Israeli natural colored diamond firm Leibish & Co. has secured 26 of the 65 diamonds offered for sale at the Argyle Pink Diamond Tender.
The winning bids were made in a strategic partnership with Kunming Trading Co, Leibish said on its web site.
Leibish & Co. won two stones at the tender in 2014, seven at the 2013 tender, 17 in 2012, six in 2011 and 2010, and one in 2009.
"You need to fully understand the market prices and the value these stones possess,” said Leibish & Co.'s chief diamond buyer, Shmulik Polnauer. “You have only a short time to assess each of the stones and all the pressure of competing against all the top diamond buyers that exist. Dealing with fancy color diamonds day in and day out, I know the trends, what's hot and what people are after. I bid on behalf of some of our best clients, and also because I know how many others would kill to own just one of these magical stones."
In explanation for how the company managed to win so many of the diamonds, Polnauer said simply that he had to bid high, but not too high. “The highest bid wins, so I need to adequately assess the market and not bid too high, in order to ensure my customers the confidence that they are buying the goods at an excellent price that will enable them to reap the benefits down the line."