S. African mine discovers 507-carat white diamond

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) – Mining group Petra Diamonds has discovered a 507.55 carat white diamond at South Africa's Cullinan mine, one of the largest high-quality rough diamonds ever found, the firm said on Tuesday.

"This spectacular gemstone was recovered on Thursday 24 September and is currently with experts for analysis," said a statement released by the London-listed company which operates mainly in Africa.

Initial examinations of the diamond which weighs just over 100 grams (3.5 ounces), have shown it to be of exceptional colour and clarity.

The diamond is undergoing colour grading, but is believed to be a rare Type II diamond, with very low traces of nitrogen -- considered an impurity -- making them among the most transparent and colourless of the gems.

"The Cullinan mine has again given the world a spectacularly beautiful and important diamond... we now eagerly await the findings of the expert analysis," said Johan Dippenaar, Petra's chief executive.

The precious stone was found alongside three other special white gems of similar colour and clarity, a large diamond of 168.00 carats and two other stones of 58.50 and 53.30 carats.

The mine which was previously owned by diamond mining giant De Beers, is renowned for the discovery of the famed Cullinan Diamond in 1905, which is part of the British crown jewels and weighed 3106 carats.

In May 2008, the mine produced a sparkling 101.27 carat diamond, roughly the size of a ping-pong ball.

The Cullinan Diamond Mine is the third richest diamond producing mine in South Africa.

Dream Ring

Pictures of my dream ring:

Its made of 850 platinum....

But the sad thing is that, it is a current size 13!



There is a fancy yellow diamond set next to a bigger slightly blue piece!

Platinum Ring

I have my eyes set on a platinum ring recently... but not too sure if it can be resized!!!

If it can be, it will definitely be my first platinum piece!

So keeping my fingers crossed!

3 men arrested in Bangkok jewel heist

AP - Tuesday, September 22

BANGKOK – Thai police on Tuesday said they had arrested three men suspected of stealing $1.7 million worth of jewelry from a Bangkok gems fair, but none of the stolen ruby or emerald jewels have been retrieved.

The three men, two from Mexico and one from Peru, were arrested Monday in the seaside town of Pattaya, 60 miles (100 kilometers) south of the capital, Bangkok, shortly after what police say was Thailand's biggest jewel heist in recent memory.

The men were accused of entering a booth at the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair on Saturday and posing as customers who asked the vendor to open a display case, then distracted her and ran off with it.

The case contained nearly 100 items with a reported value of 56 million baht ($1.7 million), according to the vendor, said police Lt. Col. Pairote Rattanamanee, in charge of the investigation.

The most expensive items were a ruby and mixed gem ring worth 2 million baht ($60,000) and a variety of ruby and emerald earrings, said Sittaya Tiyasuksawat, the vendor's sister.

Police commander Chalong Sonjai said Tuesday the suspects were positively identified by the vendors and footage from security cameras appeared to show the same men at the gem fair. He also said that phone records and rental car documents "indicate that these are the people who committed the crimes" even though the gems have not been retrieved.

The vendors had earlier said the three men who entered their booth appeared to be of Middle Eastern descent and were clean-shaven, handsome, roughly in their 40s and wearing white dress shirts and dark trousers.

The suspects told a police news conference in Bangkok they were in Thailand for tourism and committed no crime.

"We don't have anything, we didn't do anything in this country," said one of the suspects, Oscar Alexis Martinez Aguirre of Mexico. "We didn't commit any crimes in this country. I don't know why they have us here."

You Gotta See This!

Calling all those who enjoy making videos!

You would probably find this iLASIK Video Contest interesting!!

Abbott Medical Optics Inc. (AMO), which specialises in laser vision correction, wants to know how better vision could improve — or has improved — your life. They are currently holding the “You Gotta See This” Video Contest whereby contestants are to make a video showing the impact of improved vision, for a chance to win cash and prizes.

How to get started? It's just so simple!

First you have to think of a theme for your video, example how your contacts are giving you problems in your day to day life, how you can excel in your favourite sport with better vision. Make your video using a software like Windows Movie Maker and submit your video.

Next thing you need to do is to then create some buzz and tell friends to vote, make use of Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites! The more votes you have, the better! Votes are one of the key factors in determining which videos win a prize.

What do you stand to win?
$5000 dollars cash prize for one Grand Prize winner! Three First Prize winners (one per video category) will walk away with an HDTV package worth $2500 in value! Another three Second Prize winners (one per video category) will win a Flip UltraHD™ camcorder worth $199.99!

So what better way to showcase your budding video making talent and win prizes?

It's time to submit videos, view and vote on all entries at www.GottaSeeThisNow.com. Get it done today!

Fann Wong's S$2.5 million bridal bling

he celebrity bride-to-be designed her own jewellery pieces for her upcoming Sept wedding.

For Fann Wong's upcoming wedding to Christopher Lee, the bride-to-be personally designed three lavish jewellery sets totalling S$2.5 million. The three sets of accessories required a staggering 165 carats of diamonds and are sponsored by Celestial by Goldheart Jewelry. It consists of a headpiece, necklaces, bangles, bracelets, and earrings.

The couple revealed that the earrings and bracelets that were made by thin filaments and diamonds represented the sweet memories they share together. The September 29 bride divulged, "This design represents hope. When I look at this piece of accessory, I will start to slowly reminisce about the little memories I share with him."

Apart from that, Fann also designed a couple of Bohemian-inspired accessories which consists of a headdress, earrings, and 50 bangles. "I personally love this set a lot. If you were to look at each of the bangles, you will find that they have very simple designs. When you put them together, it is big and heavy but not overly ostentatious."

The most attractive piece in Fann's self-designed jewellery set would be the eye-catching 'Starbliss'. It consists of a 60-carat diamond necklace, bracelet and earring.

Japan World Exposition 1970 Silver Medallion

Just bought this antique silver medallion...

It was minted in 1970 probably in conjunction with Japan World Exposition, EXPO in 1970.

Condition of the medallion is still pretty good as you can make out from the pictures!

Frog Tie Clip Attachment

This is a tie clip attachment of frogs carved from Mammoth Ivory. The carvings were bought from the Singapore International Jewellery Show 2009.

What I like about such attachments is the versatility of having one tie clip.. but many different looks!

Reverse of the tie clip.

Mother of Pearl Snuff Bottle

This Mother of Pearl snuff bottle was also gotten recently from the same antique shop...

They are carved from an entire shell...

And have typically Chinese scenes carved on both sides of the bottles

Jade Bottle gourds pendants

I got this little bottle gourd pendants, which are carved from jade, at an antique shop recently...

They look pretty much vintage...

The bail on both pendants are apprently 22k gold, but I can't seem to find a hallmark on them..

Will have an interesting project coming up with these soon..

Signature for Good

Received this in my email today, a mailer by Montblanc:

They are launching a charity iniative for UNICEF and have a range of pens, jewellery and leather items specially for the cause!

Since 10% of the sales sold in US and UK will go towards the fund, isn't it a good idea to indulge for a good cause?

Gold Chinese Dragon Pin

I got this gold Chinese dragon pin today from a shop along Chinatown..

Crafted in 20k or 850 finess gold, this kind of pins were probably used during traditional Chinese wedding ceremonials!

Looks good if I plate this and modify it into a tie pin...

Apologies

I apologize for the lack of updates recently..

I have been pretty busy with work!

Will try to get pics of my recent stash over the weekend!

Stay tuned!