Editors

The astounding ‘Archduke’ diamond

EditorsOct 16, 2012

The astounding ‘Archduke’ diamond

As I’ve noted in this blog before, getting the chance to view some of the world’s most spectacular gemstones in person at Christie’s is and always has been one of my favorite aspects of this job.

On Friday, I took my third trip (not counting my numerous treks to see Elizabeth Taylor’s jewelry earlier this year) uptown to the auction house to see the 76.02-carat, D-internally flawless “Archduke Joseph Diamond,” once owned by Archduke Joseph August of Austria, Palatine of Hungary.

On a previous trip to Christie’s in 2009, I saw the D-flawless 32.01-carat Annenberg Diamond, which went on to astonish at auction, selling for $7.7 million. In April 2010, it was the 39.55-carat Emperor Maximilian Diamond (sold for $1.8 million; this diamond was I color, VS1 clarity), a stone with an interesting place in history, just like the Archduke Diamond.


Few specifics are known about the diamond prior to it becoming the property of the archduke.

The diamond originated in India’s famed Golconda mines, the earliest known mines to man, dating to 400 B.C. before being exhausted of supply by 1725.

It likely belonged to an Indian family--perhaps one of the leaders of the Great Mughal Empire that once ruled India and was at the peak of its power in the 1600 and 1700s--before falling into European hands.

The Archduke Joseph passed the diamond down to his son, who sold it to an anonymous buyer. That buyer left it in a safe during World War II where it somehow was overlooked by the Nazis.

Like so many other great diamonds, there are some stretches of the stone’s history that remain a mystery, though it did reappear on the auction scene in 1961 and again in 1993, when Christie’s sold it for $6.5 million--the equivalent of $10.5 million today.

It is this same buyer who brings the stone back to Christie’s in Geneva now, selling what likely will turn out to have been a wise investment. The Archduke Joseph Diamond is expected to garner close to $20 million, meaning it will have tripled--at least--in value over the last 19 years.

(Photo credit: Tony Falcone)

Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

5 main.jpg
Supplier BulletinNov 21, 2024
Tasha R Releases 2025 Labbelle Lab Diamond Jewelry Catalog

Sponsored by Tasha R

18-karat gold Tiffany & Co. pocket watch Captain Arthur Rostron
AuctionsNov 21, 2024
Gold Watch Gifted to Titanic Rescue Ship Captain Sells for $2M

Three Titanic survivors presented him with the personalized Tiffany & Co. timepiece about a year after the tragedy.

Harris Jewelry storefront
MajorsNov 21, 2024
Harris Jewelry Ordered to Reopen Claims Portal for Refund Requests

A federal court found that the jewelry store chain violated terms of the settlement reached after it was accused of defrauding customers.

Jewelers Mutual Group Cybersecurity
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for Jewelers

From protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.

Cynthia Erivo wearing Have a Heart x Cynthia Erivo collection
CollectionsNov 21, 2024
Channel Elphaba in Muse’s ‘Have a Heart x Cynthia Erivo’ Collection

Cynthia Erivo chose Dreams of Hope, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQA+ youth, as the charity for this year’s collection.

Weekly QuizNov 21, 2024
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Rocksbox San Francisco store
MajorsNov 21, 2024
Rocksbox Opens Pop-Up Store in San Francisco

The new space was designed to evoke a warm, inviting vibe.

Mary Moses Kinney
IndependentsNov 21, 2024
Mary Moses Kinney Is Now Part of The Edge’s Team

Kinney, who spent nearly 30 years at IJO, has been hired to head Abbott Jewelry Systems’ new virtual marketplace.

Article-Top-Image.jpg
Brought to you by
Enhance Your Expertise with IGI’s In-Person Courses in NYC

This fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.

Sotheby’s New York building
CrimeNov 20, 2024
Sotheby’s to Pay $6.25M Settlement to NY State for Alleged Tax Fraud

The auction house was accused of helping clients avoid paying taxes on millions of dollars’ worth of art purchased from 2010 to 2020.

Kering logo
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
Kering Debuts New Jewelry Award With Sustainability Focus

The four finalists will present their pieces at the 2025 JCK Las Vegas show.

Model wearing pieces from Camera Oscura collection
CollectionsNov 20, 2024
Pamela Love Channels Surrealist Artists in New Collection

The “Camera Oscura” collection showcases earring designs celebrating female Surrealist artists Claude Cahun and Leonor Fini.

Columbia Gem House “Pebbles to Pines” fundraiser
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2024
Columbia Gem House Raises $10K for Reforestation Efforts

The money will fund the planting of 10,000 trees in critical areas across Oregon, Arizona, Montana, and other regions.

The jewelry symposium 2025
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
The Jewelry Symposium Opens Registration, Scholarship Applications

The event centered on advancing jewelry manufacturing technology will return to Detroit in May 2025.

Stock image of police cars with lights on
CrimeNov 19, 2024
Woman Killed in Armed Robbery of Sacramento Jewelry Store

Local reports identified the woman as the wife of the jewelry store owner.

Tsar Ferdinand I Bulgaria colored diamond pin and emerald diamond ring
AuctionsNov 19, 2024
‘A Tsar’s Treasure’ Fetches $2.9M at Sotheby’s Jewelry Sale

A collection of pieces owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family, blew away estimates in Geneva last week.

Trove NYC flagship exterior
MajorsNov 19, 2024
Trove Opens First US Flagship in NYC

The Australian jewelry box brand’s new West Village store will showcase new jewelers each month through its Designer in Residence program.

Snoop Dogg and Carolyn Rafaelian
CollectionsNov 19, 2024
Snoop Dogg’s New Jewelry Collection Is All About Love

“Lovechild” was created in partnership with Carolyn Rafaelian’s Metal Alchemist brand.

Andrea Jose jewelry
Policies & IssuesNov 18, 2024
Reciprocity Jewels Returns to NYC Jewelry Week

The group will host several curated events and an exhibition of designer jewelry made with Peruvian gold traceable to the miners’ names.

Dolly Parton and Kendra Scott
CollectionsNov 18, 2024
Dolly Parton Shines in Collaboration with Kendra Scott

The collection honors the 50th anniversary of Dolly Parton’s “Love is Like a Butterfly” song, which shares a birth year with Kendra Scott.

IGI Expressions
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2024
IGI Jewelry Design Competition Returns

This year’s theme asks designers to take inspiration from classic fairy tales.

Marie Lichtenberg and Raiz’in collection
CollectionsNov 15, 2024
Marie Lichtenberg Battles Counterfeits with New ‘Raiz’in Scapular’ Designs

The latest “Raiz’in” drop showcases a newly designed “Scapular” necklace and donates a portion of the proceeds to Make-A-Wish France.

Citizen 100th Anniversary Limited Edition #1 Pocket Watch
WatchesNov 15, 2024
Piece of the Week: Citizen’s Commemorative Pocket Watch

No. 1 out of 100, the timepiece was created to mark Citizen’s 100th anniversary and will be auctioned off at Sotheby’s next month.

My Next Question store security episode
Recorded WebinarsNov 15, 2024
Watch: 10 Tips to Keep Your Jewelry Store Secure

On the latest episode of “My Next Question,” two experts share best practices for store security during the holidays and year-round.

18th century diamond necklace
AuctionsNov 14, 2024
18th-Century Diamond Necklace Sells for Nearly $5M

Sotheby’s sold the necklace, which potentially has ties to Marie-Antoinette, for $4.8 million to a woman bidding via phone.

Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Window
MajorsNov 14, 2024
Saks Fifth Avenue Cancels Holiday Light Display

Instead of its usual elaborate display, the store will illuminate its façade and frame the windows to highlight its flagship’s architecture.

Grand Seiko store in Honolulu Hawaii
WatchesNov 14, 2024
Grand Seiko Partners With Ben Bridge on First Hawaii Store

The new Grand Seiko boutique is located in Honolulu’s Waikiki neighborhood.

Travelers on Gem Legacy Adventures Trip
SourcingNov 13, 2024
Gem Legacy Adventures Announces 2025 Trip

Eleven spots are available for travelers to visit Northern Tanzania and Southern Kenya from July 25 to Aug. 4.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy