GRACE BELGRAVIA

The Story

President of the De Beers Institute of Diamonds, Andrew Coxon, will provide a fascinating insight into how diamonds are produced by Mother Nature, what makes them so valuable and how to select them for a piece of jewellery, as part of a collection or as a financial investment.

Throughout the evening Andrew will share inspiring stories including his tale of delivering the 203-carat Millennium Star to its new owner on a yacht in Cannes… in his pocket!

De Beers began the search for nature’s most exquisite and magnificent prizes over 125 years ago. In 1888, De Beers Consolidated Mines was founded and with it, the start of an unrivalled legacy in diamonds. The group remains the world’s leading diamond company with unrivalled expertise in the exploration and mining of diamonds throughout the world. In 1939, De Beers identifies the industry’s first diamond grading system with the introduction of the ‘4Cs’, whose process is still used today.

Furthremore, in 1947, De Beers introduces the now iconic slogan ‘A Diamond is Forever’; the line conveys the eternal promise of a diamond. In 2001, De Beers Diamond Jewellers is formed as a joint venture between The De Beers Group of Companies and Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH). The first diamond De Beers Diamond Jewellers buys is the Millennium Star – an incredible 203 carat Pear-cut diamond. The first De Beers Diamond Jewellers store opens at 50 Old Bond Street, London. In 2002, London’s flagship store remains in this location today though a network of stores has since grown to over 30 worldwide.

RSVP now for a unique experience into the world of diamonds at one-off party on 23 March 2017!