PRESIDENT'S CORNER

LEIBISH Mogok Vivid Pink Sapphire and Green Tsavorite Bombe Ring The Splendor of Mogok The world’s legendary jewels have all hailed from mysterious and exotic lands in far flung regions. The Star of India, that mammoth 6-rayed star stone was recovered from Sri Lanka. The Cullinan Diamond, the largest diamond ever found, was mined in South Africa. And the enormous Jewel of Kashmir sapphire required heroic efforts to uncover it high in the Himalayas over a century back. Mogok city (Photo Credit to Naw Htike) The Road to Burma The Mogok Stone Tract in upper Burma has also been synonymous with the world’s most cherished jewels dating back some 2,000 years. Remote and inhospitable, this southeastern Asian country has famously produced remarkable jewels throughout time. This special tract is famed for ruby, sapphire, spinel, peridot, and moonstone. “For centuries, the Mogok Stone Tract’s hills were legendary for such amazing abundance that locals were said to come upon gems just glinting in the grass in their gardens,” reports the American Museum of Natural History in their published work, Ruby Land: The Gems and Geology of Myanmar’s Mogok Stone Tract. Miners in the Kadoke-tat mine (Photo Credit to Federico Barlocher) Ruby Land Ahead While it may be difficult to acquire these sumptuous stones today, it is still possible to those persistent enough to endure the rigors of Burma (Myanmar). The region’s highway boasts a “Welcome to Ruby Land” sign foretelling the approximately 1,000 working mines still found there. LEIBISH Burmese Marquise Ruby and Heart Diamond Three-Stone Halo Ring The exceptional 4.60 ct vivid red Mogok Splendor was mined in the monsoon-ridden subtropical valley of Kadoke Tat (or Kadote-dat). It was recovered from the natural marble fissure in Mogok Township a decade back. In Asia these stones are traditionally called Burma Ruby. The mine is acknowledged for its fine rubies and other gemstones.After being polished by a local craftsman, the crystal revealed its superb quality. The no-heat Mogok Splendor rivals the most incomparable of Burmese sapphires. Mogok Gems  The Trophy for Mining Hardship Mining gemstones, especially in this rugged terrain, is both grueling and fraught with danger. The miner has to move tons of marble and carefully scan the results for quality corundum. The miners must inspect hundreds of tons of marble just to find a worthy crystal. Miners in the Kadoke-tat mine during hard and dangerous labor Inside the Kadoke-tat mine The Valley is blessed with coveted gems including rubies and sapphires embedded in its creamy white marble that must be brought to the surface.   The stone embedded in motherock crystal of marble Vivid red rubies have increased in prominence following the closure of the Argyle mine in 2020.  While they are not cheap, they have a winning price point when contrasted to the stellar prices of pink diamonds. The Mogok Splendor Burmese ruby and sapphire are currently the darling of auction houses and reaching exceptional prices for fine goods. Collectors are quick to identify a superb stone when they see one and they understand they represent exceptional value while bringing a lifetime of enjoyment. LEIBISH Mogok Vivid Pink Sapphire and Green Tsavorite Bombe Ring LEIBISH Extraordinary Burma Unheated Red Ruby and Diamond Halo Ring

Luxury is part of magic. I often hear that luxury is about selling dreams. But I actually think luxury is not about dreams but rather it’s about magic. Luxury is a form of magic, which transforms and uplifts the nature of things, just as magicians and fairies do. Cartier the Alchemist Luxury maisons do not create that ethereal dream world, rather they embellish it by adding something completely enchanting to it. Jean Cocteau wrote about the legendary House of Cartier, describing its founder as a ‘subtle magician’. Cartier helps us see beauty wherever it may appear, including in the mundane like nails or screws. They become transformed into precious artifacts, objects of desire---just like that. They make the ordinary extraordinary, like an alchemist. LEIBISH Extraordinary No Heat Oval Sapphire and Diamond Side Stone Ring Transformation of Luxury The magic of luxury also has an effect on the one who wears these treasured creations. Precious stones carry energy and mystery, having been mysteriously forged below the Earth millions of years ago. Colorful stones have been collected, horded and fought over since time immemorial. From that they naturally evolved into potent symbols of royal or religious power. They hold a fragment of eternity. They render confidence. They enhance life and elevate the soul.   LEIBISH 1.73 carat, Fancy Intense Pink Diamond, Emerald Shape, SI1, GIA & ARGYLE Modern Times In the realm of luxury especially, jewelry takes on a mystical quality. Even so, modern times call for transparency all the way around-- on materials, processes, origins, and supply chains. The whole thing. One can wonder if this new era of transparency is compatible with magic. Will it not kill the mystery? I can’t see that it will kill the mystery because magic is not an illusion---luxury remains. The more one sees a true artisan’s craftsmanship, the more awe it brings. The more one understands the sum of technology and the know-how necessary to magnify beauty, the more amazing it becomes. The more one wears carefully curated jewelry. the more confident one feels. That luxury piece of jewelry is alluring—and so is the woman wearing it. LEIBISH Rosie's Bloom Collection Power of Love in Action When Luxury maisons create beautiful settings, it unleashes an ephemeral magical transformation, revealing its true charm and allure. Like Cinderella´s fairy godmother whose touch temporarily revealed Cinderella’s true self--- let’s experience the magic of love in operation.  LEIBISH Exceptional Fancy Vivid Yellow Green Radiant 3 Stone stone Diamond Ring