Celebrity - Interviews
The journey of Mouawad’s rare yellow diamond
A passion for crafting the extraordinary
Hanane Tabet
2-September-2020
In 2019, along the Vaal river terraces within an ancient alluvial diamond deposit near Kimberley, South Africa, a magnificent rough yellow diamond weighting over 100 carat surfaced from the gravel.
This rare and unique crystal was soon acquired by Mouawad. Then, during an intensive six-month process, the rough diamond was scanned, analysed, cut and polished by Mouawad master craftsmen in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The scanning process had confirmed the potential for a cushion-cut diamond of approximately 71 carat and a satellite stone of around 10 carat in a radiant cut. After careful cutting by Mouawad craftsmen, the rough diamond became two distinguished pieces: the larger stone finished as a 71.13 carat cushion-shaped fancy intense yellow diamond, rated VVS2 for clarity, while the satellite stone finished a 10.17 carat radiant cut diamond, rated internally flawless, with both diamonds displaying excellent polish and symmetry.
Fourth generation Co-guardians Fred, Alain and Pascal Mouawad commented, “Once again, Mouawad master craftsmen have triumphed in demonstrating their skills in transforming an exceptional rough crystal. The spectacular finished 71.13 carat cushion-shaped fancy intense yellow diamond and 10.17 carat satellite diamond are a beautiful reflection of Mouawad’s passion and commitment to crafting the extraordinary.”
The two diamonds join recent acquisitions, such as the impressive 51.03 carat D Flawless Dynasty diamond, and 54.21 carat Mouawad Dragon, the largest round brilliant cut, fancy vivid yellow diamond in the world, to take their place in the ever-growing Mouawad collection. This collection includes many of the world’s most exceptional diamonds, such as the 245.35 carat Jubilee Diamond, the 135.92 carat Queen of Holland diamond, the 69.42 carat Taylor Burton, and the largest cushion shaped D IF weighting 218.08 carat.