DIAMOND BOXES PROPOSAL for Alpha Bank
by David Birnbaum / Rare 1
DIAMOND BOXES TABLE OF CONTENTS Overview Why Buy a Diamond Box Transformation Potential Clients for Boxes Potential Box Sizes Comparison: Loose Diamonds v. Diamond Box Comparison: Gold Shares v. Gold Bars v. Diamond Boxes David Birnbaum Expertise and Credentials – related Building Blocks Liquidity Characteristics Diamond Boxes Lo/Hi Carrying Costs; Insurance Costs; Shipping Costs Profit To Sponsors Built-In Advantages continued
DIAMOND BOXES TABLE OF CONTENTS Precedent Potential Evolvement The Right Moment Burgeoning China and India Biggest Risk / Upside Diamond Specs X Diamond Specs Y Diamond Specs Z Protecting the Integrity of the Boxes Sample Box Manifest 2 Salient Issues Senior Executive Succession
DIAMOND BOXES Overview DB/R1 is very leading and veteran original-source international Diamond, gem and rare jewels dealer. DB/R1 has developed a new concept investment vehicle – Diamond Boxes. Minimum unit size: $500,000. These Boxes are priced (and lab-verified to be) at inter-dealer cost. Each of the gem diamonds in the Box is triple-Lab certified – and liquid. The Boxes themselves are liquid. The objective is to both capitalize on premium certificated gem diamond historical and potential exceptional appreciation over the next decade – as well as to provide a compact, portable, nearinvisible, rarefied investment/store of wealth. This should prove to be, as well, a quite-timely currency/inflation hedge/insurance. The DB/R1 firm has the critical mass of expertise, global sourcingpower, and blue-chip credentials and reputation – to pull-off this sensitive project – both at the global sourcing level and at the VIP end-user level. The DB/R1 Client roster includes Heads of State, many Fortune 1000 owners and presidents, as well as very leading bankers. More detail on the Boxes follows on the next page.
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More Detail Diamond Boxes The premium gems are selected by us for maximum upside potential and liquidity. The contents of the Boxes are transparent and the goods can always be inspected. The Boxes are lab-sealed and numbered after they are labcertified, packed and contents photographed – for maximum international liquidity. The content detail will be provided, as well, both on a CD and on a USB flash drive containing: - all certificate data - pricing - GIA certificate copies - photos and videos of each individual gem As a reality-check – any random jeweler in the world inspecting the CD or USB drive – should be able to readily verify that the Diamond Box contains premium gems – priced at inter-dealer pricing. Volume purchasing and nimble global sourcing enable us to deliver the Boxes at this price level.
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The Sponsor can deliver or store Boxes anywhere in the USA – or at any Free Port globally – and/or can move them between our vaults globally at client request – anytime. The Boxes have several levels of liquidity: both individually as individually plastic-sealed GIA lab-certified gems – and as components in a sealed numbered Box in our global network. Valuation-quotes will be provided quarterly. ‘Major Bank’ will act as Custodian of the Boxes for all those not taking out their Boxes. ‘Major Bank’ (or DB/R1) can, as well, readily arrange delivery globally – at any point going-forward. Lloyds of London guarantee available on Box manifest. The product – Diamond Box – is simultaneously simple, yet highly-sophisticated. Lo-risk / High upside. A unique asset class. Tangible, yet globally liquid. A sophisticated add-on to a diverse portfolio.
Why Buy a Diamond Box
price trends
supply demand characteristics
inflation hedge
dollar devaluation
hedge against financial system meltdown (global bankruptcy) or shutdown (nuclear stuff) general volatility and uncertainty
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unique asset class
diversifies portfolio
2 levels of liquidity
potential windfall profits - if big buyer wants to scoop-up
invisible, if so-desired
desire for sundry financial anchors in context of rapid global pace of change
great legacy/heirloom items
(usable as emergency collateral with banks, etc.)
Transformation Transforms a quasi-liquid single diamond (liquid only at what an individual jeweler will pay a check for it) into an internationally liquid medium in large $-unit form by Birnbaum selecting items for maximum potential appreciation in that Box category Then, GIA + IGI lab窶田ertifying it (if not prior) having the GIA laser-engrave the GIA cert number onto its girdle (Birnbaum) 360 degree video-taping of each diamond > CD of entire series in the Box (including all certificate copies) IGI lab-certificate valuing the item at Inter-Dealer Fair Market Value IGI lab-sealing the item
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Then IGI + Birnbaum sealing (& dating) (& noting total IGI valuation) of the (multiple of $500,000) ENTIRE Box Then, an International Financial Firm wrap-around Sealing the Box Then Birnbaum + IGI POSTING IGI inter-dealer value online at Sealing point + then Quarterly (eventually, monthly) International Financial Firm Custody + guarantees Integrity of individual Box
We have a viable, portable, invisible, international, liquid trading medium in super-selected certificated gem diamonds in multiples of $500,000
unique store of wealth & value
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Unleashes Potential
The Birnbaum plan for Diamond Boxes unleashes the underlying potential of diamonds – the rarest Precious item on earth - as a medium of liquid store of wealth. The combined integrated package to a very great extent ‘solves the problems’ which have hitherto impeded diamond potential on several key fronts.
Potential Clients for Boxes
Any Individual with a Portfolio Any Buyer of Gold Intelligence Agencies Governments Foreign Corporations Russian Oligarchs Autocrats
Potential Box Sizes
$500,000.00
$1,000,000.00
$5,000,000.00
$25,000,000.00
Comparison $10,000,000 Loose Diamonds v. Diamond Box Series of 10 carat Diamonds
Diamond Box
Bought Within 10% of Inter-dealer?
unlikely
likely
Liquid at cost + after 2 years
unlikely
likely
Liquid by sending an email?
no
yes
Liquid without moving it?
no
yes
Liquid via Wire Transfer?
not so quick
yes
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Comparison $10,000,000 Loose Diamonds v. Diamond Box Series of 10 carat Diamonds
Diamond Box
Liquid during crisis?
not so quick
yes
Offered item Triple-sealed? Lab + Birnbaum + Financial Sponsor Bank
no
yes
Offered item possibly Counterfeit?
possible; Will 99% need re-certification by GIA Lab
no
Offered item possibly damaged, nicked?
yes; may need re-polishing; then, re-certification
no
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Comparison $10,000,000 Loose Diamonds v. Diamond Box Series of 10 carat Diamonds
Diamond Box
Levels of Liquidity
1 the diamond
2 the underlying diamonds + Box network
Liquid away from a major Diamond center?
not really
yes
Comparison $10,000,000 Gold Shares v. Gold Bars v. Diamond Boxes
Liquidity Historic Appreciation 24 month Appreciation Overpriced? Volatility In Strong hands? Portable? Invisible? Upside Potential Windfall profit possible? Legacy item? Bragging rights?
Gold Shares ++
Gold Bars ++
Diamond Boxes +
++
++
++
too hi ? too hi ? possibly possibly too volatile? too volatile? not necessarily not necessarily
++ + ++ Yes
Yes No +
No No +
Yes Yes +++
No + not really
No + not really
Yes +++ +++
David Birnbaum Expertise and Credentials – related Strong brand and cachet at VVIP level Diamond Wholesaling Diamond Retailing Sales Management Marketing Advertising Merchandising Media Deluxe Catalogue development Art Direction Branding
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Selling to Corporate World Selling across Asia Selling to super-rich Talented and savvy team Well-known across top-tier financial community Well-known to global billionaire community Plugged-in at highest levels politically Strong personal brand Global Brand Known for super-Quality & optimal-Value – market niche Has been through the diamond cycles 1974 -2001 Steeped in global diamond industry currents – entire life Respected industry commentator A pre-eminent World Class dealer – at the top-tier rare jewel industry level Top track record in rare gem market-timing
Building Blocks Crucial components The Box buyer needs assurance that indeed, everything hangs together as articulated by the Plan. All the key players – the Originator Diamond Firm (Birnbaum) the Sponsoring Financial Institution the Laboratories must have credibility and credentials. The more, the better. Ultimately, first the individual Box Buyer – and then the financial world, at large, needs to believe that this all hangs together. Self-fulfilling prophecy: The more Buyers, the stronger the Network; the stronger the network, the more liquid the Boxes become; The more liquid the Boxes become, the more Buyers. And, ongoing in a positive ‘loop’ – feeding upon itself. “First-in” Buyers have the greatest Upside.
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Growing Pains The premium diamond market is ultimately thin. Focusing Box demand on a thin band of diamond sizes would cause distortions; meaning the market price would rise. The remedy is to have a wide-enough selection of Box $magnitudes, for example $500,000, $1MM, $5MM, $25MM so that the buyer (Birnbaum) can buy across a large range of sizes, enabling the Buyer (Birnbaum) to maintain the upper-hand in various segments.
Liquidity Characteristics Diamond Boxes 2 Levels At Break-Up Level Break-open the box and sell the individual still-double-sealed and still-double-certified gems individually
In Box Level Via Sponsor Bypassing Sponsor presumably a myriad of options will evolve
Inasmuch as Box holder will receive ongoing IGI Lab inter-trade Lab valuations quarter on both Individual stones and on the box, as a whole the Box Holder will have significant power
Lo / Hi
Low Downside / Hi Upside
Low Overhead / Hi Sales
Low Risk / Hi Possible Reward
Low Tech / Hi Barrier to Entry
Carrying Costs – miniscule if client stores in safe deposit box
Insurance Costs (assuming Client wants visibility) – miniscule if client stores in safe deposit box
Shipping Costs – miniscule assuming Client uses Brinks or Malca-Amit
Profit To Sponsors
Initial sales: Spread between Cost > IGI Lab-certified Inter-dealer pricing
Secondary sales: Market-maker [But owners can potentially market, as well, bypassing Sponsor – as presumably internet exchange will appear]
Built-In Advantages
FTM* is big advantage Birnbaum is big advantage Leading Investment Bank is big advantage Trademarks and Patent-pending are advantages
In combination, quite formidable
*First To Market
Precedent Predecessor (rough diamonds) BOX concept
DeBeers actually originated the concept of a Diamond BOX many decades ago. However, in their case it refers to a BOX of Rough Diamonds offered to SightHolders, typically 10x / year. Typical value: $500,000 - $5,000,000 each BOX. These are the ‘real’ BOXES. Rough diamond BOXES. But, we will peg-off their well-deserved cachet for our polished diamond BOXES. David Birnbaum was a name principal in Andor & David Birnbaum, Inc., International Diamond Cutters and De Beers Sightholders. Consequently, he has intimate familiarity with De Beers BOXES. DeBeers expects its SightHolders to polish/cut/manufacture the rough inside the BOX. However, there is an ongoing ‘gray market’ in these BOXES. Technically, according to DeBeers guidelines, a SightHolder can lose his ‘Sight’ if he even once re-sells a box; but DeBeers seems to ‘wink’ at the practice, as they could easily put an end to it.
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As noted, there is an ongoing ‘gray market’: So, for instance, a March 2011 Category “3A” BOX will have a discount or premium to the original price (Note: Most are currently trading at premiums to SightHolder cost). Once in a while, old BOXES (say, 5 – 15 years-old) are offered on the (gray) market via intermediary diamond brokers. Naturally, the BOXES must still have their original DeBeers “seals” – to be market-able in sealed-BOX-form. The Birnbaum firm never sold-off one of its own BOXES, but it did buy BOXES on the ‘gray market’. To be clear, this ‘gray market’ is 1000% legal. It is just that DeBeers severely frowns on the SELLER (not upon the BUYER). In any event, this inter-Diamond Manufacture grey-market has nice and ongoing intrigue. And quite real hi-energy cachet. So, the industry itself, will grasp our intent immediately.
Potential Evolvement Diamond Boxes
International Trading Market
Virtual Global Exchange
Surrogate sovereign currency
The Right Moment
I actually did my Harvard Masters Research thesis Spring 1974 on “Diamonds as an Investment” (I still have the original report), and have had no shortage of opportunities to pitch the concept. But, I never have, heretofore – as “investors” could not truly “pull out profits” within the classic investment paradigms offered by various sponsors. However, under the BOXES umbrella, with a little luck investors should do just fine. The “stars are now aligned”
Burgeoning China and India
Love gems Are buying gems in ever-increasing dollar-volume Are potential major engines for ever-increasing gem appreciation over the next several decades
Biggest Risk / Upside
Biggest Risk: Overheats global diamond market
Biggest Upside: control Virtual Global Exchange – diamond market place
Diamond Specs X $500k Boxes
Lab:
GIA
Sizes:
1.01 – 5.50 carat
Shape:
Round Brilliant
Color:
D–I
Clarity:
Flawless – VS1
Cut:
Excellent
Fluorescence:
None
certification dating:
last 24 months last 6 months prior 6 days
in general if VVS2 if Flawless-VVS1
[ and, No laser or HP/HT or anything unusual ]
(see exclusions below)
Diamond Specs Y $500k Boxes
Lab:
GIA
Sizes:
4.01 – 7.50 carat
Shape:
Emerald-cut or Asscher-cut
Color:
D–G
Clarity:
Flawless – VS1 (VS2 if Asscher-cut)
Fluorescence:
None
certification dating:
last 24 months last 6 months prior 6 days
in general if VVS2 if Flawless-VVS1
[ and, No laser or HP/HT or anything unusual ]
(see exclusions below)
Diamond Specs Z $500k Boxes
Lab:
GIA
Sizes:
0.70 – 1.60 carats
Shape:
Classic Shapes
Color:
Fancy Purple Pink
Clarity:
Flawless – SI1
certification dating:
last 24 months last 6 months prior 6 days
in general if VVS2 if Flawless-VVS1
[ and, No laser or HP/HT or anything unusual ]
(see exclusions below)
Protecting the Integrity of the Boxes Birnbaum Diamond Boxes 9 Bullet Points
1) GIA Lab (580 Fifth Ave) will technically certify the diamonds – and laser-inscribe its particular GIA certificate number onto the girdle of the respective diamond 2) Birnbaum buys select goods 3) IGI Lab (589 Fifth Ave) will - provide "Fair Market Value" (inter-dealer value) Appraisal - plastic-seal each GIA certified diamond into its own IGI-numbered packets - plastic-seal the ENTIRE Box of good and affix IGI seals to entire Box 4) Birnbaum affixes Birnbaum seals to entire Box 5) ‘Major bank’ to be/can be Custodian of Boxes – (for all Boxes not taken-out by buyers)
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6) Lloyds of London can guarantee that Box goods match their manifest 7) ‘Major Bank’ can ship Boxes – any time – globally 8) Quarterly valuation by Lab 9) Sponsoring Group (Sponsoring Financial Institution + Birnbaum) will potentially make-a-market in the Boxes
Birnbaum Boxes: Uncontestable & Bulletproof
Sample Box Manifest
available upon request
dated timely, as per your request
2 Salient Issues
Off Shore option
Sales Tax issues
Senior Executive ELLE CHOI
Korean-American here since age 15
[Age 5-10 in Japan]
Graduate Gemologist from the GIA
David’s lieutenant and gemologist
With him since 1995
Works hand-in-hand with David on most all matters.
Succession
David B is (young) 61 “The Plan” Eventually, after 2020: after 2025: etc.
b. 1950 ½ day 1/4 day
Senior Lieutenant Elle Choi, Senior Gemologist is mid-forties (10+ years span with DB/R1)
David’s son, Solomon Birnbaum see www.SolomonBirnbaum.com (same password as this site) enters NYU / Stern Fall 2012
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