PodcastsJan 12, 2026
The latest poscasttest
EditorsOct 16, 2012
The astounding ‘Archduke’ diamond
As I’ve noted in this blog before, getting the chance to view some of the world’s most spectacular gemstones in person at Christie’s is and always has been one of my favorite aspects of this job.
On Friday, I took my third trip (not counting my numerous treks to see Elizabeth Taylor’s jewelry earlier this year) uptown to the auction house to see the 76.02-carat, D-internally flawless “Archduke Joseph Diamond,” once owned by Archduke Joseph August of Austria, Palatine of Hungary.
On a previous trip to Christie’s in 2009, I saw the D-flawless 32.01-carat Annenberg Diamond, which went on to astonish at auction, selling for $7.7 million. In April 2010, it was the 39.55-carat Emperor Maximilian Diamond (sold for $1.8 million; this diamond was I color, VS1 clarity), a stone with an interesting place in history, just like the Archduke Diamond.
The diamond originated in India’s famed Golconda mines, the earliest known mines to man, dating to 400 B.C. before being exhausted of supply by 1725.
It likely belonged to an Indian family--perhaps one of the leaders of the Great Mughal Empire that once ruled India and was at the peak of its power in the 1600 and 1700s--before falling into European hands.
The Archduke Joseph passed the diamond down to his son, who sold it to an anonymous buyer. That buyer left it in a safe during World War II where it somehow was overlooked by the Nazis.
Like so many other great diamonds, there are some stretches of the stone’s history that remain a mystery, though it did reappear on the auction scene in 1961 and again in 1993, when Christie’s sold it for $6.5 million--the equivalent of $10.5 million today.
It is this same buyer who brings the stone back to Christie’s in Geneva now, selling what likely will turn out to have been a wise investment. The Archduke Joseph Diamond is expected to garner close to $20 million, meaning it will have tripled--at least--in value over the last 19 years.
(Photo credit: Tony Falcone)
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Editors
The Latest
Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
Introducing My Next Question, the PodcastA monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
PodcastsNov 27, 2025
Test Podcast With VideoTest Podcast With Video. New interview with Ada Lovelace.
PodcastsNov 25, 2025
Test New Podcast PostAbstract for tests. New Podcast interview with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morison.
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling LuxuryAhead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.
AuctionsOct 09, 2024
Rolex Worn on Apollo 14 Mission Up for SaleThe GMT-Master “Pepsi” belonging to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is a standout in RR Auction’s online “Space Auction,” going on now.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
New Simon Campaign Invites Gen Z to ‘Meet Me At The Mall’The ads celebrate the mall culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales TrainingRetail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.
Policies & IssuesOct 09, 2024
GJNRF: Reaching Out, Rebuilding Futures For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.
AuctionsOct 08, 2024
Sotheby’s Selling Jewelry That Belonged to a Bulgarian TsarThe November auction will feature a collection of jewels owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Rio Tinto Begins New Phase of Production That Will Extend Diavik’s LifeCommercial production has begun underground at the Canadian diamond mine’s A21 pipe.
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday SeasonDeloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s BandsThe Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Is Current Diamond Industry Turbulence Shaping a ‘New Normal’? Industry players have found ways to cope with market conditions while working to reshape themselves in the face of emerging realities.
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New CollectionA portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.
