Grading

Leibish wins 7 Argyle stones, will re-polish 2

GradingMay 11, 2016

Leibish wins 7 Argyle stones, will re-polish 2

Israeli diamond company Leibish & Co. placed winning bids for a total of seven diamonds in the 2013 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender, including two fancy deep pinks and one fancy vivid. 


From left to right beginning with the top row, Leibish won lots 30, 58, 24 and 61 at the Argyle Pink Diamond Tender, plus lots 62, 17, and 28.
Ramat Gan, Israel--Israeli diamond company Leibish & Co. placed winning bids for a total of seven diamonds in the 2013 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender, including two fancy deep pinks and one fancy vivid.

Leibish, which is headquartered in Ramat Gan and specializes in the polishing and re-cutting of natural color diamonds, said it is sending two of the seven diamonds back to the polishing wheel, as it believes it can achieve a better color on both stones.

Leibish won:
-- Lot No. 17, a 0.42-carat heart-shaped fancy deep pink, VS2 clarity
-- Lot. No. 24, a 0.51-carat radiant-cut fancy deep pink, VS2
-- Lot. No. 28, a 0.35-carat round fancy vivid pink, I1
-- Lot. No. 30, a 0.71-carat radiant-cut fancy intense pink, SI2
-- Lot. No. 58, a 0.53-carat heart-shaped fancy intense purplish-pink, I1
-- Lot. No. 61, a 0.68-carat oval-shaped fancy intense purple-pink, SI2
-- Lot. No. 62, a 0.53-carat princess-cut fancy purplish pink, VS1

The company said it plans to cut Lots 17 and 24 from deep pink to fancy red.

Few diamond companies worldwide attempt to improve the hue of natural colored diamonds by re-cutting. Among the most notable in recent history is Graff Diamonds, headed by billionaire diamantaire Laurence Graff. After purchasing the 35.56-carat Wittelsbach Diamond at auction for $24.3 million in December 2008, Graff re-cut the stone to 31.06 carats to improve the color and make the stone internally flawless.

Last year, Leibish won 17 diamonds at the tender, which amounted to 25 percent of the total number of stones for sale.

This year, it took home seven diamonds out of 64, or about 11 percent of the total number of lots offered. Benji Margolese, Leibish’s director of content marketing, said the company does not publicize the prices it paid for the stones.

But he did note that prices at this year’s pink diamonds tender were up like “crazy.”

“We submitted very generous bids and only turned up in the 50th to 60th percentile of the bids submitted for some stones,” Margolese said. “People are aware of the potential of Argyle tender diamonds and (are) paying higher numbers than we are.”

Though it does not give specifics about price paid or buyers,
mining company Rio Tinto released a general overview of its 2013 Argyle Pink Diamonds tender earlier this month.

The company said the sale set two new records: the 1.56-carat “Argyle Phoenix” achieved the highest price per carat ever paid for a diamond from Argyle mine while the “Argyle Dauphine,” a 2.51-carat fancy deep pink, set a new record for the highest price ever paid for a diamond from the mine. The Dauphine also set a new world record price for a fancy deep pink diamond.
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

Stock image of police cars with lights on
CrimeOct 20, 2026
Security Guard Charged With Murder in Shooting at Texas Mall

The guard opened fire on a man who was smashing a jewelry display case at La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth last week, police said.

David Gardner’s Jewelers interior
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped Showroom

The Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.

Kylie Jenner Fantasy Bra Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The Numbers

Jacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.

lab channel btyb 0926.png
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.

Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.

Mignon Faget Atelier Collection Campaign Imagery
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AI

The “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.

Weekly QuizOct 15, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
 Rio Grande engagement ring and band
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform Zola

The pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.

The Secret Gems Thailand
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand

"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.

1872 x 1052 Gemolite.jpg
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional Edition

Experience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.

John Hardy Modern Talisman Collection Campaign Imagery
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection

The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.

Collage of independent jewelers celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2026
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026

Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?

Hand holding shopping bags
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales

The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.

Christina Puchi Gemstone Earrings
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the Universe

Our Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.

Reeds Jewelers Fayetteville
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates Flagship

The New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.

Graff USA Executive Vice President Katy Chen
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA

Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.

Elise & Amy Greenberg
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg

For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.

The Retail Smiths Principal Partner Peter Smith
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?

It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.

Stephanie Gottlieb Movado watches
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist Stack

Movado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.

Polished diamond in tweezers
SourcingOct 15, 2026
Signet Jewelers, Richemont May Join Bidder for De Beers, Report Says

The two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.

Wolf x Marla Aaron Some of the Things Box
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your Things

The “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.

Coleman Clark and Mitchell Clark
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell Clark

Fourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.

Manual Marcial de Gomar
SourcingOct 14, 2026
Manuel Marcial de Gomar, ‘The Emerald Whisperer,’ Dies at 90

The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.

Tiffany & Co.’s Blue Box Café by Daniel Boulud at South Coast Plaza
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3

Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”

Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference 2026 Graphic
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 Program

This year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.

Lugano Diamonds Greenwich Connecticut store
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano Jewelry

The high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.

Stephanie Gottlieb Wholesale Lab-Grown Collection
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection Wholesale

The jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.

Sean Dunn
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean Dunn

Dunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.

Bulgari pink diamond
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' Diamond

The 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy