Posted by Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond Ring: A Legendary Blue Diamond
Introduction to the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond
The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond is one of the world’s most famous and rare diamonds, known for its stunning blue color, rich history, and remarkable craftsmanship. For centuries, jewelry enthusiasts, historians, and collectors have been enthralled with this extraordinary gem due to its size, intriguing origin, and deep blue color. For centuries, jewelry enthusiasts, historians, and collectors have been enthralled with this extraordinary gem due to its size, intriguing origin, and deep blue color. After being recut and rebranded by diamond dealer Laurence Graff, it became the centerpiece of a magnificent diamond ring that showcases its exceptional beauty and significance.
History of the Wittelsbach Diamond
Early History and Origins
The diamond was originally known as the Wittelsbach Diamond, named after the House of Wittelsbach, a former ruling family of Bavaria. It is believed to have been discovered in the Golkonda mines in India during the 17th century, which were famous for producing some of the world’s most notable diamonds, including the Hope Diamond. Although the diamond’s precise origins are unknown, it is believed that King Philip IV of Spain bought it in 1664 as a dowry for his daughter Infanta Margarita Teresa when she married Leopold I of Austria.
Royal Ownership
The Wittelsbach Diamond remained in the royal families of Spain, Austria, and Bavaria for nearly 300 years. In 1722, it became part of the Bavarian Crown Jewels when it was acquired by the House of Wittelsbach. It was set into the crown of the Bavarian kings and later placed into a variety of jewelry settings, including necklaces and ceremonial pieces.
Disappearance and Reappearance
By the early 20th century, the Wittelsbach Diamond had disappeared from public view, only to resurface at an auction in 1931. It then vanished again for several decades, until it reappeared at a Christie’s auction in 2008, where it was purchased by Laurence Graff, a London-based jeweler, for $23.4 million. At the time, it was a 35.56-carat diamond with a unique deep blue color and VS2 clarity.
Transformation into the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond
Recutting by Laurence Graff
After acquiring the Wittelsbach Diamond in 2008, Laurence Graff decided to recut the gem to enhance its clarity and brilliance. This decision was controversial because it meant altering a historically significant diamond. Graff enlisted the help of some of the world’s top gem cutters, who carefully removed 4.45 carats, reducing the diamond’s size to 31.06 carats but improving its clarity from VS2 to Internally Flawless (IF).
Renaming as the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond
After the recutting, the diamond was renamed the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond to reflect both its storied history and its modern transformation. The recut enhanced the diamond’s brilliance, fire, and overall aesthetic appeal, while its natural deep blue color remained intact. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) confirmed its new clarity and maintained its classification as a “Fancy Deep Blue” diamond, one of the rarest and most valuable color grades for blue diamonds.
Design of the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond Ring
The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond was set into a stunning ring designed to showcase its exceptional color and clarity. Here are the key design elements of the ring:
Centerpiece Diamond
The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond: A 31.06-carat, Fancy Deep Blue, Internally Flawless (IF) diamond. The cushion-cut stone is mounted in a simple, elegant setting that enhances its natural brilliance and color.
Ring Setting
Metal: The diamond is set in a platinum band, chosen for its strength and ability to complement the diamond’s blue color.
Additional Diamonds: The ring is accented with smaller white diamonds on either side of the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond, adding extra sparkle and contrast to the deep blue center stone.
Overall Design
The ring’s design is minimalist yet luxurious, focusing all attention on the rare blue diamond. The use of white diamonds and platinum highlights the diamond’s exceptional hue and allows it to stand out as the focal point.
Significance and Value of the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond Ring
The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond Ring is not only a stunning piece of jewelry but also a historical artifact and a symbol of rarity and exclusivity.
Rarity of the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond
The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond is one of the largest and most famous blue diamonds in the world. Its Fancy Deep Blue color grade is one of the rarest, making it highly valuable. Blue diamonds owe their color to the presence of boron atoms within their crystal structure, which is a rare occurrence. Only a tiny fraction of diamonds mined worldwide possess this rare blue hue, and even fewer achieve the level of saturation found in the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond.
Historical Significance
The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond has a rich history that dates back over 300 years, having passed through several royal families and featured in the Bavarian Crown Jewels. This historical provenance adds significant value to the diamond, making it a collector’s item sought after by connoisseurs and historians alike.
Controversy and Value Enhancement
The decision to recut the diamond by Laurence Graff was met with mixed reactions. Some felt that recutting altered a historically significant gem, while others praised the enhancement in clarity and brilliance that the recut achieved. Despite the controversy, the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond is now considered one of the most beautiful blue diamonds in existence, with its value potentially reaching even higher due to its flawless clarity and enhanced appeal.
Current Ownership and Estimated Value
Since its acquisition and transformation by Laurence Graff, the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond has remained a significant piece in Graff’s collection. While its exact value fluctuates with market conditions and rarity, it is estimated to be worth over $80 million today. This valuation reflects not only its exceptional quality and rarity but also its historical significance and the added value from its transformation.
FAQs About the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond Ring
What is the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond?
The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond is a 31.06-carat Fancy Deep Blue diamond, originally known as the Wittelsbach Diamond. It was recut and renamed by Laurence Graff in 2008.
Why was the Wittelsbach Diamond recut?
The diamond was recut to improve its clarity and brilliance, enhancing its overall appearance and market value. The recutting process reduced the diamond’s weight from 35.56 to 31.06 carats.
What is the estimated value of the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond?
The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond is currently estimated to be worth over $80 million, due to its rarity, exceptional color, and historical significance.
Where was the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond originally found?
The diamond is believed to have been discovered in the Golkonda mines of India in the 17th century, a region known for producing some of the world’s most famous diamonds.
Why is the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond considered rare?
The diamond is considered rare due to its large size, Fancy Deep Blue color, and Internally Flawless clarity. Blue diamonds are among the rarest of all colored diamonds, and its historical provenance adds to its rarity.
Who owns the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond now?
The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond remains in the possession of Laurence Graff, who purchased it in 2008 and had it recut to enhance its clarity and brilliance.
Conclusion
The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond Ring is a masterpiece of both nature and craftsmanship. Its remarkable blue color, flawless clarity, and royal history make it one of the most valuable and significant diamonds in the world. Despite the controversy surrounding its recut, the diamond’s transformation has only added to its allure and mystique, securing its place as a true icon of luxury and rarity in the world of fine jewelry.