De Beers Diamond Hourglass
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 2000
This limited-edition hourglass timer is signed by De Beers and Louis Glick & Company, dated circa 2000. Constructed from acrylic and brass plated in 24-carat gold, the cylindrical capsule suspends over 2,000 rough diamonds inside a silicon fluid, giving an estimated timer duration of 10 to 11 minutes.
The instrument stands 14.8 cm high with a gross weight of 760 grams. It is accompanied by a stand, an illuminated base, and a dark blue presentation case.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Hourglass timer
- Height
- 14.8 cm
- Contents
- Over 2,000 rough diamonds in silicon fluid
- Materials
- Brass timer plated in 24 carat gold and acrylic
- Signatures
- De Beers and Louis Glick & Company
- Gross Weight
- 760 grams
- Timer Duration
- Approximately 10–11 minutes
- Maker / attribution
- De Beers and Louis Glick & Company
Design
- Visible features
- • Vertical cylindrical hourglass supported by four polished gold-plated pillars between stepped circular top and bottom plates. • Transparent central cylinder contains descending rough diamonds drifting through fluid. • Dark blue presentation box features two hinged doors, an interior display recess, and the front inscription 'DE BEERS A DIAMOND IS FOREVER'.
- Physical Configuration
- The object is a vertical cylindrical hourglass assembly characterized by a transparent central vessel. This core is held between two circular plates, linked by four pillars, creating a defined structural frame. The instrument measures 14.8 cm in height with a gross weight of 760 grams. The structure is described as brass plated in 24-carat gold and acrylic.
- Identity and Presentation
- The item is attributed to De Beers and Louis Glick & Company. Christie's lists a production date of circa 2000. The object includes a presentation case featuring two hinged doors and an interior recess. The exterior of the case bears the inscription 'DE BEERS A DIAMOND IS FOREVER'.
- Functional Mechanism and Contents
- The internal timer mechanism involves the movement of over 2,000 rough diamonds through a silicon fluid. This provides an estimated timer duration of 10 to 11 minutes. The hourglass is accompanied by a battery-operated illuminated base. It is noted that this base is not currently working.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Christie's condition report notes that the battery-operated illuminated base is not currently working.
- Research required: Makers' signatures stated in cataloguing are not clearly legible in this photograph.