Anonymous Bidder Lands Legendary ‘Beau Sancy’ Diamond for $9.57 Million

The 35-carat “Beau Sancy,” a diamond coveted by kings, queens and princes for more than 400 years, was sold on Tuesday night to an anonymous bidder for $9.57 million after an animated eight-minute battle among five interested parties at Sotheby’s in Geneva. The aggressive bidding drove the price to more than double the pre-auction estimate of $4 million.

Called “one of the most important historic diamonds ever to come to auction,” the Beau Sancy has a lineage that links the royal families of France, England, the Dutch Republic and Prussia. The diamond chronicles the history of their fluctuating fortunes for more than four centuries, as it was used to reinforce alliances between nations and pawned to pay off royal debts.

Originally acquired during the 1500s by Nicolas de Harlay, Lord of Sancy, the diamond was subsequently purchased by French King Henri IV and gifted to his second wife, Marie de Medici. Legend states that as soon as Marie set eyes on the Beau Sancy diamond she had to have it, and nagged her wayward husband until he bought it for her.

The modified “pear double rose cut” diamond failed to bring good fortune to either of them. Famously, she had the Beau Sancy set in her crown for her coronation as the Queen Consort on May 13, 1610. Just a day later Henri was assassinated, leaving her with six children under the age of nine.

After she was exiled in disgrace in 1631, she sold the diamond to settle her debts.

And this was just the first leg in the Beau Sancy’s 400-year journey through European royal history as it passed through the hands of warring and peacemaking monarchs.

“The legendary Beau Sancy is a truly magical stone that has entranced generations of royal owners and continues to exert a powerful influence over all who see it,” said David Bennett, Sotheby’s chairman of jewelry in Europe and the Middle East, in a statement.

“Its supreme historical importance was reflected tonight in the strength of the bidding and the remarkable result realized,” he said.

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American University Student Heeds Wishes of Girlfriend’s Mom and Delays Proposal Until AFTER Graduation

Sam Miller and Sarah Cooper met in 2009 as fresh-faced freshmen on the campus of American University in Washington, D.C. He was in the School of Public Affairs and she was in the School of Communications. They started dating, and after only three months Miller knew deep in his heart that Cooper was “the one,” according to WUSA9.com.

Miller wanted desperately to propose to Cooper, but the young woman’s mom was unwavering in her stance that the couple had to wait until after graduation.

Miller heeded the mom’s wishes, but clearly she didn’t specify how long after graduation, so… on Sunday, May 13, about three seconds after Cooper received her diploma, Miller was waiting on the ceremonial stage with ring in hand.

As Cooper prepared to exit the platform, Miller got down on one knee and popped the question in front of a cheering group of family, friends, professors and peers. The surprised Cooper nodded “Yes” and the couple embraced. Then Miller slipped a diamond engagement ring onto her finger.

“I chose to propose on stage at her graduation because I didn’t want to wait another minute for her to be my fianceé,” Miller told NBC Washington.

The video of the proposal posted on YouTube has been viewed more than 40,000 times over the past three days. Here’s your chance to share in the romance…

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$25,000 Diamond Hunt in NYC Celebrates Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee, Supports Charity

If you’re planning to be in New York City on June 2 here’s a neat way to have some fun, test your smarts, support a worthy charity and possibly head home with 10 diamonds worth $25,000.

To celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee – the occasion marking the 60th anniversary of her accession to the British throne – a New York City restaurant is hosting a 5 1/2-hour diamond hunt that will pit teams against each other as they solve clues leading to the diamond treasure.

The event is being organized by a restaurant with a distinctively British appeal – Tea & Sympathy. Proceeds will benefit the Dustin Keller Foundation, a charity founded by the New York Jets’ tight end, who will oversee the final stage of the hunt.

The Foundation is dedicated to Keller’s conviction that the abilities and dreams of young people are greater than the challenges that can derail those dreams. The funds will help support the efforts of teachers, coaches, mentors and community leaders who enrich the lives of children.

The day will commence at 10 a.m. in New York City’s West Village. Following registration, participants will form groups of 10 and the hunt will last until 3:30 p.m. The day will end with the presentation of the diamonds and a street party.

The diamond caché was donated by Yves Ringler, a fifth-generation diamond merchant born in Antwerp, Belgium, who has been part of the New York diamond trade for the past 20 years.

“We are so excited to use the Jubilee for a great cause,” said Nicky Perry, owner of Tea & Sympathy. “Just like the Royal family, we believe in giving back and see this as a great opportunity to help others.”

Tickets to participate in the Diamond Hunt are $100 and organizers expect up to 1,000 people to take part.

Tickets can be purchased at cityhunt.org/jubilee. More details will be released via Twitter and Facebook.

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Teen Starlet Miley Cyrus Steps Out on the Town Sporting New Nose Bling

Miley Cyrus is sporting new nose bling. The teen starlet, who stirred controversy in 2009 when she and her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, collaborated on her first piercing, decided to take this look to the next level by supplanting her tiny gem stud with a more prominent gold hoop.

The 19-year-old pop star was out on a “basic tee shopping spree” with beau Liam Hemsworth when she was spotted with the new jewelry, according to E! Online.

Cyrus is not the only celebrity making an edgy fashion statement with a gold hoop nose ring. Singer-songwriters Pink, Lenny Kravitz, Ke$ha and Joss Stone, to name a few, have made nose rings part of their signature looks. In fact, Ke$ha showed off her nose ring on the cover of her debut album.

When she first got the nose piercing, an apprehensive Cyrus – who was only 16 at the time – said that she hoped “no one is upset at me for doing it,” further explaining, “It’s just temporary. You can take it out.”

Three years later, her new take on an old theme needs no apologies…

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850 Glee Flash Mobbers Assist With Marriage Proposal in Seattle

Welcome to Music Friday and here’s the scene. It’s April 21, 2012, a beautiful sunny afternoon at Westlake Park in Seattle and about 850 flash mobbers have come together to perform a six-minute musical medley as part of the 3rd Annual Glee Flash Mob, one of the biggest Glee fan events in the country.

Now here’s the fun part: Exactly 3 minutes and 50 seconds into the performance, the dancing stops, the music stops and all the mobbers settle quietly to the ground, except for Tim Hannifin, who remains standing.

Hannifin calls for his girlfriend and fellow “Gleek” Emily Ogura to join him, and proposes on bended knee to the utterly shocked young woman. Ogura can barely contain her emotions. She bursts into tears, hands to her face, as the equally surprised mobbers look on. Finally, Ogura settles herself, accepts the ring and says, “Yes,” to a beaming Hannifin.

With Harrifin and Ogura embracing in a world of their own, the music resumes and the mob continues its performance as poppers and streamers fill the air. When the performance is over, the mobbers rush over to the happy couple to offer their well wishes.

This all came about because Hannifin had won a “flash mob proposal” drawing offered by Egan Orion, a flash mob producer. Maintaining the element of surprise in the social media age was particularly challenging, as co-choreographers Beth Meberg and Jared Jones had to keep the proposal-part a secret from the 800 flash mobbers.

Here’s your chance to get in on the excitement… Click video below.

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Golden Nugget Atlantic City Lives Up to Its Name; Casino’s Debut is a 24-Karat Extravaganza

When the gleaming Golden Nugget Atlantic City opened its doors for the first time on April 26 visitors were dazzled by a 24-karat mother lode of glitz and glamor. Keeping with its Gold Rush theme, everything about the grand opening was golden – right down to the gold scissors used to snip the ceremonial grand-opening ribbon that marked the completion of the $150 million transformation of the old Trump Marina Hotel Casino.

The festivities were highlighted by the arrival of the largest gold nugget in the world, a 62-pound marvel valued at more than $5 million. Named the “Hand of Faith,” the extraordinary nugget was delivered to the Golden Nugget under the protection of armed guards and is on public view in a super-secure display case in the hotel’s retail corridor, a short walk from the atrium.

The Hand of Faith nugget was discovered in 1980 by Aussie Kevin Hillier using a common metal detector near his home in Victoria. His amazing find was only 12 inches below the surface, resting in a vertical position. The nugget is more than 18 inches tall.

Also unveiled during the grand opening was a “GOLD to go” vending machine, an ATM-like device that dispenses pure gold and silver instead of cash. The machine itself makes a stunning visual statement, covered in 24-karat gold leaf. It is located in Golden Nugget’s atrium, just off the casino floor. This is the first such machine on the East Coast and only the second one in North America. The other resides in the Golden Nugget’s sister hotel in Las Vegas.

Precious metal lovers may choose from silver and gold bars and coins ranging from five grams to one ounce. The machine is linked by computer to the precious metals market, and prices are updated every 60 seconds.

A one ounce gold bar, for instance, was selling for $1,853 during the grand opening. The least expensive item was a $39 Liberty silver coin weighing one ounce. The priciest item was a one-ounce gold Eagle coin costing $1,910. Each item is dispensed in a neatly packaged decorative black box.

As part of a grand opening promotion, the Golden Nugget will be giving away one pound of gold valued at $26,000 every day in May for a total of $1 million. Drawings will be held every half hour from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Golden Nugget’s Atrium.

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Magnificent 12-Carat Pink Diamond Expected to Fetch $8 Million

A 12-carat fancy intense pink diamond – the biggest round pink diamond ever to appear at auction – is expected to fetch more than $8 million when it goes up for bid at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels Spring Sale on May 29 in Hong Kong.

Adding to the stone’s value is the purity of the pink color. While most natural pink diamonds have a tinge of purple, grey or orange to them, this stone shows no trace of a secondary color.

Dubbed the “Martin Pink,” the extremely rare colored diamond had been owned by the famous New York jeweler Harry Winston, whose son, Ronald, named the stone in honor of the Viking 1 mission to Mars in 1976. It was then sold to a private collector the same year. 

Fancy intense pink diamonds of this size come along only once in a generation. In fact, jewelry experts are comparing the Martin Pink to the most famous pink diamond in the world – the Williamson Pink. The flawless 54-carat uncut pink diamond was presented to Queen Elizabeth II back in 1947 as a wedding present. It was later faceted and set as the 23.60-carat center of a flower brooch for Elizabeth’s coronation in 1952.

‘Mirror Diamond’ Necklace From the Mughal Empire Priced at $20 Million

A “Mirror Diamond” necklace bearing five table-cut Mughal-empire diamonds from the early 17th century has been offered for private sale at a price of $20 million by the London auction house Bonhams.

The necklace is considered one of the most important and valuable pieces of Mughal jewelry ever seen on the market and reflects a period when the Mughals controlled most of the Indian subcontinent.

At 28 carats, the central stone is the largest mirror or table-cut diamond in existence, and the five diamonds (ranging from 16 to 28 carats) are the largest known matching set of table-cut diamonds from the Mughal 17th century. It is most likely that the diamonds belonged to a Mughal emperor.

To both Mughal emperors and Indian maharajas, the quality and size of the gem were of paramount importance. Because gem cutters worked toward achieving the largest size possible, they typically removed only cracks and inclusions. The cutting strategies of that era often resulted in gems with irregular and asymmetrical shapes.

The five table-cut diamonds featured in the necklace have a flat top and bottom, with facets around the edge. This faceting acts as a border around the irregular shape of the diamond and produces a refractive brilliance. The Gemological Institute of America has speculated that the five near colorless diamonds were cut from the same crystal.

In the necklace’s current form, each diamond is encased in delicate gold frames adorned with Colombian emerald drops. The whole thing is woven in a gold and ivory silk cord. Bonhams reported that the emeralds were likely added during the late 18th or early 19th century.

It is very rare and remarkable that the Mughal Mirror Diamond necklace has survived with its gemstones intact. Much of India’s royal jewelry has been subjected to the aesthetics and new cutting techniques of the 19th and early 20th century, with gemstones often refaceted into more modern shapes.

“What makes [the table-cut diamonds] so remarkable – the rarity, if you like – is that they have not been Westernized,” explained Matthew Girling, chief executive officer of Bonhams and head of its jewelry unit.

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Pitt Missed the Mark With $500,000 Diamond Engagement Ring; Jolie Prefers Emeralds

Memo to Brad Pitt: The next time you spend a full year designing an engagement ring for your significant other you may want to take note of her favorite gemstone.

It’s been only a few weeks since the world got its first peek at the $500,000 emerald-cut diamond ring that Brad Pitt personally designed for Angelina Jolie. The platinum engagement ring boasted a 7-carat emerald-cut center diamond accented with 9 carats of tapered emerald-cut diamonds encircling the platinum band.

Here’s the problem… 

“She isn’t fond of it,” a friend confided to In Touch magazine. “Nothing against Brad’s design. She’s just never been enamored of white diamonds.”

Ouch! The friend added that Jolie had been hoping for a less traditional stone. “Emeralds are her favorite,” the friend said, adding that Jolie’s been complaining that Pitt’s choice of a diamond centerstone, rather than an emerald, “shows how little he knows her.”

Casual followers of Jolie would notice how much she loves to wear emeralds and how great she looks while wearing them. The photo above, for instance, shows Jolie looking ravishing in emerald drop earrings at the 2009 Oscars. 

Jolie is not the only celebrity who has coveted a non-traditional engagement ring.

In mid-March, Halle Berry unveiled her 4-carat emerald engagement ring. The emerald is flanked by two diamonds in a yellow-gold setting “forged according to ancient Phoenician tradition,” said its designer.

Back in 1953, the fashion-forward former first lady, Jacqueline Kennedy, received a diamond and emerald engagement ring from John F. Kennedy, who was a U.S. Senator at the time. The ring consisted of one 2.88-carat diamond mounted next to a 2.84-carat emerald with tapered baguettes. In 1962, a total weight of 0.66 carats of round diamonds and 1.46 carats of marquise diamonds were added to the ring.

If Pitt decides to reconsider his choice of engagement ring, he may take note of one of the most famous and lavish emerald rings of all time. Once the prize of Claire Chalk, wife of Oscar Roy Chalk, the renowned New York entrepreneur, The Chalk Emerald is a 37.82-carat, square-cut emerald set in platinum and surrounded by 60 pear-shaped colorless diamonds with a total weight of 15 carats. The ring currently resides at the National Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian Institution.

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