The desirable Blue Diamond is also one of nature's rare creation.
The original Wittelsbach Diamond, also known as Der Blaue Wittelsbacher was a 35.56-carat (7.112g). Its color and clarity had been compared to the Hope Diamond.
The Blue Wittlesbach Diamond originated from the Kollur mines of Guntur District in Andhra Pradesh, India.
According to records in 1644, King Philip IV of Spain had given the Blue Wittelsbach Diamond to his daughter the Infanta Margarita Theresa to celebrate her engagement to the Emperor Leopold I from Austria.
Over the years the Wittelsbach Blue Diamond had passed on Royal Bloodlines. By 1722 the Blue Diamond became part of the luxurious Bavarian Crown Jewel Collection, owned by the Wittelsbach family. After World War 1, Bavaria became a Republic.
In 1931, the descendant of the last King sold the Wittelsbach Diamond at an auction at Christie's London, UK. Whereafter the Blue Diamond disappeared out of sight for many years.
In 2008 Laurence Graff acquired the Wittelsbach Diamond for USD$24,3 Million, after it was resurfaced. Graff recognized the value and the beauty of the Blue Diamond. He was determined to bring the Blue Diamond back to its true potentials without losing any charm and the heritage appearances.
According to Laurence Graff, the Wittelsbach Diamond had many imperfections. The Blue Diamond not only had marks, but it was also chipped and it had an extra large cullet.
Therefore the Blue Wittelsbach Diamond had to be treated and handled with care while repolishing and retaining it features. They didn't want the Blue Diamond to be losing the sense of luxury on its appearance and value.
The result was worth it all. The Blue Diamond turned out to be stunning. At 31,06 carat, the magnificent Blue Wittelsbach Diamond was certified to be the largest and internally flawless natural fancy Deep Blue Diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
To celebrate this achievement and a new phase in the Blue Diamond's life, the stone was renamed The Wittelsbach-Graff.
Laurence Graff donated the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond for display to The Smithsonian in Washington and The National History Museum in New York in 2010.
This is Laurence Graff's way to present thousands of visitors their opportunity to admire the world most beautiful, desirable, exquisite, legendary and luxurious Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond.
In June 2011, Laurence Graff apparently to have sold The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond to the Emir of Qatar, Hamad Bin Chalifa Al Thani for the estimate value of at least USD$80 Million.
Christie's International Head of Jewelry, Francois Curiel described the Wittelsbach Diamond as "Museum Quality".
Needless to say that The Wittelsbach-Graff is a historical true beauty with high value that will never age.