Rising Star Fancy Cut Diamond
The Rising Star is a patented cut of Fancoldi Registered
Trust Ltd.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND CUTTING ISSUES
The Rising Star was granted a design patent with the U.S. Patent Office in
1992 based on the new technique of achieving its cut; subsequent patents were
registered in all diamond polishing countries. It was developed in Liechtenstein
and is now cut in Israel. It is the first fancy-cut diamond to fully resemble a
five-pointed star. The Rising Star is a full-depth stone with 56 brilliant
facets (a round diamond has 57). Its diameter, depth and proportions are equal
to that of a round diamond, taking into consideration the "missing"
diamond pieces between the points. The cut is manufactured to be strong and
durable.
It takes about three-and-a-half times as long to manufacture
the Rising Star as it does to produce more traditionally shaped diamonds. The
cutting and polishing of this cut is highly complex and risky. Prefaceting
shaping is done with custom-designed, high-technology equipment. Polishing is
done in every direction of the stone, as opposed to the polishing of a more
traditional cut, which is done in two basic directions. Each polisher is trained
to do only his or her aspect of the process. That is, the cutters who polish the
bottom facets are not trained to polish between the points, etc.
Piqued rough is not used for the Rising Star to prevent
breakage, cracking or exploding on the polishing wheel. Fine octahedron rough is
used. The Rising Star is not cut for weight retention but for maximum brilliance
and symmetry. About 75 to 80 percent of the rough is lost to produce this cut.
Rising Stars are available in sizes from 3 to 20 mm and in all colors, including
fancy colors, and clarities.
MARKETS AND MARKETING
Rising Stars are sold worldwide through exclusive agents in Japan. The
Rising Star has used high-profile consumer vehicles to get the word out. Vogue
magazine's November 1998 "Luxury" issue featured a national
sweepstakes for a $500,000 Rising Star called "Star of the
Millennium." One winner received a Rising Star from Pancis Gems that
measured 17 mm in diameter, or approximately 20 carats, the largest in
existence. Three other winners received Rising Star suites with Rising Stars
from Maidi International, estimated at $25,000 each retail, designed by Henry
Dunay, New York. Since advertising in vogue magazine, the company has not
developed any further advertising. The Rising Star has also been used in Super
Bowl commemorative rings' by the Dallas Cowboys.
PRICING AND SUPPLY
Current production capabilities allow a maximum of 60 Rising Stars to be
finished per day to meet worldwide demand. The Rising Star is sold by millimeter
size, rather than carat weight. The cost of each Rising Star of 5 mm or larger
approximates that of a round diamond of the same diameter, color and clarity,
using exactly the same valuation criteria. Orders for larger-sized Rising Stars
are difficult to fill at this time, adding to the exclusivity and rarity
factors. Appraisers rely on the factory or the factory's direct agent
representatives to determine the point-of-sale value of Rising Stars.
WHAT BUYERS SHOULD LOOK FOR
Look for brilliance and symmetry. Also, every Rising Star comes with a
registration and a full quality-grading analysis £rom the European Gemological!
Laboratory (EGL), Israel.