As reported earlier, 12 pieces of art by Canadian artist Bill Reid had been stolen from the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver. The value was estimated at around $2 million.

On Sunday June 8th, a house in south Burnaby was raided by police in connection with the case according to RCMP Const. Annie Linteau. She did not say if all of the items had been recovered but police are still present at some locations connected with the crime.

Linteau said police hope to release more information today, so I will update this post when more information becomes available.

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Update: All I’ve been able to find so far is a quote from a museum spokesman Scott McRae. He says, “I can confirm that they (the RCMP) told us that at least some of the Bill Reid pieces stolen from the Vancouver museum have been recovered and intact”.

So it sounds like only some of the pieces were found. If anyone knows more post in the comments, and when I find more I’ll update.

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2nd Update: There are still 2 pieces missing according to the National Post and The Globe and Mail.

“After searching both residences extensively, all but two stolen Bill Reid art exhibits were recovered intact. The substantive items, including the most prized, which is the gold box with an eagle, were recovered,” said RCMP Inspector Brendan Fitzpatrick.

Police are still hopeful that the pieces were not melted down for the gold.

“While we are satisfied that we have recovered most of the stolen items, the RCMP would like to seek the public’s assistance in recovering the last two items which we have reason to believe are still in the Lower Mainland area,” Insp. FitzPatrick said. “Our investigation to date indicates those items likely went to a local buyer or stolen property broker.”

Christie’s in Hong Kong has auctioned off a 101.27-carat diamond. That is the size of a ping-pong ball people, that is a freaking huge diamond. It is the largest colorless stone to be auctioned in Asia, and it sold for $6,200,000.

According to Reuters, “The gem, which is internally flawless but rated VVS1 (very very slightly imperfect 1st degree) for clarity was sold after patchy bidding for HK$48.5 million including the buyer’s premium, a relatively low per-carat price and at the low-end of its pre-sale estimate.”

While rare polished diamonds achieved all-time highs per carat at sales in Geneva late last year, a much-hyped 72.22 carat “D” flawless white diamond failed to sell at a Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction in April, suggesting demand for top stones may be waning due to a weakening world economy.

Higher prices on diamond sales were achieved last year at sales in Geneva. This year however prices seem to have fallen due to a weakening world economy, while some fail to sell at all. Just this April for example, a “much-hyped” 72.22-carat flawless diamond failed to sell at a Hong Kong Sotheby’s auction.