Archduke Joseph (diamond)

The Archduke Joseph diamond is a large diamond weighing 76.02 carats. It received its name from its owner Archduke Joseph August of Austria ( 1872-1962 ).

History

The diamond was found in the Indian mine in Golconda. Exactly how and when he came into the possession of the Archduke, is not clear. He gave it to his son Archduke Franz Joseph This left him in June 1933 in a Hungarian bank. Three years later the diamond was sold to a stranger. On June 22, 1961 he appeared at auction in London for the first time.

In 1993, the diamond was auctioned at Christie's for a then- value of 6.5 million U.S. dollars, and again in Geneva in November 2012 for 20.355 million Swiss francs. The owner is anonymous.