Legendary Spectacular

An extraordinary story of how one huge diamond has produced an entire high jewellery collection

- Elizabeth Soong

All throughout its lifetime, Van Cleef & Arpels has acquired legendary stones revered for its significant value and beauty. One such historic piece, a 60-carat pear-shaped gem known as the Prince Edward of York was the first major diamond that the maison has acquired. Said to have been named in honour of the future Duke of Windsor Prince Edward’s birth, it was discovered in South Africa’s Kimberley mine in 1894.

The maison’s love of exceptional gems continues unabated throughout the ages. In 1953, it acquired the Blue Heart, a 31-carat heart-cut blue diamond said to be the most beautiful diamond in the world. That year, the necklace travelled to Paris by registered mail, addressed to the famous dancer Zizi Jeanmaire who dazzled everyone when she wore it to the Ball of Versailles. In December 1964, the 30.58-carat Mazarin diamond that once belonged to the French Crown Treasury entered the Van Cleef & Arpels collection which was bought at Sotheby’s for £70,000, setting a new world record for public auction price.