de GRISOGONO Acquires The Constellation, the World's Most Expensive Rough Diamond

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PARIS, Sep. 9, 2016 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

To mark the opening of the 28th Biennale des Antiquaires, de GRISOGONO is

delighted to announce the acquisition of The Constellation, the world's most

expensive rough diamond, at a press conference held in the Grand Palais today.

The purchase represents a ground-breaking moment for the company in its journey

to become one of the world's leading high jewellery and watch brands.

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    Measuring over six centimetres wide, The Constellation weighs 813-carats

and was discovered by Canadian company, Lucara Diamond, at its Karowe mine in

Botswana in November 2015. The gem was purchased for USD63 million earlier this

year, following a competitive bidding process.

    The Constellation naturally boasts the colour, clarity and carat weighting

of an internationally and historically significant stone.  It is expected that

the cutting process, due to be completed by the middle of 2017, may unveil one

of the world's largest certified flawless diamond.

    Speaking about the purchase, Founder and Executive Board member of de

GRISOGONO, Fawaz Gruosi said:

    "I am thrilled to have the chance to work with such an incredible and

important diamond as The Constellation. As a jeweller I am conscious of the

extraordinary responsibility I have to the stone and to the team who have

worked so hard to secure it.  To be able to bring my creative skills to the

cutting and setting process of such a stone is both an honour and a privilege

and I cannot wait to realise my vision for it."

    de GRISOGONO's partnership with Nemesis International, allowing the company

to market their best stones, reflects its determination to find unique gems

from around the world in order to create exceptional and exclusive pieces of

art for its clients. It enables de GRISOGONO to access the most precious rough

diamonds, manage the entire cutting process and bring the very highest quality

stones to its clients, combined with the distinctive de GRISOGONO creativity

and craftsmanship.

    Speaking about what the purchase means for the business, John Leitao, Chief

Executive Officer of de GRISOGONO, said:

    "By purchasing The Constellation, de GRISOGONO has shown its commitment to

bringing the most unique stones from around the world to our clients in

exceptional and exclusive pieces.  We firmly believe that, despite a

challenging market environment, people will continue to cherish and value those

objects which are truly unique and special, such as this extraordinary piece of

history.

    "Our position today has been enabled by the incredible vision and creative

flair of Fawaz over the last 25 years, the support of our team and our clients

and, most recently, by our mutually beneficial partnership with Nemesis."

    The Constellation, represents the second major acquisition this year after

the purchase in May of a 404-carat rough diamond, also from Nemesis

International.

    Speaking further about the acquisition, Nemesis International Director

Nickolas Polak said:

    "This deal recognises the outstanding qualities of this stone and

demonstrates the enduring value of historic diamonds.  It also demonstrates

how, as a company, we can help mine operators sell the most remarkable stones

to expert designers and creative geniuses like Fawaz Gruosi, whose

international client base demands the highest quality and most exclusive gems."

SOURCE: de Grisogono