Style Edit: How Graff and yellow diamonds forged a gem of a partnership – founder Laurence Graff began it by naming the Star of Bombay, and now a Paris exhibition charts its brilliant success

Jul 24, 2023

British jewellers Graff and yellow diamonds are a gem of a partnership and it all started with founder Laurence Graff naming the Star of Bombay – now a Paris exhibition charts their success. Photo: Handout

In 1974, the brand re-cut a stone which founder Laurence Graff named the Star of Bombay, and other large yellow diamonds have followed such as the Graff Sunflower, Delaire Sunrise and Golden Empress

Graff just opened the ‘Sunrise: A Celebration of Graff Yellow Diamonds’ exhibition at its flagship store on Paris’ Rue Saint-Honoré – a boutique designed by Peter Marino, inspired by Claude Monet’s lily pads

Few jewellery houses are as synonymous with a gemstone as Graff and yellow diamonds. The British house was established in 1960, and after cultivating a reputation as masters of the craft, the brand made a striking foray into the world of yellow diamonds in 1974.

British jewellers Graff are especially known for their work with yellow diamonds. Photo: Handout

It was then that the Star of Bombay – a historic stone – received the renowned Graff treatment. Re-cut and polished to enhance its natural colour, the 47.39-carat square emerald-cut stone was the first to be named by the brand’s founder Laurence Graff OBE, giving rise to what has become a signature for the storied maison.