Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Salvador Dali Brooch Sells for Nearly $150,000

 
It's certainly eye-catching - but it's price might bring a tear to your eye.
This three-inch long piece of jewellery in the shape of a human eye, designed by surrealist artist Salvador Dali, has just been sold for £96,000 ($150.000.00)
Called The Eye of Time, the exquisite brooch is made from diamonds and platinum that form the eye lids and a small gold watch in blue enamel that makes up the eye ball. 
The original brooch, made by famed jewellers Alemany & Ertman in New York, was a gift for Dali's wife in 1949

The original brooch, made by famed jewellers Alemany & Ertman in New York, was a gift for Dali's wife in 1949.
But, with the artist's permission, the company made several copies from his original designs.

    The one for sale was bought by an Italian man in the 1950s and it has been passed down through his family ever since.
    The artists did not design that many pieces of jewellery
    The artists did not design that many pieces of jewellery
    The piece went up for sale at auctioneers Dreweatts of Newbury, Berkshire, and had been expected to sell for £12,000.
    But such was the interest in the extremely rare item, went for eight times that amount and was bought by a private watch collector from the US.
    James Nicholson, head of jewellery at Dreweatts, said: 'Privately owned pieces of this calibre which have never been on the market before arouse considerable interest globally.
    'The Dali brooch is a fantastic piece. He didn't design that many pieces of jewellery, probably about 20 in all, so whenever one comes on the market it is very rare.
    'We don't know how many pieces like this were made but this is the first time one of this large size has come up for auction.
    'I knew there would be a lot of interest in the piece but because it was so unusual there was no precedent for me to go on.
    'It was very exciting in the sale room and moved very, very fast, everybody was shouting down the telephones trying to get their bids in, it was an electric atmosphere.
    'There were people bidding from all over the world, from the USA, Europe, the UK and the far East.
    'There was a lot of interest because some collectors specifically look for artist's jewellery.

    'Eventually it sold to a private collector in the US and the vendor was absolutely thrilled and amazed.'

    Sunday, September 8, 2013

    Tips for Online Diamond Buying

    Consumers have more options than ever when it comes to buying diamonds. In addition to jewelry retailers, you can shop conveniently from your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Many of the same considerations apply whether you’re buying a diamond in person or online, but GIA has a few additional tips for shopping online that will help you click the “Buy Now” button with confidence.
    As with any significant purchase, start by researching your options. Educate yourself about the diamond 4Cs and determine which diamond qualities are most important to you. This decision, along with your budget, will help guide your online diamond buying.
    GIA Diamond 4Cs SpokesWhen shopping online, make sure you know exactly what you are buying. Some sites show diamonds with a range in carat weight, color or clarity. To ensure you know the value of the stone you’re purchasing, ask for specifics on its 4Cs, not a range. Then, make sure the stone comes with an independent diamond grading report, like those provided by GIA, which provides an unbiased analysis of the diamond’s 4Cs. For added security, you can verify a GIA grading report using the online Report Check tool, which will confirm that the information on the report matches the GIA database.
    Once you’ve decided on the diamond that’s right for you, there are a few quick checks to do on the company you’re buying from. You’ll want to know:
    • How long has the company been in business?
    • What kind of reviews has the company received?
    • Does it belong to any jewelry trade associations? (Associations often have strict requirements around quality and service)
    • Do they offer secure transactions?
    • How is their customer service?
    • What is their return policy?
    • How will the diamond be shipped? Is the shipment insured? Is signature required for delivery?
    There are a few more considerations when buying from online auction sites. In addition to the questions listed above, you’ll also want to look into:
    • Seller feedback & comments
    • Is payment processed through a secure service such as PayPal or PayDirect?
    • Is the seller located in the US?
    • Is the seller providing sufficient evidence of the diamond’s authenticity? (photographs, diamond grading report)
    Working with foreign sellers, or using cash, check or money order for your purchase, can greatly reduce your options for recourse in case of a fraudulent sale.
    Once your beautiful diamond is in-hand, have an independent appraiser confirm that it matches the description and accompanying paperwork, and provide you with the value of the diamond for insurance purposes.
    laser_inscriptionYou can also choose to have it laser-inscribed with a permanent and microscopic marking on the gem’s girdle (in some cases the diamond comes with an inscription, or it can be requested at the time of purchase). GIA can inscribe a diamond with its unique GIA report number, or a personal message or symbol, for identification.
    While the vast majority of online diamond purchases go smoothly, there are cases of false or misleading online sales. US-based consumers have options for recourse, including reporting the website to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or pursuing the case in civil court. Foreign-based retailers that do not have a physical presence in the US, are, for the most part, insulated from recourse, and attempts to recover funds can be very frustrating. However, by following the recommendations above, you greatly increase your chances for a stress-free and secure online diamond purchase.