Van De Kaap Diamonds - [Diamonds & Jewellery|OPEN]

by **San Pellegrino Romana** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 9:51 pm

OOC: The thread is still open, and I will respond to all outstanding orders, but I am currently renovating the thread and completing all sections before I re-open it for business. Thank you for your time and patience. Feel free to telegram me any questions, comments, or suggestions. ~ SPR

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About Us | Diamonds | Our Operations | Sustainability | Products & Services | Catalogue

"A diamond is the ultimate luxury product. Throughout history, men and women have desired diamonds not only for their many practical applications, but also for their everlasting beauty." - Petrus Van De Kaap, 1879

For 135 years, the name Van De Kaap has been synonymous with one of the world's most desired and precious resources: diamonds. Founded in 1877, Van De Kaap has been in the business of mining and marketing precious stones. Over time, we have become one of the world's leading rough diamonds companies with unrivaled expertise in the exploration, mining, and marketing of diamonds. Operating in dozens of nations and employing thousands of individuals, we pride ourselves not only in the quality of our products, but also in our continuous commitment to providing unrivalled customer service, and mining in a safe and ethical manner.

Through our global presence, we not only enhance our competitiveness, but also build industrial and commercial relations with foreign governments and companies, while efficiently serving customers around the globe. Even today, Van De Kaap continues to consolidate its status as a purveyor of some of the finest diamonds in the world. Our name symbolizes beauty and excellence, but above all, quality and craftsmanship. Working alone or in partnership, Van De Kaap continues to hold global and regional leadership positions in its product markets. We hope you will pay us a visit and take a fascinating journey into the sparkling world of diamonds and fine jewellery.

Warm regards,
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Chairman & CEO of the Van De Kaap Group

by **San Pellegrino Romana** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 9:55 pm

For the 135 years we've been in business, our name has become synonymous with diamonds. Since 1877, we've had the privilege of sharing one of the earth's most precious natural treasures with billions of people around the world. With extraction and marketing operations across the globe, we have one of the largest diamond reserves in the world. We work with such a sensitive and valuable natural resource - this is why we take great pride and responsibility in providing our customers, partners, and shareholders with the best quality products and top-notch service. Together with our joint venture partners, Van De Kaap operates in more than 25 countries across five regions, and employs more than 45,000 people.

One of the most integral parts of our vision however, is making a lasting impact on our employees and their families. Our business spans across many nations and regions, which means that we not only carry out profitable business, but also have the opportunity to help foreign governments turn their nation's natural resources into a source of national pride and wealth. Through our charitable foundations, Van De Kaap returns more than NSD$7.0 billion to the communities in which we operate.

Van De Kaap (RSE: VDK), established in 1877, is one of the world's leading rough diamond companies with unrivalled expertise in the exploration, mining, and marketing of diamonds. Currently, Van De Kaap operates mining and marketing operations in dozens of nations across the globe, while employing more than 120,000 people worldwide. Rudolf Van De Kaap has been the Chairman of the Van De Kaap Group since 1997. Due to the impeccable quality of Van De Kaap's products, it has been awarded several Royal Warrants by various royal families and houses.

Petrus Van De Kaap (1857-1942)

Beginnings (1877-1898)

Up until the latter half of the 1800s, diamonds were considered a rare treasure, and could usually only be seen adorning royalty or the fabulously wealthy. Diamonds began to flood the market in the early 1870s, primarily due to the Herzoslovakian diamond rush. On first glance, this diamond rush was not very different from others: thousands flocked to diamond-rich areas, boom towns sprang up, and many left the mines empty-handed. The story of Van De Kaap begins with Herzoslovakian-born businessman Petrus Van De Kaap, who lived in Petrograd, the epicenter of the Herzoslovakian diamond boom. Petrus broke into the diamond business by renting shovels, mining equipment, and providing miners with accommodations at his small family-run hotel. With a keen eye for business, Petrus decided invest his profits into buying up claims from small mining operators. After buying up so many parcels, Petrus ran into some debt. Realizing he need to secure quick funding, Petrus turned to the famous financier, Roberto Borgia. Realizing Petrus' operations could be very profitable, Roberto decided to finance the diamond mining venture. With Roberto's large infusion of cash, the joint-venture mine operations expanded, and finally became profitable. In 1877, the pair decided to establish Van De Kaap Consolidated Mines, Ltd. — Petrus would own 75%, while Roberto would own the remaining 25% of the company. By 1887, Van De Kaap Consolidated Mines, Ltd. had established a monopoly on all production and distribution of diamonds coming out of Herzoslovakia.

The Famous Petrograd Diamond Mine, Herzoslovakia - 1887

War and Profit (1898-1935)

The Second Roman-Herzoslovakian War was a very difficult time for the company. In order to expel the Roman colonial army, the strategic city of Petrograd was besieged by the Herzoslovakian rebels. Petrus directed his workshops to be placed at the disposal of the Romans, in order to assist the effort in ending the siege. Van De Kaap's workshops manufactured shells, rifle parts, cannons, and even a Gatling gun of sorts. After the Romans emerged victorious in the War, King Valerian thanked Petrus for his assitance by giving him a plot of land in the Roman territory of Montegiardini. This plot of land eventually became the famous Cartelli Mine, which would later yield one of the largest rough diamonds ever discovered, the 5,128.73-carat Cartelli Diamond. In the early 1930s, the price of diamonds was plunging due to a number of other small-time, yet profitable competitors entering the market.

Rise of A Diamond Empire (1935-1987)

In 1935, Petrus' eldest son, Albert, took over the reins of the company. He is credited by many to be the driving force that brought the company to its prominent position in the world of diamonds. Albert quickly instituted many new marketing and sales techniques, and introduced the timeless Van De Kaap slogan, "A Cut Above the Rest." He continued to consolidate Van De Kaap's monopoly over the diamond industry until his death in 1965. By that time Van De Kaap was famed for its monopolistic practices, which included hoarding diamonds to control prices through supply-and-demand, and flooding the market with diamonds in order to take out other companies who refused to join the VDK Group.

Scandal, Public Outcry, and the Vision Forward (1987-Present)

Henry Van De Kaap, Albert's son, continued these monopolistic practices until the mid-1980s, when public outcry and new antitrust laws came into effect. Embroiled in various other public scandals, Henry Van De Kaap retired and let his son, Rudolf, take over the company. However, before his untimely death, Henry Van De Kaap redeemed himself by restructuring the Group's strategy, which now focuses on increasing production and substantially growing revenues over time. The current Chairman, Rudolf Van De Kaap has also added some points to the aforementioned strategy, which now includes aiming to access undeveloped areas of ground and open new mines in areas where undiluted ore deposits can be found. Despite inflationary prices in equipment and personnel, Van De Kaap is also very stringent in cost control, which is one of the ways in the Group will maximizing returns from its assets. In April of 2012, Rudolf Van De Kaap stated that "by the end of the year the Van De Kaap Group aims to have expansion programs in place for each of its domestic and international assets. By doing so, we will not only maximize growth and output, but also set transparent milestones for the future generation of this company."

The Van De Kaap Group, incorporated in Rome in February of 1877, is the holding company of Van De Kaap Diamonds and all of its subsidiaries. Van De Kaap is headquartered from its head office in Rome, where the Board of Directors regularly meets to discuss the business of the company. Since Van De Kaap has a global presence, many of its business activities worldwide are carried out by its subsidiaries, all of which are part of the Van De Kaap Group.

Van De Kaap's Flagship Store on Amalfi Square, Rome

The Van De Kaap Group complies with all legal corporate governance codes and pays taxes and royalties to the governments of the nations in which we do business. Adhering to the highest standards of business conduct and ethics complying with laws and regulations, and providing excellent customer service are amongst our top priorities. Each year, Van De Kaap Group collects the financial statements of all of its subsidiaries and prepares the final annual financial statement for the entire Van De Kaap Group. These statements are then sent to the Rome Stock Exchange, as well as all of Van De Kaap's shareholders.

Rudolf Van De Kaap, Chairman of the Van De Kaap Group

Since 1997, the Chairman of the Board of the Van De Kaap Group has been Rudolf Van De Kaap. Rudolf was born on May 8, 1945, in Rome to Veronica Barberini and Henry Van De Kaap. He is the great-grandson of Petrus Van De Kaap, the founder of Van De Kaap Diamonds. Rudolf is of Herzoslovakian descent through his father's side, and of Roman descent through his mother's side. Educated in San Pellegrino Romana, Rudolf graduated from the University of Venice with a Master's in International Relations and Economics. Groomed to take over the family business from an early age, Rudolf put his skills to use when he helped run the company due to his father's failing health. Taking over the reins in 1997, Rudolf was appointed Chairman of the Board, and has held that position since. As of April of 2012, his net worth has been estimated at $37.8 billion. He splits his time between Grozny, Herzoslovakia, and Rome, where he lives on his Caserta Palace Gardens estate with his wife Maria, and three children. His eldest son, Rupert, serves the Chief Operating Officer, and is being groomed to take over the company upon his father's impending retirement.

by **San Pellegrino Romana** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 11:14 pm

DIAMONDS

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The very sight of a diamond can invoke an aura of awe and wonder. A precious resource, diamonds are the hardest known substance on the face of the earth. In the early history of the Roman Kingdom, Romans thought that diamonds held mystical powers - for war, healing, and even love. Since diamonds are indestructible, they have become a timeless symbol of love.

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Simply put, diamonds are a type of crystallized carbon in its most concentrated form. Diamonds are the hardest substance known to man, and can only be scratched by other diamonds. The process of forming a diamond takes billions of years and can only occur under very specific conditions. The majority of diamonds were formed between 2 and 3 billion years ago deep within the earth's mantle, between 150 to 200 kilometers beneath the Earth's surface, when carbon-bearing materials were exposed to a combination of high heat and pressures. This combination of heat and pressure rearranged carbon molecules into the basic carbon building block that we see in diamonds. Sometimes, a variety of elements are added to this mix of high heat and pressure, which produces diamonds in a wide variety of colors, from bright pinks and dark blues, to ruby reds and outstanding oranges.

THEFOURC'S

Every single diamond in the world is unique. The 4Cs are a set of standards used by jewellers to categorize and compare diamonds. Van De Kaap began using the 4Cs in 1933 during Albert Van De Kaap's tenure as Chairman. The idea behind the 4Cs is to help our customers understand the different manners in which we sort and classify diamonds. Although most diamonds are naturally beautiful, the 4Cs provide a common framework that help us evaluate and characterize each particular detail of a diamond.

by **San Pellegrino Romana** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 2:25 pm

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Finding diamond deposits takes time, usually several years of searching. Van De Kaap uses not only state-of-the-art equipment and sophisticated technology, but also knowlege of traditional mining and exporation methods that have been passed down for generations.

by **San Pellegrino Romana** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 3:25 pm

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by **San Pellegrino Romana** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 3:46 pm

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Exclusive Inventory

70-Carat Pink Diamond Necklace

by **San Pellegrino Romana** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 7:49 pm

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Royal Warrants

The Van De Kaap Group has a long history of sales to royalty, is proud to hold numerous royal warrants of appointments from Royal Households worldwide. Currently, we proudly hold 9 Royal Warrants of Appointments (4 domestic, 5 international).

by **San Pellegrino Romana** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 8:07 pm

Nation	VDK Boutiques	Year of Operations
Akimonad	14	2013-
Herzoslovakia	17	1882-1913, 1949-
Maltropia	10	2012-
Montigne	23	1881-
Rome	13	1877-
Vespanola	16	1889-

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by **Carminica** » Sun May 13, 2012 2:10 pm

The Royal Household Agency
Coronation Committee

After careful review, the Coronation Committee for the upcoming coronation of His Majesty King Louis of Carminica would like to obtain the services provided by Van De Kaap Diamonds.As part of the coronation ceremony peers of the realm, Dukes, Marquesses, Earls, Viscounts and Barons will be required to pledge their obedience to the crown. As a symbolism of this act, peers and peeresses will place corornet on their head while chanting god save the king.

As part of his coronation theme of renewal and progress, The King has requested that all existing coronets and regalia be refitted and refurbished. That is where the assistance from Van De Kaap Diamonds has been deemed the most appropriate. Due to the extensive nature of this project the Coronation Committee would like to employ the services of Van De Kaap Diamonds to refit and refurbish the coronets of the 626 Barons/Baronesses and 452 Viscounts/Viscountesses of the Kingdom of Carminica.

The Coronation Committee looks forward to hearing your answer on the matter and discussing the details of the order.

Signed,
Sir Michael Gellow
Chairman of the Coronation Committee

by **San Pellegrino Romana** » Sat May 26, 2012 8:45 pm

TO: Sir Michael Gellow; Chairman of the Coronation Committee of His Majesty King Louis of Carminica
FROM: Sir Rudolf Van De Kaap; Chairman & CEO of Van De Kaap Diamonds
RE: Refurbishment of Coronation Regalia

Greetings Sir Michael Gellow:

First of all, on behalf of all of our employees and associates, we would like to extend our gratitude and thanks. We are honored that the Coronation Committee of His Majesty King Louis has chosen Van De Kaap Diamonds to refit and refurbish the coronets of many of the peers and peeresses of the Kingdom of Carminica. In order to properly restore the regalia in a timely manner, we will require specific as to when the coronation is taking place. Logistics such as shipping and handling will then be planned out simultaneously as we restore the coronets in our master workshops. As you may have read on our corporate website, all of the services we offer are performed at our corporate headquarters in Rome by expert craftsmen and designers whose level of expertise is unsurpassed. We pride ourselves on having artisans that have honed and refined their skills over the 135 years we have been in business.

The process will begin in Carminica: the said coronets will be picked up at your earliest convenience by one of our special armed couriers. Van De Kaap's personalized courier pick-up service not only ensures the safety of the coronets, but also that they are treated with the utmost care and respect - especially since many of our customer's items are heirloom pieces. Upon their arrival at our facilities in Rome, the coronets will be separated into groups according to their condition, which will be assessed by our master artisan crafters and jewelers. Due to the large number of pieces we will be handling, we have tasked a dozen of our best artisans who will work exclusively on tirelessly restoring the coronets to their full brilliance so that they may be ready in time for the coronation.

Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you have any further inquiries. Thank you for your time, and I hope to be in contact with you shortly.

Sincerely,

Chairman
Van De Kaap Diamonds

by **Tarsas** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 1:30 am

Official Message

TO: Vaan De Kaap Diamonds
FROM: The Coronationis Ipsum

Greetings from the Enlightened Empire of Tarsas. In preparation for the Edictum Imperium and the restoration of the Empire, the Coronationis Ipsum (coronation committee) has made a decision to utilize your fine establishment for the acquisition of several items and to be the provider of future items of this nature. The first item is a new Imperial Crown, which we will be commissioning in place of the old one that was destroyed in the revolution of 1958. The crown will need to consist of a golden frame in the shape of a thick crown of laurels. At the center point of the crown, just above the center of the forehead, a large inset red diamond surrounded by a ring of white diamonds will need to rest comfortably.

The other items we wish to buy are ten Imperial Signet Rings, which will consist of a gold ring with an eagle (see attachment) inset into a gold circular face attached to the ring. A ring of small blue diamonds will need to surround this eagle. We will pay for the order in full up front. We would also like to invite Van De Kaap, if it so desires, to open up places of business within our nation. Your past products have satisfied a senate family, which recommended your products. We wish you speed on your search for our requested diamonds and thank you for fulfilling our order.

signed
Marius Brutus
Princeps of the Coronationis Ipsum

by **The Miskito Coast** » Tue Nov 27, 2012 10:35 am

post removed

by **Carminica** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:28 pm

Princely House of Detmold
Office of the Private Secretary to The Princess of Detmold

Van De Kaap Diamonds,

Recognizing the detailed work that Van De Kaap Diamonds had done for his majesty's coronation coronets, Her Highness The Pricness of Detmold has formally requested that the refitting for the Detmold Diadem be conducted by Van De Kaap Diamonds. It is her highness's hope that the refitting can be done in time for the installation ceremony for the Governor-General designate of Grenover.

Attached is the photo of the diadem.

Thank you,
Captain William Tamrine CMVG
Private Secretary to The Princess of Detmold

by **San Pellegrino Romana** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:41 pm

TO: Marius Brutus
Princeps of the Coronationis Ipsum
FROM: Sir Rudolf Van De Kaap; Chairman & CEO of Van De Kaap Diamonds
RE: Refurbishment of Coronation Regalia

Greetings Mr. Brutus:

First of all, on behalf of all of our employees and associates, we would like to extend our gratitude and thanks. We are honored that the Coronationis Ipsum has chosen us to provide a new Imperial Crown as well as some Imperial Signet Rings. In order to properly produce your required items in a timely manner, we will require specific as to when the coronation is taking place. Logistics such as shipping and handling will then be planned out simultaneously as we hand-craft the new Imperial Crown and Imperial Signet Rings in our master workshops. As you may have read on our corporate website, all of the services we offer are performed at our corporate headquarters in Rome by expert craftsmen and designers whose level of expertise is unsurpassed. We pride ourselves on having artisans that have honed and refined their skills over the 135 years we have been in business.

Due to the importance and large volume of products in this order, we have tasked a dozen of our best artisans who will work exclusively on crafting the signet rings and the New Imperial Crown so that they may be ready in time for the coronation.

Once again thank you for choosing VDK. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you have any further inquiries. Thank you for your time, and I hope to be in contact with you shortly.

Sincerely,

Chairman
Van De Kaap Diamonds

OOC: I shall add more details to this order, as well as respond to the other orders and proposals later tonight.

by **Of the Quendi** » Wed Mar 13, 2013 3:14 am

Orchaldor-Telengaur Jewelry

TO: Van De Kaap Diamonds
FROM: Lord Castamaitë i Dúnedan Castaherion nossë Orchaldor-Telengaur, Chairman and acting CEO of Orchaldor-Telengaur Jewelry
SUBJECT: Refurbishment of the Diamonds of Aranrúth VIII

Sirs and madams,

Recently Orchaldor-Telengaur Jewelry was approached by her right honorable excellency the Countess Silmariëndë of Cúranlost, Chancellor for Her Most Imperial Highness the Sublime Princess-Regent Arabella i Maia, regarding the refurbishment of the Diamonds of Aranrúth VIII, a necklace owned by the Archduchy of Menegroth presently administered as part of the patrimony of Her Most Imperial Highness. The Diamonds, an heirloom held by members of the Imperial House of Alcedina for six centuries, hold enormous historic and sentimental value apart from their not inconsiderable real value why Orchaldor-Telengaur Jewelry was honored to have been chosen by her right honorable excellency to handle the refurbishment.

Unfortunately the Diamonds of Aranrúth VIII consist of very rare purple diamonds; thats purple and not pink, which naturally makes procuring suitable stones extremely difficult.

It is in this regard that we have chosen to contact Van De Kaap Diamonds. Orchaldor-Telengaur Jewelry has earned a reputation of professionalism and expertise in refurbishment and wish to provide only the finest possible result for an heirloom of Her Most Imperial Highness. Orchaldor-Telengaur Jewelry has therefore made contact with the most prominent diamond mining and trading companies in the world in the hope that it may get only the most suited purple diamonds for the refurbishment. We therefore wish to send an agent to Van De Kaap Diamonds to review those Van De Kaap diamonds that live up to our criteria in the hope that one or more of them may make the best choice available to us.

We hope to hear from you soon in this regard.
Sincerely,
Lord Castamaitë i Dúnedan Castaherion nossë Orchaldor-Telengaur
Chairman and acting CEO
Orchaldor-Telengaur Jewelry

by **Maltropia** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 4:52 pm

Communique of the Royal Kingdom of Maltropia

From: Ministry of Trade,
Corcaigh Nua,
Royal Kingdom of Maltropia
Date: 04/07/2013 AD
Encryption = None

To: Van De Kaap Diamonds
Kingdom of Rome

Dear sir,
In my capacity as the elected Deputy Minister of Trade of the Royal Kingdom of Maltropia, I would like to formally inquire as to the possibility of Van De Kaap Diamonds, a firm of great international repute, opening a number of branches throughout mainland Maltropia and her colonial possessions (formally known as the Paradoxian Overseas Dominion of the Maltropian Islands). I shall briefly outline a number of reaons as to why such an international establishing would be worthwhile for your brand.

It has often been said that the Maltropian market is among the most dynamic in the world. Certainly we are famed for our highly competitive industries, and the thriving economy we have as a result means the level of average wealth in Maltropia far exceeds that of many other developed countries. Many people in the Royal Kingdom enjoy comparatively large disposable incomes. A recent survey showed that a notable portion of this income is spent on jewellery, which is certainly a fact which will not escape your notice. We are confident that the demand for diamonds is more than enough to warrant your entry to our market.

I could continue to beat around the bush, but ultimately we are both businessmen, so I shall cut to the chase. We're looking for one thousand VDK outlets, right off the bat, to be opened throughout both Maltropia and the Maltropian Islands. I am firmly convinced you will see the benefit of this, and so I will leave the offer on the table for your consideration.

Please, if there is any information you might require in deciding on our invitation, do not hesitate to get in touch with me. I look forward to hearing your reply.

Yours sincerely,

Patrick Stoker,
Deputy Minister of Trade

by **Gandhapura** » Thu Aug 15, 2013 10:13 am

ROYAL HOUSE OF GANDHAPURA
Teach Ríoga na Gandhapura

TO: Rudolph Van De Kaap, Chairman and CEO of the Van de Kaap Group
FROM: The Most Excellent Lord Marco Antonio Flores y Garcia, Lord Great Chambellan and Head of the Royal Gandhapurian Household.
OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE

To whom it may concern:
On behalf of His Royal Majesty, King Guillermo I, King of the Gandhapurian Colonies of Isil Tinda, Mur Fakal, Minas Lirith, Atlalontis, San Ambrosius, Nova Atlantis and the Giraffe Isles, Pendragon, Defender of the Ten Cities, and Guardian of the Stone Rings , we, The Most Excellent Lord Marco Antonio Flores y Garcia, Lord Great Chambellan and Head of the Royal Gandhapurian Household, would like to open the commercial relations between your company and the Royal Household.

As you may know, the royal jewels needs to be refitted and some of the jewels were lost during the Revolution of 1848 and Her Royal Majesty, Queen Giulietta has formally requested that the refitting and "reconstruction" of the Royal Jewels must be conducted by Van de Kaap Diamonds.
It's her majesty's hope that the refitting and reconstruction of the Jewels can be done for the National Day, 1st of May, in which there are worn by the royal couple.

Underneath this communiqué,you'll find the pictures of the jewels who need to be refitted.

On behalf of His Royal Majesty King Guillermo and of His Royal Majesty Queen Giulietta, we want to thank Van De Kaap Diamonds in advance for its excellent work.
SIGNED,
Marco Antonio Flores y Garcia, Lord Great Chambellan and Head of the Royal Gandhapurian Household

Van De Kaap Diamonds - [Diamonds & Jewellery|OPEN]

Van De Kaap Diamonds - [Diamonds & Jewellery|OPEN]

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