Graff has unveiled a high jewelry suite – a necklace, bracelet, and earrings – crafted from 7,790 diamonds, with a total weight of 129 carats.
It is called 1963 and went on display last week at Paris Haute Couture Week.
It is described as a “bold tribute to the decade in which the House of Graff was founded” (although Graff’s own website says it was actually founded in 1960).
The pieces showcase concentric oval patterns of oval, baguette, and round stones, recalling the psychedelic art and fashion of the decade.
“This is one of the most intricate and technically challenging high jewellery suites we have ever created, embodying our pursuit of absolute beauty and perfection,” said Francois Graff, CEO of Graff Diamonds and son of Laurence (now retired, aged 87).
Sotheby’s New York is set to host an extraordinary High Jewellery auction on 13 June, featuring 110 remarkable lots — many of them centred around colourless and fancy coloured diamonds. This exclusive sale not only showcases some of the most important stones on the market today but also brings to light jewellery with historic provenance, including pieces from the Vanderbilt and Wade families, and a private collection chronicling a decades-long romance.
The Crown Jewel: 35.01ct Graff Diamond Ring Leading the sale is a breathtaking 35.01-carat emerald-cut diamond ring from luxury jeweller Graff. This D-colour, VVS2 clarity diamond is described as “highly important,” and is expected to fetch between USD $2 million and $3 million (approximately AUD $3 million to $4.5 million). It’s one of 13 spectacular jewels from a private collection titled Joie de Vivre: Journey in Jewels — a tribute to a husband’s enduring love, with each piece gifted to his wife throughout a 60-year marriage.
Another standout from the same collection is a pair of emerald and diamond earclips by Graff, boasting four sugarloaf cabochon emeralds weighing a total of approximately 84 carats. These exceptional earrings carry a presale estimate of USD $800,000 – $1.5 million.
Additional highlights from this private collection include:
An aquamarine and diamond bracelet: USD $40,000 – $60,000
A jade and diamond pendant-brooch, circa 1910s: USD $25,000 – $35,000
Fancy Colours Steal the Spotlight The number two lot of the sale is a striking 5.02-carat fancy pink diamond ring with VS2 clarity, estimated at USD $1.5 million – $2.5 million. Following closely is a 2.02-carat fancy vivid blue diamond ring, cut in a modified rectangular mixed style, with an estimate of USD $1.4 million – $1.8 million.
Also drawing significant attention is a pair of flawless D-colour pear-shaped diamonds weighing 10.32 and 10.11 carats respectively. Both diamonds are rated “excellent” in polish and symmetry, with a combined estimate of USD $1.1 million – $1.5 million.
American Legacy: Vanderbilt and Wade Family Heirlooms Among the historic highlights is a ruby and diamond sautoir by Marcus & Co., dating back to circa 1915. The centrepiece is a 9.60-carat unheated Burmese ruby, surrounded by old European-cut diamonds and accented with calibre-cut rubies. This important jewel is estimated at USD $1 million – $2 million and once belonged to Emily Vanderbilt Wade, the great-granddaughter of Cornelius Vanderbilt and daughter of Rhode Island Governor William Henry Vanderbilt III.
Three other Vanderbilt Wade jewels will also go under the hammer:
Cartier Art Deco diamond bracelet: Estimated at USD $60,000 – $80,000
Rene Lalique Art Nouveau pendant: Crafted from gold, enamel, emerald and pearl, circa 1900, with an estimate of USD $20,000 – $30,000
Multistone tassel sautoir: Featuring rubies, emeralds, pearls, diamonds and enamel, and possibly designed by Paulding Farnham of Tiffany & Co., with an estimate of USD $40,000 – $60,000
A Rare Opportunity for Collectors and Connoisseurs This Sotheby’s auction is not only a chance to acquire some of the world’s most exquisite diamonds and gemstones but also to own a piece of history. With provenance linking to America’s most prominent families and jewellery houses such as Graff, Cartier, and Tiffany & Co., the pieces represent both artistic excellence and emotional legacy.
For collectors, investors, and jewellery lovers alike, 13 June will mark a significant date on the global jewellery calendar.
Graff has opened its biggest store in North America, at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas luxury resort and casino.
The 3,300sq ft showroom is second only to the flagship Graff in Paris, at 3,700sq ft.
Graff, founded in 1960 by British jeweler Laurence Graff, is recognized as one of the world’s most prestigious luxury jewelers.
CEO Francois Graff (Laurence’s son) said: “The opening of our new salon at Fontainebleau Las Vegas represents a pivotal moment for Graff in North America, a testament to our continued success and commitment to expansion across the region.”
The Las Vegas store is the brand’s 10th location in North America. It has more than 50 worldwide.
The new showroom features a serpentine counter with angular displays inspired by diamond facets, a bespoke bridal area with engagement rings, wedding bands, and bridal jewelry crafted from celadon wood and chiseled glass.
To celebrate the opening, Graff has curated a special selection of high jewelry featuring rare diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires.
Christie’s will offer a 41.36-carat Graff diamond ring at its upcoming Geneva auction, predicting it could sell for up to CHF 5 million ($5 million).
The square emerald-cut, D-color, VVS1-clarity diamond, which is potentially internally flawless, is one of the top items set to go under the hammer at the November 8 Magnificent Jewels auction, Christie’s said last week.
Several other diamonds will also take center stage, including an unmounted modified shield brilliant-cut, 101.27-carat, F-color, VVS1-clarity diamond. That stone carries a high estimate of CHF 3.5 million ($3.5 million). A pair of Art Deco modified pear brilliant-cut diamond earrings by designer Henri Picq will also be up for sale. The set, featuring one 15.39-carat, D-color, VS1-clarity diamond and one 14.85-carat, D-color, VS2-clarity stone, has an upper price tag of CHF 2.5 million ($2.5 million).
Other notable items include a cushion brilliant-cut, 20.08-carat, F-color, flawless diamond ring, estimated at up to CHF 1.5 million ($1.5 million). A pear brilliant-cut, 14.19-carat, D-color, internally flawless diamond ring has a high price of CHF 1.2 million ($1.2 million).
Those stones will join the Fortune Pink, a pear-shaped, 18.18-carat, fancy-vivid-pink diamond. The gem, which Christie’s claims is the largest of its cut and color to be offered at auction, is expected to bring in up to CHF 35 million ($35.1 million). The sale will also showcase royal jewels from the Bourbon Parma family and from the Thurn and Taxis family.
A 50.08 carat D Flawless oval diamond is the centerpiece of an exhibition of gems and high jewelry by Graff, which opens today at Graff’s Palm Beach boutique.
Graff, in a statement, says it is the largest D Flawless diamond in 20 years to be unveiled by the high jewelry brand. It is available for view by appointment. It serves as the major attraction of a high jewelry exhibition titled, “Graffabulous,” that includes a number of high jewelry creations by Graff showcasing high quality diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires.
The unnamed 50.08 carat D Flawless diamond hails from a mine in Lesotho, a landlocked kingdom encircled by South Africa. The gem measures more than 30 x 20mm with exceptional brilliance and fire, according to Graff. Graded by the GIA as having excellent polish and symmetry, its remarkable size, combined with perfect color and clarity, it is among the line of important diamonds that Graff has acquired over the decades.
Elevating the occasion even further, the new owner of this historic diamond will be given the opportunity to name it before the stone is added to Graff’s timeline of famous gems.
The oval cut is an exquisite shape that combines the renowned radiance of a round brilliant cut diamond with a curved, elongated silhouette. The proportions of an oval cut are key to its beauty, with the 50.08 carat D Flawless oval diamond displaying the most sought after combination of an excellent cut, with a perfectly symmetrical silhouette and a length-to-width balance, the company says.
The Graffabulous exhibition consists of pieces from Graff’s 2022 high jewelry collection and advertising campaign of the same name. It comprises 80 pieces of one of a kind high jewelry with more than 3,600 carats of diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires. Necklaces and rings feature prominently in the collection.
Graff is known for its exquisite diamonds. The London-based jewelry house has acquired many notable diamond acquisitions, some that set world records. As a vertically integrated jeweler, the house cuts, polishes, and sets these incredible diamonds in-house, allowing it to control every facet of these stunning diamonds.
Graff is known for its incredible diamonds GRAFF
To coincide with the spring equinox, Graff unveiled Tribal, its newest high-jewelry collection. The collection focuses on white and yellow diamonds, with one exceptional emerald suite, in three sculptural motifs. The collection is inspired by the stories that our ancestors would tell themselves to explain the world around them and the heavens above, so these motifs focus on the sky, sun, and stars — a language understood around the world.
Francois Graff, CEO of Graff, tells Forbes, “Tribal is a fabulous collection, inspired by the magical folktale of the girl who created the stars. For me, the iconic, timeless symbols that unite the collection evoke a deep feeling of being connected to the world around us on a universal level. Tribal raises the bar in high jewelry and pushes the boundaries of creativity, craftsmanship, and exceptional stones for which we are known.”
The Graff Gateway pieces feature abstract ovals GRAFF
Graff Graff Gateway features striking, architectural designs. These pieces feature abstract ovals with pear-cut or round diamonds within. They evoke swirling galaxies with a brilliant diamond star at the heart. For a more delicate, almost lace-inspired look, the Graff Gateway choker and cuff bracelets alternate rows of round diamonds and diamonds with a more subtle oval motif.
The Sun Worship necklace features 374 white and yellow diamonds with a 10.56-carat pear-shaped Fancy … [+] GRAFF
The powerful New Dawn collection is inspired by the sun’s rays as it rises above the horizon. These pieces feature sunburst motifs set in white or yellow diamonds. Some diamond rays spiral from a significant central stone, while other pieces focus on geometric compositions. The Sun Worship necklace features 374 white and yellow diamonds with a 10.56-carat pear-shaped Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond in the center.
Sara Sampaio wears the Night Moon pieces MIKAEL JANSSON FOR GRAFF
Finally, the Night Moon collection features glittering diamonds reminiscent of starry night skies. These pieces feature pavé diamond half-moons in striking geometric motifs inspired by elemental shapes found in nature.
The collection launched with a gorgeous campaign shot on location in the Atlantis Dune in South Africa. Mikael Jansson shot Portuguese supermodel Sara Sampaio in these remote dunes alongside custom-made blacked steel sculptures inspired by the motifs in the Tribal jewelry collection.
Graff will present a selection of flawless polished stones from the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona at its new Hong Kong boutique.
“Lesedi la Rona” Diamond To Be Auctioned At Sotheby’s London
Graff purchased the D-color diamond — the second-largest rough in history — from Lucara Diamond Corp. for $53 million in September 2017. The luxury jeweler has since cut about 30 polished diamonds from the original stone, and will display them in Asia for the first time, it said last week.
Graff recently opened its new flagship store in the St. George’s Building on Chater Road, close to the luxury jeweler’s previous location. The 2,800-square-foot boutique, which Graff created together with luxury architect Peter Marino, will also have a dedicated watch area, bridal-hall houses featuring wedding jewelry, and three VIP rooms containing high jewelry.
The luxuriously designed space will include a private event hall for special celebrations and memorable moments, Graff added.
Image: The new Graff boutique, Hong Kong. (Graff Diamonds)
The Diamond Watch that effortlessly turns into an exquisite ring
Created by Graff Diamonds a London based jewellers founded in 1960.
Fascination is a diamond encrusted masterpiece piece which features a 38.13 ct pear shaped diamond which can be worn as a ring or inserted into a diamond encrusted watch bracelet with 152.96 cts of white diamonds.
Graff uses only the very finest diamonds, resulting in the creation of the most fabulous jewels in the world.
The Fascination will be on show at the BaselWorld watch fair in Switzerland, which begins tomorrow.
