Gretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
Leibish debuts $4M ‘Purple Orchid’ diamond
Leibish & Co. has polished and will now present its “Purple Orchid” diamond, a 3.37-carat fancy intense pinkish-purple, VS2-clarity diamond, in Hong Kong later this month.

Ramat Gan, Israel--Leibish & Co. has polished and will now present its “Purple Orchid” diamond, a 3.37-carat fancy intense pinkish-purple, VS2-clarity diamond, in Hong Kong later this month.
The Purple Orchid diamond is from a South African mine, one of the few places where purple diamonds can be found. Leibish said that its chief diamond buyer, Shmulik Polnauer, was informed of the rough diamond when its owners were traveling around to generate interest in the stone, and he flew to India to see it himself in person.
Polnauer negotiated with the owners, who chose to remain anonymous, for four days before reaching a deal for the nearly 4-carat stone. Leibish has valued the diamond at $4 million.
After four months of polishing, the final cushion-cut Purple Orchid diamond will be on display for the public for the first time at the upcoming September Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair, slated for Sept. 15 to 19.
The discovery of the diamond comes after color authority Pantone declared the 2014 color of the year as “Radiant Orchid,” after which the stone is named.
RELATED CONTENT: ‘Radiant Orchid’ named color of the year
“The cause of purple in diamonds remains a mystery, which only adds to the glamour and attractiveness of diamonds like these,” said President Leibish Polnauer. “There is currently a huge demand for luxury items that are different and stand out, not something that everyone has. There is nothing more unique on the market right now than color diamonds, and this incredible purple diamond is more than a cut above the rest. There are very, very few diamonds on the market above 3 carats with purple as the main color, which is what makes this exquisite diamond so rare.”
The Latest

Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.

With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

Laughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.


The California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.

A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 13.

The auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.

Zaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.

Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.

The British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.

The “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.

Nelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.

Cat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.

Arnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.

The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.

The stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.

Engagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Former Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.

The veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.

Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).

The labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.

“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.

The “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.

This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.























