At a press conference held in the Grand Palais at Paris, Swiss luxury jeweller de GRISOGONO announced that in order to mark the opening of the 28th Biennale des Antiquaires it had acquired The Constellation, a coveted diamond recovered by Lucara Diamond at its Karowe mine in Botswana in November 2015.

“The purchase represents a ground-breaking moment for the company in its journey to become one of the world's leading high jewellery and watch brands,” the Company announced in a press statement. 

The Constellation weighs 813 cts, and is over six cms wide. The gem was purchased for over US$ 63 million earlier this year by Nemesis International.  

de GRISOGONO’s  partnership with Nemesis International – a rough diamond trading company based in Dubai’s DMCC -- enables de GRISOGONO “to access the most precious rough diamonds, manage the entire cutting process and bring the very highest quality stones to its clients, combined with the distinctive de GRISOGONO creativity and craftsmanship”, the Company added. 

The Company noted that The Constellation naturally boasts the colour, clarity and carat weight “of an internationally and historically significant stone”. Further, de GRISOGONO indicated that the cutting process is due to be completed by the middle of 2017 and said that once the process is completed, it will “unveil one of the world's largest certified flawless diamonds”.

Founder and Executive Board member of de GRISOGONO, Fawaz Gruosi commented: "I am thrilled to have the chance to work with such an incredible and important diamond as The Constellation. As a jeweller 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 honour and a privilege and I cannot wait to realise my vision for it."

John Leitao, Chief Executive Officer of de GRISOGONO, elaborating on the significance of the purchase for their business said: "By purchasing The Constellation, de GRISOGONO has shown its commitment to bringing the most unique stones from around the world to our clients in exceptional and exclusive pieces.  We firmly believe that, despite a challenging market environment, people will continue to cherish and value those objects which are truly unique and special, such as this extraordinary piece of history.” 

The Constellation, represents the second major acquisition this year after the purchase in May of a 404-carat rough diamond, also from Nemesis International, de GRISOGONO revealed.

"This deal recognises the outstanding qualities of this stone and demonstrates the enduring value of historic diamonds,” said Nemesis International Director Nickolas Polak. “It also demonstrates how, as a company, we can help mine operators sell the most remarkable stones to expert designers and creative geniuses like Fawaz Gruosi, whose international client base demands the highest quality and most exclusive gems." 

Pic Cap: The Constellation diamond

Pic Courtesy de GRISOGONO