The original story appeared in Forbes Magazine on April 1, 2022, featuring MS Rau. Click here to read the full story.
A RARE FIND
Bill Rau President and CEO and third generation of MS Rau estate jewelers also broke some news of purchasing the Harry Winston diamond necklace that Aristotle Onasis bought for his daughter Christina. Born into a world of wealth and style, Christina was known for her extravagant collection of haute couture jewels, and this necklace stood as one of its highlights.
VERSAILLES, FRANCE – UNDATED: Christina Onassis, daughter of Greek shipping magnet Aristotle
Christina’s daughter auctioned the necklace through Christie’s in 2008 after her mother passed away. “We are always searching for pieces of provenance and storied jewelry,” says Rau who has bought and sold other important and famous pieces. “It was amazing how it came to us. It came from an estate in the northeast—first, the family went to their local jewelry to purchase it and it was beyond what they could pay. We received the call next and we jumped on it.”
He continues, “The pendant is a 38-carate Golconda diamond, which is the purest of all diamonds, possessing a level of clarity, purity, and transparency unrivaled by any other stone. They are universally accepted as the finest diamonds in the world.”
“The central diamond is pear-shaped. It is certified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) as being both D color and Type IIa, r, making this gem a full two shades whiter than the whitest D-color diamond. TIt also displays VVS1 clarity, meaning its remarkable color is virtually unmarred by any imperfection.”
The necklace that Aristotle Onassis gave to his daughter Christina as a gift
MS RAU
The entire necklace was designed by Jacques Timey for Harry Winston and the total weight of the necklace from which the pendant hangs is 20.00-25.00 TCW of additional diamonds of G color and VS clarity and is set in platinum and 18K white gold. It is stamped with French assay marks for platinum and 18K white gold and with a maker’s mark for Jacques Timey.
Rau adds, “It’s my guess that the diamond might have been larger and Harry Winston had it recut and refashioned. The shape not a modern shape but this imbues the stone with even more of an enchanting quality extraordinary character, brilliance and personality.”
It’s also been an award season of diamond statement pieces –here is a brief recap of a few of the best from our different red carpet features and sat the 2022 SAG, BAFTA, Critics Choice, and Academy Awards