Pink and Blue Diamonds Set Price Records at 2017 Auctions

The GIA reports that more than “$1.1 billion worth of extreme top-end diamonds, colored gems and jewelry were sold at auction by the world’s most renowned houses in 2017.”  However while sales at Christie’s and Sotheby’s were strong, in the second half of the year a number of important high-end diamonds went unsold as buyers appeared to be selective.   

The year’s trend showed strong interested in specialty diamonds such as the April sale of the Pink Star diamond at Sotheby’s Hong Kong location.  The Pink Star set a world record for the highest priced gemstone to be sold yet at auction.  The stone, a 59.60 carat Fancy Vivid pink Internally Flawless diamond, was the “largest diamond of those grades ever graded by GIA.”   The winning bid was a whopping $7.2 million by Chow Tai Fook, a large Hong Kong based retail jewelry chain.  The Pink Star was sold at auction for $83 million two years earlier but the buyer was unable to come up with the money.   

At the end of the year, an anonymous buyer bought a 5.69 carat GIA graded Fancy Vivid blue diamond at Sotheby’s.  The emerald-cut blue diamond sold for $15.1 million and is graded by the GIA as Natural Color, VVS1 clarity and be potentially Internally Flawless.   

Another important diamond sold a couple of times over the last several years includes the 24.78 carat Graff Pink.  In November 2010, it was sold at Sotheby’s for $46.2 million, which made it the most expensive pink diamond ever to sell at auction.  The stone is described as an “intense pink round-cornered rectangular step-cut diamond, set between shield-shaped diamond shoulders, and in platinum.”  In November of 2013, the Pink Graf set another record with a sale price of $83 million.  

While Padis Jewelry is not selling anything close to an $83 million diamond, nonetheless we have a stunning inventory of over 10,000 loose diamonds and gemstones at any one time.  We encourage you to visit our website to set up an appointment to one of our three San Francisco showrooms or visit our Padis Romance store in St. Helena.   

Padis Jewelry, a family-owned business, has been a trusted source for buying exquisite certified loose diamonds, engagement rings and fine jewelry since 1974.  We are one of the only jewelers in the area that offers such an exclusive selection of top names in the industry as well as such a large inventory.  For an opportunity to view our most impressive collections, please contact us to schedule at visit.

Source:gia.edu/gia-news-research-2017-auction-roundup-pink-blue-fancy-colored-diamonds-still-rule

Planning a Trip to Napa Valley? Visit our Store in Beautiful St. Helena

Next time you are visiting the Napa Valley area, we encourage you to come in and browse the Padis Romance store in St. Helena, CA.  Our full-service store has an incredible selection of loose diamonds, beautiful jewelry and unique gift items.   

Although we have only been here for a little over three years, we are thrilled to be a part of such a vibrant, charming community as St. Helena is well-known for its boutique wineries, world-class cuisine, luxury lodgings, spas, and galleries.  The town offers an exclusive shopping experience with a wide array of unique treasures and specialty items.  In addition it is home to the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) and is a leader in food and wine trends not only of Napa Valley but the world beyond.   

Located in the heart of downtown St. Helena at 1269 Main Street, our store has a friendly and experienced staff.  Furthermore, Padis jewelry consultants do not work on commission, which allows them to just focus on helping you find the perfect piece of jewelry or special gift to commemorate your trip to California’s Wine County. 

 Along with a large collection of engagement and wedding rings and fine jewelry, our gift items include wine-focused goods, specialty housewares, and fine crystal.  We are also proud to be St. Helena’s exclusive authorized retailer for many of the most sought-after jewelry designers and watchmakers in the industry.  You will find names such as Forevermark, Tacori, TAG Heuer, Ritani, Verragio, LeVian, Breitling, and many more.  Due to our unique location, we are also pleased to showcase finely crafted and one-of-a-kind pieces as well as custom designs.  

Since 1974, Padis Jewelry has been a trusted source for buying exquisite certified loose diamonds, engagement rings and fine jewelry.  We are one of the only jewelers in the area that offers such an exclusive selection of top names in the industry as well as such a large inventory.  If you are a lover of beautiful jewels, please schedule at visit to one of our showrooms.

Our Staff is Not Only Friendly but Extremely Knowledgeable

As a family-owned business, it is important to us that our customers are treated to a first-class shopping experience every time they walk into a Padis Jewelry showroom.  This is why we are committed to offering our customers the world’s finest jewelry along with the expertise of some of the industry’s most knowledgeable jewelry consultants.   

In fact, any time you walk into our friendly, welcoming showrooms, we have at least two GIA (Gemological Institute of America Inc.) Graduate Gemologists on staff at all times.  The GIA Graduate Gemologist program is the most prestigious credential in the industry, and all participants receive comprehensive information regarding diamonds and colored stones.  During the coursework, our staff was introduced to both technical and practical skills including the 4Cs, the International Diamond Grading System, and the Colored Stone Grading System.   

Padis’ Graduate Gemologists were trained on how to use the latest gemological equipment and procedures in order to identify and grade different types of gemstones.  Their hands-on experience with how the GIA grading system and the 4Cs are used to accurately rate the value of diamonds allow them to help you make smart decisions and get the best value.   

According to the GIA, they are “world’s foremost authority on diamonds, colored stones, and pearls.”  The organization was established in 1931 and operates as a nonprofit institute recognized as a leading source of knowledge, standards, and education in gems and jewelry.  The GIA established the “4Cs” (color, clarity, cut, and carat weight) as well as the International Diamond Grading System™ in the 1940s that are the standards we still used today.    

At Padis, we feel that by having such knowledgeable consultants as a part of our non-commissioned sales staff guarantees customers receive more reliable, educated information about the diamonds and gemstones they are buying.  We encourages you to set up an appointment with one of our experts and let them teach you about the four Cs of diamonds, the colorful world of gemstones, and more.  

Padis Jewelry, a family-owned business, has been a trusted source for buying exquisite certified loose diamonds, engagement rings and fine jewelry since 1974.  We are one of the only jewelers in the area that offers such an exclusive selection of top names in the industry as well as such a large inventory.  For an opportunity to view one of San Francisco’s most impressive collections, please contact us to schedule at visit.

Source: gia.edu/gem-education/program-graduate-gemologist

Protect Your Investment by Buying a Certified Diamond

When you buy a certified diamond, you know just what you are getting. The certification process grades and documents the quality of the diamond by assessing the 4Cs of the stone: cut, clarity, carat and color as well as provides other details.  It also offers the buyer the assurance that the diamond is of the correct value and has been inspected by an independent lab.  Furthermore, if you are going to insure a costly high-grade diamond, many insurers require the stone to be certified.  

Graduate gemologists use high-powered microscopes and other sensitive instruments to compile the written certification report. While not an appraisal, the report is a detailed blueprint of the stone’s quality characteristics and offers other information such as whether the stone has been treated or enhanced to improve its color or clarity.  Also along with the technical measurements and evaluations of the 4Cs, the report generally includes a diagram of the stone’s inclusions as well as top and side views and a chart that details the weight, color grade, cuts, and angles.   

Among Padis Jewelry’s huge inventory of exquisite diamonds, any diamond we sell larger than 0.40 carats comes with a report from an accredited, independent laboratory such as the United States divisions of AGS, Forevermark, GIA or EGL USA.   Please see our website for more information on buying diamonds as well as to browse through our extensive collection of certified loose diamonds and gemstones.    While you are there, take a moment to set up an appointment to visit one of our showrooms for a stress-free, friendly jewelry shopping experience.  

Padis Jewelry, a family-owned business, has been a trusted source for buying exquisite certified loose diamonds, engagement rings and fine jewelry since 1974.  We are one of the only jewelers in the area that offers such an exclusive selection of top names in the industry as well as such a large inventory.  For an opportunity to view our most impressive collections, please contact us to schedule at visit.

Find Meira T Jewelry at Padis

At Padis Jewelry, we have a stunning selection of jewelry from some of the most sought-after names in the industry.  Among our luxury designer brands, we are pleased to offer our customers jewelry from Meira T. 

As a woman, Meira T understands that women want their jewelry to be noticeable and wearable, which is why her mantra is "designed for a woman by a woman."  Meira T jewelry is worn by many A-list celebrities and models in magazines, TV shows and movies. Her collection includes designs set in 14 and 18 karat gold and is comprised of diamonds and colored gemstones.   

The jewelry seamlessly blends the beauty of nature with the buzz of New York City and reflects Meira T’s European upbringing (Germany and Belgium), her love of fashion and her passion for world travel.  The family business includes two daughters who help to keep the essence of the brand young and fresh.   

Along with beautiful colored gemstones and/or diamonds, many pieces also feature Meira T’s trademarked off-centered charms and her “feminine, wearable, and modern” style.  If you take a look at Padis Jewelry’s website, you will see our selection includes both necklaces and earrings.  One example is the Meira T. Diamond Butterfly Charm Necklace that is 14K white gold with 0.27 Cttw. diamond accents.  We also offer several styles of earrings including the Meira T. Spiral Diamond Earrings with 14K white gold and 1.31 Cttw. diamond accents. 

Please visit our website to take a look at our entire collection of Meira T.  Also, as all of the jewelry looks even better in person, we invite you to set up an appointment to come in to one of our San Francisco or St. Helena showrooms and see firsthand what all the excitement is about.  

Padis Jewelry, a family-owned business, has been a trusted source for buying exquisite certified loose diamonds, engagement rings and fine jewelry since 1974.  We are one of the only jewelers in the area to offer an exclusive selection of top names in the industry as well as such a large inventory.  For an opportunity to view our most impressive collections, please contact us to schedule a visit.