…
ReadWhy Paris Hilton’s Engagement Ring is Noteworthy
It’s a smaller story than it might have been 15 years ago, but the diamond itself is large enough to make headlines (in pop culture media). And that’s probably the point for Paris Hilton, who has a 20 carat diamond ring on her finger which has come to be the focus of her engagement. We…
ReadWhen a Rare Diamond becomes an STD
That burning sensation is because you own it. (You’ll be okay. You’re still a one percenter) In 2002, not long after starting work in offices with selections of large and rare diamonds I learned the category that topped them all…….the “It exists but we don’t talk about it” diamond. Although you are literally 20 feet away…
ReadPrince Harry Engages Meghan (Cushion Cut Yellow Gold)
Congratulations to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. The year 2017 has been a year of game-changing initiatives. We think this counts as one of them. Heavens, if that girl didn’t overcome a mountain of rubble to find true love with her Prince. (A Prince with great taste. A two-fer !) Our thoughts ? Of course…
Read“KILLER QUEEN” Collecting vs. Waterboarding
In this new facet of my life, I’m going to be writing consistently about the real-ness of jewelry. Value. Meaning. Societal implications. Life-cycle. A one-off bit of perspective follows here. Let’s call it “Framing”. It’s safe to say that nobody contemplates the gestalt of jewelry collecting quite like I do. Of the thousands of collectors…
ReadFrom Russia with Love: (Big) November Auction
Russians are excellent hosts. Amidst a light and enjoyable mingling, The ALROSA party last week showcased The Dynasty diamond collection, the focal point being the namesake diamond. “The Dynasty” is the largest polished diamond with the best clarity characteristics in all of Russian jewelry history. A round brilliant-cut diamond, Triple Excellent, D, VVS1, it is…
ReadSerious Side-eye – Celebrity Jewelry Designers?
Real questions brew for real thinkers around the “Designed by Celebrity” phenomenon we’re confronted with these days. Like weeds encroaching on a well-groomed lawn we have cross-fit devotee-models, singer-entertainers and the like being introduced as “Fine Jewelry Designers” in various manners of spin. For serious jewelry collectors, this message delights much like a dingle-berry in…
ReadGetting Real – Should you buy Lab Grown?
Dear Reader: I am asked “What are your thoughts?” regarding Lab Grown (CVD) diamonds as much as anyone. With 16 years in diamond cutting offices and a deserved reputation for being very vigilant with my own pennies (despite a “vicious jewelry habit”) I think I share your perspective on the important issues. But how to…
ReadTake a Bite of this Purple Rock
For you serious diamond investors and knowledge seekers out there. We bring you the up close look at one of the most rare color designations ever seen at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Fancy Purple. Not a “variation” of purple, purple-pink, purple-ISH, but straight up Fancy Purple. Being “not the owner” (which is Scarselli…
ReadWe’re out to Launch
What to name this destination that takes an uncommonly spirited approach to the business of serious luxury. And with a spotlight on better jewelry in particular? Amidst an amazing decade of retail metamorphosis to digital innovation…. powerful jewelry endures. Here’s what you you’ll get with us….. 1. Curated content from Founder-Editor Elisabeth Austin and friends.…
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