The legendary Florentine Diamond — a 137.27 carat light yellow gemstone believed to have originated in India’s historic Golconda mines — has been rediscovered in a Canadian bank vault, ending over a century of mystery surrounding its fate.
According to reports, the diamond — once one of Europe’s most celebrated jewels — was found in a vault in Montreal, safeguarded for decades by descendants of the former Austrian imperial family, the Habsburgs. The gem had disappeared following the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918 and Emperor Charles I’s exile, sparking decades of speculation about whether it had been stolen, sold, or lost forever.
Historians now confirm that Empress Zita, widow of Charles I, secretly stored the diamond in Canada during World War II. Its identity was verified by a European jewellery house that once served the Habsburg court, confirming the gem remains intact.
Renowned for its delicate pale-yellow hue and distinctive double-rose cut with 126 facets, the Florentine Diamond’s storied past spans royal dynasties — from the Medici treasury in Florence to the Austrian Crown Jewels in Vienna.
Its recovery has rekindled fascination with India’s legacy as the birthplace of some of the world’s most storied diamonds, including the Koh-i-Noor, Hope, and Nassak stones. Experts say the find underscores the importance of provenance and the preservation of gem histories in an increasingly globalised market.
The Habsburg family has announced plans to publicly display the diamond in Canada next year, with ongoing discussions about future exhibitions in Europe.
After more than a century of mystery, the reappearance of the Florentine Diamond not only restores a royal treasure but also revives the enduring connection between India’s legendary gem heritage and world history.
