AGTA Pres. Robbed of Jewelry Worth Millions
Diamonds.net, NY
The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) revealed details of the million dollar robbery which resulted in the sudden three month leave of absence of AGTA president, Richard Krementz, beginning July 17.
Richard Krementz, of Richard Krementz Gemstone, was robbed of over one million dollars worth of fine jewelry on June 26 in Amarillo, Texas.
In a statement issued on July 28 by the AGTA, Krementz said he expects to return to his position as president of the AGTA in October, following a reorganization of Richard Kremetz Gemstone, established in 1866. “This robbery does not impact our financial strength,†said Krementz. “It did however cause us to strategically review our business and address some of our challenges long-term.â€
Krementz added that the company will be dropping its bridal business by the end of 2006, in order to focus on color, which is the core of the company’s business
A total of 388 pieces were stolen, mostly color gems set in platinum, including 161 bridal pieces in both 18 karat and platinum. Thirty varieties of gems, including 24 tanzanites, 15 pink and red tourmalines, and unusual colors such as benitoite, chrysocolla, zircon, andalusite and alexandrite were stolen, as well as, ninety-eight pieces are from the Nastajjia 18-karat fashion color line.
The AGTA provided a partial list of the stolen goods and requested of anyone coming in contact with the stolen goods to contact the authorities. The stolen pieces are mostly platinum rings set with very fine gems. The gems are well cut to superbly-well cut with no windows and are quite clean. The jewelry is stamped RKG1866.
The following is a partial list of the stolen goods:
• 2.60 ct round vivid sky blue Brazilian paraiba (8.7 mm) surrounded by six half moon diamonds and six small marquise diamonds. Total diamond weight 1.27 ct.
• 1.57 ct navette Brazilian paraiba (13.1 x 5.2 mm) set in platinum and 18 karat yellow gold. Diam weight 0.84 ct.
• 6.33 ct oval Burma unheated blue sapphire (10.2 x 9.0 mm) in three stone mounting with shield shaped diamonds weighing 1.31 ct and two yellow diamond surprise stones.
• 8.49 ct oval unheated yellow sapphire (10.2 x 9.9 mm) cut by Phil Youngman in the same three stone mounting as above with shield shaped diamonds weighing 0.95 ct and two pink sapphire surprise stones.
• 5.72 ct antique pastel pink sapphire (9.9 x 8.1 mm) cut by Phil Youngman set in pink gold and platinum, with two shield shaped diamonds and 36 pavé round diamonds, total weight 1.80 ct.
• 6.19 ct antique blue sapphire (10.4 x 8.7 mm) cut by Phil Youngman with an interrupted girdle of round diamonds and two trilliants, with an underbridge in 18 kt yellow gold set pavé with diamonds in a split shank design. Sapphire has slight lavender hue. Total diamond weight 0.98 ct.
• 3.57 oval pink sapphire (10.8 x 7.9 mm) cut by Phil Youngman with three marquise diamond an each side, two marquise surprise diamonds, and 40 rounds pavé set with a total diamond weight of 1.06 ct.
• 7.98 ct trilliant tanzanite (12.9 x 11.9 mm) set in a three-inch snake motif brooch, with pink sapphires set in the tongue
and yellow sapphires in the body. Mostly platinum with 18 karat accents, total diamond weight 4.35 ct.
• 43.27 ct antique intense kunzite (20.1 x 19.5 mm) pendant set in white and pink 18 karat gold with 2.31 ct diamond weight.
• 12.50 ct antique orange garnet (12.8 x 12.1 mm) with checkerboard crown cut by John Dyer girdled by 1.60 ct of diamonds and two pink sapphire surprise stones in a split shank design.
• 1.24 ct round Brazilian alexandrite (6.5 mm) with strong color change from teal to raspberry, set with a pair of half moon diamonds and 102 pavé diamonds, total weight 1.29 ct.
