Mouawad Cuts Record Yellow Diamond

RAPAPORT... Mouawad has manufactured a 54.21-carat polished yellowstone, which, it claims, is the largest of its shape and color the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has ever graded. The company named the round brilliant-cut, fancy-vivid-yellowstone the Mouawad Dragon, as its color is reminiscent of a "dragon's magicalpowers and fiery eyes," it said Monday. The rough stone was found in an alluvial deposit in SouthAfrica, and took Mouawad six months to cut and polish. The jeweler, whichmanufactures its rough in South Africa, New York and Bangkok, will set thestone in a necklace that will be part of an ensemble. The entire collectionwill be unveiled in March, the company told Rapaport News. "We're thrilled to have had the opportunity to craft thisextraordinary diamond from the rough, and we will soon continue the creativeprocess by designing a masterpiece that befits its dazzling beauty," said FredMouawad, co-guardian of the jeweler's diamond division. In August, Mouawad bought the round, 51.38-carat, D-color,VVS1-clarity, triple-Ex Dynasty diamond from Alrosa at tender. It was the most expensivepolished stone the Russia-based miner had sold. The jeweler has renamed the Dynasty-originally the centerpiece of a five-stone collection that fetchedapproximately $10 million combined - the Mouawad Dynasty. The stone nowweighs 51.12 carats and has flawless clarity, Mouawad said. The company willreveal more details about its plans for the stone next month. Image: The Mouawad Dragon in its rough and polished forms. (Mouawad)