Whatever happened to the Esperanza Diamond?

[boxbits]

Not sure why, but it popped into my head recently and got me wondering. I recall some posts indicating that it had been sold for a shockingly low price at auction, which was subsequently canceled due to technical error. Google doesn't seem to reveal anything new, so I thought I'd post in case any PSers had the inside scoop.

THE JOURNEY OF THE ESPERANZA DIAMOND - Inspired Collection

www.theinspiredcollection.com

 

[tyty333]

Thanks for posting! I too was hoping to find out what happened to it but no such luck. I got to see it in Houston at Whiteflash!

 

[Karl_K]

Neil might know something but he might not be able to talk about it.
@denverappraiser

 

[denverappraiser]

That auction was a wild ride and yes, they canceled it. There's a jewelry designer who was going to make something awesome out of it but things sort of ground to a halt because of COVID. I expect to hear more soon as the world and the jewelry business come back to life.

 

[Dizzie]

That auction was a wild ride and yes, they canceled it. There's a jewelry designer who was going to make something awesome out of it but things sort of ground to a halt because of COVID. I expect to hear more soon as the world and the jewelry business come back to life.

Sorry, I might have missed the last part of the story... What has happened in the auction so that auction results had to be canceled?

Thank you

 

[denverappraiser]

The telephones went down in the middle of it.

 

[Dizzie]

The telephones went down in the middle of it.

Thank you for recalling this. Indeed what a mess!!!!

So who got to keep the diamond then? Based on the fact that a designer is working on it, it seems to be sold after the auction nevertheless?

 

[denverappraiser]

It's still for sale, it's waiting for the world to come back together. I think there's a client commissioning the new piece but I'm not sure of the details.

 

[Dizzie]

It's still for sale, it's waiting for the world to come back together. I think there's a client commissioning the new piece but I'm not sure of the details.

Thank you for the clarification. Very interesting

 

[boxbits]

Thanks for posting! I too was hoping to find out what happened to it but no such luck. I got to see it in Houston at Whiteflash!

I saw that you and a few others were lucky enough to see in her person! I am forever jealous.

That auction was a wild ride and yes, they canceled it. There's a jewelry designer who was going to make something awesome out of it but things sort of ground to a halt because of COVID. I expect to hear more soon as the world and the jewelry business come back to life.

Thank you for the update. I'm excited to see what they can do with such a unique piece.

 

[John Pollard]

Okay Pricecope. You inspired.

Update here: https://gemblog.igi.org/the-esperanza-diamond-is-still-for-sale/

Thank you @boxbits for reviving the topic. And @denverappraiser for further details.

 

[OoohShiny]

Okay Pricecope. You inspired.

Update here: https://gemblog.igi.org/the-esperanza-diamond-is-still-for-sale/

Thank you @boxbits for reviving the topic. And @denverappraiser for further details.

Great article!

This is crazy

The diamond has very little nitrogen in it. In fact it has no nitrogen in it. We put it in a mass-spectrometer and discovered it has less than zero parts per billion. – Mike Botha

I also didn't realise our Neil was so involved - kudos for all the efforts (by him and by everyone else) to make the transformation happen

 

[denverappraiser]

So who got to keep the diamond then? Based on the fact that a designer is working on it, it seems to be sold after the auction nevertheless?

It's owned by a group of investors that includes both Ms. Oskarson, the lady who found it, and Mr. Botha, the guy who cut it. That's how the whole cutting thing got funded as well as all of that shipping, lab fees, etc. In that sense, it was sold rather early on but it hasn't sold since then. Not yet at least. The auction didn't change anything. Mostly it's been living in a secret vault in Little Rock.

 

[boxbits]

Okay Pricecope. You inspired.

Update here: https://gemblog.igi.org/the-esperanza-diamond-is-still-for-sale/

Thank you @boxbits for reviving the topic. And @denverappraiser for further details.

Thanks for the article, John! Interesting stuff. Really looking forward to seeing the new piece... And how much it will go for!

 

[tyty333]

I hope the new setting is more appealing. The last one did very little for it IMO...somewhat distracting.

I hope it gets the attention it deserves in the next go around!

 

[ac117]

Thank you for the update! Interesting to see the journey!

I hope the new setting is more appealing. The last one did very little for it IMO...somewhat distracting.

I hope it gets the attention it deserves in the next go around!

I couldn’t agree more...the current setting it just kind of weird. While I understand they were trying to showcase the diamond, the way it’s encased and the way it protrudes off the neckline is not very pretty IMO. I would love to see something a lot more decorative a la Van Cleef like this below, but a necklace rather than a brooch.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I agree. I really hope they use a gifted jewelry designer for the setting this go round.

Nice article, @John Pollard !

 

[whitewave]

I didn’t care for the cut, though I understand why he did that cut and I understand perhaps he was limited by the shape and his desire to have the least amount of wastage.

However, it’s now basically a briolette.

I also didn’t care for the setting, though again, I understand why she (I believe the designer is a woman) made that setting. It’s a difficult stone shape to set.

 

[whitewave]

I also think it should be a drop pendant/necklace but it’s probably going to be filthy all the time because of the shape and how I assume there will be no back to it. Unless the designer can figure out a way to have the setting set it up so that the diamond can dangle without lying on the skin.

 

[GliderPoss]

I actually rather like the original pendant design, think it's a good solution to a difficult shape to set!

 

[John Pollard]

I also think it should be a drop pendant/necklace but it’s probably going to be filthy all the time because of the shape and how I assume there will be no back to it. Unless the designer can figure out a way to have the setting set it up so that the diamond can dangle without lying on the skin.

I love that you're thinking from a wearable perspective. Keep in mind that museum-display may be the endgame from a design standpoint.

 

[whitewave]

I love that you're thinking from a wearable perspective. Keep in mind that museum-display may be the endgame from a design standpoint.

If I had found it.....

Lol....

I’d wear it!

 

[elizat]

If I had found it.....

Lol....

I’d wear it!

Same, I think!

But... maybe not looking like that. I really don't like that pendant.

Very neat read about the stone and all the details though!

 

[John Pollard]

Okay, I'll play. Here are my terrible design ideas for Esperanza.

>Earlobe-strobe
>Nose-ring teardrop
>Suspend from bottom of beard, Norse-warrior-style

Design goal: Draw attention away from shiny head to awesome diamond.

 

[Sunstorm]

I agree. I was underwhelmed by the triolette and the design. But I would want to wear it of course! Had I found it, she would not be solved but I guess many would hate me for that, saying it deserves to be in a museum for all to see. I get why this shape was chosen. Still. Even a long emerald cut in a ring ... yumm, yumm. Again I am bad as I would never be able to part with her. Really awesome to get to follow her history though!

 

[denverappraiser]

John. Buy it. Then consider a unicorn horn themed tiara.

 

[boxbits]

Does anyone know why Erica Courtney did not design original pendant? I'm pretty sure I read that she had been commissioned to do it.

Well, whatever happened, I'm excited to see the Esperanza in her new dress!

 

[AV_]

Too much hope is dread - sell.

to whom it may concern