The Wittelsbach diamond, now the Wittelsbach-Graff diamond @ the Smithsonian Institution in Washington
The Wittelsbach diamond (shown in 2008 before recutting) was part of the dowry for the Infanta Margarita Teresa. Copyright 2009 The New York Times Company
The Infanta Margarita Teresa. Musée du Louvre, Paris
For more than a half-century, one of the world's most celebrated diamonds, the fabled Wittelsbach blue, was not on view. It was once set in the Order of the Golden Fleece ornament, shown here.
Photo: Alastair Grant/Associated Press
The buyer was Laurence Graff, the billionaire diamond dealer, who made a series of startling decisions about the stone. First, he had it recut, reducing it from 35.52 to just over 31 carats, to eliminate the chips and "bruises" inevitable in a stone of its age but also to improve its clarity, brilliance and grade.
Left, Mr. Graff (shown with his wife, Anne-Marie). Photo: Dave M. Benett/Getty Images
Photo: Chip Clark/Smithsonian Institution
Read "Out of the Blue, Prestige and Riches" by GUY TREBAY http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/07/fashion/07DIAMONDS.html