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Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Oxfam Celebrates Diamond Anniversary

To celebrate its diamond anniversary, Oxfam is calling for diamond and jewellery donations, as well as more 'diamond' volunteers to join the organisation.

60 years have passed since Oxfam opened its first charity shop in 1948. The well known charity now boasts a network of 730 shops, staffed by more than 20,000 volunteers. It has raised more than £500 million during that time.

The Oxfam shop founder, Joe Mitty, was an incredible entrepreneur, and it was his plan to ask the public for diamonds to celebrate the milestone anniversary.

Joe Mitty also recognised that the charity's real 'diamonds' were the volunteers, so an annual event was launched, known as 'Volunteer Week', which this year is being held 1st - 7th June. This is a great opportunity to raise awareness about the great work done by the volunteers, and call for more volunteers to donate their time and energy to the cause.

Model and Oxfam supporter Yasmin Le Bon said: “This is a great opportunity to donate your unwanted jewellery and make a real difference to so many lives.”

Watch a video starring the late Joe Mitty, telling the story of how it all started.

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Thursday, May 29, 2008

Christie's Sells 101 Carat Diamond For Record Breaking Sum

A 101.27 carat diamond has sold at auction in Hong Kong for a record breaking sum of HK$48.5 million ($6.2 million).

The diamond is the largest colourless diamond to be offered at auction in 18 years. It is considered internally flawless, with a clarity rating of VVS1 and an F colour rating. It is one of only four colourless diamonds over 100 carats to have ever come up at auction.

The diamond is set in a tiara and was offered for auction as part of a jewellery sale held by Christie's International. The sale was the highest value jewellery auction ever for the famous auction house.

The diamond was sold by an anonymous individual to a first time buyer who bid over the telephone. The new owner of the diamond also has the privilege of naming the diamond.

The stone was cut from a 460 carat rough diamond, mined at South Africa's largest diamond mine, Premier Mine.

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