The world of fine jewellery is abuzz with the remarkable discovery of the legendary “Florentine” diamond a 137-carat yellow pear-shaped gem once belonging to the imperial Habsburg family of Austria-Hungary. After more than a century of mystery, the fabled diamond has resurfaced, astonishing historians and gem experts alike.
According to reports in international media, descendants of Emperor Charles I and Empress Zita revealed that the diamond had been safely stored in a Canadian bank vault for 100 years, fulfilling a century-long vow of secrecy made by the late Empress. The revelation ends decades of speculation surrounding one of the most famous missing royal jewels in history.
A Jewel of Remarkable Provenance
The Florentine diamond’s story stretches back centuries. Believed to have once belonged to the Medici family of Florence, the stone later became part of the Habsburg crown jewels. Some historians suggest the gem was originally cut for Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, before finding its way to the Habsburg treasury.
The diamond vanished in the aftermath of World War I, when Emperor Charles I fled Vienna following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Many assumed the gem was lost or stolen during the family’s exile, adding to its mythical reputation and inspiring numerous books, films, and conspiracy theories.
Hidden Under Royal Secrecy
New accounts from Habsburg descendants reveal that the diamond was never lost. When the family sought refuge in Canada during World War II, they secretly transferred the Florentine along with other royal jewels to a bank vault, acting on Empress Zita’s orders. Only her sons, Archdukes Robert and Rodolphe, were informed of its location, bound by her request for confidentiality until 100 years after Charles I’s death in 1922.
With the vow now fulfilled, Karl Habsburg-Lothringen, grandson of Emperor Charles I, alongside his cousins Lorenz and Simeon von Habsburg, have confirmed the diamond’s existence and plan to exhibit the gem publicly in Canada as a gesture of gratitude to the country that sheltered their family.
A Treasure Reborn
The 137-carat golden-yellow diamond, renowned for its striking pear shape and exceptional size, is considered one of history’s most significant gemstones. Its rediscovery resolves one of the great mysteries of the 20th century, marking an extraordinary moment in the history of royal jewels.
The news follows renewed global fascination with high-profile jewel thefts including the recent Louvre robbery, where thieves made headlines by stealing crown jewels from the Apollo Gallery using a truck-mounted cherry picker.
With the Florentine diamond’s reappearance, the world’s attention once again turns to the enduring allure of legendary gems and the fascinating histories they carry a reminder of the importance of certification, provenance, and preservation in the world of fine diamonds.
Verified Provenance and Diamond Expertise
The reemergence of the Florentine diamond highlights the crucial importance of authentic certification and traceable provenance in the world of rare and historical gems. As the official CIBJO laboratory for Australia, the Diamond Certification Laboratory of Australia (DCLA) upholds these same principles ensuring every diamond’s identity, quality, and history are verified through independent, internationally recognised grading standards.
From modern treasures to legendary jewels of royal heritage, DCLA remains Australia’s trusted authority in diamond certification, valuation, and provenance verification, preserving the integrity of the world’s most extraordinary stones.