The NCDIA Seminar at Hong Kong Jewelry Show - September 2017
On September 14th, 2017, on the opening day of the second largest jewelry event in the world, the Hong Kong International Gems and Jewelry Fair, held at the Asia World Expo venue, the NCDIA (Natural Color Diamond Association) hosted a seminar for professionals in the diamond industry called “Natural Color Diamonds: Unique and Full of Surprises."
As a member of NCDIA and one of the panelists, Ms. Paloma Sanchez shared her expertise in the natural color diamond field and her in-depth knowledge about the differences in characteristics between natural color diamonds and colorless diamonds, as well as how these differences could help inform the sales and marketing of natural color diamonds.
Ms Paloma Sanchez and Dr. Thomas Hainschwang, PhD, DUG (Denver United Gemologist), Director GGTL Laboratories; Tom Gelb, NCDlA's Education Director; Jose Batista, Vice President NCDlA and Rio Diamond; Scott West, Treasurer NCDlA and LJ West Diamond; Harsh Maheshwari of Kunming Diamond.
Most diamonds, both colored and colorless, exhibit fluorescence under short or long ultra-violet (UV) light, while 100% natural colored diamonds fluoresce when exposed to UV light.
Although fluorescence is often viewed as a flaw in colorless diamonds, it can also enhance the appeal of lower-grade colorless diamonds. In contrast, the fluorescence of natural color diamonds does not impact their price, as most of them exhibit fluorescence.
The unique fluorescence effect allows jewelry designers to create pieces that feature diamonds glowing when exposed to UV light.
Nowadays, fancy color diamonds are more popular than ever. Their abundant colors, intense luster, and sparkling brilliance attract jewelry lovers. Natural color diamonds encompass nearly all colors in the color spectrum and possess all the advantages of colorless diamonds. However, such treasures are extremely hard to find in the earth, with only 1 in 10,000 diamonds being colored. Due to their rarity and aesthetics, they are among the most expensive types of gemstones.
In April 2017, a stunning 59.6-carat diamond known as the "Pink Star" sold for $71.2 million at a Sotheby's auction in Hong Kong. This remains the highest price ever paid for a gemstone.
Ms. Paloma Sanchez and, Mr Kennedy Ho, Chairman of AIGS ( Asian institute of Gemological Sciences); Mr Yves Frey, Director of Frey Diamonds; Mr Henry Ho, President of the Jewelry Trade Center in Bangkok; Mr F. Notari, Director of GGTL Laboratories Switzerland.