Top 10 Most Expensive Graff Jewellery & Diamonds Ever Sold at Auction as of 2023

May 2, 2023

 

Graff jewellery is some of the most expensive and sought-after jewellery to sell at auction in the UK. Since Graff was founded in 1960, the company has become synonymous with high-quality diamonds and it’s earned a reputation as one of the most prominent and respected names in the British jewellery scene.

 

In this article, we’ll explore the history of Graff and look at 10 of the most expensive pieces of Graff jewellery and diamonds ever sold at auction. We’ll also provide an overview of Graff’s collections and list a few things you might not know about this world-famous jeweller.

 

The history of Graff

 

Graff is a renowned British jeweller that specialises in producing some of the world’s most luxurious and high-end jewellery pieces. Well-known for Graff diamonds and watches, the company’s history dates back to the early 1960s when Laurence Graff founded it in London.

 

Born in 1938 in the East End of London, Laurence Graff was the son of a Jewish tailor. He grew up in poverty and started his career in the jewellery industry as an apprentice at Schindler, a jeweller based in London’s Hatton Garden. After gaining experience there, he started his own business, called Graff Diamonds, in 1960.

 

One of the biggest early milestones in the history of Graff was when Laurence Graff acquired the Star of Bombay, a 47.39-carat sapphire, in 1974. The Star of Bombay was once owned by the Maharajah of Bombay, and it hadn’t been seen in public for over 50 years before Graff acquired it. This acquisition helped to establish Graff as a jeweller with a unique eye for exceptional stones.

 

Graff continued to grow in the 1980s and 1990s, opening stores in Tokyo, New York, and Monte Carlo. In 1998, the company made another significant acquisition, purchasing the Lesotho Promise, a 603-carat diamond, for $12.4 million. The Lesotho Promise was the fifteenth-largest diamond ever discovered, and it was eventually cut into 26 smaller stones, including a 76.4-carat pear-shaped diamond.

 

Laurence Graff has always been a hands-on jeweller, and he has been personally involved in the design and creation of many of the company’s most famous pieces. In 2008, he designed the Graff Pink, a 24.78-carat pink diamond that sold for $46 million at auction. The Graff Pink is one of the most expensive diamonds ever sold, and it cemented Graff’s reputation as a jeweller with exquisite taste.

 

Today, Graff operates stores in some of the world’s most exclusive locations, including London, New York, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. The company is still owned and operated by Laurence Graff, who has been instrumental in building its reputation as one of the world’s premier jewellers. Graff diamonds continue to be sought after by collectors and connoisseurs of fine jewellery, and the company’s name is synonymous with luxury, style, and elegance.

 

The Top 10 Most Expensive Pieces of Graff jewellery

and Diamonds Ever Sold at Auction

 

Graff jewellery has previously fetched some of the highest prices ever seen at auction for gemstones and jewels. Known all around the world for quality and beauty, the Graff name is associated with high-end pieces and luxury gems.

 

Below are 10 of the most expensive pieces of Graff jewellery and diamonds ever sold at auction around the world.

 

1. The Peacock Brooch

 

While Graff’s world-famous Peacock Brooch hasn’t been sold at auction just yet, it deserves a notable mention at the top of this list as it’s considered by most to be one of the most valuable items of jewellery in the world.

 

 

Crafted by Graff, the brooch features a large, colourful peacock perched on a branch, with its feathers meticulously crafted with diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and other precious gemstones. It is a true masterpiece of art and craftsmanship, and it has become one of Graff’s most iconic creations.

 

The brooch was valued at over $100 million back in 2013, and it frequently reaches second place on rankings of the most expensive jewellery in the world right now. It’s difficult to know how much this piece will one day sell for at auction, but it’s highly likely that it will be one of the biggest sellers in the Graff collection if it’s sold one day.

 

2. The Graff Pink

 

The Graff Pink is one of the most famous and valuable diamonds in the world, known for its rare pink hue. This stunning stone weighs 24.78 carats and is classified as a Type IIa diamond, among the purest and most structurally perfect diamonds in the world.

 

The Graff Pink has passed through the hands of various jewellery collectors before being purchased by Laurence Graff in 2010 for the record-breaking price of $46 million at a Sotheby’s auction in Geneva.

 

 

The diamond was first discovered in South Africa in the mid-20th century and was originally owned by the famous celebrity jeweller Harry Winston. It was later sold to an anonymous buyer who kept the diamond for several decades before it was put up for auction in 2010.

 

Today, the Graff Pink is considered a masterpiece in jewellery design and is regarded as one of the most valuable diamonds in the world.

 

3. The Pink Promise

 

The Pink Promise is a beautiful pink diamond that weighs 14.93 carats and is classified as a Type IIa diamond just like the Graff Pink. This diamond is particularly notable for its beautifully even colouration which makes it highly prized among collectors and enthusiasts of fine jewellery.

 

 

The Pink Promise was sold at a Christie’s auction in Hong Kong in 2017 for a staggering $32 million. At the time, this set a new world record for the highest price ever paid for a fancy vivid pink diamond at auction.

 

This diamond was originally mined in Africa and acquired by Graff in 2013. The stone was then cut and polished to showcase its exceptional beauty and was set into a stunning diamond ring designed by Graff’s team of expert craftsmen. Widely regarded as one of the most exceptional diamonds in the world, the Pink Promise is sought-after by collectors and jewellers across all continents.

 

4. Wittelsbach-Graff

 

The Wittelsbach-Graff is a legendary blue diamond that has been renowned for its size, beauty, and historical significance. It was originally discovered in the 17th century in the Kollur Mine in India and later became part of the crown jewels of the Bavarian royal family.

 

 

The diamond was first acquired by Laurence Graff, the founder of Graff Diamonds, in 2008 at an auction in Switzerland for $23.4 million. He later decided to enhance the diamond’s colour and clarity, and the diamond was recut to remove some of the flaws and improve its brilliance and fire.

 

Today, it’s estimated that the diamond is worth around $80 million after Laurence Graff reportedly sold it in 2011 to the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa.

 

5. The Lesotho Promise

 

 

The Lesotho Promise is a remarkable diamond that was discovered in the Letseng mine in Lesotho, Africa, in 2006. The rough stone weighed an incredible 603 carats, making it one of the largest diamonds ever discovered. The diamond was acquired by Graff in 2008 and was subsequently cut and polished into a collection of 26 smaller diamonds, of which the largest diamond cut was the Lesotho Promise, a 75.36-carat Type IIa diamond.

 

The Lesotho Promise was Sold at a Sotheby’s auction house in London in 2008 for a record-breaking price of $12.4 million. This set a new world record for the highest price ever paid for a rough diamond at auction.

 

6. The Graff Ruby

 

The Graff Ruby is a rare gemstone discovered in Mozambique in 2008. It weighs 8.62 carats and is a rich, red colour, which is highly sought after in the world of gemstones. The Graff Ruby was purchased by Laurence Graff for $8.6 million, making it one of the most expensive rubies in the world.

 

 

The Graff Ruby was mined in the Montepuez region of Mozambique, which has become known for producing some of the finest rubies ever mined. The ruby was cut and polished to perfection by Graff’s team of expert gem cutters, who brought out the best in the stone’s natural beauty and brilliance. The Graff Ruby is truly a one-of-a-kind gemstone, with its exceptional size, clarity, and colour.

 

7. The Graff Vivid Yellow

 

The Graff Vivid Yellow is a rare diamond and one of the largest Fancy Vivid yellow diamonds ever discovered. It set a world record for the highest price ever paid for a yellow diamond when it was sold at a Sotheby’s auction in May 2020 for $16.3 million. The diamond itself weighs 100.09 carats and is beloved for its deep yellow hue and flawless clarity.

 

 

This diamond is said to have mesmerised Laurence Graff when he first saw it, and later it has come to be known as the ‘Dream Diamond’. The diamond is a type Ib diamond, a very rare type of diamond that makes up only about 0.1% of all naturally occurring diamonds. This type recognises the nitrogen impurities in the stone which give the gem its famous yellow colour.

 

8. The Graff Eternal Twins

 

The Graff Eternal Twins are a pair of gorgeous diamond earrings made by Graff that have not yet been sold at auction, although it’s likely that they will one day fetch a significant amount. The pair of 50.23-carat diamond earrings are known as the Eternal Twins because they perfectly match in size, colour, shape, and clarity. The eternal twins were cut from a 269-carat rough diamond discovered in Botswana.

 

 

The Eternal Twins marks an ambitious moment in Graff’s history because no such feat had ever been attempted by jewellers before. Creating two mirror-matching earrings from a single diamond is an incredibly difficult challenge, and the rarity of this matching set is no doubt what will one day give it a high price at auction.

 

9. The Graff Sweethearts

 

The Graff Sweethearts are a pair of heart-shaped diamonds comprising 51.33 and 50.76-carat D colour flawless type IIa diamonds. The two heart-shaped diamonds form a beautiful and unique pair of diamond earrings not unlike the Graff Eternal Twins.

 

 

The earrings were famously featured in a photo titled “Hair & Jewel”, in which a model wore half a billion dollars worth of jewellery in celebration of Laurence Graff’s 60th year of working in the jewellery industry.

The Graff Sweethearts haven’t been sold at auction yet, but there’s no doubt that they will one day fetch a high price. The rarity of matching diamond earrings, the quality of the diamonds, and the fame of this particular pair will all contribute to the value of this piece.

 

10. The Graff Lesotho Pink Diamond

 

The Graff Lesotho Pink Diamond is an extremely rare 13.33-carat pink rough diamond that was discovered at the Letseng Mine in Lesotho in 2019. Laurence Graff purchased the stone for $8.8 million, a price that broke the record dollar per carat ever spend on a Letseng diamond.

 

The diamond itself is known for its gorgeous pink hue, and the value of this stone is no doubt due to the fast depletion of pink diamonds around the world. The Graff Lesotho Pink Diamond will likely be featured in an upcoming piece by Graff over the coming years.

 

A look at Graff’s jewellery collections

 

 

Graff creates beautiful and unique items of jewellery for both men and women. While many of the most famous and valuable Graff diamonds and gemstones have sold for millions at auction houses around the world, Graff’s regular jewellery collections include some slightly more affordable luxury pieces that embody timeless elegance and beauty.

 

Graff rings

 

Graff creates bold and striking rings for both men and women, with some of their most popular pieces being engagement rings, wedding bands and eternity rings for romantic or special occasions. With prices ranging from just a few thousand pounds to £60,000 and up, Graff rings are available at multiple different price points to appeal to a wide audience.

 

Graff engagement rings incorporate Graff’s signature diamonds in unique and unusual ways to create stunning and eye-catching pieces, or if you prefer a simpler piece you could opt for a Graff wedding band on your big day.

 

Some of Graff’s most famous items of jewellery have been rings, including the Graff pink diamond ring. As well as pink, white, and yellow diamond rings, Graff creates engagement rings and wedding bands that incorporate other materials and gemstones including rubies and sapphires. Graff’s wedding bands are crafted from gold and platinum, and wedding bands with and without precious stones and diamonds are available from Graff.

 

 

As one of the most popular types of jewellery on the market, it’s no surprise that Graff rings and diamond rings are some of the most sought-after pieces in the Graff collection. Graff diamond rings all feature Graff gemstones that have been chosen for their clarity and quality, and the design of Graff diamond rings captures the distinctive style of Laurence Graff. Individual Graff ring collections include the Spiral, D Shape, and Classic Graff collections, each of which is equally unique.

 

Perhaps one of the most famous Graff rings in the world is the Wittelsbach-Graff diamond ring. The Wittelsbach-Graff diamond ring is a beautiful diamond ring cut from the famous Wittelsbach diamond, which itself alone is worth millions of pounds.

 

Graff earrings

 

As the jeweller responsible for creating two of the world’s most famous pairs of earrings in the Eternity Twins and the Graff Sweethearts, it’s no surprise that Graff’s regular jewellery collection also features a wide range of earrings including both drop earrings and stud earrings. Graff is most famous for creating jewellery pieces with beautiful diamonds, and many of the jeweller’s earrings incorporate white Graff diamonds or yellow diamonds.

 

Some of the most popular styles of Graff drop earrings are the company’s Butterfly, Kiss, and Wild Flower collections. As the name of the collection suggests, Graff Butterfly earrings are gorgeous drop earrings featuring sparkling white diamond butterflies. Graff earrings range in price from around £8,000 for a pair of simple diamond stud earrings to over £100,000 for intricate drop earrings from their popular Butterfly collection.

 

Graff stud earrings are available in platinum and gold, with white, rose, and yellow gold featuring across the collection. From simple stud earrings to intricate studs made with dozens of small diamonds, Graff’s stud earrings collection is suitable for both men and women wanting to wear timeless diamond jewellery with a contemporary design. Graff stud earrings are available in a range of shapes and designs including simple ring studs as well as studs in the shape of butterflies, flowers, and hearts.

 

Graff pendants & necklaces

 

Pendants and necklaces remain some of the most popularly gifted items of jewellery, and the Graff collection of pendants and necklaces reflects the wide variety of tastes and designs that are en mode today. Just like the Graff earrings and rings, Graff pendants are available in multiple different collections to match Graff’s other lines. Some of the most popular Graff pendants include Butterfly pendants, Wild Flower pedants, and Spiral pendants.

The majority of Graff pendants and necklaces feature white Graff diamonds as the primary gemstone, but the Graff collection also includes necklaces with yellow diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. The most famous and valuable example of a Graff necklace today is the Lesotho Promise, a 223.35-carat, 26-stone diamond necklace made from diamonds mined in Lesotho, South Africa.

Graff pendants in the brand’s commercial line range in price today from around £6,000 to upwards of £100,000 depending upon the complexity of the design and the number and size of the gemstones featured in the piece. Graff necklaces are popular as gifts and personal purchases, and Graff pendants are sold in many of the most famous and reputable jewellery stores in Bond Street and Oxford Street.

 

Graff bracelets

 

Graff creates unique bracelets and bangles either featuring the company’s signature white diamonds or without gemstones. Graff bracelets are available in white gold, rose gold, and yellow gold, and range in price from around £6,000 for a simple bangle without stones to over £100,000 for an ornate diamond bracelet covered in tiny gems. As well as designing stone-studded bracelets worth many thousands of pounds, Graff also produces simple gold bangles with small diamond details and charms.

Like all Graff jewellery, Graff bracelets are made distinctive by their bold use of Graff diamonds and precious gemstones. As well as creating Graff bracelets for the high-end market, it’s also possible to order a custom Graff bracelet in a design made just for you. A custom Graff bracelet might set you back a little more than an off-the-shelf piece, but it will also be completely unique to you.

One of the most expensive Graff bracelets ever produced is the $40 million ring, watch, and bracelet combo, The Fascination. Boasting 152.96 carats of white diamonds, The Fascination can be worn as a wristwatch or worn as a bracelet without a watch face.

 

Graff watches

 

After diamonds, watches are perhaps the luxury item that Graff is most well known for. Graff watches are luxury timepieces that are known for combining innovative design with classic watchmaking techniques and modern technology. Graff watches often feature diamonds and other precious stones cut and styled by the Graff company.

 

Designed and manufactured in Switzerland, Graff incorporates unique touches like hand-crafted dials that contribute to the item’s beauty and function. One of the most distinctive features of Graff watches is their use of diamonds and other precious stones. Many of the brand’s watches are adorned with diamonds, and Graff is known for using some of the rarest and most high-quality diamonds in the world to decorate its watches.

 

Combining a commitment to quality with a keen eye for contemporary design, Graff watches are sought after by collectors and connoisseurs alike. One of the most expensive watches in the world ever created is the Graff Diamonds Hallucination, which is valued at $55 million. The watch is a bright, vivid piece that’s covered in 110 carats of rare coloured diamonds in yellow, pink, and blue, and set into platinum.

 

 

Buyers looking to spend a little less than this can pick up a high-end Graff watch for between £20,000 and £400,000. Graff watches are designed for both men and women, and it’s possible to find watch designs from Graff that range from bright and eye-catching to simple and sophisticated.

 

Graff cufflinks

 

Graff’s primary jewellery line for men alongside watches is their series of cufflinks, many of which are studded with Graff’s signature diamonds and jewels. Graff cufflinks are timeless, hardwearing and elegant, and range from around £8,000 to £19,000 depending upon the design and materials used in the cufflinks. Available in both white gold and rose gold, it’s possible to find a set of Graff cufflinks that match any outfit or look.

Whether you purchase Graff cufflinks direct from Graff or from jewellers on Bond Street, you’ll also find that Graff cufflinks are bound to catch the attention of others at parties and gatherings. Many Graff cufflinks feature Graff’s famous white diamonds, but it’s also possible to find cufflinks set with sapphires, rubies, and emeralds.

 

Three things you may not know about Graff

 

If you’re interested in knowing more about Graff, including what makes Graff so special among other jewellers, you might want to know some more niche facts about the brand and the company. Below are three things that you might not know about Graff or Graff jewellery in the UK.

 

1. Graff has a strong commitment to ethical jewellery in the UK

 

The Graff company has for a long time been ahead of the pack when it comes to jewellery ethics and sustainability. Graff is highly regarded for its commitment to ethical sourcing and adherence to the Kimberley Process. The company actively avoids purchasing or trading rough diamonds from regions where doing so would fuel conflict or cause human suffering.

 

Graff Diamonds takes great pride in its responsible procurement practices and has most of its diamonds laser-engraved with unique tracking numbers from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). These numbers are visible to the naked eye and allow the diamonds’ origins to be traced.

 

2. Laurence Graff is one of the wealthiest jewellers in the world

 

Graff jewellery may be popular in the UK and sold in jewellers up and down Bond Street, but it’s also famous and well-loved around the world. It’s difficult to overstate the impact of Graff Diamonds on the global jewellery industry, not just in London, where the brand is based.

With an estimated net worth of over $5 billion, Laurence Graff is undoubtedly the wealthiest jeweller in the UK and possibly one of the wealthiest jewellers in the world, deserving of such a position for his outstanding contribution to the industry. Other well-known jewellers who may have a similar or higher net worth compared to Laurence Graff include Dan Gertler and Cheung Yu-Tung.

 

3. Graff has won numerous international awards

 

The Graff company have received numerous international awards for their work in jewellery and design, including winning the Queen’s Award for International Trade five times. This prestigious award recognises the brand’s outstanding international expansion. Laurence Graff himself was also awarded an OBE, one of the highest honours awarded by the British Monarchy, in recognition of his services to jewellery.

 

If you are looking to learn more on the top most expensive luxury jewelry and its history, you can also visit our articles on Chopard, Tiffany & Co, Boucheron, Van Cleef & Arpels, Harry Winston, and Cartier .

 

Get in touch

If you’re considering securing a loan against Graff jewellery on Bond Street, it’s important to work with a pawnbroker familiar with luxury jewellery to make sure that you get the price that you deserve. We are a Bond Street pawnbroker who specialises in loans secured against high-end jewellery including pieces by Graff.

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