The maison’s storied history began in humble fashion with a 15-year-old Laurence Graff’s apprenticeship in London’s Hatton Garden. The teenager quickly made an impression through his innate ability to discern the hidden brilliance within rough stones. Such insight is a theme that would continue to resonate at Graff the maison, which over the past 65 years has not only discovered but also meticulously cut and polished some of history’s most famous diamonds.
Landmark moments include the 1974 acquisition of the 47.39-carat Star of Bombay, the transformation of the 603-carat Lesotho Promise rough stone into a magnificent necklace in 2006, and the unveiling of some of the world’s largest and most flawless diamonds – from the 102.79-carat Graff Constellation and the 23.88-carat Graff Pink, to the 118.78-carat Graff Venus and the historic 302.37-carat Lesedi La Rona.
At the heart of the anniversary celebrations is the extraordinary Graff Infinity Tiara, showcasing the magnificent 157.80-carat Infinity Diamond. This heart-shaped D colour stone, one of the largest of its kind ever recorded, was cut from a 373-carat rough stone found in Botswana. The diamond holds an intriguing secret: its contours align with those of the famed 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona rough diamond, suggesting a shared origin. The graceful tiara’s sculptural design – with 18 heart-shaped diamonds suspended among elegant loops – embodies Graff’s philosophy of “design around the stone”.
The global exhibition tour begins with a series of much-anticipated shows in Asia. The Shanghai showcase, to be held from September 13 to 21, will be followed by a mid-October presentation in Singapore and an event in Hong Kong in early November. These exhibitions will offer a glimpse into the meticulous processes and intergenerational expertise that define Graff, from sourcing raw stones, to cutting, polishing and the final setting.
Under the stewardship of CEO François Graff and managing director Elliott Graff, the house continues to uphold the uncompromising standards set by its founder – and has expanded its global footprint to over 70 boutiques, in prestigious locations from Knightsbridge, London to Paris’ Place Vendôme and Las Vegas. Not just a commemoration of past achievements, the 65th anniversary is testament to the pursuit of perfection. As Laurence Graff once said, excellence is a result of having “the best people, the best stones, and the best designers making the best design”.