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Florentine Diamond's Secret Canadian Hideaway Revealed
20 Jul
Summary
- The famous Florentine Diamond was not lost but hidden in Canada.
- It remained with the Hapsburg dynasty, not stolen or cut.
- The gem was safeguarded in a Canadian bank vault for decades.
The Florentine Diamond, a renowned gemstone, has a storied past filled with mystery surrounding its disappearance. For more than a century, its location was unknown, leading to widespread speculation about its fate. Tales of theft during the Austro-Hungarian Empire's collapse or discreet cutting circulated widely.
However, Hapsburg dynasty descendants have recently shared a different account, stating the jewel never vanished. They claim the Florentine Diamond, a pale yellow stone weighing approximately 137 carats and cut into a unique pear shape, was in fact relocated to Canada.
Following World War I and the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Emperor Charles I and his relatives arranged for important jewels to be moved for safekeeping. The diamond, originally associated with the Medici family and later a prized possession of the Hapsburgs, was discreetly taken out of Vienna.
Instead of being stolen or altered, the Hapsburg descendants assert the Florentine Diamond was placed in a secure bank vault in Canada. This cautious move aimed to protect the valuable asset from potential disputes and unwanted attention amid Europe's post-war political instability. The gem's continued survival represents a remarkable chapter in the history of famous jewels.
