Salma and Goldie - amfAR's Diamond Duo

Jaw-dropping diamond jewelry fashion was the belle of the ball at the 2nd Annual amfAR Cinema Against AIDS Dubai Gala this month. The event took place at the new Atlantis, The Palm Hotel, which recently opened with an extravagant party rumored to be the most expensive bash the world has ever seen.

It's no surprise, then, that the celebrities on hand to raise money for AIDS research didn't feel shy about bringing out the big guns in the bling department. It also didn't hurt that diamond powerhouse, Cartier, was one of the largest sponsors for the worthy event.

The always-gorgeous Salma Hayek stunned the crowd with both her auctioning skills and a stunning Boucheron statement necklace with a diamond rosette. And fellow auctioneer, Goldie Hawn, always lights up a room, but her lobster-bib sized diamond necklace with gemstone accents took things to an entirely new level.

Jeffrey Wright, Danny Glover, Harry Belafonte and directors, Oliver Stone and Terry Gilliam, helped the diamond-clad event chairs raise $1.8m for amfAR, auctioning off items that included a stint on the Hayek-produced show Ugly Betty and a one-of-a-kind Cartier diamond cuff with Hayek's signature.

Salma and Goldie - can they do no wrong? They can act, they can produce, they can auction, they have excellent taste in jewelry - they're a veritable diamond-clad Thelma and Louise.

Without the 'driving off a cliff to their doom' incident...

UAE : DTC organizes Diamond Jewelry Design competition

Diamond Trading Company in partnership with the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), a strategic initiative of Dubai Government and Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group, is organizing a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Diamond Jewellery Design Competition. The DTC has announced that competition is now open for entry. The deadline for entries closes on April 15. Main purpose of this competition is to promote and highlight emerging talent’s creativity in diamond designing within the Arab world. Both experienced and new designers are invited to participate in the GCC Diamond Jewellery Design Competition to exhibit their ability to craft designs for the region. Five categories enlisted for the competition are - the New Innovative and Extraordinary Piece of Diamond Jewellery, The Rayana Set, The Whisper Three-Stone Ring, The Bridal Set, Melange and the Black Attraction.

*** All pictures are magnified 10-30 times to shows the smallest of detailes and the quality of the diamonds*****

Photo Gallery

Photo Gallery

Rare Antique Jewelry at Christie’s Dubai Sale

Some rare antique jewelry will be auctioned this October 29 at Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel in Dubai as part of the “Jewels & Watches, The Dubai Sale”, which will be conducted by one of the leading auction houses in the world, Christie’s.

There will be 145 pieces of jewelry and 42 various types of watches, which would be placed under the hammer. The estimated price for these pieces vary and the least expensive item is around US$3,000 while the most expensive is around US$2,000,000.00.

Here are some of the most interesting jewelry pieces from the whole collection:

The 1890 brooch on the left (above) is a very rare antique natural pearl and diamond snake brooch. Antique Jewelry specialists at Christie’s estimated its value and bidding would start at US$28,000. The Swiss Gemological Institute confirmed that they are natural saltwater pearls.

The emerald, ruby and diamond brooch on the right (above) was created by Cartier back in 1910 and was estimated to fetch around US$13,000 up to $18,000.

The necklace on the left (above) is described as “A Spinel, Pearl and Multi-Gem Fringe Necklace”. It has 13 spinel beads with table cut diamond stones, pearls and was made in India back in the 1950s. It is expected to fetch around $28,000-$30,000 along with the earrings. This item was not tested for the origin and consistency of the pearls.

The simple diamond necklace on the right (above) was made back in 1910 and is detachable to create three bracelets. This necklace is pretty much valuable and so Christie’s expected it to fetch around US$150,000 up to $250,000.

These antique pieces are truly a work of art. They have unique designs and I do believe that a lot of jewelry enthusiasts will try to bid on them. Those estimated prices would surely go up.

If you are interested in these precious items you can bid online just as long as you register first. Check their website so you can view the whole collection.

Dhamani Unveils New Store Concept

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Dhamani, the Dubai-based diamond and jewelry manufacturer and retailer, is opening a flagship store on the ground floor of Dubai Mall, billed as the world’s largest mall.

The new store concept will feature fine gems, natural colored diamonds, and a large collection of white diamond.

“It’s hard to imagine a more ideal location for the prestigious Dhamani brand to launch their new store concept initiative, reaching out to a broader audience of prospective clients,” said Amit Dhamani, Dhamani chief executive officer.

In addition, Dhamani has launched an exhibition in the three-level Hotel Atrium in the Dubai Mall that will run till Nov. 22.

The exhibition includes: a 99-ct. Dubai Cut diamond, a 300-ct. pear-shaped yellow sapphire, a 213-ct. octagonal natural emerald and a 232-ct. oval natural tourmaline (Rubellite). Models also will be showing off Dhamani’s fine range of exquisite jewelry. The scene is set to evoke the glamour, luxury, and romance so abundant in Dubai.


Captions, From Top:
Dhamani Classical Natural Yellow ct.cushion cut diamond ring, set in 18k yellow and white gold.
Blue Sapphire and white diamond necklace set in 18k white gold.
Dubai Cut .85ct diamond ring, set in 18k white gold.
Multi stone diamond necklace containing nine matched Dubai Cut diamonds.
Tanzanite and diamond chandelier earrings, set in 18k white and yellow gold.