A brighter cut for diamonds

Press, 7 March 1978, Page 10

A brighter cut for diamonds

Diamond enthusiasts will soon have the opportunity tn buy m New Zealand a diamond that is .32 per cent brighter than the traditionally cut stone of 58 facets. The first change in diamond cutting this century has resulted in Bluefire “144.” a diamond of 144 facets. The stone is internationally patented and sold in most countries throughout the world. Mr D. J. Harvey, the managing director of Biuefire. based in Grafton. Australia, is visiting New Zealand to introduce the diamond here. It will be marketed in Christchurch through the jewellers, Petersens. Ltd. The new d.amond cut is a result of several years work bv Huisman Brothers in New York. It features new angles on the stone as well as extra facets. ■ It was introduced into Australia about two years ago and Bluefire now has 40 shop;- selling the diamond. “We have found the demand for this diamond very large.

I not only from women, but also from men who are: interested in the new cut,” ! 1 said Mr Harvey. I Surprisingly’ the 144-facet j ■ diamond is no more ex-: i pensive than that of 58 facets. -; “The labour cost in dia-i mond cutting is insignificant; : when you think that 90 per 1 cent of the value is in the I ■ quality of the diamond itself, ! I One would pay about S 300! for a 144-facet one-diamond, ring.” said Mr Harvey. Bluefire claimed that the! ■ “144" was the world's most) . brilliant diamond, he said. > The diamond should create! ■ a lot of interest in New Zea-| rland and would be a good! ? mvestment, said Mr K. P. i Morrison, the manager ofj i Petersens. "Manx people are dis-1 i appointed with a diamond} ring when the metal dulls' I because the stone loses its; , lustre. However, with the' > 144-facet. dullness of the! ; metal will have little effect) 1 on the look of the ring be-| cause of the continual bril-1 i liance of the stone,” Mr' . Morrison said.