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JEWELRY NEWS
October 18, 2017
What is Graff, the Jeweler That Knows Diamonds Inside and Out? | GRAFF
GRAFF
The Ultimate Brilliance Crafted by Graff, the Jeweler That Knows Diamonds Inside and Out
Series | Part 2 Graff (1)
Graff is a high jeweler worthy of being called the “top of the top” in diamond jewelry. The brand creates a breathtaking array of jewelry through the meticulous cutting of rare, large diamonds and colored diamonds. Their unparalleled brilliance instantly captivates the hearts of women.
Text by NOGUCHI Minako
The Glamorous History of a Prestige Jeweler
The brilliant brand story of Graff, hailed as the “King of Diamonds” of the 21st century, is filled with fairytale-like episodes from its founder and current chairman, Laurence Graff.
Laurence Graff, founder and current chairman of Graff, leads the current diamond industry.
Graff, who grew up in a poor family of Russian immigrants, began working as an apprentice in a workshop in London's diamond district at the age of 15. Possessing an innate talent for discerning diamonds and a keen business sense, Graff went independent at 18, starting a business that undertook jewelry repair work.
Graff Diamonds was established in 1960 when Graff was 22 years old. Two years later, in 1962, he opened his long-awaited first store in Hatton Garden, London. Seeking further growth, Graff traveled to Singapore, gaining the trust of wealthy individuals in Asian countries, including the Brunei royal family, as well as royalty and oil magnates from the Middle East, and began dealing in large, exceptional gemstones.
Recognized for his achievements abroad, Graff received the prestigious Queen’s Award in the UK in 1973. The following year, 1974, he opened a new salon in Knightsbridge, which became the talk of wealthy individuals worldwide, with the phrase “Graff has the ultimate diamonds” spreading. The brand solidified its position as a high jewelry house dealing in exceptional gemstones.
In 1993, the flagship store relocated to New Bond Street in London. International expansion began in 2000, and in Japan, the first salon in Asia opened at The Peninsula Tokyo in 2007. To ensure a stable supply of precious and rare diamonds, Graff currently owns a diamond supply company in South Africa and operates polishing factories in five locations worldwide, where skilled artisans cut diamonds.
Graff has achieved the world's largest scale of diamond production by realizing a vertically integrated diamond company, handling everything “from the mine to the jewelry adorning a woman.” Among these, yellow diamonds boast the largest global market share, and their supreme, pinnacle brilliance captivates many.
Page02.The Supreme Brilliance of Large Diamonds is Graff's True Specialty
GRAFF
The Ultimate Brilliance Crafted by Graff, the Jeweler That Knows Diamonds Inside and Out
Series | Part 2 Graff (2)
The Supreme Brilliance of Large Diamonds is Graff's True Specialty
Graff's desire to bring larger, exceptional diamonds into the world and to create diamonds from the rough is embodied in "The Paragon," one of the world's leading large diamonds. This dramatic masterpiece, featuring a heptagonal cut on a large D color, flawless diamond—recognized for its highest quality—radiates an overwhelming brilliance of 137.82 carats. Its transcendent beauty is the unique charm of Graff.
The Paragon
Material | Heptagonal Cut Diamond (137.82 ct)
"The Hair & Jewel," the epitome of gorgeousness, was created in 2013 to celebrate Laurence Graff's receipt of an OBE and the title of Officer from the British state. This noble brilliance, created over five years with a total cost of 50 billion yen using 22 legendary diamonds that the jeweler boasts—including a 10.47 ct Fancy Vivid Blue, internally flawless briolette pendant and a 52.73 ct Fancy Vivid Yellow emerald-cut ring—stands as a testament to Graff's success.
The Hair & Jewel
Materials | "The Graff Sweetheart" pair, Heart Shape D Color Flawless Diamond, Type IIA, Fancy Vivid Blue (10.47 ct) internally flawless briolette pendant, Fancy Vivid Yellow emerald-cut ring (52.73 ct), Fancy Intense Pink (6.51 ct) internally flawless oval-cut diamond ring, etc.
Exquisite Jewelry Emanating Superb Craftsmanship
"The Laurence Graff Signature Ring," which elegantly shines on a bride's ring finger, is Graff's iconic engagement ring. The band, inspired by the facets of a diamond, is adorned with brilliant pink pavé diamonds, creating a beautiful harmony of sparkle with the center diamond. Finished with the meticulous handiwork of skilled artisans, this ring instills unwavering confidence in the wearer and guides her into a new stage of life.
The Laurence Graff Signature Ring
Material | Pink Gold x Pink Pavé Diamonds x Diamonds
Price | From ¥1.8 million (Center diamond 0.7 ct~)
The "Trapeze Cross Pendant" allows one to enjoy Graff's creativity. It is luxuriously crafted from four uniquely cut trapezoid diamonds, exclusively shaped for the pendant. When worn, the cross-shaped diamonds appear to float from the chest, emitting a fresh sparkle. Available in various sizes—mini, small, medium, and large—it is also appealing that they can be worn as a pair.
The Trapeze Cross Pendant
Material | White Gold x Diamonds (Large / Left photo), White Gold x Platinum x Diamonds (Small / Right photo)
Page03.A New Frontier Where a Jeweler's Craftsmanship Converges
GRAFF
The Ultimate Brilliance Crafted by Graff, the Jeweler That Knows Diamonds Inside and Out
Series | Part 2 Graff (3)
A New Frontier Where a Jeweler's Craftsmanship Converges
Since 2009, Graff has also ventured into luxury watchmaking under the name "Graff Luxury Watches." The watch collections, which harmoniously blend superior watchmaking functions with beautiful design, fully showcase the pride of a high jeweler and Graff's unique craftsmanship.
Jewelry Watches Adorning Women's Wrists with Sublime Brilliance
"The Hallucination," conceived by Laurence Graff, was unveiled at Baselworld in Switzerland in 2014. The kaleidoscope of scattered colored diamonds, totaling over 110 carats, radiates a dazzling brilliance. This jewelry watch, meticulously finished by the Graff design team, gemologists, and skilled artisans over an immense period, is truly a work of art.
The Hallucination
Case & Bracelet | Yellow Diamonds, Pink Diamonds
Reference item
The feminine "Disco Butterfly Watch" is a representative model of Graff's ladies' watches. Its new model is also inspired by a butterfly gracefully fluttering over sparkling jewels. The pavé diamond-set dial design and the butterfly silhouette, formed by marquise and pear-shaped diamonds, accentuate a gorgeous yet feminine beauty. This beautiful messenger of time undoubtedly brings elegant moments.
The Disco Butterfly Watch
Case | White Gold x Diamonds
Strap | Crocodile or Black Satin
Price | ¥15.2 million
Luxury Watches That Resonate with the Sensibilities of Discerning Men
"The Master Graff Tourbillon Diamond Skeleton," a luxurious complication from a diamond jeweler, appeals to the masculine spirit with its mechanical aesthetic, revealing the tourbillon movement through a skeletonized dial. The bezel and crown, lavishly set with diamonds, exude a powerful brilliance befitting adults who appreciate true quality.
The Master Graff Tourbillon Diamond Skeleton
Case | White Gold x Diamonds
Diameter | 43mm
Strap | Black Crocodile
Price | ¥181.5 million
"The Master Graff Ultra Flat Tourbillon," designed with inspiration from diamonds, features a new hand-wound tourbillon movement housed in an ultra-thin 6.95mm case, achieving a dressy appearance. The watch bezel is adorned with Graff's signature faceted finish, exuding a majestic beauty.
The Master Graff Ultra Flat Tourbillon
Case | Yellow Gold x Diamonds
Diameter | 43mm
Strap | Alligator
Price | ¥51.43 million
Contact
Graff Tokyo Salon
Tel. 03-6267-0811
http://www.graffdiamonds.com