The Ultimate Private Jeweler

“Demonstrably superior quality and value”- Roger H. Morley, former President, AMERICAN EXPRESS

“Unsurpassed quality, exceptional value, ultimate service, and exclusivity”

- PLATINUM CARD

“One of the world’s most respected Private Jewelers”- THE CARLYLE Magazine

“A unique jewelry atelier with a World Class collection”- AVENUE Magazine

“Internationally recognized for quality, selection and styling”- DEPARTURES Magazine

“Legendary quality, styling and value”- COUTURE Jewelry Magazine

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David Birnbaum

Rare 1

The Ultimate Private Jeweler ®

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The Rare And the Extraordinary ™

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David Birnbaum

Rare 1

The DB/R1 brand is recognized by jewelry connoisseurs worldwide as representing one of the world’s great jewel

‘signatures’ and hallmarks.

David Birnbaum / Rare 1 is the flagship of the Birnbaum Group, established gem dealers and gem cutters for over a century.

Transplanted from Paris/Amsterdam to New York in 1938, the Birnbaum Group has no equal in global sourcing, gem cutting

expertise, value, and sophisticated design.

The Rare And the Extraordinary ™

THE

R1DB

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PRIVATE JEWELER EXTRAORDINAIRE

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THERAREANDTHEEXTRAORDINARY™

established: Paris / Amsterdam 1900

is the flagship of the Birnbaum Group

established gem dealers and cutters

for over a century

Y E A R L E G A C Y O F E X C E L L E N C E

David Birnbaum / Rare 1

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12the world's ultimate gems

for the world's ultimate clientele

David Birnbaum

Rare 1

R1DB

VIDEO CLIPFROM ABC NETWORK'S PRIME TIME"LIFE OF LUXURY"

HTTP:// DAVIDBVIDEO.COM

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David BirnbaumPrivate Jeweler [email protected]

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ULTRAULTRA

David Birnbaum is an internationally recognized Private Jeweler and gem expert. Committed to value and excellence, he is the premier choice among jewelry and gem connoisseurs.

The Private Jeweler firm of David Birnbaum / Rare 1 is known among cognoscenti worldwide for its commitment to exquisite quality. The firm is a unique and extraordinary boutique.

Over the years this ultimate boutique has developed a dynamic and fervently loyal client group. The firm’s discerning clientele ranges from youngbankers to Heads-of-State.

In 1979 David Birnbaum became one of the youngest principals admitted to the De Beers “List.” He is, as well, a respected industry columnist.

Our firm has original and powerful global sourcing. The firm has won numerous international design awards and gemological citations. We have a truly extraordinary selection of fabulous jewels and rare gems. From 3-carat “solitaire” Engagement Rings to world class ensembles.

Every David Birnbaum / Rare 1 piece is crafted to ultra-demanding specifications, keeping in-mind the consistency and integrity of quality and design. In the realm of rare gem jewels, we are considered one of the world’s most exclusive brands.

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®

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GENEVA * HONG KONG * MACAUSINGAPORE * DUBAI

The world’s #1 Private Jeweler

David Birnbaum

Rare 1NEW YORK

MB-1226-CSWemerald-cut solitaire diamond ring

5 - 25+ caratspremium color & clarity

[GIA Lab]

R1DBDavid Birnbaum

David Birnbaum

Rare 1PRIVATE JEWELER

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ULTRAULTRA

AT THE PINNACLE OF QUALITY AND VALUE

5 carat

$400,000-to

$600,000-

TheDealer̓s

Dealer

DAVID BIRNBAUM

Dealer’sThe

Dealer21

MB-930

World Class Ensemble

100+ caratsall D color

(shapes are close generic representations)

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THE WORLD'S RAREST GEMS & JEWELS

$11,500,000-to

$12,500,000-complete

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as seen in...Rare 1David Birnbaum

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R1DBDavid Birnbaum

David Birnbaum


MB-928D Flawless PearShaped diamond pendant20+ carats

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ULTRAULTRA

THE UNIQUE, THE RARE & THE EXTRAORDINARY

$5,000,000-to

$6,000,000-

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quality and valueDemonstrably superior“

”

David Birnbaum

Rare 1

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DA

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MB-1318RARE FANCY PINK

Ring:8+ carats Fancy Pink centerset in micro-pavé setting

Earrings:two x average 3+ carats each DropFancy Pink

plus extraWhite Diamondwork shown

Premium Clarity[GIA Lab]

32 #1 IN ULTRA-HIGH-END

$2,000,000-to

$4,000,000-

$3,000,000-to

$5,000,000-

INV-1381rare fancy blue diamond twin ring

1+ carat, premium clarityset with 1+ carat D color diamond

MB-1014INTENSE BLUE

Cushion-cut Diamondcenter: 4+ carats

Fancy Intense Blue

set with round fancy intense

pink diamonds

Premium Clarity[GIA Lab]

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$500,000-to

$1,000,000-

$5,000,000-to

$7,000,000-

DA

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3 - 25+ carat Vivid redPremium Quality rubies34

Shown: gem ruby rings /center gem weight noted

VIVID RedPremium Quality

[top lab-certified]

7+

5+

7+

7+

8+

THE Connoisseur's choice 35

Lab-certifiedVIVID Red

Pigeon’s Blood

$350,000-

$250,000-

$350,000-

$350,000-

$450,000-

36 PRIVATE JEWELER TO AMERICA'S ELITE

$350,000-

$250,000-

David BirnbaumRare 1


INV-1383RARE ROCKS

Extra-very-fine Colombian emeraldsColombian / ‘minor’

PearShape drop 12+ caratspendant-necklace

earringstop emeralds: two x 2+ carats eachbottom drop emeralds: two x 8+ carats eachtotal Earrings carat weight 20+ carats

[all lab-certified]

5 - 50+ carat Important Emeralds 37

38 THE ULTIMATE ORIGINAL-SOURCE

$390,000-

$1,500,000-

4 - 20+ CARAT PREMIUM QUALITY ASSCHER-CUTS 39

3 - 20+ CARAT Gem canary diamonds40

IMAGE-1432Gem Canary

Diamond Ensemble

with premium-qualitygem white diamond trim

Fancy Intense yellow

Premium Clarity

Ring: 10+ caratsAsscher-cut

Earrings:

two x 8+ carats eachRadiant-cuts

[GIA Lab certified]

Vivid & Intense Canary Diamonds

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$600,000-

$450,000-

42 INTERNATIONAL GEM CUTTERS & DEALERS

9cts

$1,500,000-

9cts

$1,150,000-

9cts

$1,000,000-

9cts

$1,150,000-

9cts

$1,150,000-

6cts

$550,000-

6cts

$450,000-

6cts

$465,000-

6cts

$450,000-

6cts

$450,000-

IMAGE-13789+ CARATERS

RARE WHITEpremium clarity

[GIA Lab-certified]

3 - 100+ carat GEM DIAMONDs

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IMAGE-1418WORLD CLASS SET

EXTRAORDINARY GEMPEARL NECKLACEdouble-strandOpera-Length(average 33” long each)13 x 11mm pearlspremium luster, color & shape

shown here actual size



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$190,000-

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*QUALITY*BEAUTY*RARITY*SELECTION*VALUE*DESIGN*PRECISION*EXPERTISE*BRAND*ORIGINAL SOURCE*LAB CERTIFICATION*EXCLUSIVITY*GLOBAL SOURCING*MASTER JEWELERS*

FABULOUS & EXTRAORDINARY JEWELS*

ULTRAULTRA

David Birnbaum is a leading and formidable private jeweler who sells to the global financial elite, along with, in his words, “a sprinkling of heads of state.” He heads David Birnbaum / Rare 1, the new paradigm flagship firm of the 100-year old Birnbaum Gem Group.

The firm has a distinguished legacy. His late father, Andor J. Birnbaum served for 10 two-year terms from 1960 to 1980 as an arbitrator at the Diamond Dealers Club of New York. As a youngster, David consequently also had a ringside seat into the internal maneuvering within the industry – “It was an in-teresting window into a sometimes-intense industry,” his son recalls.

In March 1980, David Birnbaum made the decision to slightly de-emphasize cutting diamonds and other gems, and careful-ly start building up a unique and extraordinary private jewelry business, which ultimately became David Birnbaum / Rare 1. During this period, he wrote the New York column for Diamant magazine.

Birnbaum made the decision to specialize in top-of-the-line goods—diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires and pearls, selling to VIP clientele. The company typically handles 5 to 25 carat diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires, but can go into the 30-50+ carat range as needed….Whether D-E color White Diamonds or Fancy Vivid Canary diamonds, Blue or Pink fancy colors, Vivid Red Rubies, top Colombian Emeralds or Rare Blue Sapphires, the firm serves-up and extraordinary ar-ray of fabulous jewels. A luscious and unique selection for the connoisseur set. The firm also does gem cutting and polishing as needed, although not at the same scale as pre-1980…

…David Birnbaum / Rare 1 now has a powerful brand among the super-wealthy, particularly in North and South America, a well as a respectable presence at the VIP level elsewhere in

MAY 2010

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the world, including at Persian Gulf palaces. With a blue-chip reputation for integrity, quality, value and selection, the firm is a formidable competitor.

The unique private brand may actually not be known at all in ‘middle America’ and its coun-terparts worldwide. It would be difficult for the average jewelry consumer ever to even hear of David Birnbaum / Rare 1, in fact, given that the company does not maintain any retail outlets, nor does it market at all to that segment. The firm is somewhat of a stealth purvey-or of the rare and the extraor-dinary to the world’s elite.

The David Birnbaum / Rare 1 operation is ele-gant/high tech as juxtaposed withLouis XIV salon-type décor of its competitors. “We most certainly like the Fifth Avenue Retailers,” notes Upstairs Private Jeweler Birnbaum, “We umbrellas.”

The firm maintains a super-professional, Ameri-can-style approach to staffing and other aspects of the trade. Distinctively, the firm is known to field high-level Asian-American staffers in its up-per ranks.

The firm finds itself at the very pinnacle of the North and South American private jeweler uni-

verse, in particular. “It’s not that our modality is superior to other modalities,” Birnbaum hastens to add. “We just do our thing, in a deliberate, careful and hopefully elegant manner, steadily carving out our niche globally.”...

David Birnbaum / Rare 1 has invested many millions not just into goods and operations, but into the more subtle terrain of building a unique brand. Virtually alone and unique as an Upstairs American Private Jeweler projecting globally, the firm’s unique paradigm has paid off: “Our firm has a strong, unique and exclusive

private brand among the world’s financial elite,” Birnbaum says. We are the go-to dealer for any serious buyer wanting the extraordinary at fair value.

Celebrity clients have included Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, James Gandolfini and John Lithgow, but the company serves everyone from young bankers to heads of state. Testimonial quotes in the company’s marketing materials include Roger H. Morley, the former president of Ameri-can Express; Jack Laschever, publisher of Forbes FYI; Susan Wolk, publisher of Seabourn Magazine; the Platinum Card; and the publications Carlyle Magazine, Avenue Magazine, Departures maga-zine, and COUTURE jewelry magazine….

“THE REAL DEAL”

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in

Gem

s

by David Birnbaum HBS ̓ 74,President, David Birnbaum / Rare 1

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at the

Museum of American Finance48 Wall Street just east of William Street

WEDNESDAY EVENING

co-sponsored by Harvard Business School Club of NYThe Smithsonian Museum

[email protected]

David Birnbaum

Rare 1

by David Birnbaum HBS ̓ 74,President, David Birnbaum / Rare 1

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David Birnbaum

Rare 1

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ULTRAULTRA

David Birnbaum

Rare 1

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Luxury / Ultimate Brands Published: August 16, 2004Author: Julia Hanna

Cashing in on the $100 billion global luxury goods market has never been tougher—or more

rewarding. Competition is keen. And consumer preferences are constantly shifting, causing the

concept of luxury itself to change over time. As a result, the market’s most recognizable brands have

adapted by refreshing their product lines and extending their brand to more affordable items….

Factor in the demands of consistent quality, innovative design, supply logistics, and the need for

superior customer service, and it’s easy to understand why David A. Birnbaum (HBS MBA ‘74), a very

top-private jeweler, would sound this cautionary note: “Luxury sounds very intriguing, but you have to

be careful. It’s not something to enter lightly. You need a real, serious, sustained commitment to shoot

for the pinnacle—and to defend and advance your position if you attain it.”

Yet luxury’s challenge remains an ongoing enticement for Birnbaum and the other alumni interviewed

for this article. “Luxury goods are in essence a highly creative field,” notes Thuy T. Tranthi (HBS MBA ‘93),

president of Thomas Pink USA, the London-based shirtmaker. “Many of the established brands started

out as small, entrepreneurial ventures. It’s a field in constant change, which often creates significant

opportunity.”…

VIP visitors to David Birnbaum’s elegant hi-tech offices in Manhattan won’t mistake them for the classic

“Old school-style Louis XIV–style salons of Tiffany’s or Harry Winston’s; however, the elegant hi-tech

Upstairs Private Jeweler neo-wholesale approach works for quite a few of America’s financial and

business super-elite. Repeat business and referrals make up the majority of customers for his firm’s rare

gemstones and jewels, with most sales averaging between $50,000 and $2,500,000. Birnbaum relates a

vignette of one VIP prospective client in the market for a seven carat diamond who found the prices so

reasonable that he returned to consider—and, eventually, purchase—something in the twelve carat

range.

Birnbaum notes that this particular client first made contact with the firm five years earlier. “In a

relationship-intensive business, quality staffing, service, communication, and institutional memory are

necessary, but not sufficient, he says. Ultimately, quality and beauty are paramount….” Birnbaum

should know; his exclusive firm is considered to be at the very pinnacle of the fine jewel industry.

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DAVID BIRNBAUM RARE AND

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The World’s Most Extraordinary Jewels

David Birnbaum


R1DB

The Cutting Edge™

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6262

$425,000-

$110,000-

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MB-1300CANARY SUNSHINE

CANARY DIAMoNDS NECklACE: 60+ CARAtS*

BRACElEt: 38+ CARAtS

EARRINgS: two x 3+ CARAtS

[gIA-CERtIfIED]

*CENtER DIAMoND wEIgHt : 2+ CARAtS

63rare jewels for a rarefied clientele

$875,000-

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INV-1379TAILORED BEAUTY

World Class Ensemble

Gem Emeralds &Rare White Diamonds

All Emeralds certified

Gubelin Lab: Colombian / 'Minor'

All diamonds lab-certified

Necklace:Emeralds: 104.77 caratsDiamonds: 72.73 carats

Largest Emerald: 9.92 carats64

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Earrings:Emeralds: 40.57 caratsDiamonds: 13.23 caratsLargest Emerald size: 9.42 carats

Ensemble: Necklace + Earrings:Total Emeralds: 145+ caratsTotal Diamonds: 85+ carats ENSEMBLE TOTAL TOTALGEM WEIGHT: 231+ carats 65

$4,500,000-

$1,500,000-

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one-of-a-kind rare jewelsfrom a

one-of-a-kind private jeweler

25+

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Pigeon’s Blood

$5,550,000-

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David Birnbaum

Rare 1

IMAGE-1445Gem RubyVivid Red

[Lab-certified]

individual center weightsnoted contiguous

11+

7+

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Pigeon’s Blood

$305,000-

$390,000-

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David Birnbaum

Rare 1

68 PRIVATE JEWELER TO AMERICA'S ELITE

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MB-1241-AColombian emerald earrings

emeralds: two x avg. 44+ carats eachset in micro-pavé setting

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$1,900,000-

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David Birnbaum

Rare 1

IMAGE-1476RAREST PARAIBA

rare Brazilian Paraibacenters: two x 7+ carats average =14+ carats paraiba[AGTA Lab-certified]

2.5 carats total Invisible SettingRare White diamond weight [Lab-certified]

70 A 100 YEAR HERITAGE OF EXCELLENCE

$500,000-

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IMAGE-1473RARE WHITE

Cushion tops: 2+ carats eachPear drops: 10+ carats each

total diamond weight: 25+ caratspremium color & clarity

[GIA Lab]

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$5,550,000-

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David Birnbaum

Rare 1

The Cutting Edge



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IMAGES-1087ASSCHER ADVENTURE

Asscher-cut diamond drop earringstotal diamond weight: 26+ carats

tops: two x avg. 3+ carats bottoms: two x avg. 10+ carats

Asscher-cut diamond stud earringstwo x avg. 5+ carats

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$3,300,000-

$666,000-

7474 THE ULTIMATE ORIGINAL-SOURCE

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IMAGE-1173ASSCHER-CUTS

Canary diamond& Colombian Emerald

premium clarity

Earrings:tops: two x 2+ caratsdrops: two x 6+ carats

Ring:

center: 17+ carat VIVID YELLOW premium clarity

flanking: rare-white shield-cut diamonds

[Lab-certified]

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$222,000-

$2,800,000-

7676 THE CUTTING EDGE

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IMAGE-1442Sapphires and Emeralds

center weights noted[Lab-certified]

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8+

18+

10+

$167,000-

$167,000-

$444,000-

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Heart Shape Sapphire * Cushion Emerald * Heart Shaped White Diamond * Asscher-cut Canary Diamond * Asscher-cut White Diamond

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$195,000-

$388,000-

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Heart Shape Sapphire * Cushion Emerald * Heart Shaped White Diamond * Asscher-cut Canary Diamond * Asscher-cut White Diamond

79WORLD'S TOP SELECTION

* Important gems *

$2,200,000- $2,200,000-

$888,000-

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IMAGE-1175RIBBON

3 - 30+ carats eachpremium clarity

natural fancy blues, pinks, and canary[GIA Lab-certified]

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BASED ON 3 CARAT CENTER

$120,000-

$75,000-

$1,000,000- to $2,000,000-

$1,000,000- to $2,000,000-

$1,500,000-to

$3,000,000-

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IMAGE-1450Fancy Intense PinkRadiant-cut DiamondPremium Clarity15+ carats

[GIA Lab]

rare jewels for a rarefied clientele

PRICE ON REQUEST

83#1 IN ULTRA-HIGH-END

IMAGE-1458Fancy Intense BlueEmerald-cut DiamondPremium Clarity15+ carats

[GIA Lab]

PRICE ON REQUEST

IMAGE-1475Ultra Rare

100+ caratsBurma SapphireUnheated

[ Lab-certified ]

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ACTUAL SIZE


$22,000,000-

IMAGE-1472PERFECTION

D FLAWLESS100+ carat

PearShapeIdeal Cut Diamond

[ GIA Lab-certified ]

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ACTUAL SIZE


THE UNIQUE, THE RARE & THE EXTRAORDINARY

PRICE ON REQUEST

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$3,900,000-

$3,900,000-

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IMAGE-1471

‘Private Stock’Green & White

Important ColombianEmerald Ensemble

Necklace:Center: 50+ carats

Diamonds 66+ carats

Earrings:2 Emeralds = 60 carats

Diamonds = 16+ carats

Ring:

Center: 34 caratsDiamonds: 4+ cts

Total Ensemble Gem weight: 230 carats

[Top Lab certification]


EXCELLENCE, EXPERTISE & THE EXTRAORDINARY

$2,000,000-

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IMAGE-1470

Rare1 ULTIMA Ensemble

Earrings:Rare White Premium Cut & ClarityDiamond Cluster Earrings14 THREE CARAT diamonds = 44+ carats[GIA Lab-certified]

Drops:Gem ColombianTWO x 20+ carat each = 40+ carats Total Weight[ Top Lab certification ]

Total Ensemble Gem Weight = 85 carats


89THE ULTIMATE ORIGINAL-SOURCE

$3,500,000-

NOVEMBER 15, 2010

Condoleeza Rice David Birnbaum

Dallas, Texas

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Dead Horse Ranch, Wyoming

OCTOBER 1, 2009

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The world’s #1 Private Jeweler

David Birnbaum

Rare 1NEW YORK

GENEVA * HONG KONG * MACAUSINGAPORE * DUBAI

*QUALITY*BEAUTY*RARITY*SELECTION*VALUE*DESIGN*PRECISION*EXPERTISE*BRAND*ORIGINAL SOURCE*LAB CERTIFICATION*EXCLUSIVITY*GLOBAL SOURCING*MASTER JEWELERS*

FABULOUS & EXTRAORDINARY JEWELS*

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Peo ple s Choice 94

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Peo ple s Choice Awards

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David Birnbaum

Rare 1

31st Annual

MarciaCross

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DAVID BIRNBAUM RARE AND

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R1DB

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The Ultimate Private Jeweler®

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David Birnbaum

Rare 1

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THE WORLD'S Rarest

ICONIC BRAND

100100

David Birnbaum

Rare 1

EXTRAORDINARY & FABULOUS

589 Fifth Avenue Seventh Floor at East 48th Street

New York, NY 10017

[email protected]

Phone: (212) 575-0266

David Birnbaum

Rare 1

NEW YORKGENEVA * HONG KONG

SINGAPORE * MACAU * DUBAI

AT THE PINNACLE OF EXTRAORDINARY

The Ultimate Private Jeweler

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Transcript of The Ultimate Private Jeweler