Just this February, we featured an article describing the most daring diamond heist that took place in recent history, at a Brussels airport. The high profile theft took just about three minutes to execute, prompting people to describe it as the real-life version of the Ocean’s Eleven movie script.
…except there doesn’t seem to be a happy Hollywood ending to the culprits of the $50-million Brussels heist.
For several months, there seemed to be no lead to the near-flawless crime (nobody was injured during the heist, which went off like clockwork), until it was announced this week that at least thirty-one people suspected to be involved in the robber were put under arrest. Simultaneous police operations in three nations yielded at least one suspect from France who is believed to be part of the actual robbery, with several others from Geneva and Brussels in still unnamed roles.
Police also found proof that a large amount of the diamonds that were stolen were hidden in Switzerland, while cash and several luxury cars resulting from possible sales of the diamonds were discovered in Belgium. The monumental three-nation sweep involved around 250 policemen and 40 house searches after several months of careful investigation. Authorities, however, are still keeping mum about details of the operations, except to issue a statement in Geneva that “a very important quantity of diamonds was seized during the sweep.” Spokespersons also told the press that at least ten of the detained suspects in Belgium have criminal records.
Tags: $50-million, Brussels, heist
Categories: Diamonds, News
Want something truly unique and unforgettable to mark that special day with your special someone?
Brilliance has come up with the Curved Diamond Wedding Ring in White Gold just for you!
A gently curving white gold band is studded with a total of twenty-three round cut diamonds in a pave setting. The total diamond weight is ¼ carat, with a choice of 14K or 18K white gold band. It’s a quirky yet very elegant way to say “I do” to your loved one!
Like this wedding ring? You can browse our entire collection of wedding rings here: Women’s Wedding Rings
Tags: Curved, Diamond, Wedding Ring, White Gold
Categories: Brilliance, Diamonds, Rings
Vintage will always be in vogue. Brilliance understands this perfectly and offers vintage jewelry fanatics a gorgeous Antique Floral Diamond Wedding Ring in White Gold. Thirteen round-cut diamonds weighing a total of 1/5 carat are done in a pave setting on white gold (with a choice of 14K or 18K). The diamonds are embedded in a floral design, making the antique look more pronounced. Get that heirloom-looking bridal jewelry for a fraction of the price!
Like this wedding ring? You can browse our entire collection of wedding rings here: Women’s Wedding Rings
Tags: Antique, Diamond, Floral, Wedding Ring, White Gold
Categories: Brilliance, Diamonds, Rings
A woman from Tampa, Florida won a $5000 diamond the hard way…by swallowing it with her glass of Champagne.
The diamond was the main attraction in a fund-raising event organized by the Tampa Women’s Club, for the benefit of the Champions for Children, Kids on the Block charity. Continental Wholesale Diamonds heard of the event and donated the 1.03-carat diamond, along with hundreds of its cubic zirconium lookalikes. The plan was to place one cubic zirconium each in a flute of Champagne, with one flute holding the real diamond. The Champagne glasses would then be sold for $20 each with all fees going to charity.
All very ingenious and exciting, until an 80-year old lady named Miriam bought two glasses of Champagne, took a small sip from one…and ended up swallowing the real diamond.
She never imagined that what she swallowed was the event’s main prize. She only realized she was the winner when the event ended and jewelery experts from the diamond company analyzed all the cubic zirconia sold to determine who got the diamond. They, of course, couldn’t find it…until Miriam decided to speak up about swallowing it.
The diamond did not show up in an X-ray during Miriam’s visit, but she was fortunately scheduled for a routine colonoscopy the following day. The doctor found the diamond in her large intestine. It was put in a bio hazard bag and sent to the diamond company for analysis, where it was strained, steamed, and sanitized. True enough, it proved to be the real thing.
“Someone asked me, what if someone swallows a diamond, and I said, God that will never happen,” Andrew Meyer of Continental Wholesale Diamonds aid in an ABC interview. Well, it looks he had to swallow his words the same way Miriam swallowed the prize diamond!
Tags: Swallowed a Diamond
Categories: Diamonds, News
Named after the 14-year old Prince of Baroda, the April 16 Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale of this Golconda diamond set new world records. It became the most valuable diamond ever sold…both at the auction house and in the United States.
The Princie diamond was described by serious jewelry aficionados as having ideal qualities. It boasts of an aristocratic history, has an outstanding pink color, is sizable, and possesses a beautiful polish, shape, and quality. The diamond has a near flawless cushion-cut and weighs 34.65 carat. It ended up with an anonymous bidder for the whopping price of $39.9 million…in other words, the buyer ended up paying around $1.1 million per carat.
The diamond can be traced back to ancient south central India mines. Its very first owner was said to be the royal family of the Mughal empire. The Princie was first sold in 1960 by a member of the royal family of Hyderabad to Van Cleef & Arpels, and got its new name during a party at the store’s Paris branch where the young Baroda prince was in attendance.
The recent sale was the first time in nearly half a century that the Princie became available for bidding. Prior to this record-breaking New York auction, Christie’s biggest sale was at the tail-end of 2008, when the Wittelsbach Diamond was sold for $24.3 million. The famous auction house is also known for the successful sale of Elizabeth Taylor’s impressive jewelry collection.
Tags: Princie Diamond
Categories: Diamonds, Gems, News
From the invitations to favors, through to the centerpiece and place cards, there are plenty of ways to give your wedding that personal touch to make it truly unforgettable. Here are some great DIY wedding crafts suggestions.
Stamp your invites with a creative touch
A professionally and sleekly executed wedding invitation is always nice, but what guests are likely to remember would be hand-crafted ones or those that have the couple’s personality written all over it. Fret not if you don’t have time to create and write hundreds of invitation by hand. You can get the main invitation information printed by batch, then add personal touches, such as a photobooth narrative of your relationship, or little hand-drawn accents at the corner of the invitations. Don’t forget to proof-read your wedding information before sending them out!
Image Source: ohsobeautifulpaper.com
Create some favor-ites
Wedding favors are awesome ways to say “thank you for being part of our special day”, so make them really unforgettable. They don’t have to be elaborate, too; simple, portable, and useful things such as customized stationery and pens, printed coasters, candy in pretty sealed jars, or mints in tiny customized tins are cute ideas. Think of something you’d love to receive yourself on someone else’s wedding, and take your cue from there.
Image Source: www.bridalguide.com
Light up the reception, DIY style
Especially for evening receptions, lighting can take on a dramatic and romantic turn if you put in a little creative twist. Print out some of your favorite prenuptial pictures on vellum or other translucent paper, and paste them on top of glass panels of lanterns. Hang them all over tree branches if your reception is al fresco. You can also add flattering lighting with floating candles in glass bowls on the buffet and side tables.
Image Source: www.elizabethannedesigns.com
Come up with cute centerpieces
Gone are the days of fussy ice sculptures in the shape of swans and curvy women. Creating a wedding centerpiece that is truly unique and memorable requires some do-it-yourself savvy. If you’re great at paper-folding, why not come up with an origami bouquet which you can arrange beautifully? You can make it as minimalist or as elaborate as you like. Or get creative with some metal or enamel buckets and place fresh cut flowers in them. Food is always a great centerpiece idea: make a multi-tiered tower of frosted cupcakes or macarons, or a carved fruit platter instead of flowers. You’ll know that your centerpiece is a hit when guests ask “Can I take this home with me?”
Image Source: www.luxtica.com
Tags: Accessories, DIY, Wedding
Categories: Diamonds
Understated, elegant, timeless, and beautiful are just a few words to describe this Brilliance Channel Diamond Wedding Ring in White Gold. Twenty-one round-cut diamonds are in a classic channel setting with a total diamond weight of 3/8 carat. The diamonds are flawlessly set on a choice of 14K or 18K white gold. Simple yet classy, this wedding band is a splendid expression and way to begin a life of marital bliss together.
Like this wedding ring? You can browse our entire collection of wedding rings here: Women’s Wedding Rings
Tags: Channel, Diamond, Wedding Ring, White Gold
Categories: Brilliance, Diamonds, Rings
Getting ready to pop the question to that special someone? Brilliance has got your back with this helpful infographic on how to find that engagement ring that complements her unique style.
You can read up on important aspects of engagement ring buying via sections like budget factors, choice of metals, how to choose a diamond setting, choosing the diamond itself, diamond shapes, the surprise factor, making your purchase, and how to protect your purchase. Learning about these factors can guide you before you present the perfect ring to your bride-to-be, and to make the event truly an unforgettable one.
Click here for the full infographic: Engagement Ring Guide
Click here for the full infographic: Engagement Ring Guide
Tags: Engagement, Guide, Ring
Categories: Brilliance, Diamonds, Education, Engagement Rings, INFOGRAPHIC
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