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Irrespective of what many men may claim, the fact remains that diamonds are the hardest things in nature. They form in the earth’s lithospheric mantle at a depth of 90-120 miles before being thrust upwards to within mining range via deep-origin volcanic eruptions. The bad news is that due to a dearth of volcanic activity in many parts of the world, the better part of global diamond reserves will always remain untapped. The good news is that after London and Moscow, “diamonaire extraordinaire” Lev Leviev has just launched his first U.S. retail outlet at 700 Madison Avenue.
Besides a state-of-the-art alarm system, the luxuriant boutique features more than 5,000 carats of diamondiferous merchandise alluringly displayed among its sumptuous silk, leather, and crystal décor. At the sparkly store opening, Heather Mnuchin, Gillian Hearst Simonds, and Denise Rich modeled 8.44, 25.13, and 29.6 carats of diamond jewelry respectively. Susan Sarandon arrived all spangled up with 50.6 carats, socialite (“I hate that word”) Nina Griscom wore 87.41 carats, and Isabella Rossellini had donned a hefty 149.57 weight units of the hard stuff. The exact caratage of Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti, Cynthia Lufkin, and Dr. Ruth Westheimer could not be ascertained with accuracy.
Leviev, the largest privately held cutter and polisher of diamonds, controls some of the most profitable private diamond mines in the world and also supports numerous charities.
Diamonds are forever, but they will melt at 6420°F—betcha didn’t know!
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