Borsheims’ golden diamond still up for grabs

Omaha, Neb.--Borsheims has moved many diamonds during Berkshire Hathaway’s shareholders event so far this year, but one very important stone remains in stock.

A 50.02-carat fancy yellow diamond ring by Rahaminov Diamonds brought in in honor of Berkshire Hathaway’s 50th, or golden, anniversary was still with the Omaha retailer as of Wednesday afternoon, said Adrienne Fay, Borsheims director of marketing.

Though a popular draw for selfies and other social media posts--Borsheims streamed posts that used the hashtag #BRK50 on screens in the store and in the atrium of the mall where it’s located--and discounted from $2.3 to $1.7 million, the diamond ring didn’t sell.

“Maybe they’ll go back home and think about it,” Fay said of the shareholders. “Nobody made it a permanent souvenir as of yet.”
 
She declined to say if Borsheims bought the diamond or acquired it on consignment, and she said it is unknown where the fancy yellow will go once the shareholders discount period concludes. 

Berkshire Hathaway, the Warren Buffett-headed conglomerate that owns Borsheims along with Ben Bridge Jeweler and Helzberg Diamonds, held its annual shareholders meeting over the weekend in Omaha.

Known as the “Woodstock for Capitalists,” the event gives shareholders a chance to hear from and see Buffett in person.

Though the billionaire investor didn’t get behind the counter at Borsheims this year, he did play ping-pong with Bill Gates and Olympian table tennis player Ariel Hsing. And, as usual, Borsheims offered a shareholder discount for those who were ready to shop for jewelry.

In addition to the marked down 50.02-carat fancy yellow diamond, Borsheims brought in the Forevermark Exceptional Diamond Collection, comprised of stones between 5 and 18 carats in size--none of which sold--as well as 40 diamonds ranging in size from three-quarters of a carat to 5.28 carats with Buffett’s signature on the girdle.

Fay said the Buffett-signed diamonds were all Canadian stones and were also all Borsheims Signature diamonds, a cut that’s exclusive to the retailer.

Of the 40 in stock, 36 have sold, and few more may move out the door in the next couple days. Fay said the shareholder discount is good through Saturday. 

She said this year, the shareholders event was “exceptional” though they won’t be doing year-over-year foot traffic and sales comparisons until the special pricing period officially ends this weekend.