Royal Asscher’s Stars of Africa collection at Harrods

Royal Stars with orange diamonds

London’s luxury department store, Harrods, has begun selling the Stars of Africa floating diamonds collection from the Royal Asscher Diamond Company.

Harrods will have the largest collection of Stars of Africa jewelry in the U.K., including the limited editions with pink diamonds and the Royal Stars with orange diamonds (pictured), which is a tribute to the Royal Dutch family for the extension of the Royal title earlier this year.

Launched in 2009, the collection (comprised of rings, earrings, pendants and cuff links) consist of diamonds encased within fluid-filled sapphire domes, which allow the diamonds to float freely like snowflakes in a snow globe. The result is cascading diamonds that emit light, fire and beauty.

Sales from the jewelry collection benefits Royal Asscher’s Africa-focused fundraising initiative, Stars of Africa, which aims to improve infrastructure in Africa by generating funding for healthcare, education and self sufficiency programs.

Royal Asscher is renowned for its heritage and history, which includes cleaving the world’s largest rough diamond in 1908, the Cullinan, presently housed in Great Britain’s Crown Jewels. Royal visitors to the Amsterdam based company include Japan’s Emperor Hirohito, Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands.

Royal Asscher Opens Flagship Store in Tokyo

The Royal Asscher Diamond Company opened its first flagship store in Japan on July 15, located on the Ginza Street in the center of Tokyo. It represents the company’s first store in Asia.

“It shows our total commitment to Japan in these difficult times,” said Edward Asscher, president of the Netherlands-based company. “We have great respect for the solidarity and vigor the Japanese people has shown to rebuild and overcome their predicament. We are thrilled to continue building our relationship and being part of the most memorable moments of people lives.”

Situated in a prime location, in the heart of the luxury shopping area, in the company of other reputable stores such as LVMH, Bulgari and Chanel, it is also the first Dutch-based company retail operation on the Ginza.

The interior of the modern store is decorated in white contrasting with Royal Asscher’s signature blue and showcases a variety of Royal Asscher diamond engagement rings and jewelry. In commemoration of the opening of the store, a Royal Asscher diamond tiara has been created containing a total of 10 carats of diamonds set in platinum and valued at $385,000. The tiara will be loaned as a special treat to brides who purchase a Royal Asscher engagement ring in the Ginza store.

Royal Asscher to Open Pop-Up Store Thursday in Las Vegas

Royal Asscher pop-up store will be in the Shoppes at the Palazzo.

Pop-up stores are now fairly common occurrences. However, in the jewelry industry trends come a bit slower than most other fashion and retail related industries. Royal Asscher Diamond Company, the 158-year-old company known for cutting some of the world’s largest and most valuable diamonds, is now being managed by Lita and Mike Asscher, the sixth generation heirs to the venerable company. It would make sense that this brother and sister team, both in their early 30s, would be leading the way for the industry.

Royal Asscher will open its pop-up store in Las Vegas from May 17 till June 4. The 1,200-square-foot store will be in the Shoppes at the Palazzo adjacent to the “Cut” Steakhouse. Hours of operation  will be Sunday – Thursday from 10:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m. and Friday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. till midnight. 

The “one-off” experience will include the launch of new lines of its Shining Star collection. In addition, visitors will have the opportunity to pose with a diamond tiara (pictured above) designed for the Royal Wedding of Catherine Middleton, now Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William. The 85-carat tiara designed by Reena Ahluwalia, a Toronto-based jewelry designer, was one of the few considered for her wedding day, Royal Asscher says. It’s a privilege usually exclusively reserved for private clientele of Royal Asscher spending $250,000 and above. The general public will be able to pose with the tiara from noon till 2 p.m.

The dates are significant because it also coincides with Las Vegas Jewelry Week, a series of jewelry industry tradeshows that run roughly from May 28 till June 4.