Fawaz Gruosi with The Constellation
Swiss jeweler de Grisogono is taking another step toward its goal of being an industry leader with the purchase of the most expensive rough diamond.
Returning as an exhibitor at the Biennale des Antiquaires for the first time since 2008, de Grisogono took the opportunity to unveil its acquisition of an 813-carat diamond, dubbed “The Constellation.” For the niche jewelry brand, this stone holds creative possibilities as well as the opportunity for greater recognition in the jewelry community and beyond.
Grand reveal
Holding a press conference timed to the opening of the 28th Biennale des Antiquaires, de Grisogono gave the Constellation its public reveal at the Grand Palais. The house believes the six-centimeter-wide stone to be a significant "ground-breaking" purchase for its own brand due to its color, clarity and carat.
De Grisogono's The Constellation
Looking forward to the cutting process, expected to conclude in 2017, de Grisogono anticipates that the Constellation may be discovered to be on of the largest certified flawless diamonds.
“I am thrilled to have the chance to work with such an incredible and important diamond as The Constellation,” said Fawaz Gruosi, founder and board member of de Grisogono. “As a jeweler I am conscious of the extraordinary responsibility I have to the stone and to the team who have worked so hard to secure it.
“To be able to bring my creative skills to the cutting and setting process of such a stone is both an honor and a privilege and I cannot wait to realize my vision for it,” he said.
Earlier this year, de Grisogono acquired one of the 30 largest rough-cut diamonds ever found.
Like The Constellation, the 404-carat stone held with it a rare opportunity, since de Grisogono will be able to be a part of the decision process for the cutting of the precious gem, whereas traditional jewelry making relies on precut, already polished stones. While this diamond will be fashioned into only one piece, the brand took the stone out of the vault for its entire audience, allowing its message of craftsmanship to extend beyond the diamond’s eventual owner (see story).