Christie’s To Sell The De Grisogono 163-Carat D-Flawless Diamond

The De Grisogono diamond suspended from an asymmetric necklace with a trailing on the left side of 18 emerald-cut diamonds and to the right two rows of pear-shaped emeralds

Christie’s is selling the largest D-color flawless diamond to ever appear at auction, a 163.41-carat emerald-cut stone owned by the Geneva-based luxury jeweler, De Grisogono.

It will be a highlight of Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale in Geneva to be held November 14 at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues. The diamond is currently on a world tour.

The diamond was cut from a 404-carat rough discovered in February 2016 in the Lulo mine in Angola. Given the name, “4 de Fevereiro,” it is the 27th biggest rough white diamond ever discovered and the largest in Angola. Fawaz Gruosi, founder of De Grisogono, purchased the rough diamond. He had it analyzed in Antwerp and cut in New York, where a team of 10 diamond-cutting specialists spent 11 months mapping, plotting, cleaving, laser-cutting and polishing the rough into the gem.

The De Grisogono 163.41-carat diamond, the largest D-color flawless diamond ever come at auction

The diamond is the centerpiece of an asymmetric necklace with a trailing on the left side of 18 emerald-cut diamonds and to the right two rows of pear-shaped emeralds, offering a contrasting appearance. No gold is visible between the emeralds as the gems are perfectly matched and the metal is darkened to create the chiaroscuro effect that is characteristic of De Grisogono jewels. The prongs holding in place the 163.41-carat diamond disappear under four baguette-cut diamonds creating an effect of dazzling brilliance. The reverse side of the gold basket is engraved with the diamond’s weight and set with more diamonds.

It took 14 craftsmen more than 1,700 hours to create the necklace.

Rahul Kadakia, international head of Christie’s Jewels said the “emerald and diamond necklace propels De Grisogono into a class of their own.”

The 404-carat rough diamond, "4 de Fevereiro," that created the 163.41-carat D-color flawless diamond that will be sold at Christie's

This diamond necklace marks the first jewel in a partnership between the auction house and the high jeweler in which they “will bring to auction the most exquisite diamonds ever offered to the market.”

The schedule for the worldwide tour is as follows:

Christie’s Hong Kong
September 28 – October 1
22nd Floor, Alexandra House, 18 Chater Road Central

Christie’s London
October 4 -7.
8, King Street, SW1Y 6QT London

Christie’s and De Grisogono in Dubai
October 17 - 19

Christie’s New York
November 3 - 6
Rockefeller Centre, 20 Rockefeller Plaza

Christie’s Geneva
November 9 - 14
Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues, Quai des Bergues 33 

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White Diamonds Is the Focus Of de Grisogono’s ‘Folies’ High Jewelry Collection

A white gold snake sparkles with a head made of a pear-shaped white diamond and a body covered in 74 baguette-cut white diamonds and another 425 white diamonds

The “Folies” collection from the luxury jewelry house de Grisogono combines styles ranging from the Renaissance to the present day, honoring the accomplishments of pioneering artists. The pieces represent a variety of periods and movements telling the story of major artworks

White gold earrings with 18 pear-cut white diamonds and 905 white diamonds 

“They epitomize absolute art through pure, free-spirited creations in which deliberate choices and a resolutely original attitude have given rise to a recognized style, to trends often imitated yet never equaled, to revered expressions of folly,” Fawaz Gruosi, the brand’s founder said in a statement. The name Folies pays tribute to Gruosi’s “unbridled creativity, daring choices and unconventional approach,” the jewelry house said.

A 16.05-carat round white diamond tops a ring with 16 baguette-cut emeralds that runs along a twisting shank like a sash covered in 412 round white diamonds

The high jewelry collection was introduced at the recently concluded Biennale des Antiquaires art and antique fair. It focuses on diamonds that the brand describes as “exceptionally white, almost colorless gems of rare clarity” with “imposing carat weights that effectively highlight the incomparable radiance of original cuts.” Beneath the classical appearance shaped by Gruosi’s choice of diamonds, are the vivid colors of rubies, emeralds, blue sapphires, black diamonds and onyx.

A white gold ring paved with 319 round white diamonds topped with a 10.23-carat cushion-cut white diamond with a strip of 18 baguette-cut blue sapphires. An additional 60 blue sapphires covers the claws supporting the central white diamond

Gruosi uses a variety of original and large-sized stones. Alongside rail and invisible techniques, he introduces innovative settings ensuring an inimitable sparkle and radiance, right the way through to the claws surrounding the center stone.

A pink gold ring centered with a 14.18-carat round diamond surrounded by 47 briolette-cut rubies

The inside of these jewelry creations is delicately engraved with openworked gem-set scrolling motifs, a secret message intended exclusively for the woman wearing them. 

The designer’s vision was established in 1996 when he became the driving force behind the use of black diamonds, which he branded as “carbonado” that has become the emblem of de Grisogono. Guided by his decidedly non-conformist approach, Gruosi has given rise to revolutionary styles exploring unusual materials and stones previously considered unsuited to jewelry, including unusual color combinations, chiaroscuro effects and black rhodium coatings.

A 16.05-carat round white diamond tops a ring with 16 baguette-cut emeralds that runs along a twisting shank like a sash covered in 412 round white diamonds

Gruosi also is known for his appearances on red carpets throughout the world with internationally known models wearing his high jewelry creations. 

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Chopard and de Grisogono Rock the Red Carpet at Cannes Film Festival

Julianne Moore in Chopard

Switzerland is known for its world renowned watch industry but there are a few companies that produce world class luxury jewelry as well. Two brands, Chopard and de Grisogono, sparkled during Tuesday’s opening night Red Carpet ceremony at the Cannes Film Festival. 

Chopard’s partnership with what is arguably the world’s most glamorous film festival has marked its 60th year, which includes creating the Palme d’Or trophy, the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival. The High Jewelry Red Carpet Collection, developed each year for the opening red carpet event, consists of 68 unique pieces this year. They were unveiled Tuesday, worn by world renowned actresses and models as well as Cannes officials. The jewels are designed by Caroline Scheufele, co-president of Chopard.

Meanwhile, de Grisogono and its highly charismatic founder and creative director, Fawaz Gruosi, always makes a mark at this event showcasing its highly creative designs. This year the company displayed white gold and diamonds accented by warm hues. 

The two brands best examples of its high jewelry pieces on the red carpet include: 

2015 Academy Award winner Julianne Moore in pear-shaped emerald earrings (52 carats) set with white diamonds in platinum from Chopard’s Red Carpet Collection and an octagonal step-cut emerald ring (13 carats) set in white diamond pavé‎ in 18k white gold (top photo).

2014 Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o wore Chopard pink quartz earrings (13 carats) with rubellites and white diamond set in 18-karat white gold, an amethyst ring with tanzanite, tsavorites and white diamonds set in 18k white gold; an aquamarine ring (5 carats) with amethyst, tanzanites; and white diamonds set in 18k white gold, all from Chopard’s Temptations Collection. She also wore a white diamond bead necklace (41 carats) set in 18k rose gold and a marquise-cut white diamond ring set in 18k white gold.

Fashion model Bar Refaeli wore de Grisogono cabochon-cut India earrings, Sensuale ring and the brand's iconic Allegra ring in gold, brown and creamy warm hues. She is pictured with Fawaz Gruosi, founder and creative director of the luxury jewelry brand.

Chopard ambassadress, Chinese actress Fan Bingbing in a pair of Chopard earrings featuring pear-shaped emeralds (25 carats) and white diamonds (24 carats) set in 18k yellow gold, a white diamond bracelet (29 carats) set in 18k white gold, an emerald-cut emerald ring (30 carats) set with white diamond pave in platinum and a round-cut white diamond ring set in 18k white gold.

Actress Natalie Portman wore de Grisogono diamonds, pairing the teardrop shape of Gocce earrings with the fan-shaped Jane ring and the Tubetto bangle 


French Actress Emmanuelle Beart wore a pair of Chopard white diamond hoop earrings (13 carats) set in 18k white gold, a white diamond bracelet (44 carats) set in 18k white gold and two ashoka-cut white diamond rings set in platinum.

Chinese actress Zhao Tao wore Chopard marquise-cut white diamond chandelier earrings (30 carats) set in 18k white gold.

Victoria’s secret Supermodel Karlie Kloss wore de Grisogono Sole earrings and a sculptural Onde ring

Model Doutzen Kroes wore a Chopard marquise-cut white diamond bracelet (8 carats) set in 18k Fairmined white gold and a marquise-cut white diamond ring set in 18k Fairmined white gold, both from Chopard’s Green Carpet Collection.

Indian actress Katrina Kaif wore Chopard white diamond drop earrings (8 carats) set in 18k white gold and a pear-shaped white diamond bracelet (37 carats) set in 18k white gold. 

Actress and model Liya Kebede adorned her Louis Vuitton silver dress with the de Grisogono Allegra ring and 1-metrer long sautoir necklace.

Member of the Jury, French actress Sophie Marceau wore three Chopard white diamond bead necklaces (totaling 270 carats) set in 18k white gold, a white diamond bracelet (33 carats) set in 18k white gold and a pair of white diamond stud earrings.

Member of the Jury, Spanish actress Rossy de Palma sparkled in a white diamond necklace, earring and ring suite (totaling 100 carats) set in 18k white gold.

Italian actress Isabella Rossellini wore Chopard ruby earrings (57 carats) set in 18k rose gold and a ruby ring (24 carats) set in 18k rose gold. 

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