Elite Traveler November-December 2018

STYLE CRAFTMANSHIP by Kristen Shirley

GRAFF Known for its incredible high jewelry, as well as acquisition and polishing of some of the world’s most famous diamonds, B E H I N D T H E S C E N E S Selecting matching diamonds

P U R E A R T I S T R Y What does it take to create a diamond masterpiece? At Graff, it starts with the man behind it all, Laurence Graff, who founded the company in 1960 and has been the driving force behind its most audacious jewels. Each piece begins with an idea from Graff, which his artists deftly interpret with detailed gouache paintings. S TO N E S E L E C T I O N Once the final design is approved, gemologists select the perfect diamonds for the piece, ensuring each stone matches and complements the others. The center stones in these earrings are two beautiful 3.02-carat pear-shaped diamonds, which are surrounded by pear-shaped strands of brilliant-cut diamonds.

including the Letšeng Star (a 550-carat rough diamond) and the Magnificence (the largest emerald-cut D flawless diamond in the world), Graff’s exquisite craftsmanship and exceptional stones set it apart from other jewelry houses. Here, we take you behind the scenes of its Mayfair, London workshop to see how these spectacular earrings were made.