Diamond Cutters International
Diamond Cutters International (DCI) is a diamond and colored stone [...] house and championship ring manufacturer founded by Fred Cuellar. Cuellar is also the author of the book How to Buy a Diamond, in print since 1991.
Foundation
Cuellar founded DCI in 1985 and then expanded the operation to include a [...] house—the first diamond and colored stone [...] operation opened to the general public.
The discovery of $750,000 of red beryl in Utah gave the young company its first high-profile exposure. Cuellar donated an 18-carat natural uncut red beryl valued at $20,000 and a 1.5-carat cut red beryl valued at $25,000 to the Smithsonian Institution in 1986. DCI was given the rights to sell the Pearl of Allah and Argyle Library Egg by Kutchinsky later in 1991. That same year Cuellar penned his first book “How to Buy a Diamond”.
In 1996, DCI launched its website along with opening up The National Diamond Helpline® and creating consumer advocate tools such as Ask The Diamond Guy® and My Gemologist®
Following the success of How to Buy a Diamond, Cuellar also penned Diamonds for Profit and Fredisms in 1998. Another office was opened in New York City in the late 1990s, which led to the consolidation of all [...] facilities to New York City.
Championship rings
DCI took its first steps in professional sports championship ring design with its Players’ Rings for the 1994 National Basketball Association (NBA) Champion Houston Rockets. The New Jersey Devils selected DCI to design their championship rings shortly after the team won the 1995 Stanley Cup. The Devils also chose DCI to design their Stanley Cup rings after winning the National Hockey League title in 2000. Other NHL teams continued to select DCI as the manufacturer of their championship rings.
The Dallas Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones commissioned DCI to manufacture the rings for his 1995 National Football League (NFL) champions. DCI was the first privately held company to manufacture a Super Bowl championship ring. Featuring the newly-invented Interlocking Diamond Star, the Cowboys' rings were also the first championship rings done completely in 14-carat yellow gold.
DCI also designed title rings for the Colorado Avalanche (1996 Stanley Cup champions) and Denver Broncos (1997 Super Bowl champions). DCI also designed rings for other teams including Houston Dynamo, Dallas Stars, Baltimore Ravens, New York Yankees, Utah Grizzlies, Baltimore Stallions, Detroit Red Wings, etc. DCI also designed a commemorative ring in honor of Baltimore Oriole Cal Ripken surpassing of Lou Gehrig's consecutive game streak.
Notable design achievements
In 1997, DCI collaborated with Seven Towns Ltd., FAO Schwarz and Erno Rubik to design and create a fully-functioning Rubik's Cube Masterpiece with gemstones. The cube was later named as the "World's Most Expensive Toy" by Guinness Book, with an appraisal of over $1 million. A limited numbered edition of the Rubik's Cube were manufactured in all silver and enamel as a more affordable alternative.
Guinness Book named DCI as the World's Most Recognized Jeweler in its Millennium Edition. DCI also created Playboy's Millennium Playmate Pendant, The Gem Prowler for Chrysler, Harley of Gold for Harley-Davidson, Super Pizza for Little Caesars Pizza, and the Million Dollar Puck for the Houston Aeros. Cuellar’s book The World’s Greatest Proposal Stories led to, Korbel Champagne naming Cuellar as their official spokesperson for their World’s Greatest Proposal campaign.
DCI’s jewelry have been worn by a wide variety of celebrities, athletes, business moguls, singers, etc.—including George Steinbrenner, Pat Williams, Tracy McGrady, Jerry Jones, John Elway, Maria Aramburuzabala, Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Oprah Winfrey, Tyra Banks, Ellen DeGeneres, Kenny Smith, Roger Clemens, Cal Ripken, Derek Jeter, Janet Jackson, Fergie, Sting, Jose Feliciano, Kimbo Slice, Philip Anschutz, and George W. Bush.