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David Birnbaum

Rare 1 The Ultimate Private Jeweler ÂŽ

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t he E xtraordinary â„¢

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David Birnbaum

Rare 1

DB

R1

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.

T he R are

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t he E xtraordinary ™

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PRIVATE JEWELER EXTRAORDINAIRE

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YEAR LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE

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

THERAREANDTHEEXTRAORDINARYâ„¢ established: Paris / Amsterdam 1900

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the world's ultimate gems for the world's ultimate clientele

David Birnbaum

Rare 1

DB

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VIDEO CLIP FROM ABC NETWORK'S PRIME TIME "LIFE OF LUXURY" HTTP:// DAVIDBVIDEO.COM

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ULTRA

David Birnbaum Private Jeweler Extraordinaire www.Ultra1000.com DBprivate@aol.com

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®

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 young bankers 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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The world’s #1

Private Jeweler

David Birnbaum

Rare 1 NEW YORK Dallas * Greenwich * Los Angeles * Miami London * GENEVA * HONG KONG

MACAU * Bangkok * SINGAPORE * DUBAI

# cities noted are key showing venues, and do not indicate representatives or offices

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ULTRA

David Birnbaum

Rare 1 PRIVATE JEWELER

MB-1226-CSW emerald-cut solitaire diamond ring 5 - 25+ carats premium color & clarity [GIA Lab]

David Birnbaum

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AT THE PINNACLE OF QUALITY AND VALUE

DB

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The

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Dealerʼs Dealer

The

Dealer’s Dealer 21

THE WORLD'S RAREST GEMS & JEWELS

MB-930 World Class Ensemble 100+ carats all D color

(shapes are close generic representations)

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David Birnbaum

Rare 1

as seen in...

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ULTRA

David Birnbaum

Rare 1 PRIVATE JEWELER

MB-928 D Flawless PearShaped diamond pendant 20+ carats

David Birnbaum 24

THE UNIQUE, THE RARE & THE EXTRAORDINARY

DB

R1

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“Demonstrably superior

quality and value”

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Rare 1

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DAvid BiRNBAuM / Rare 1 : THE wORLd's RAREst BRANd

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MB-1318 RARE FANCY PINK Ring: 8+ carats Fancy Pink center set in micro-pavé setting Earrings: two x average 3+ carats each Drop Fancy Pink plus extra White Diamond work shown Premium Clarity [GIA Lab] 32

#1 IN ULTRA-HIGH-END

INV-1381 rare fancy blue diamond twin ring 1+ carat, premium clarity set with 1+ carat D color diamond

MB-1014 INTENSE BLUE Cushion-cut Diamond center: 4+ carats Fancy Intense Blue set with round fancy intense pink diamonds Premium Clarity [GIA Lab]

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3 - 25+ carat Vivid red Premium Quality rubies

DAvid BiRNBAuM / Rare 1 : THE wORLd's RAREst BRANd

Shown: gem ruby rings / center gem weight noted VIVID Red Premium Quality [top lab-certified]

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THE Connoisseur's choice

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PRIVATE JEWELER TO AMERICA'S ELITE

David Birnbaum Rare 1

PRIVATE JEWELER EXTRAORDINAIRE

INV-1383 RARE ROCKS Extra-very-fine Colombian emeralds Colombian / ‘minor’ PearShape drop 12+ carats pendant-necklace earrings top emeralds: two x 2+ carats each bottom drop emeralds: two x 8+ carats each total Earrings carat weight 20+ carats [all lab-certified] 5 - 50+ carat Important Emeralds

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THE ULTIMATE ORIGINAL-SOURCE

4 - 20+ CARAT PREMIUM QUALITY ASSCHER-CUTS

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3 - 20+ CARAT Gem canary diamonds

Vivid & Intense Canary Diamonds

IMAGE-1432 Gem Canary Diamond Ensemble with premium-quality gem white diamond trim Fancy Intense yellow Premium Clarity Ring: 10+ carats Asscher-cut Earrings: two x 8+ carats each Radiant-cuts [GIA Lab certified] 41

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INTERNATIONAL GEM CUTTERS & DEALERS

THE wORLd's RAREst BRANd

DAvid BiRNBAuM / Rare 1 : IMAGE-1378 9+ CARATERS RARE WHITE premium clarity [GIA Lab-certified]

3 - 100+ carat GEM DIAMONDs

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David Birnbaum Rare 1

PRIVATE JEWELER EXTRAORDINAIRE

IMAGE-1418 WORLD CLASS SET EXTRAORDINARY GEM PEARL NECKLACE double-strand Opera-Length (average 33” long each) 13 x 11mm pearls premium luster, color & shape shown here actual size

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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*

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MAY 2010 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 interesting 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 carefully 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 array 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 50

“THE REAL DEAL”

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 counterparts 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 purveyor of the rare and the extraordinary to the world’s elite.

The David Birnbaum / Rare 1 operation is elegant/high tech as juxtaposed with Louis XIV salon-type décor of its competitors. “We most certainly like the Fifth Avenue Retailers,” notes Upstairs Private Jeweler Birnbaum, “They are a great price umbrella.”

The firm maintains a super-professional, American-style approach to staffing and other aspects of the trade. Distinctively, the firm is known to field high-level Asian-American staffers in its upper 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 American Express; Jack Laschever, publisher of Forbes FYI; Susan Wolk, publisher of Seabourn Magazine; the Platinum Card; and the publications Carlyle Magazine, Avenue Magazine, Departures magazine, and COUTURE jewelry magazine….

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Gems

in

by David Birnbaum HBS Ęź74, President, David Birnbaum / Rare 1

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at the

Museum of American Finance 48 Wall Street just east of William Street

WEDNESDAY EVENING co-sponsored by

Harvard Business School Club of NY The Smithsonian Museum

HarvardYardPress@gmail.com 53

by David Birnbaum HBS Ęź74, President, David Birnbaum / Rare 1

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Luxury / Ultimate Brands Published: August 16, 2004 Author: 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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The World’s Most Extraordinary Jewels

DB

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David Birnbaum

Rare 1 PRIVATE JEWELER

The Cutting Edge™

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MB-1300 CANARY SUNSHINE Canary Diamonds necklace: 60+ carats* bracelet: 38+ carats earrings: two x 3+ carats [GIA-certified] *center diamond weight : 2+ carats

rare jewels for a rarefied clientele

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INV-1379 TAILORED BEAUTY World Class Ensemble Gem Emeralds & Rare White Diamonds All Emeralds certified Gubelin Lab: Colombian / 'Minor' All diamonds lab-certified

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Necklace: Emeralds: 104.77 carats Diamonds: 72.73 carats Largest Emerald: 9.92 carats

Earrings: Emeralds: 40.57 carats Diamonds: 13.23 carats Largest Emerald size: 9.42 carats Ensemble: Necklace + Earrings: Total Emeralds: 145+ carats Total Diamonds: 85+ carats ENSEMBLE TOTAL TOTAL GEM WEIGHT: 231+ carats

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one-of-a-kind rare jewels from a one-of-a-kind private jeweler

David Birnbaum

Rare 1

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IMAGE-1445 Gem Ruby Vivid Red [Lab-certified] individual center weights noted contiguous

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PRIVATE JEWELER TO AMERICA'S ELITE

MB-1241-A Colombian emerald earrings emeralds: two x avg. 44+ carats each set in micro-pavĂŠ setting

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IMAGE-1476 RAREST PARAIBA rare Brazilian Paraiba centers: two x 7+ carats average = 14+ carats paraiba [AGTA Lab-certified] 2.5 carats total Invisible Setting Rare White diamond weight [Lab-certified]

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A 100 YEAR HERITAGE OF EXCELLENCE

IMAGE-1473 RARE WHITE Cushion tops: 2+ carats each Pear drops: 10+ carats each total diamond weight: 25+ carats premium color & clarity [GIA Lab]

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David Birnbaum

Rare 1

The Cutting Edge

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the world's ultimate gems for the world's ultimate clientele

IMAGES-1087 ASSCHER ADVENTURE Asscher-cut diamond drop earrings total diamond weight: 26+ carats tops: two x avg. 3+ carats bottoms: two x avg. 10+ carats Asscher-cut diamond stud earrings two x avg. 5+ carats

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THE ULTIMATE ORIGINAL-SOURCE

IMAGE-1173 ASSCHER-CUTS Canary diamond & Colombian Emerald premium clarity Earrings: tops: two x 2+ carats drops: two x 6+ carats Ring: center: 17+ carat VIVID YELLOW premium clarity flanking: rare-white shield-cut diamonds [Lab-certified]

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THE CUTTING EDGE

18+ 8+

10+

IMAGE-1442 Sapphires and Emeralds center weights noted [Lab-certified]

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IMAGE-1444 15+ CARATERS Heart Shape Sapphire * Cushion Emerald * Heart Shaped White Diamond * Asscher-cut Canary Diamond * Asscher-cut White Diamond

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WORLD'S TOP SELECTION * Important gems *

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the world's ultimate gems for the world's ultimate clientele

IMAGE-1175 RIBBON 3 - 30+ carats each premium clarity natural fancy blues, pinks, and canary [GIA Lab-certified]

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IMAGE-1450 Fancy Intense Pink Radiant-cut Diamond Premium Clarity 15+ carats [GIA Lab] 82

rare jewels for a rarefied clientele

IMAGE-1458 Fancy Intense Blue Emerald-cut Diamond Premium Clarity 15+ carats [GIA Lab] #1 IN ULTRA-HIGH-END

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ACTUAL SIZE

David Birnbaum Rare 1

IMAGE-1475 Ultra Rare 100+ carats Burma Sapphire Unheated [ Lab-certified ] 84

ACTUAL SIZE

David Birnbaum Rare 1

IMAGE-1472 PERFECTION D FLAWLESS 100+ carat PearShape Ideal Cut Diamond [ GIA Lab-certified ] THE UNIQUE, THE RARE & THE EXTRAORDINARY

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David Birnbaum Rare 1

IMAGE-1471 ‘Private Stock’ Green & White Important Colombian Emerald Ensemble Necklace: Center: 50+ carats Diamonds 66+ carats Earrings: 2 Emeralds = 60 carats Diamonds = 16+ carats Ring: Center: 34 carats Diamonds: 4+ cts Total Ensemble Gem weight: 230 carats [Top Lab certification]

EXCELLENCE, EXPERTISE & THE EXTRAORDINARY

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David Birnbaum Rare 1

IMAGE-1470 Rare1 ULTIMA Ensemble Earrings: Rare White Premium Cut & Clarity Diamond Cluster Earrings 14 THREE CARAT diamonds = 44+ carats [GIA Lab-certified] Drops: Gem Colombian TWO x 20+ carat each = 40+ carats Total Weight [ Top Lab certification ] Total Ensemble Gem Weight = 85 carats 88

THE ULTIMATE ORIGINAL-SOURCE

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NOVEMBER 15, 2010

Condoleeza Rice

David Birnbaum

Dallas, Texas

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OCTOBER 1, 2009

Dead Horse Ranch, Wyoming

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The world’s #1 Private Jeweler

David Birnbaum

Rare 1

NEW YORK

GENEVA * HONG KONG * MACAU SINGAPORE * DUBAI

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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*

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MarciaCross 31st Annual

ple s Choice Awards David Birnbaum

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The Ultimate Private Jeweler

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David Birnbaum

Rare 1 THE WORLD'S Rarest ICONIC BRAND

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David Birnbaum Feature Columnist www.ManhattanObserver.com 100

David Birnbaum NY Columnist www.ManhattanObserver.com 101

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New York

DIAMONS

JULY 2012

GLOBAL DIAMOND INDUSTRY GENERALLY CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC AS START OF SALES SEASON APPROACHES.

New York

What is the state of the global diamond market?

Furthermore, how is the diamond trade seen from the point of view of the various worldwide centers? As 2012 reached its half-way point, we asked leading figures from the global diamond trade to give their view of the condition of the diamond business.

In New York, we asked David Birnbaum, owner of the company Rare One, to give his views.

ward at 20 or 30 miles an

RECOVERY A RESULT

hour is less important. It is

TO STEEP INCREASES IN

still pushing the market

COMMODITY PRICES,

forward.

DIAMONS

TO WHAT DEGREE IS THE

INCLUDING DIAMONDS?

We are seeing a shift

One has to separate

on the polarity of the

price advantage from

industry,

the health of the indus-

remains the largest and

try. Price rises help those

most

sitting on inventory and

ket. I predicted, several

provide some sizzle to the

months after the global

jewelry sector. But these

financial crisis struck, a

bring about the destruc-

three-year recession for

tion of the middle class

the United States econ-

and that, for the jewelry

omy. That turned out to

industry, is not an advantage.

WHAT, IN YOUR OPINION, IS THE STATE OF THE VARIOUS LARGE DIAMOND JEWELRY MAR-

but

America

important

mar-

be right on the mark. The United States is now in the first year of slow recovery, both economically and for the diamond industry.

From my vantage point the word “slow”

KETS?

is operative. That means that we are expe-

The de facto bankruptcy of Europe will cer-

riencing a slow but steady recovery that will

tainly not help, because it will obstruct a ro-

run from 2012 through 2014.

bust global economic recovery. At the same time, we should not discount the ability of the

THE DIAMOND INDUSTRY HAS STAMPEDED TO

Chinese freight train. Whether it is moving for-

HONG KONG IN RECENT YEARS AS A WAY

OF GETTING AN ENTRY INTO THE EXPANDING

Turning to synthetics would be suicidal. We

CHINESE MARKET. WHAT IS YOUR VIEW OF

know that, historically, synthetic stones have

THESE MOVES?

not had any traction. People what the real

If you are setting up a new company, 19 out

deal, even if it is J color and SI1.

of 20 dealers will tell you to establish it in Hong Kong. But you still need to understand the

AT THE CONSUMER LEVEL, WHAT IS THE STATE

market. You can arrive in Hong Kong with $50

OF THE JEWELRY MARKET?

million worth of inventory and not sell a single

A growing percentage of families are not

thing. Simply placing an office is not a magic

buying diamond jewelry – and particularly

bullet.

single stone diamond jewelry – after the en-

Hong Kong is already saturated with mer-

gagement ring, and that is because of pric-

chandise, both at the high end and at the

es. The prices trends of the past several years

low end. There are already enough gems

have been very destructive.

there to supply Asia for the next three years.

Bridal couples still prefer diamonds, although rationally they should maybe shift to

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO CONDUCT BUSI-

sapphires. Most though prefer diamonds, and

NESS AND WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE DAN-

the same goes for 10-year engagement jew-

GERS?

elry.

Like everywhere else, one bad employee can put you out of business. It might not seem

WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY REGARDING THE

so to everybody, but this is a sophisticated

DIAMOND MARKET, AS WLEL AS THE OTHER

business, and the successful companies are

PRECIOUS STONES THAT YOU SELL?

filled with very smart people.

Predicting diamond supply is always a magical mystery tour. All I can tell you is this: I deal

HOW DO YOU SEE DEMAND FOR DIAMONDS?

in ultra-high end diamonds, emeralds, rubies

The best scenario for the diamond industry is

and sapphires. I cannot always tell you how it

demand rising slightly ahead of inflation and

will be done, but I know that 95 percent of the

the Dow Jones. But unfortunately that scenar-

time we always manage to fill an order.

io does not always play out.

There is a schizophrenic, or possibly manic-

Dramatic increases in prices constitute a

depressive element, to supply and demand

long-term time bomb. You cannot sustain the

in our business. The boom or bust tendency

market with prices rising 30-40 percent per an-

is hard to manage, but the serious players do

num.

not buy into this boom or bust philosophy.

WHAT IS YOUR VIEW OF THE SYNTHETIC DIAMOND MARKET?

New York DIAMONDS - END

New York

DIAMONS

JULY 2012

NEW YORK GENEVA * HONG KONG SINGAPORE * MACAU * DUBAI

David Birnbaum

Rare 1

EXTRAORDINARY & FABULOUS

David Birnbaum

Rare 1 589 Fifth Avenue Seventh Floor at East 48th Street New York, NY 10017 www.Ultra1000.com DBprivate@aol.com Phone: (212) 575-0266 108

AT THE PINNACLE OF EXTRAORDINARY

“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