AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
SourcingNov 29, 2016
A ‘Rare’ Glimpse of Brilliance Coming to LA
L.J. West Diamonds is partnering with the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County on an exhibition of natural colored diamonds called “Diamonds: Rare Brilliance.”
The 1.64-carat Victorian Orchid Vivid Purple Diamond is one of the gems that will be on display for “Diamonds: Rare Brilliance,” an exhibition of natural colored diamonds that is slated to open next month at Los Angeles’ Natural History Museum.
Los Angeles--A brilliant display of natural colored diamonds will be on view at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles beginning next month.
Called “Diamonds: Rare Brilliance,” the exhibition is comprised of stones from the collection of New York-based L.J. West Diamonds, a company that’s been in the colored diamond business for nearly 40 years.
It is comprised of:
The Juliet Pink Diamond, an oval-shaped 30.03-carat fancy intense pink of VVS2 clarity that was cut from an estimated 90-carat rough from South Africa;
The Argyle Violet, the 2.83-carat oval shaped-diamond that is the biggest violet diamond to ever come out of Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine in Australia;
The Rainbow Necklace, which features more than 100 rare diamonds of all colors and weighs nearly 36 carats; and
The Victorian Orchid Vivid Purple Diamond, a 1.64-carat fancy vivid purple diamond of SI2 clarity (bought in partnership with and cut and polished by Rio Diamond Corp.).
Diamonds: Rare Brilliance begins Dec. 16 and runs through March 19, 2017.
The 2.83-carat Argyle Violet is the biggest violet diamond ever found at the Argyle diamond mine in Western Australia. It is color graded as a fancy deep grayish-blue and was cut from a 9.17-carat piece of rough.
The 30.03-carat Juliet Pink Diamond is a fancy intense, VVS2 stone that’s been cut into an oval shape. It is a set into a necklace with 98.70 carats of marquise, pear and round-cut white diamonds that are E to F in color and VVS clarity.
The color of the cushion-cut Victorian Orchid Vivid Purple Diamond is extremely rare, L.J. West Diamonds said. It is a fancy vivid purple diamond of SI2 clarity and will appear in the exhibition set in a flower designer platinum ring setting.
In an interview earlier this month about his company’s purchase of the Argyle Violet, L.J. West Diamonds President Larry West said of the exhibition, “Nobody’s ever seen stones like this, and I think it’s important for them to be out there in the public domain. It makes it more real for people; it’s not just a story.”
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more details on visiting, go to NHM.org.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.
Weekly QuizMay 14, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
IndependentsMay 12, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2026
The Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award Is BackThe partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 YearsThe owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers BoardJeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store EventsThe new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award WinnersTwo pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
AuctionsMay 07, 2026
‘Spectacular’ Kashmir Sapphire Headlines Heritage Spring Jewelry SaleLed by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.
MajorsMay 07, 2026
Gannon & Scott Names New Regional Account ExecutiveIn his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.
WatchesMay 07, 2026
Chrono24 Names New CEOJosé Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.
Events & AwardsMay 07, 2026
JA Accepting Applications for 2026 Scholarship ProgramIt has also opened the application period for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship through June 30.
SourcingMay 06, 2026
Canada’s Oldest Diamond Mine Faces Uncertain FutureThe owner of the Ekati mine, which opened in 1998, has filed for insolvency protection amid the significant decline in diamond prices.
