London Jewelers is commemorating its 100th anniversary with the creation of a significant legacy diamond. The renowned luxury retailer is transforming a 63-carat natural rough diamond into a 20.26-carat D-color, flawless, old mine cushion-cut diamond. The final carat weight was specifically chosen to align with the current year, serving as a direct nod to the company’s centennial milestone.
Diamond's Journey and Craftsmanship
The precious stone is being shaped in Botswana, its country of origin, by Grandview Klein Diamonds. This process is part of the Origin De Beers Group program, which utilizes the Tracr blockchain platform to meticulously document a diamond’s provenance, rarity, and history from mine to market. Every stage of the diamond's journey will be recorded, offering insights into the artistry and expertise involved in its transformation.
“For 100 years, London Jewelers has been built on craftsmanship, resilience, family, and relationships that span generations,” said Mark Udell, CEO of London Jewelers and grandson of founder Charles London. “What began as a modest storefront has grown into something far greater than a jewelry business. This extraordinary diamond represents our history, our family, and the future still ahead of us.” Udell leads the company with his wife, Candy, their children, Randi and Scott, and their nephew, Zach.
Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future
The old mine cushion cut, a style popular during the Georgian and Victorian eras, features a square cut with rounded corners. Historically, these diamonds were faceted entirely by hand, resulting in unique stones. This cut, known for its gentle, "candlelit" glow, is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, partly attributed to its association with prominent engagement rings.
"We are cutting a new diamond in an old style because we honor our past, but we are shaping the future," stated London VP Scott Udell.
Diamond Quality and Industry Recognition
The finished 20.26-carat diamond is graded D flawless, the highest possible rating for both color and clarity. This designation signifies a perfectly colorless stone with no internal inclusions visible under 10x magnification, positioning the finished gem among the world's rarest natural diamonds.
The rough diamond was a focal point at an event during JCK Las Vegas last month. Speakers at the event included Mark and Candy Udell, Moshe Klein (CEO of Grandview Klein Diamonds), Al Cook (CEO of De Beers Group), and Don Gaetsaloe (Permanent Secretary of Botswana’s Ministry of Minerals and Energy).
"To be entrusted with cutting a diamond of this importance in honor of London Jewelers’ centennial is one of the greatest honors of my lifetime," said Moshe Klein. "There is deep history between our families, and with a stone like this, that trust means everything." Mark Udell added, "There was only one partner we trusted to bring a stone of this importance to life: Moshe Klein and the team at Grandview Klein Diamonds."