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Brief History of Graff
Graff founded in 1960 is a vertically integrated jeweler that controls design, manufacturing and retail. While Laurence Graff, OBE, came from humble beginnings, Graff jewelry is now synonymous with exceptional diamond and colored gemstone jewelry. London-based Graff was the first jeweler to receive the Queen's Aware for Industry and Export in 1973. This award is considered to be the highest accolade for a British company and Graff has won this five times. The family-owned and operated Graff has 64 locations globally. Graff reported revenue of $458 million in 2022, up dramatically from only $90 million in 2000. It is believed Graff's average transaction price is $400,000 which is estimated to be much higher than rivals including Harry Winston, Van Cleef or Cartier.
Famous Graff Diamonds
Infinity Graff Diamond
The infinity diamond is one of the largest heart shaped diamond in the world. It 373 carat rough diamond was discovered in Botswana. At the time of discovery it was the 14th largest gem-quality diamond found this century. A master cutter with 40 years experience transformed the 373 carat rough stone to a become the heart shaped infinity diamond it 157.80 carats and D color. The infinity diamond is set in a tiara with 18 heart shaped diamonds and was unveiled as part of the opening of Graff's new flagship store in Tokyo.
Lesedi La Rona Graff Diamond
The Graff Lesedi La Rona is a 302.37 carat diamond that is the largest highest color, highest clarity diamond ever certified by the GIA, and the world’s largest square emerald cut diamond. This rare diamond took over 18 months to cut and polish. The 1,109 carat rough stone not only produced the Graff Lesedi La Rona diamond but an additional 66 "satellite" diamonds.
Eternal Twins Graff Diamonds
Graff transformed a 269 carat rough diamond from Botswana into two identical stones. The pair of 50.23 carat emerald cut diamonds are D color and internally flawless and were named the Eternal Twins. Creating two identical emerald cut diamonds from the same stone had never been attempted at such a scale.
Golden Empress Graff Diamond
Yellow diamonds are a Graff signature. The Golden Empress is a fancy intense yellow diamond that is 132.55 carats. The 299 carat rough diamond was discovered at Lesotho’s Letšeng Mine. The rough diamond was cut into the Golden Empress and an entourage of satellite stones including two brilliant round stones and six pear shaped diamonds.
Graff Pink
In 2010, Sotheby's sold 24.78 carat Fancy Intense Pink diamond to Laurence Graff for $47 million. After purchasing the pink diamond from Sotheby's, Graff immediately repolished stone and renamed the stone The Graff Pink. The stone's new color is Fancy Vivid Pink, the highest color grade for pink diamonds and now weighs 23.88 carats. The Natural Fancy Vivid Pink is Internally Flawless and Type IIa diamond.
Famous Graff Clients
The most famous and influential client of Graff was the Crown Prince of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah and his wife. The Sultan of Brunei and his wife have been clients and life long friends of Graff. For 20 years starting in 1966, Graff traveled to Brunei as frequently as once a month to bring diamond jewelry. During this period, the Sultan of Brunei purchased tens of millions of dollars of jewelry from Graff. In the 1970s, wealthy middle eastern clients were coming to London to shop and Graff became their main point of contact while in London. Prince Turki bin Abdul Aziz famously visited Graff in London and purchased every single piece available at once. Other famous Graff jewelry clients include Oprah Winfrey, Larry Ellison, Elizabeth Taylor, David Beckham and Angela Jolie. Graff Diamonds are often worn on the red carpet by top Hollywood actresses.
Sotheby's and Graff Jewelry
In 2014, Sotheby's sold the Graff Vivid Yellow for $16 million. The fancy vivid yellow diamond weighed 100.09 carats is Natural Colour, VS2 Clarity. The Graff Vivid Yellow is listed in Ian Balfour's reference book Famous Diamonds, published in 2008, as one of the few rare yellow diamonds greater than 100 carats.
Sotheby's sold the Graff Ruby in 2014 for $8.6 million and broke the world record for a ruby sold at auction. The 8.62 cushioned cut Ruby set between triangular diamond shoulders within a mount decorated throughout with brilliant-cut diamonds. The center ruby is of Burmese origin, is of medium strong saturation and of 'pigeon blood' vivid red color. The ruby is an extraordinarily bright and clean crystal of superb colour. Graff was quoted in a Bloomberg interview in February 2006 about the Graff Ruby‘…the cut and spread of colour is the finest I have ever seen’.
Sotheby's sells rare and collectible Graff jewelry at auction and buy now marketplace. Graff jewelry is popular with Sotheby's collectors due to the quality and craftsmanship of the stones and jewelry. Sotheby's Specialists are always sourcing and consigning Graff jewelry so make sure to check back for additional styles. You can also contact a Jewelry Specialist if you would like to sell Graff jewelry in our next auction or buy now marketplace.
