The “Brasher doubloon” gold coin, the first of its kind ever minted in the country, sold at a Florida auction for $4,582,500. Considered the world’s most valuable coin, the Brasher doubloon was sold to an unidentified buyer through Heritage Auctions at the Florida United Numismatists Convention in Orlando. This type of coin was reportedly minted […]
Legally Counterfeiting Diamonds
Posted on January 7th, 2014 by Joe G
Counterfeiting diamonds for a living? Sounds like something a white collar criminal from a movie would do. But John Hatleberg is no criminal; he is a gem cutting expert commissioned to create replicas of world-famous diamonds in order to protect them. People want his replicas to protect their diamonds for insurance, display, education reasons and […]
GIA versus EGL, IGI and Other Diamond Grading Services
Posted on December 30th, 2013 by Joe G
As a diamond buyer and seller for over 33 years it is more common that diamond buyers and sellers in the industry honor GIA (Gemological Institute of America) certified diamonds over all the other legitimate companies offering grading services, like EGL (European Grading Labs), IGI (International Grading Institute), AGS (American Gem Society), etc. While these […]
Golconda Diamond Sells for Nearly $11 Million
Posted on December 12th, 2013 by Joe G
The New York Magnificent Jewels auctions from April, October and the most recent in December brought in almost $193.9 million altogether. The final 495-lot auction last Wednesday, December 4, ended with the sale of an internally flawless diamond from the Golconda mine in India for $10.9 million. The Golconda mines are known for diamonds of […]
Three Reasons to Keep Gold Around
Posted on December 3rd, 2013 by Joe G
Gold is one of the most fascinating natural metals on the planet. Aside from diamonds, few other materials have held such intrinsic,and instrumental value to people. Did you know that astronauts’ space helmets actually have a thin layer of gold on the visors to protect them from the glare and heat of sunlight in space? […]