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Diamond Wittelsbach-Graff

Diamond Wittelsbach-Graff
  • Translations : T
  • Synonym : S
  • Etymology : w
  • Discovery: 1 by D
  • Type localityL

The Wittelsbach-Graff, (originally the Wittelsbach was weighting 35.56ct) is an intense blue diamond of 31.06ct.

This blue diamond is coming from the Golconde mines, in India.

This diamond has been seen in allmost the European courts. The most ancient trace is its acquisition by King Philip IV of Spain in 1664. By marriage, the diamond arrived in the House of Wittelsbach of Austria where it remained in the family until 1921. It was in turn set in the Necklace of the great master of the Austrian order of the Golden Fleece and then on the royal crown of Austria.

The auction house Christie's first attempts to sell it in 1931 without success until 2008 when it was represented. It becomes temporarily the most expensive diamond in the World at the auction of Christie's in Geneva in 2008, exploding all the records of prices : 24,311,191 US $.

The purchaser is the jeweler Graff, from London, who renamed it Wittelsbach - Graff.

The diamond was recut by the company Graff increasing its color and its purity to the detriment of a few carats.

Gemological data

  • Chemical formula : C
  • Hardness (Mohs) : 10
  • Density : 3.5-3.53
  • Refractive index : 2.417 - 2.419
  • Crystal system : Cubic
  • Mineralogical Class : C

The gallery

Wittelsbach-Graff

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