Black, Starr & Frost Sells Historic Archduke Joseph Diamond At
Christie's Geneva For Record $18.8 Million
GENEVA, Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- It was history
in the making at Christie's Geneva
tonight as one of the world's most famous and historic diamonds,
the Archduke Joseph, sold for $18.8
million. The Archduke Joseph, an awe-inspiring 76.02 carat D
color, Internally Flawless Golconda diamond, was the grand finale
of Christie's sale of Magnificent Jewels, held at the Four Seasons
Hotel des Bergues.
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121113/FL09995-a)
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121113/FL09995-b)
Alfredo J. Molina, Chairman of
Black, Starr & Frost, remarked, "The Archduke Joseph Diamond is
considered the finest and largest perfect Golconda diamond ever to
appear at auction, with a noble lineage and royal provenance
literally 'Fit for a Queen.' I was privileged to be its
guardian and champion for the past 13 years, but now it is time for
the Archduke to continue on its immortal journey."
One of the largest known diamonds from the legendary Golconda
mines in India, where diamonds
were discovered some 3,000 years ago, the Archduke Joseph is
comparable in origins and magnitude to the Koh-i-Noor in the
British Crown Jewels. The Archduke Joseph Diamond took its name
from its last-known and illustrious owner, the Archduke Joseph, a
Habsburg prince of the Hungarian branch of the noble European
dynasty.
Jewelry historian Vivienne Becker
said, "It has been fascinating to see the almost visceral response
to the soulful beauty of the Archduke Joseph Diamond. The fact that
it has come from the collection of Black, Starr & Frost, one of
the most distinguished names in 19th and 20th
century jewelry, brings the story full circle. Black, Starr &
Frost, the earliest American jeweler, revitalized today under the
direction of Alfredo Molina, brought
important diamonds, as well as dynamic design, to the most
sophisticated American collectors of the day."
THE ARCHDUKE JOSEPH AND BLACK, STARR & FROST
The sale of the Archduke Joseph marks a milestone, not only in
auction history but also in the fascinating narrative of Black,
Starr & Frost. Founded in 1810 and known as "America's
First Jeweler," the company has a rich diamond heritage, and a
reputation for creating masterpieces of American jewelry. In
1928, it sold the 127.01 carat Portuguese diamond, for $373,000, to the famous Vaudeville star
Peggy Hopkins Joyce. She was
widely considered to be the model for the diamond-adoring
Lorelei Lee in "Gentleman Prefer
Blondes."
Black, Starr & Frost catered to the cream of American
society, throughout the prosperity of the mid to late
19th century and America's glittering Gilded Age.
Clients included the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Carnegies and
Guggenheims.
The company was acquired in 2006 by the Molina Group, under the
chairmanship of Mr. Molina. His aim is to revitalize the name of
Black, Starr & Frost, and its reputation for design-driven
jewels of the finest quality, and to restore this historic company
to its position at the pinnacle of American luxury.
For more information contact: Black, Starr &
Frost, 341 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach, CA
92660; Tel: 949-673-1771;
www.blackstarrandfrost.com
SOURCE Black, Starr & Frost