Among some of the rarest in the world for their clarity and size, Golconda diamonds (hailing from an Indian mine that is no longer producing) are hard to come by. The good news is, there’s a 38 ct. one on the market—and better yet, it’s on a necklace designed by Jacques Timey for Harry Winston (and has the maker’s mark to prove it). The bad news, for most, is that it’ll cost you: $7.5 million, to be exact.
Once belonging to the late Greek businesswoman and heiress Christina Onassis, the necklace was originally created for her father, Aristotle Onassis (second husband to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who was Christina’s stepmother), who gifted it to her. And although she had a penchant for haute couture jewels and lived a glamorous lifestyle, this piece certainly stood out in her collection as a highlight.
The provenance of this diamond and design is just as interesting as the people who owned it. As certified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the pear-shape stone is both D color and Type IIa, meaning it lacks any trace of nitrogen (which is responsible for lending diamonds color) and is completely colorless (two shades whiter than the whitest diamond in its class). Its clarity grade (VVS1) indicates that it appears free from virtually any imperfections.
This diamond, paired with the expertise of the iconic jeweler Harry Winston (often called today the “King of Diamonds”) and surrounded by an additional 20–25 carats of diamonds, is truly a once-in-a-lifetime item.
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