INVESTMENT BLOG

  The Rarest Treasures on Earth Formed billions of years ago deep beneath the Earth’s surface, fancy color diamonds are among nature’s rarest and most captivating creations. Celebrated in the Natural Diamond Council’s latest report, these extraordinary gems from romantic pinks and fiery reds to oceanic blues continue to fascinate collectors, celebrities, and royalty around the world. LEIBISH: Passion, Precision, and Prestige At LEIBISH, fancy color diamonds aren’t just a specialty they’re our passion. As a proud contributor to the NDC report, our founder Leibish Polnauer shares: “When it comes to fancy color diamonds, color is the most important element. Collectors seek out unique pieces with exceptional hues, as even diamonds of the same color can evoke entirely different emotions.” From Argyle to Antwerp: A Global Legacy From the legendary Argyle pinks of Australia to vivid yellows and rich blues, LEIBISH curates the world’s most exquisite fancy color diamonds transforming each one into a statement of rarity, brilliance, and personal legacy.  More Than Jewelry — A Statement of Identity In a world where luxury is defined by individuality, owning a fancy color diamond from LEIBISH isn’t just about beauty it’s about owning a story written by nature, and finished by hand. The Report https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0799/4251/7035/files/NDC_Fancy_Colour_Diamonds_Final_02.07_Pages.pdf?v=1752066813

Before you decide to make an investment in whatever industry it may be, you need to have some indication that your money not only has a good chance of remaining safe but that it will appreciate significantly over time. One crucial aspect to consider is diamond price trends & appreciation over time, which provides valuable insights into potential returns. While stocks and bonds were safe enough for many until the recent financial crisis jolted serious investors worldwide and made them realize that their hard earned money needs to be put somewhere more secure. Now, more than ever, tangible hard assets such as Fancy Color Diamonds have become very appealing investment opportunities. Diamond price chart over the years (Credit Image: AJEDIAM)   In order to demonstrate fancy-colored diamond price appreciation over time, this article presents two types of price results. The first section is prices realized at the world's largest auction houses as they can easily be backed and verified against Sotheby's and Christie's websites. Only, those are more often than not only relevant for important and somewhat expensive stones. The second section focuses on the market value of diamonds which are more affordable. However, since there is no price list for colored diamonds publicly available, LEIBISH pulled the data from their sales records. Color Diamonds in the Auction House Sotheby's and Christie's, two of the most famous auction houses around, have sold many impressive Color Diamonds, including dozens of record-breaking stones. In just the past six years, fifteen price records were set and broken. Despite the quality and sizes of the stones sold, even the experts in the field were floored by the results realized. The first example is all Fancy Intense Pink Diamonds relatively close to one another in size. In 2003, a Fancy Intense Pink 3.58-carat diamond was sold for USD 115,000 per carat. In 2007, a Fancy Intense Pink 3.86-carat diamond was sold for USD 390,000 per carat. In 2010, a Fancy Intense Pink 4.59-carat diamond was sold for an amazing USD 625,000 per carat. The price appreciation from these stones shows an unbelievable 443% appreciation. A collection of Argyle Pink Diamonds from the LEIBISH inventory. Princess, Radiant, and Asscher cut diamonds. The second example is Fancy Vivid Blue Diamonds all relatively close to one another in size. In October 2007 a 6.04-carat Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond sold for $1.32 million per carat. In May 2008 a 3.73-carat Fancy Vivid Blue diamond sold for $1.33 million per carat. In May 2009 a 7.03-carat a Fancy Vivid Blue diamond was auctioned for $1.35 million per carat. The price appreciation from these stones shows a fantastic 110% appreciation over the past five years. A collection of Blue Diamonds from the LEIBISH inventory. Oval, Pear, Cushion, and Emerald cut diamonds. Furthermore, the highest prices ever paid for a diamond at auction were both colored stones. The Wittelsbach Graff, a 31.06-carat Fancy Deep Blue, internally flawless stone was sold for $24.3 million and the Graff Pink, a 24.78-carat Fancy Intense Pink, potentially Flawless diamond sold for $46.1 million.   Price Performance of Commonly Traded Colored Diamonds The colored diamonds LEIBISH has had the pleasure of owning over the years have seen mind-boggling numbers. The prices these more commonly traded stones have sold for can give you some perspective in terms of diamond investments the average person would make. Ten years ago, in 2003, a 0.50-carat Fancy Intense Pink diamond was priced at roughly $30,500 per carat. Five years ago, in 2008, that same diamond was already at $50,000 per carat. Prices have continued to increase since leaving us today at $145,000 per carat. Below is a price chart of a Fancy Intense Pink diamond over the past 10 years. This graph displays an amazing 375% price appreciation in a 0.50 carat, Fancy Intense Pink Diamond over the past 10 years 2003 - $30,500 p/c, 2007 - $50,000 p/c, 2008 - $63,000 p/c, 2009 - $80,000 p/c, 2010 - $90,000 p/c, 2011 - $115,000 p/c, 2012 - $130,000 p/c, 2013 - $145,000 p/c  Now let's take a look at yellow diamonds: Ten years ago,  in 2003, a 2.00-carat Fancy Intense Yellow diamond with a VS+ clarity grade cost $5,000 per carat. Today, that same stones goes for $13,500 per carat. There is a 170% appreciation over the last decade and this stone has the highest market value among all fancy colored diamonds. This graph displays an amazing 170% price appreciation in 2.00 Carat, Fancy Intense Yellow Diamonds with a VS+ clarity over the past 10 years 2003 - $5,000 p/c, 2007 - $8,250 p/c, 2008 - $9,200 p/c, 2009 - $10,250 p/c, 2010 - $11,000 p/c, 2011 - $12,300 p/c, 2012 - $12,900 p/c, 2013 - $13,500 p/c   Color Diamonds Vs. Colorless Diamonds Before Fancy Colored Diamonds were recognized for their investment potential, some investors looked towards colorless stones as possible investment opportunities. As with all diamonds, colorless diamonds are assessed by the same diamond characteristics (the 4Cs), but it is not enough for a colorless diamond to receive a high grade in all four categories. In order for a colorless stone to see a serious price appreciation, it must be an extremely large, exceptional stone. Carat VS Price Graph (Credit Image: CreditDonkey) If you look at the colorless diamond's appreciation over the past few years you can see that although they are versatile, the price has increased by 35%. In January 2006 a 1.00-carat colorless diamond stood at $8,000 per carat and less than a year ago sold for slightly under $11,000. This is after it hit a peak where a 1.00-carat diamond was worth over $13,000. 2006 - $7,859 p/c, 2007 - $8,183 p/c, 2008 - $11,169 p/c, 2009 - $8,648 p/c, 2010 - $9,657 p/c, 2011 - $13,006 p/c, 2012 - $10,838 p/c   The common denominator among all of these examples is that the value of Color Diamonds has constantly been rising. Not only has their value increased, but significantly, and quite rapidly as well. When compared to colorless diamonds, the numbers of colorless stones pale in comparison. Color Diamonds are so rare and the demand for them is extremely high and only increasing with time. The numbers don't lie, and the pattern has been solid and steady enough to declare that there is an obvious trend of positive appreciation for Color Diamonds and will hopefully continue to be for many years to come.  

A gavel comes down hard and history is made---that is until the next auction. 2023 could be called the Year of Color for rare fancy color diamonds and gemstones. The auction room provides one with a front row seat (even virtually) to experience the electricity of frenzied bidding during auctions for color diamonds. The spontaneous eruption of applause often signals a new price has been achieved for these coveted treasures. And why shouldn’t that happen? Each stone paraded before buyers represents a one-off event. In the world of fancy color diamonds it’s always top-of-mind to collectors that the stone they’re bidding on will never come their way again. The drivers for this robust activity are collectors’ growing appreciation for the beauty and scarcity of these jewels found throughout a global market. Easily accessible data today aids buyers in understanding the value of colored diamonds and gems. And market strength is fortified by the growth of color diamond companies entering this sector. On the other hand, price stability can be attributed to a declining availability of these jewels which enhances their attractiveness to long term collectors. Key to understanding value and scarcity with buyers is a growing demand for transparency within this niche. Gemstone origin, best mining practices, and knowledge of treatments are but a few of the factors that collectors want to know about—and its readily available. A quick overview of the most valuable color diamond sales in 2023 helps us to contextualize which stones are most desirable to collectors, and those that may be more difficult to acquire moving forward. Baby Blue Christie’s Geneva offered up the Bleu Royal in its November sale. The 17.61 carat fancy vivid blue IF pear shape stone was not only the largest diamond of its color but became the most expensive jewel of the year, realizing $44M. Bleu Royal - 17.61 ct Fancy Vivid Blue IF Pear Shape  Very Pretty in Pink Sotheby’s New York Magnificent Jewels June auction highlighted another IF stone. This time it was a 10.57 carat cushion cut fancy vivid purplish pink diamond. Named the Eternal Pink, it earned the title of most valuable stone of its color, selling at $34.8M. The Eternal Pink - 10.57 ct Cushion Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink Diamond   Phillips Geneva sold a fancy intense pink 20.19 carat rectangular modified brilliant cut diamond in November for $13.2M.   Fancy Intense Pink 20.19 ct rectangular modified brilliant cut diamond  Shop LEIBISH Natural Pink Diamonds More Blues While a radiant cut 11.28 carat blue diamond missed its low estimate at Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction, it fetched a respectable $25.3M. The Infinite Blue diamond ranked as the third most valuable diamond sold at auction. The Infinite Blue - 11.28 ct Blue Radiant cut Diamond The 4th slot goes to Bulgari Laguna Blu, which led Sotheby’s May Geneva Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels auction. The striking fancy vivid blue pear shaped diamond weighing 11.16 carats brought in $25.2M. Bulgari Laguna Blu - 11.16 ct Fancy Vivid Blue pear shaped diamond Sunny Yellow Sotheby’s Hong Kong sold this exceptional platinum and 18K yellow gold neckpiece featuring a modified brilliant cut fancy vivid yellow diamond. The 74.38 carat fetched a sunny $2.54M. Exceptional gold neckpiece featuring a fancy vivid yellow diamond Shop LEIBISH Natural Yellow Diamonds   Green and Gorgeous Sotheby’s called it with their description of an exceptional green diamond ring. The November Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels offered a “Rare and highly Important Fancy Intense Green diamond ring.” Green diamonds of any size are scarce. The VS2 clarity green diamond weighing 4.42 carats sold for $1.88M.   Rare and highly Important Fancy Intense Green diamond ring  Shop LEIBISH Natural Green Diamonds   Gemstone Joy A look back at exceptional color gemstone auctions of 2023 must include a Mozambique ruby that came to auction in June 2023 at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels in New York. Called Estrela de Fura, the 55.22 carat sold for $34.8M, setting a world record price for any colored gemstone. Estrela de Fura - 55.22 ct Mozambique ruby Shop LEIBISH Natural Gemstones   2024 on the Horizon With these auction results in our rearview mirror, we see a future poised to experience some enthusiastic hammer prices for exceptional jewels. Collectors are sophisticated today and often focused on acquiring investments that provide generational wealth. After a period of stagnation until around 2009, the color diamond sector began an upward trend in tandem with an increased interest from Asian buyers. Growth has been on a steady ascent since then with both individual collectors and wholesale resellers. High network collectors are gaining confidence in their investments as their overall knowledge of these products deepens. Jewels are one avenue to creating this portable wealth that delivers enjoyment to its owners.  

To many individuals, the concept of colored diamonds seems quite strange.  After all, diamonds are known for their glittering beauty, and magnificent shine. However, fancy color diamonds offer a lot that many aren’t aware of. Additionally, natural colored diamonds are in their own category; they are different than white diamonds because of their rarity and their magnificent colors.  There isn’t another colored jewel that displays the brilliance like a diamond, not to mention the strength and durability that colored stones possess. So, why buy colored diamonds? The uniqueness, the rarity, the beauty, the wide range of colors and prices, the prestige, and the investment potential each stone holds, are only a few of the many reasons why colored diamonds are so sought after. Fancy Color Diamonds The Prestige and Status of Colored Diamonds: Royalty has worn colored diamonds for generations, and now the modern royalty, otherwise known as celebrities, have embraced the trend as well.  Since it is a known fact that consumers and individuals turn to the stars for fashion tips, there is no denying the fact that owning a colored diamond jewelry piece can instantly provide you with the status of being “like the stars.” From Queen Elizabeth, who received the famous Williamson Pink for her nuptials, to celebrities such as Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, and Victoria Beckham, there is no shortage of celebrities who have donned colored diamonds.  Hollywood stars are walking the Red Carpet with the most magnificent jewelry designs made of yellow diamonds, black diamonds, and more. Colored Diamonds Have the “Wow” Factor: Imagine walking down the street with a large diamond ring on your finger. You are likely to draw attention and perhaps a few “oohs” and “ahs” and perhaps even questions regarding the size and clarity of the diamond.  Now, picture that ring as one with a stunning colored diamond.  When eyes catch sight of the stone, not only will it receive “oohs” and “ahs” but also fascinated looks and curious comments such as, “is that a diamond?” and, “wow, I didn’t know there were colored diamonds! That is so unique and different, one of a kind!” If unique and different is what you are after, then a plain colorless diamond will just never do.  You will never cease to draw attention, stand above the rest, and needless to say it will be a constant conversation starter.   It’s a Wise Investment: Colored diamonds are not just alternatives to traditional colorless diamonds, but they are also wise and promising investments as well. Because of both the limited colored diamond supply in the world and the high demand, the price of colored diamonds is escalating at a rapid pace.  Over the past ten years the value of colored diamonds has increased significantly.  Many serious investors seek out specific stones that have demonstrated extraordinary price increases, such as Argyle Pink Diamonds, and Yellow stones with a high clarity grade above 2.00 carats. If spending so much on a precious jewel does not sit well with you, know that this purchase will pay off. Not only will you own an exquisite stone, but you will also have made some profit.   A Color and a Price for Everyone: Colored diamonds do not have to cost more than you are interested in paying.  Depending on the color, the size, and the quality of the diamond you can find them in almost any price range. Additionally, there is a color to suit every personality.  In the World of Colors, there are twelve colors, and over 230 different color combinations! Though some colors are quite hard to find, and can be quite expensive, many are readily available and affordable.  This makes a colored diamond an attractive option. From pink to purple to yellow to brown, the options available are endless.   Get One While You Can: While diamonds are already considered rare items, hence their high prices, colored diamonds are far more difficult to find, especially particular colors. If you are into unique and rare items, colored diamonds are definitely up your alley.  As time goes by, it is becoming harder and harder to find colored diamonds of substantial sizes.  Purchasing and owning one allows you the honor of having a rare and valuable natural and historic specimen in your belonging that can be cherished for generations. Asking “why you should buy a colored diamond?” is a legitimate question considering its rarity; not to mention the research one should conduct before purchasing the stone. Finding out about the many advantages they offer can help you feel at ease with your decision.  Colored diamonds are truly special and those lucky enough to own one should understand all of its remarkable qualities.

Fancy color diamonds are found around the globe in an assortment of colors, from pink to red to orange to green to blue, and even black. While some colors like yellow and brown are somewhat “common,” other stones such as pink and blue diamonds are not. Each color is caused by a separate element. For instance, yellow diamonds contain nitrogen, which gives the stone its yellowish tint. Blue diamonds on the other hand receive their unusual color from boron. Most of the world’s blue diamonds are mined in the Cullinan mine in South Africa. Blue represents the color of the sky and the ocean. It symbolizes power, wisdom, knowledge, and faith. Some feel the reason for their stunted popularity is in part due to their rarity and value. According to Robb Report, just because there are more headlines does not mean that there are more blue diamonds, instead “it means that more people have learned to appreciate them. Some say the reason for their stunted popularity is in part due to their rarity and partially because of their steep prices. Many were simply not familiar with the blue version of “a girl’s best friend.” Since blue diamonds are among the more rare colors of fancy color diamonds, they are priced accordingly. Nevertheless, today, those with the means appear to be seeking out these very special specimens more than ever before. LEIBISH Fancy Greenish Blue Radiant Solitaire Diamond Ring The Most Expensive Blue Diamonds In 2013, the world has been waiting anxiously for one of the rarest Fancy Color Diamonds to be offered on the auction block; The Premier Blue – the world’s largest Round Internally Flawless Fancy Vivid Blue diamond weighing in at 7.59 carats. Sotheby’s estimated the blue diamond to fetch around $19million, which would have made it the world’s most expensive diamond ever sold per carat. Based on this estimated price by Sotheby’s, this would be the first diamond to break the $2.5million per carat mark. Previously record-breaking prices for blue diamonds have been in 2011: In October 2011, also in Hong Kong, a 6.01 carat Fancy Vivid Blue commanded the price of $1.687million per carat. Just one year earlier, in October 2010, a 10.95 carat Fancy Vivid Blue set the highest price paid for a blue diamond at $1.439million per carat, this time in New York. The only Fancy Color Diamond that ever broke the $2million per carat ceiling was the 5.00-carat Fancy Vivid Pink in December 2009 at $2.166million per carat, which back then broke both prices per carat and overall price for a pink diamond ever sold.    The results were published the following morning on October 8th, and the Fancy Vivid Blue didn’t reach the reserve price of $19million. The highest bid was $16.12million. Although it did not reach the minimum of $19m, it did, in theory, break new grounds for a Fancy Vivid blue. Should it have been sold at the bid of $16.12m, it would have set the record at $2.124m per carat, breaking the current record that was set in October 2011. Leibish founder, Leibish Polnauer, commented on the results saying: “Everything in life has a price and a limit, even a vivid blue.”  So we wonder, how did the seller come to a $19m valuation? This in no way means that the Fancy Vivid Blue has no potential for further appreciation; it simply means that this is what the market bears at this point in time. This will reiterate that Fancy Color Diamonds continue to show a consistently higher rate of return as alternative investments. We look forward to the next exciting auction for an important Fancy color diamond which will take place back in Geneva, where a 59.60 carat Fancy Vivid Pink is going back on the block that has been tucked away since 2007. That is estimated to sell for $60million, which, if it goes through, will be the highest price ever paid for a diamond in an auction. Are we starting to see pink or blue?  LEIBISH 1.21 carat, Fancy Intense Blue Diamond, Oval Shape, VS2 Clarity, GIA   The blue beauty joins several other famous stones as the world’s most famous and desired blue diamonds. These diamonds include the Hope Diamond, the Wittelsbach-Graff, and the BVLGARY Blue. The first of these three exceptional gemstones is The Hope Diamond. It was originally over 112 carats, but after having been cut a number of times, it is now a 45.52-carat Fancy Deep Blue stone. The Hope Diamond has a fascinating and quite complicated history, which has landed it in the Smithsonian where it remains today. The Hope Diamond is likely the most famous blue diamond in the world today. The second is the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond. It is a 31.06-carat Fancy Deep-Blue Diamond with an Internally Flawless clarity grade. Mr. Laurence Graff purchased the Wittelsbach, which was then renamed to Wittelsbach-Graff in 2010 for USD46 million. This stone still holds today the record for the Highest price paid for any diamond and any jewel sold at auction. Lastly, the Bvlgari Blue was sold at Christie's New York in October 2010 for USD 15.7 million ($1.4 million per carat). This diamond was last purchased in Rome in the late 70s by an anonymous private collector for a mere one million. Considering the price appreciation over the years, it is phenomenal! The staggering price of this precious Blue diamond serves as a reminder of the high value of Blue diamonds. There is no doubt regarding the diamond’s beauty and the undeniable value of Colored Diamonds.  In 2014 the 13.22 carat blue diamond became by far the largest blue diamond of such a vivid color ever to be sold at auction. Other large blue diamonds, such as the Wittelsbach Graff, can’t compare as the color was not near this saturation.  The previous record for such a stone was held by the 10.95 carat fancy vivid blue, which also happened to have been sold by Christie’s back in October 2010 in New York. That diamond was sold for a record price of $15.76 million, or just over $1.44 million per carat. The world record blue diamond price per carat for a fancy vivid blue was sold a year earlier at $1.69 million per carat for a 6.01-carat fancy vivid blue diamond. The Sky is the Limit when Passion Investments are Made Since 2007, every fancy vivid blue diamond sold at auction above five carats in size fetched at least $1.2 million per carat, and the average per carat for the eight stones sold during this period amounts to just over $1.4 million per carat. The closest rare diamond in size and shape sold most recently is the Orange, Fancy Vivid, pear shape, 14.83 carats sold in Geneva by Christie’s back in November 2013. The stone sold for $2.4 million per carat. It is true that one is orange while the other is blue, but both are the rarest in their respective color intensity, which is fancy vivid, and both are a pear shape. Passion investments connect to the individual, and that is precisely why we can see such significant prices paid for such fantastically rare colors. The 12.03 carat natural fancy vivid blue diamond with an IF clarity  Blue Diamonds Sold at Auction It is not every day that we see a true natures gift being offered on the market.  Though the Oppenheimer Blue may be the largest vivid blue diamond ever to be auctioned, there have been other types of blue diamonds in various sizes that have been sold at auction over the years.  In 1983, the most expensive blue diamond ring that belonged to Marie-Antoinette was auctioned. In 1984 the pear-shaped Tereshchenko (42.92 carats) was sold, and in 1995, the 13.78-carat Begum Blue was bought. More recently, the famous Wittelsbach Blue (31.06-carat deep blue diamond) made headlines when it sold in 2008.    Genuine blue diamonds, especially those of superb quality and size, may only be available to those with deep pockets, but the mere fact that they are now on the radar of those who have the means but still only acquire items of importance and value, goes to show how significant these blue gems are and the weight they hold for the future. The consideration of the rare blue diamond price and the value of blue diamonds further accentuates their prominence.

One thing the most recent recession has taught us is that while stocks and bonds can be the door that leads to one’s financial security, it can also be the door that suddenly slams shut, locking all finances away for good. The instability of the market has lead investors to search elsewhere for wise and worthwhile opportunities.Precious metals and stones such as gold and colored diamonds are two of the hottest options available for potential investors. Both of these commodities have proven successful and safe as investments over the past forty years. Here is a look at why these items have done so well despite the poor economy and speculations regarding what the future may have in store for them in terms of their value. Choosing to invest in diamonds or gold depends on various factors, let's delve deeper into this decision. LEIBISH Pink Diamond   Gold has been valuable and used as a form of currency for centuries. Its beauty as well as unique characteristics have been acknowledged and appreciated by men and women alike, whether acquired for the purpose of an investment or to be used as jewelry. However, when purchasing enough Gold to invest, you don’t actually take hold of the goods. Rather, you acquire ownership on paper. In the time of need, whether an emergency or natural disaster, most prefer to actually have their investment in their own possession.Furthermore, Gold has fluctuated up and down quite drastically over the past ten years, but overall moved in the right direction. It most defiantly is its own commodity, but it is directly connected to the world economy. The fact that these precious metals are stored by banks, it is impossible to know what is going to happen with your investment. Unlike gold, colored diamonds have only begun to grab attention of the investment world recently, at the beginning of the 21st century. Nevertheless, colored diamonds do have a rich history, as they have been worn and purchased by royalty and the higher classes for some time.Though they have always been rare, colored diamonds are even rarer today as a result of their growing popularity and high demand. The sources for colored diamonds, particularly certain colors, are extremely limited. Between the low supply and high demand, the prices are forever soaring. This is precisely what makes this commodity and excellent investment, and it is only one of the many appealing reasons.   White Diamonds vs. Colored Diamonds White diamonds differ from colored diamonds in a number of ways, and not just in color. The consumer, alone, is the decisive component in a white diamond’s value while a colored stone’s rarity and potential high bids at auction houses are what ultimately determine colored diamond prices.Extremely rare diamond such as red and blue diamonds most certainly demand high prices, but even “more common” colored diamonds such as brown and yellow diamonds account for less than 0.1% carats of white diamonds that are found.Prices at auction houses are constantly increasing, so much so that natural fancy colored diamonds from the year 2007 to the year 2012 broke a total of thirteen price records. The solid rate at which colored diamond prices are rising legitimately removes colored diamonds from the “risky investment” category that many are distancing themselves from in light of the collapsed economy. LEIBISH Argyle Fancy Intense Purplish Pink Diamond Couture Ring   Easy to Move, Easy to Store Yet another advantage to investing in colored diamonds as opposed to gold for instance, is its weight and ability to be moved with great ease. If one chooses to invest in a physical item and not a company’s stocks, there is quite a range of options to choose from. However, if one would like that object to be easily protected and moved, the choices taper significantly. Unlike, say, a valuable painting, a colored diamond can be transported easily.The amount of gold equal to a valuable colored diamond cannot be moved quite so easily. Large amounts of gold are usually not even stored on an owner’s property, but rather, in a bank.  A colored diamond can be stored or hidden in one’s home, safe, or even worn on their finger.   Liquidating Colored Diamonds One of the most important aspects of an investment is how easy it is to liquidate. Gold is fairly easy to liquidate, thanks to modern technology. It can be sold and money transferred with a click of a mouse. Though selling a colored diamond is slightly more complex than that process, a rare and high quality colored diamond is worth the wait. Similar to a piece of art, or sought after piece of land, the sale may take time, but the high rewards are much appreciated. Fancy Color Diamonds   Flaunt your Diamond The best part about acquiring a colored diamond as an investment should be quite obvious. A colored diamond is, after all a colored diamond! It can be worn in a variety of ways and displayed before everyone. Of course colored diamonds should be insured, but that is the case with any valuable item. The difference is, there is nothing exciting to be done with piles of gold. Yet a stunning pink diamond pendant can adorn you every day while ensuring that not too far down the line it will be worth much more than its cost. LEIBISH 3.30 Carat, Fancy Orangy Pink Diamond Ring   While there is not much to know about gold, it is either certified or not, there is quite a lot to learn about colored diamonds. This should not steer you away from the fantastic investment opportunity that a colored diamond offers you. This, along with the other aspects of a colored diamond, is just part of bringing a remarkable natural specimen into your belongings that is much more than a boring asset, but an intriguing stone that has many facets, in more ways than one.Colored diamonds are not only long term alternative investment options but they are currently the world’s strongest long term alternative investment options that also provide you with beauty, fascination, along with many other advantages.   More Stats and Info The US stock market is on life-support, and has been for quite some time. It will depend on the actions of the Fed and other Central Banks throughout the world to save our financial system from crumbling. While Bernanke's recent statements and testimony before Congress was somewhat disappointing to those hoping fervently for a hint that QE3 was just around the corner, the hope is still alive. The world we live in is full of some amazing natural resources such as Argyle Diamonds that prove to be a safe haven for investors. Just because the US economy has seen better times doesn’t mean a promising future is hopeless. The Rapaport historical price graphs below show statistical data over a period of the last 10 years that prove the strength of Fancy Color Diamonds compared to other major assets in the market, such as Gold, Platinum, the DJIA, and Colorless Diamonds as well. Many of LEIBISH’s respected private clients have questioned whether Gold or Fancy Color Diamonds are a good and safe alternative for long term investments. ‘Fancy Yellow diamonds above 2.00 carats with an IF clarity grade’ and ‘Argyle Pink diamonds above 0.50ct in any clarity grade’ are only some of the stones highly recommend to retain and increase in value over the next 10-15 years. However, there are many different opinions on the matter by some of the most well respected financial institutions we have had the pleasure of working with. A collection of a number of the finest color diamonds that all make sound investments   Julian SinclairChief Investment Officer at Talisman Global Asset Management Limited Gold - our view is that it works in times of great expectations of lots of inflation or lots of deflation (a bust) but in the "interregnum" is just an asset to trade vs. Fiat money (i.e. USD). We reduced our exposure in the 1600/1700s for what it’s worth. David YoungOwner of Wexford Capital Management In 11 years time, Gold has appreciated by 473.7% and silver by 515.3%. Regardless of what it has done over the last 5 months; gold and silver hit new 30-year highs in 2011. Consolidations always take longer than expected. Try $5,000 Gold and $160 Silver on for size and see where buying even today after 11 years of a bull market would put an investor! Richard GlessChief Compliance Officer of Royal Metals Group I say both as any good diversified portfolio as we have no idea how things will play out. I prefer colored diamonds to store my wealth and gold and silver to barter with as they are easily recognizable and can make for an easy transfer for small barter transactions. For those, including myself not trusting of his Govt. I want to encourage my agents and advisors to diversify their clients into natural colored diamonds. Both will do extremely well in a massive inflationary environment. Deflation is only temporary then you will get the massive inflation and then hyperinflation. I like Fancy Color Diamonds the best out of any asset class due to its Portability and Privacy. Advisors who miss FCD are doing a disservice to their clients. They say “different strokes for different folks.” Meaning, everyone will go with what they feel fits best. Leibish Polnauer, President and Founder of LEIBISH Fancy Color Diamonds, explains why he feels when comparing some very strong alternative investments, why he sides so strongly with color diamonds. LEIBISH 5.14ct Fancy Light Yellow Diamonds "I look at our 0.53ct Fancy Red GIA VS1 Argyle diamond vs. the other option of Gold. The stone is worth just below $400,000 US. It fits in your shirt pocket and can easily be transported and remain on your possession in the time of need. One can wear it in a ring or pendant and enjoy every moment of their investment while not reducing the value because it is in use. There is no need to report the price increase in your yearly statements and nobody will notice how much value it has. If you spend $400,000 US and buy Gold bars, you or your bank is forced to report each year how much your gold is worth." One day the cash strapped US government may decide on a Gold Tax, a new Capital Gain Tax, or any other tax- you name it. Your red diamond is a rare commodity, with an Argyle Number and GIA VS clarity grade. You can buy and sell gold with a click of a finger- but with the right tools you can mine more gold as much as you want. Color diamonds are very different. They are rare and extremely unique! More can and will be found, but stones like this are one in a million. A question frequently asked by clients that call in, is what is the liquidity of fancy color diamonds? People want to know if the stone they purchase will be resalable and if they will be able to turn it back over to cash when the time comes.   LEIBISH Fancy Yellow and White Diamond Pear and Oval Drop Earrings One who has Gold, Bonds, or Stocks in their portfolio can quite easily liquidate them in an instant with the push of a button or a single telephone call to the bank. Liquidity of an investment is important, but it should not be the absolute decision maker. A gorgeous piece of prime land in New York City or Sydney, Australia is worth a substantial amount of money and translates to excellent investment property. Similarly, those looking to sell an important impressionist painting, like those often auctioned off at Sotheby's in Geneva, can often expect a rather high return on their investment. Only, in order to sell a painting or a Pink Diamond, one needs a professional network at their fingertips. These are the types of long-term investments that are worth adding to a portfolio even though it often takes more than a mouse-click to liquidate. Furthermore, LEIBISH is always interested in assisting one to resell their LEIBISH branded diamonds or diamond jewelry for our clients. Some goods they will actually purchase themselves for their own stock and some they will consider putting up on their site to resell on behalf of the customer. Long-term investment assets are not as easy to liquidate as stocks. Still, they are extremely powerful and for good reason! Diamonds are forever, and some colors more than others will remain a very wise investment. If you are in a hurry, fancy color diamonds are not for you. Rather, keep you money in the money market. However, if you are planning for the next generation or for the future of your family - Fancy Color Diamonds should be part of your portfolio.    

Sometimes some of the most beautiful and valuable items on this planet can be disguised as a worthless piece when various assumptions are made. This is what happened when a woman from Moscow purchased a diamond ring from a flea market in London over thirty years ago for only $15. It was only natural to assume it was costume jewelry because of its price and its appearance. She thought it was a pretty piece and therefore wore it for years, but you will never guess what she later found out. LEIBISH Pink Diamond Ring   Decades later, with the encouragement of a jeweler, the diamond was sent to Sotheby’s to be analyzed and turned out to be an unusually cut diamond from the 19th century, hence the error people made earlier on when considering it costume jewelry. Thanks to an old cutting style the stone did not resemble a modern shimmering diamond and looked more like an almost dull imitation. Now that it has been identified as a genuine diamond, the 26-carat stone is being estimated at nearly half a million dollars.   The Story Imagine wearing your go-to costume jewelry diamond ring every single day thinking it was nothing more than the $15 piece of junk you bought it for. You clean with it, you jog with, you shop with it. Then, one day, your local jeweler catches sight of your ring and asks about its origin. Taking a closer look, he questions your claim that it is a worthless $15 fake diamond and suggests you have it looked at by the top of the top: Sotheby’s, king of rare and valuable treasures. Sure enough, your piece-of-junk ring not only turns out to be real, but also somewhat rare as it dates back to the 19th century. In fact, its old age is what allowed it to pass as an inauthentic gem for so long. The cutting styles back then were designed more for preserving a stone’s size rather than for increasing its brilliance. Thus older diamonds are less shiny than modern diamonds, resembling a fake diamond more than a real one. This is precisely what befell on one lucky woman from Moscow who now has a $500,000 treasure on her hands.   The Cut It is believed that a duller and deeper cut resulted in a diamond that does not reflect as much light and therefore appears less like a diamond. The antique cushion shape may be less shiny than some of its more modern peers, but it is certainly chock full of personality. The non-cookie-cutter look gives this stone and others like it its own magical appeal.   The Importance of Assessing Diamonds Though this particular diamond may have been overlooked, it is important to understand the need how to assess your diamonds. This is as true for buying diamonds believed to be valuable as it is for diamonds that are thought to be worthless. You will want to make sure your money is getting what it is paying for. At the same time, maybe we should never disregard cheap items you pick up here and there, just because you struck a deal. While most will probably be exactly what you paid for, who knows, some might just surprise you. Modern diamonds have imprinted this image of a dazzling clean diamond in our minds, to the point that most of us forget that a rough diamond is the farthest thing from this image. Similarly, diamonds from different periods will look different, as will most likely, diamonds in the future. Though styles change, diamonds really are forever, so we must not forget that behind every cut and every shape is the same diamond that’s been beneath the earth long before we ever set foot on it.

Investors in today's market are looking for the right opportunities in which to invest in the hope that they will bring abundant returns. Although no one can predict the future, we all have the capability to focus on the solid facts available which are based on any asset's past performance and current market demands. A natural Pink diamond representing the strong investment potential colored diamonds hold in today's market Unfortunately, the more conservative stocks and bonds don't produce the results today that other asset classes potentially hold. Furthermore, some of the more popular alternative investment opportunities available are not tangible and subject to many constraints which make them less attractive. The upward trajectory of fancy color diamond prices over the past few decades has been interrupted infrequently by very minor corrections. Even during the Great Financial Crisis of 2008, fancy color diamonds outperformed almost every other asset class. However, the best way for one to objectively quantify which investment opportunities have exhibited the highest returns in comparison to all other major assets in the market is to compare them. Here we describe which points to focus on in order to present the results of our comparisons.   Comparing the Most Common Assets in the Market  Since our goal was to bring relevant and accurate data to our readers, we made sure to focus on the very same topics your everyday average investment seeker may investigate. We first noted what we felt the most traditional and alternative investment options may be. After many comprehensive hours of research, we managed to collect ROI statistics and the historical price performance for bullion, precious metals, major currencies, U.S. inflation, general stocks & bonds, colorless diamonds, and of course natural fancy colored diamonds. A collection of Fancy Color Diamonds After assessing the information we acquired, we compared the most relevant topics to one another, and to be perfectly honest were actually pleasantly surprised with the results. Although, LEIBISH has been in the trade for a long time and fully acknowledges the investment potential that colored diamonds hold, it was exciting to see how well colored diamonds performed compared to other major asset classes. As a result of their rarity, natural colored diamonds are quite different than any other asset in the market. However, in order to prove the potential we needed to come as close as possible to a comparison of apples to apples, so to say.   Colored Diamonds Compared to Other Assets such as Precious Metals, Stocks, and Currencies In order to ascertain what the most common investment trends are, as well as acquire their historical price performance, one can simply browse through the most popular financial websites. However, none of the websites we found presented a graph that compared the data between one to another. In the following graph, LEIBISH presents Fancy Intense Pink Diamonds larger then 3.00cts, Fancy Intense Yellow Diamonds larger then 5.00cts, a 1.00ct colorless round diamond, US inflation, Gold, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Platinum, and $ per Euro over a 12 year period since the very beginning of the 21st century through to 2012.    Data to be understood from the graph above includes the following: Prices paid for Fancy Intense Pink diamonds larger than 3.00 carats have appreciated in a consistently straight path over a 12 year period, with a 443% gain In 2003, a 3.58ct Fancy Intense Pink Pear shaped stone was sold for USD115,000/carat By late-2007, a 3.86ct Fancy Intense Pink Oval shaped diamond was sold for USD390,000/carat In late-2010, a 4.59 carat Fancy Intense Pink was sold for an amazing  USD625,000/carat  Prices paid for Fancy Intense Yellow diamonds larger than 5.00 carats showed an impressive 350% appreciation between the years 2000 and 2012. Although other assets have improved, and some significantly over the period of time, none can compare to the performance of colored diamonds.   Diamonds to Diamonds - The Appreciation of Colored vs. Colorless  Almost every woman you know wears a diamond ring on her finger, and most have become quite acquainted with the basic information required to asses a stone, the 4Cs. However, how many of those consumers have looked into the past price performance of these stones? LEIBISH therefore collected the data from the Rapaport Report, which is the jewelry industries standard for the pricing of natural colorless diamonds. We then put the numbers to the test. The chart below compares the increase in price over the course of 5 and 10 years of Colorless stones and Fancy Color Diamonds. The stones compared were: 0.50ct Colorless Round compared to a 0.50ct Fancy Intense Argyle Pink 1.00ct Colorless Round compared to a 1.00ct Fancy Yellow 3.00ct Colorless Round compared to a 3.00ct Fancy Light Pink    As one can clearly see, the difference between the two is quite drastic: While the 0.50 carat Colorless stone had a price increase of only 10% over a ten year period, which is a respectable appreciation, the 0.50 carat Fancy Intense Pink Argyle diamond had a 375% price increase over the same period. The 3.00 carat colorless diamond showed a 130% incresae over the 10 year period while the 3.00 carat Fancy Light Pink diamond appreciated at 318% during the same period. Even the 5.00 carat colorless stone, which showed the highest increase of colorless diamonds over a ten year period of 159% could not compare. The charts above provide empirical proof that over a twelve year period, fancy color diamonds display much stronger performance characteristics than any of the other major alternative investments in the market. Economists in today's volatile market are searching for a balanced risk vs. ROI. People prefer tangible investments that help protect against inflation and alternative paper assets. Hard asset commodities such as Gold and Platinum have been a successful venture over the past several years but have also shown extreme volatility. Furthermore, as a paper commodity it is difficult to move, cannot be concealed, and directly connected to the credit markets and other paper assets like ETFs or other such funds.   General Advantage Points Natural fancy colored diamonds are internationally recognized well established goods. They are extremely portable, and therefore easy to transport from one place to another. They have shown an impressive long-term price growth and serve a multi-function asset class as beautiful diamond jewelry and great investment pieces alike. They demonstrated excellent value retention and are an extremely private asset. Rarity Colored diamonds are among the rarest natural gemstones on earth. Only in various different mines around the world are colored diamonds found, and even those are only produced less than 0.1% in comparison to colorless stones. Diamonds found in Rio Tinto's Argyle Diamond Mine, for example, are globally recognized among the world's finest diamonds. They are so rare that it is known as one of the most valuable and investment worthy stones in the market.  Rebecca Pickering, one of Rio Tinto's Argyle Diamond Mine's Chief Engineers said: "only 1% of our production is Pink diamonds. So for every 4 Olympic swimming pools of rocks we crash we get half a bucket of diamonds, and within that half, only a tea spoon of pink diamonds." A fantastic collection of Investment Worthy Argyle Pink, Blue, and Violet Diamonds recently purchased from LEIBISH Market Demand In the 20th century, it was almost unheard of to source a natural colored diamond, and therefore it was only the most rich or famous individuals that purchased these products. However, with time the manufacturing process improved, the Internet opened marketing and exposure of the product, and more of the general public showed keen interest to colored diamonds. Furthermore, when the most famous celebrities began displaying their colored diamond jewelry in public, colored diamonds were quickly adapted to the most common fashion trends. Price Performance Since colored diamonds are such a private asset the only way to accurately measure the public price performance is from the realized results of the world's largest auction houses, Sotheby's and Christie's. Since 2007, over 15 price records have been broken all by fancy colored diamonds, such as "highest price per carat ever paid at auction" and "highest price paid for any diamond and any jewel sold at auction."   Conclusions Fancy color diamonds are the most concentrated and portable form of wealth on the planet. They have proven themselves over time to be the strongest asset class around. They have outperformed all other major assets including stocks, bonds, gold, silver, and platinum. Colored diamonds, simply put, offer much greater potential results than other investment opportunities. However, as it is more difficult to liquidate than other more common investments, it is important to understand that colored diamonds should only be considered for long-term investments. Similar to an exquisite piece of art, finding the buyer may be more difficult and take more time, but the potential returns will be appreciated. Fancy Colored Diamonds exhibit characteristics that any other asset class can only dream about emulating. Read more about color diamond investments. Contact LEIBISH today and start your colored diamond portfolio.

In the past, India was the main producer of colored diamonds, including blues. But since diamond mining is finite, India is running out of diamonds. Today, South Africa has taken the lead in the production of blue diamonds with its Pretoria mine, while grey-blue diamonds usually originate in Australia. Since the natural blue diamond is highly uncommon, auction prices keep setting new records. In 1995, a natural blue diamond was sold in a Christie’s auction for $569,000 per carat. In 2007, one of the rarest gemstones in the world, a 6.04ct Emerald cut, Fancy Vivid Blue, flawless diamond, was sold for a record price of $7.98 million in a Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong, at $1.32 million per carat. It should be mentioned that although colored diamond prices are sometimes determined at auctions, it is important to remember such venues don’t always reflect the real market value. Sometimes, two collectors bid against one another and the end price tends to be unrealistic. Blue diamonds have always been a favorite among the rich and powerful. The blue fancy colored Hope Diamond, a 45.52 carat Heart shape gray-blue diamond, was the possession of King Louis the 14th, Marie Antoinette, and the American heiress, Evelyn Walsh McLean. Today, it is among the most valuable and sought after diamonds in the world, and is displayed at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC. The blue color in the diamond is the result of trace impurities of the element Boron throughout the crystal structure of the diamond. Typically, the color of these diamonds contains secondary colors, such as grays or greens. Natural blue diamonds have the ability to conduct electricity, unlike pure diamonds which are insulators. Although blue diamonds are highly sought after, they are so rare that it is very uncommon to find them in any jeweler’s collection and the deeper the color, the rarer the diamond is. Our collection includes blue diamonds of Light, Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Intense, Fancy Deep, Fancy Dark and Fancy Vivid Blues. The average price appreciation can vary between 15% and 20% a year. There are more buyers than sellers today, which makes it an interesting market in which there is virtually no new supply available. Prices rise, and supply is limited, making these diamonds especially desirable. Many people wish to invest in a blue diamond, which motivates many jewelers to enter the business, pushing prices up even more. The blue diamond market has always been strong, stable, and worthy of investment. The market has an insatiable appetite for fancy colored diamonds in general, and blues in particular - especially since they are among the rarest of colors. This makes them one of the highest valued classifications of natural colored diamonds, along with purples, greens and reds. Not only are they beautiful, but blue colored diamonds are a one-of-a-kind asset, experiencing no price depreciation and presenting one of the most unique investment opportunities.   Contact our team of professionals for assistance or consultation, and we will guide you through all the possibilities in diamond investments. Email us at info@leibish.com or call +(1) 212-921-9700.