-
History and Heritage
The founding of Graff Diamonds in 1960 by Laurence Graff marked the start of an extraordinary journey spanning over five decades, that continues to this day. Throughout its rich history, Graff is said to have handled more diamonds of notable rarity and beauty than any other jeweller, and to this day continues to inspire and excite the world's most discerning clientèle with its jewellery. Graff is more than just a name – it is Laurence Graff’s lasting legacy, whose passion and distinctive style has now been passed down to a new generation of designers and craftsmen, who continue to collaborate each day to create the most fabulous jewels in the world. -
1950s
1950
As a young man, Laurence Graff started his lifetime in diamonds as a jewellery apprentice in London.
1962
The first two Graff Diamonds retail stores open in London, in a traditionally wholesale and workshop-based industry.
1967
Sensing the opportunities abroad, Laurence Graff decides to travel with his creations, first setting up a jewellery concession in Robinson’s Department Store in Singapore, and expanding into trade fairs and exhibitions around the world.
1970s
1970
Laurence Graff creates the $1 million “Hair and Jewel” coiffure, an ornate design of diamonds and gems, inspired by the royal hair fashions of 18th century Versailles.
1973
Graff Diamonds becomes the first jeweller to be presented with the Queen’s Award to Industry, an award Graff would win again in 1977, 1994 and 2006.
1974
Laurence Graff acquires the Star of Bombay, a 47.39ct diamond, the first of a great many famous diamonds that would pass through the House of Graff.
1979
The Idol’s Eye diamond is acquired; it is the largest known natural blue diamond in the world, weighing 70.
1980s
1982
The Emperor Maximilian diamond, 41.94cts, is purchased at Christie’s in New York; Graff runs a groundbreaking advertising campaign inspired by the acquisition.
1983
Three famous diamonds, the Emperor Maximilian, the Sultan Abdul Hamid II and the Idol’s Eye are all sold to one buyer, making it the largest diamond sale known in history.
1984
The Imperial Blue is acquired, a pearshape 39.31ct diamond, the largest Flawless Fancy Deep Blue diamond in the world.
1987
Graff acquires Wallis Simpson’s 19.77ct emerald engagement ring and the Windsor Yellows, superb canary yellow diamonds set as earrings, at Sotheby’s in Geneva.
1990s
1990
The Paragon, the world’s largest D colour Flawless diamond at 137.92cts, is unveiled at the Regent Beverly Wiltshire Hotel in Beverly Hills at a special Graff exhibition.
1993
Graff’s new Flagship store opens on New Bond Street, London, famed for its exclusive retailers of luxury goods; Her Royal Highness Princess Michael of Kent officiates the opening.
1998
Laurence Graff acquires a controlling stake in the DTC sightholder South African Diamond Corporation (SAFDICO)
2000s
2000
Graff unveils The Sarah; weighing 132.43cts it is the largest Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond in the world, cut from a 218ct rough.
2000
Graff’s iconic green advertising campaign launches.
2000
Graff opens its first store outside the UK in Monte Carlo at the Hotel de Paris, Place du Casino; The Icon, then the world’s largest D colour Flawless brilliant cut diamond weighing 90.97cts, is unveiled at the opening.
2001
Graff opens its first Flagship store in the US on Madison Avenue in New York. To celebrate the momentous occasion, the 100.
2001
Graff acquires the Empress Rose, 70.39cts, the largest Internally Flawless Fancy Light Pink diamond in the world.
2003
Graff opens a new London Headquarters and Workshop in Albemarle Street, to accommodate the continuing expansion of the company.
2003
Graff’s expansion into the US sees a further store open in Palm Beach and continues in subsequent years with openings in Chicago, Las Vegas and Bal Harbour.
2006
The Lesotho Promise necklace is unveiled, consisting of an incredible 26 D colour Flawless diamonds totalling 223.35cts. The diamonds were all cut from the 15th largest rough ever discovered, weighing 603cts.
2006
Graff opens a new US Corporate Headquarters in New York on 46 E. 61st Street in a 12,000 sq ft Townhouse.
2007
Graff acquires the Letseng Legacy, the 18th largest diamond ever discovered at 493cts; after a year of highly skilled cutting and polishing, the stone yields 20 diamonds totalling 231.67cts.
2008
The Graff Luxury Watch division launches with five collections: Technical, Sport, Dress, Jewelled and Bespoke.
2008
Laurence Graff establishes The FACET Foundation, a charity dedicated to support the health and wellbeing of disadvantaged children in Africa
2008
Graff acquires The Magnificence; at 243.96cts it is the largest emerald cut, D colour Flawless diamond in the world.
2008
Graff opens its first store in Geneva, Switzerland, on prestigious Rue du Rhone; a second Swiss store opens in Gstaad in 2011.
2009
Graff’s client magazine Graffiti launches, distributed globally to Graff’s VIP clients in English and Simplified Chinese.
2009
The newly repolished Wittelsbach-Graff diamond is unveiled, now the largest Natural Fancy Deep Blue Internally Flawless diamond in the world, weighing 31.06cts.
2009
SAFDICO officially opens the Diamond Technology Park, a venture designed to provide a supply chain hub and international trading platform for the diamond industry.
2010
2010 witnesses a year of record breaking diamonds. The Graff Constellation at 102.79cts – the largest ever round brilliant cut, D colour Internally Flawless diamond. The Delaire Sunrise at 118.
2010
Graff opens its first seasonal store, located in Courchevel, France, capturing the attention of the winter season shoppers.
2010
The opening of the Delaire Graff Estate, South Africa’s premier art, wine and hospitality destination.
2011
Delaire Graff Estate hosts the second FACET charity art auction, raising an impressive R1.4million from donated works of South African art; this follows the first FACET auction hosted at Christie’s in London which raised $1.2 million in 2009.
2011
Two perfectly matched D Flawless heart shape diamonds exceeding 50cts each, cut from two rough diamonds sourced from the famous Letseng Mine, are unveiled as the Graff Sweethearts.
2012
Graff continues to expand globally, opening its latest store in the Middle East at the opulent Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai.
2012
2012 sees the opening of Graff’s newly renovated and extended Flagship London store on prestigious Bond Street.
2013
Graff unveils the astonishing $100 million Peacock Brooch, featuring an exceptional collection of coloured diamonds totalling 120.81 carats with a stunning 20.02 carat fancy deep blue pear shape diamond at its centre.
2013
Graff expands further within Asia with the opening of its 11th store, located in the opulent Jolie department store in Shenyang, North East China.
-
History and Heritage
The founding of Graff Diamonds in 1960 by Laurence Graff marked the start of an extraordinary journey spanning over five decades, that continues to this day. Throughout its rich history, Graff is said to have handled more diamonds of notable rarity and beauty than any other jeweller, and to this day continues to inspire and excite the world's most discerning clientèle with its jewellery. Graff is more than just a name – it is Laurence Graff’s lasting legacy, whose passion and distinctive style has now been passed down to a new generation of designers and craftsmen, who continue to collaborate each day to create the most fabulous jewels in the world.
