Editor’s Note
This article explores the remarkable history of the ‘Florentiner’ diamond, a legendary Habsburg jewel with a mysterious past that has recently re-emerged. Its story is one of opulence, loss, and enduring fascination.
The ‘Florentiner’ is the centerpiece of the Habsburg jewelry that has resurfaced in Canada, a large diamond with a turbulent history and unclear origins.
This zirconia replica of the Florentiner was created by Paolo Penko in 2021.
Creative Commons/Manuelarosi
Among all the glitter that Karl Habsburg-Lothringen has recently presented to the public as private family jewelry, one piece enjoys special attention: The ‘Florentiner’ is a diamond that possesses all the prerequisites for a legendary gemstone. Its origin is shrouded in mystery, on its journey through the centuries it has been in the hands of great ruling houses – and it is breathtakingly large.