Mark Loren Designs Blog

Consumers and retailers are gearing up for one of the biggest holiday shopping seasons in US history. According to new data from the National Retail Federation (NRF), a record 186.9 million Americans are planning to shop between Thanksgiving Day and Cyber Monday, surpassing last year’s all-time high. And for the first time ever, holiday spending for November and December is expected to exceed $1 trillion, with sales forecast to grow 3.7% to 4.2% over 2024.



“The holidays are an important part of many consumers’ budgets, and that trend is especially true this season,” said Katherine Cullen, NRF’s Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights. “Retailers are prepared to meet the needs of consumers with great value and convenience.”

This year, Black Friday continues to reign supreme, with 130.4 million shoppers — about 70% of holiday weekend participants — planning to shop that day. Cyber Monday follows as the second-most-popular event, attracting 73.9 million. Even Small Business Saturday is expected to shine, with 80% of Saturday shoppers saying they want to support local businesses.

Phil Rist, Executive Vice President of Strategy at Prosper Insights & Analytics, noted that shoppers are motivated by a combination of value and tradition. “Of those planning to take advantage of sales, over half say it’s because the deals are too good to pass up,” he said. “Others point to the tradition or simply say they like to start their holiday shopping during the long weekend.”

NRF’s broader 2025 holiday forecast paints an equally robust picture. Total holiday spending is projected to reach $1.01 trillion to $1.02 trillion, driven by solid wage growth, historically low unemployment levels and strong consumer balance sheets.

Consumers plan to spend an average of $890 on gifts and seasonal items, and gift cards remain one of the most popular choices, with total gift-card spending expected to top $29 billion.

Despite pockets of economic uncertainty, NRF analysts emphasize that consumer spending remains the strongest pillar of the U.S. economy. “This is an above-trend forecast,” NRF economists noted, “reflecting a consumer who continues to prioritize holiday spending for their loved ones.”

Credit: Image by BigStockPhoto.com

Welcome to Music Friday, when we spotlight great songs that sparkle with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in their title or lyrics. Today, we revisit John Anderson’s joyful, self-deprecating 1981 hit, “I’m Just an Old Chunk of Coal (But I’m Gonna Be a Diamond Someday)” — a song that turns a famous gemological myth into a poignant metaphor for personal transformation.



Written by iconic Texas songwriter Billy Joe Shaver and delivered in Anderson’s unmistakable Southern style, the tune uses coal-to-diamond imagery to describe a man committed to improving himself until he shines “blue pure perfect.”

Anderson sings, “Now I’m just an old chunk of coal / But I’m gonna be a diamond someday / I’m gonna grow and glow till I’m so blue pure perfect / I’m gonna put a smile on everybody’s face.”

Aspirational? Absolutely. Gemologically accurate? Not even close — though that’s part of the fun.

For generations, popular culture has repeated the idea that diamonds are made from coal. Superman famously squeezed a lump in his bare hands to produce a sparkling gem. And you’ve probably heard the expression, “a diamond is just a chunk of coal that handled pressure really well.” It’s a great metaphor, but scientifically it doesn’t hold water — er, carbon.

While coal and diamond are both carbon-based, coal is a messy mixture of carbon plus hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and a rogue’s gallery of trace elements. Diamonds, on the other hand, form as pure carbon crystals under extraordinary heat and pressure approximately 100 miles beneath Earth’s surface, in geologic conditions completely unrelated to coal beds. No matter how heroically Superman squeezed — or how deeply metaphorical the song may be — a lump of coal will never become a diamond. Still, the phrase endures because it captures something hopeful, humble and human: the desire to make ourselves better.

And that brings new depth to Anderson’s performance, especially with the perspective of recent years. The country legend quietly battled a life-threatening health crisis in 2017–2018, with his future as a singer far from certain. Astonishingly, he recovered — crediting his faith, his family, and the healing power of music. That hard-won resilience lends fresh resonance to a song about polishing rough edges, finding purpose and believing in brighter days.

In 2024, Anderson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, a milestone that recognizes a career spanning more than four decades, 40-plus charting singles, and unforgettable hits such as “Swingin’,” “Wild and Blue,” and “Straight Tequila Night.” Last year also saw him embark on a celebratory tour and release a new musical project — the kind of gift artists give when they know fans have walked the long road with them.

“I’m Just an Old Chunk of Coal” soared to #4 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1981 and earned Anderson a Grammy nomination for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. More than 40 years later, its earnest charm and self-effacing humor continue to resonate. And yes — pop culture footnote — the song even turns up in the animated film Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (2001).

So please enjoy the audio track of Anderson performing “I’m Just an Old Chunk of Coal (But I’m Gonna Be a Diamond Someday).” The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…

“I’m Just An Old Chunk Of Coal (But I’m Gonna Be A Diamond Someday)”
Written by Billy Shaver. Performed by John Anderson.

Hey, I’m just an old chunk of coal
But I’m gonna be a diamond someday
I’m gonna grow and glow till I’m so blue pure perfect
I’m gonna put a smile on everybody’s face

I’m gonna kneel and pray every day
Lest I should become vain along the way
I’m just an old chunk of coal, now Lord
But I’m gonna be a diamond someday

I’m gonna learn the best way to walk
I’m gonna search and find a better way to talk
I’m gonna spit and polish my old rough edged self
Till I get rid of every single flaw

I’m gonna be the world’s best friend
I’m gonna go ’round shaking everybody’s hand
Hey, I’m gonna be the cotton pickin’ rage of the age
I’m gonna be a diamond someday

Now I’m just an old chunk of coal
But I’m gonna be a diamond someday
I’m gonna grow and glow till I’m so blue pure perfect
I’m gonna put a smile on everybody’s face

I’m gonna kneel and pray every day
Lest I should become vain along the way
Hey, I’m just an old chunk of coal, now Lord
But I’m gonna be a diamond someday



Credit: Photo by eagle102.net, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

We just got our first peek at The Black Falcon, a 612.34-carat carbonado diamond now being billed as the largest cut diamond on Earth.



The dramatic, falcon-headed gem represents a once-unthinkable triumph in lapidary science — one that required seven years of experimentation, custom toolmaking and, at times, sheer stubbornness from master cutter Peter Herbosch of Antwerp.

The story begins in Guinea, where the rough stone was discovered in 2008. Weighing an extraordinary 887.22 carats, the black diamond confounded cutters for years. Carbonado diamonds — also known as black diamonds — are significantly tougher than conventional mined diamonds because they possess no cleavage planes, the structural “guidelines” cutters rely on to shape a diamond without shattering it.

Herbosch summarized the challenge bluntly in an interview with The Times of London: “You could grind it on traditional grinding wheels for years and wouldn’t even be able to tell.”

Unlike single-crystal diamonds, carbonados are polycrystalline aggregates — a microscopic mosaic of diamond, graphite and amorphous carbon. This structure makes them extraordinarily tough and nearly impossible to shape using conventional means.

To tackle the stone, Herbosch engineered his own diamond-edged grinding system and employed highly controlled laser techniques, slowly coaxing the gem into its final sculptural form. Its natural outline resembled a bird's profile, inspiring Herbosch to embrace the shape; the final result is a polished falcon’s head, part jewelry, part objet d’art, and wholly unprecedented.

The Black Falcon’s debut dethrones The Enigma, the 555.55-carat cut carbonado that held a Guinness World Record and sold for $4.3 million at Sotheby’s in 2022. It also surpasses the largest yellow-brown polished diamond, the 545.67-carat Golden Jubilee, and even the world-famous 530.2-carat Cullinan I, the largest colorless cut diamond. Yet none share the Black Falcon’s geological mystery.

Scientists believe carbonado diamonds are between 2.6 and 3.2 billion years old. They've been found mainly in Brazil and the Central African Republic — regions once connected on the prehistoric supercontinent — and their origin remains hotly debated. One theory proposes formation deep within Earth’s mantle under extreme conditions; another suggests they arrived via meteorites, formed in supernova shock waves before falling to Earth billions of years ago.

Their characteristic black color does not come from trace chemical impurities as with other fancy-colored diamonds, but from myriad internal inclusions — primarily graphite — and their light-absorbing polycrystalline structure.

Herbosch told The Times of London that he expects the stone could fetch €8 - €12 million ($9.2 - $13.8 million) given its scale, sculptural identity and scientific intrigue. Only time will tell.

Credit: Conceptual rendering of The Black Falcon diamond by The Jeweler Blog using ChatGPT and DALL·E 3.

The Aldi supermarket chain in the UK is sprinkling a little extra romance — and plenty of whimsy — over the holiday season with its “More carrot and a little less carat” promotional giveaway, a light-hearted campaign marking the 10th anniversary of Kevin the Carrot. For a decade, Kevin has charmed British viewers as the supermarket’s festive mascot, starring in annual holiday ads that parody everything from Home Alone to Love Actually. This year, the beloved root vegetable took his storyline to the next level: He got down on one knee and proposed to his long-time love, Katie the Carrot.



To mark the proposal and Kevin’s milestone anniversary, Aldi unveiled a cheeky giveaway: four limited-edition “Carrot” gold engagement rings, crafted in collaboration with a British jeweler. Designed more for smiles than status, the ring is a playful wink at traditional bridal jewelry — and a reminder that a holiday proposal doesn’t always require a 10-carat diamond.

The ring itself is surprisingly charming. Its centerpiece is a pear-shaped orange cubic zirconia cut and set to resemble a carrot. At the top, two marquise-cut peridot accents represent leafy greens, adding a fresh pop of chartreuse. The jewels are mounted on a yellow gold-plated sterling silver band, bringing just enough polish to make the piece feel like a proper (if unconventional) engagement ring. It’s adorable, quirky and unmistakably Kevin.



To win one, UK shoppers were invited to email their holiday proposal plans and explain why their partner deserved a carrot-shaped engagement ring — an application process nearly as amusing as the prize itself. The competition, which began in early November and runs through midnight tonight (11/19), quickly became a feel-good talking point on social media.

Aldi’s motivation for leaning into a romantic theme this year wasn’t random. According to new research commissioned by the retailer, Brits still have a soft spot for heartfelt proposals: a third said Christmas engagements feel “magical,” and nearly half would happily say "yes" to a ring costing £10 if the moment felt meaningful. Many even admitted they enjoy novelty designs. In other words, the perfect conditions for a promotion centered on vegetable-themed jewelry.

For Aldi, the campaign also underscores what the company has long stood for. Founded in Germany and now operating 13,400 stores globally — including 2,400 in the US — the supermarket is known for its no-frills approach, delivering quality without the high price tag. So why not apply the same philosophy to engagements? Less carat, more carrot.

Of course, most newly engaged couples will still prefer their gemstones mined, but as a festive joke, a collector’s item or a bit of holiday sparkle inspired by the UK’s most famous carrot couple, Aldi’s novelty ring hits the spot. And with Kevin and Katie officially engaged, shoppers can expect even more romance — and likely more puns — as their animated love story continues through the season.

Credits: Close-up conceptual rendering of Aldi's "carrot" engagement ring by The Jeweler Blog using ChatGPT and DALL·E 3. "Carrot" engagement ring in jewelry box photo via aldipresscentre.co.uk.

At Sotheby’s Geneva this past week, a long-lost treasure of Napoleonic history inspired one of the most electrifying jewelry auctions of the year. A diamond-encrusted hat ornament once owned by Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte — and believed to have been lost as he fled the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 — achieved a remarkable 3.5 million Swiss francs ($4.4 million).



Fueled by nearly 10 minutes of intense bidding among collectors on the phone, online and in the room, the jewel soared to more than 30 times its pre-sale low estimate. The result underscored not only the rarity of imperial French jewels, but also the unmatched power of provenance in today’s global jewelry market.



The circular ornament, crafted circa 1810, centers on a 13.04-carat oval diamond framed by nearly 100 old mine–cut diamonds in two concentric rings. Originally designed as a “hat button,” it would have adorned Napoleon’s iconic bicorne hat for court appearances, military pageantry and other highly visible occasions. Its brilliance and scale made it ideal for the emperor’s taste: opulent, symbolic and intended to project an unshakable aura of command.



But the jewel’s mystique comes from the chaos of its disappearance. As Napoleon’s forces retreated from Waterloo, several of his carriages became bogged down on muddy roads near Genappe, a town in current-day Belgium. Inside were not just uniforms and silverware, but a trove of jewels Napoleon had brought to the battlefield, including gifts from his siblings and items he famously carried everywhere — even into war. Prussian troops intercepted at least two of these carriages, claiming their contents as battle trophies.

According to historical accounts outlined by Sotheby’s, Lieutenant von Pless of the Prussian army presented the hat ornament to King Friedrich Wilhelm III just three days after the battle, declaring that such a rare object belonged with the Prussian crown. The jewel remained in the hands of the Prussian royal family, the House of Hohenzollern, for more than two centuries. Over time, it was photographed, cataloged and studied, its original hat-fitting replaced with a brooch mechanism and pendant loop, but its imperial identity remained unmistakable.

Its first appearance on the open market was enough to set collectors alight. Six determined bidders drove the price far beyond expectations, with a distinguished international collector, according to Sotheby's, ultimately claiming the piece. The strong result is part of a wider surge of interest in objects tied to Napoleon, especially following recent museum thefts that have reignited public fascination with French imperial jewels.



That momentum was reinforced by the sale of another Napoleonic treasure at the same auction: a 132.66-carat green beryl said to have been worn on Napoleon’s coronation robe in 1804. The gem achieved more than 25 times its low estimate when a US museum secured the stone for just over $1 million.

Together, the two sales delivered a powerful message: When exceptional craftsmanship meets extraordinary provenance, the market responds decisively.

Credits: Jewelry images courtesy of Sotheby's. Napoleon portrait by Peace Palace Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Singer-songwriter-model Charlotte Lawrence and Grammy-winning producer Andrew Watt have officially taken their relationship to the next level — and they did it with a ring that perfectly captures a new generation’s appetite for bold, expressive bridal style. The couple announced their engagement in a shared Instagram post filled with radiant smiles, playful energy and close-up shots of Lawrence’s extraordinary engagement ring, a design that blends vintage glamour with modern color in a way that feels unmistakably personal.



The newly revealed sparkler features a sizable oval-cut diamond as its centerpiece, encircled by a halo of vivid baguette-cut green gemstones — likely emeralds — set tightly in a sleek frame around the center stone. Additional diamonds continue the shimmer along the band, creating a seamless transition between brilliance and color.



The result is a statement piece that departs from traditional all-diamond halos and leans fully into saturated color and individuality. It’s the kind of artistic, editorial-ready ring perfectly suited to Lawrence’s aesthetic and to the broader trend of brides embracing gemstones and unconventional silhouettes as a form of self-expression.

The proposal took place on November 8, and the couple made it public several days later with an Instagram carousel of 13 photos that included celebratory martinis, joyful hugs and a glowing selfie where Lawrence proudly held her hand to the camera.



“OFF THE MARKET BABY to forever & ever with the love of my life!!!!” Lawrence wrote in an Instagram post illustrated with five engagement ring emojis. In an Instagram Story, she described the proposal as the “best day of my life” and soundtracked her post with The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven.”



Watt echoed the joy, and their feeds quickly filled with congratulations from family, friends and famous well-wishers — including Hailey Bieber, Elle Fanning, Michelle Monaghan and Patrick Schwarzenegger. Lawrence’s mom, actress Christa Miller, shared a moving message celebrating her daughter and welcoming Watt to the family.

Lawrence and Watt’s love story began in the studio while working on her Charlotte EP, released in March 2021.

“We fell in love creatively before anything romantically,” Lawrence told People. Their artistic connection deepened into real partnership, and years later, the two continue to inspire each other creatively. Lawrence, known for her striking electropop sound and recent acting debut in Apple TV+’s Bad Monkey, is signed to IMG Models and Atlantic Records.

Watt, a three-time Grammy winner, is one of the most sought-after producers in music, with credits spanning The Rolling Stones, Miley Cyrus, Post Malone, Justin Bieber, Ozzy Osbourne, Pearl Jam, Lady Gaga and Elton John. He is currently nominated for multiple Grammys for his work on Gaga’s Mayhem and Elton John’s Never Too Late.

Credits: Couple images via Instagram / Charlotte Lawrence. Conceptual rendering of Charlotte Lawrence's engagement ring by The Jeweler Blog using ChatGPT and DALL·E 3.

In a glittering tribute to November’s warm-hued birthstone, one of the most extraordinary examples of citrine craftsmanship is now captivating visitors at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. The "Cartier London Citrine and Diamond Tiara" — a geometric masterpiece created in 1937 for the coronation of King George VI — embodies both the opulence of the Art Deco era and the inventive spirit of its time.



Commissioned by Cartier London, the tiara was designed as a showpiece of modern glamor, marrying architectural precision with radiant color. Its centerpiece is an impressive 62.35-carat, emerald-cut citrine, glowing like liquid sunlight and framed by old- and baguette-cut diamonds. Rows of calibrated baguette-cut citrines sweep elegantly along its gold and platinum frame, catching light with every turn. True to Cartier’s ingenuity, the tiara’s central element can be detached and worn as a clip-brooch, offering versatility in an age when adaptability was as fashionable as luxury itself.

Though citrine was considered a more affordable alternative to gemstones, such as emerald and topaz, during the 1930s, Cartier’s design elevated it to new heights. Its honeyed tones reflected both the optimism of the Art Deco movement and the understated glamour of the late interwar years. Vogue at the time praised such citrine jewels for their “golden brilliance and modern poise,” proof that elegance need not depend on rarity alone. Today, the Cartier London Citrine and Diamond Tiara continues to turn heads as part of the V&A’s permanent jewelry collection.
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Named for the French word citron, meaning lemon, citrine is a golden-to-orange variety of quartz that radiates the warmth of late autumn. Its cheerful tones range from pale yellow to deep amber, often compared to the hues of honey or Madeira wine. The gem owes its color to trace amounts of iron within its crystal structure — a delicate chemical interplay that transforms otherwise colorless quartz into nature’s embodiment of sunlight.

Citrine’s durability, ranking 7 on the Mohs scale, makes it ideal for everyday wear and large statement jewelry pieces. Most gem-quality material comes from Brazil, particularly the states of Minas Gerais and Rio Grande do Sul, though deposits are also found in Bolivia, Spain, Madagascar, Russia and the United States.

Citrine is a relative newcomer to the official birthstone list. The National Association of Jewelers added it in 1952 as an alternative to topaz.

Credit: Conceptual rendering of the Cartier London Citrine and Diamond Tiara by The Jeweler Blog using ChatGPT and DALL·E 3.

In Geneva yesterday, one of the world’s most storied blue diamonds once again took center stage at a high-profile auction. “The Mellon Blue,” a 9.51-carat Fancy Vivid Blue, Internally Flawless diamond with an elite pedigree, sold for 20.525 million Swiss francs ($25.6 million) at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction. The price fell squarely within the house’s pre-sale estimate of $20–30 million — even as a noticeably cautious mood settled over the bidding room.



Mounted in a graceful, serpentine ring, The Mellon Blue is a peerless example of natural rarity. Its color —an intense, boron-infused azure formed deep within the Earth’s mantle — is certified by the Gemological Institute of America as Fancy Vivid Blue, the highest grade for hue saturation.

The diamond’s impressive size, flawless clarity and elegant pear shape elevate it into the uppermost tier of collectible gems, joining the company of other blue-diamond legends, such as the 15.10-carat “De Beers Cullinan Blue” ($57.5 million, Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 2022), the 14.6-carat “Oppenheimer Blue” ($57.5 million, Christie’s Geneva, 2016) and the 12.03-carat “Blue Moon of Josephine” ($48.5 million, Sotheby’s Geneva, 2015).



The diamond owes much of its fame to its former owner, Rachel “Bunny” Mellon (1910–2014), the American philanthropist, horticulturalist and cultural tastemaker whose refined sense of beauty left an indelible mark on both art and landscape design. A close friend of former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Mellon famously redesigned the White House Rose Garden in the early 1960s. Her taste in jewelry mirrored her aesthetic sensibilities: discreet, elegant and quietly opulent. The Mellon Blue, originally worn as a pendant, was among her most treasured possessions and came to symbolize her understated sophistication.

When the diamond last appeared at auction in 2014, the mood was electric. That sale at Sotheby's New York, held shortly after Mellon’s passing, sparked a 20-minute bidding war, ultimately driving the price to $32.6 million, more than double its high estimate — a record at the time for a blue diamond. Yesterday’s scene in Geneva, by contrast, unfolded in a more measured rhythm. Bidders in the room and on the phones responded more deliberately, reflecting what several observers described as “a cautious atmosphere.”

Industry analysts attributed the restraint to a confluence of global factors — geopolitical tensions, including the war in Ukraine, renewed US tariffs, as well as a slowdown in the Chinese economy, which kept some traditional high-end buyers sidelined. One jewelry-industry insider who attended the Geneva auction summed it up succinctly: “Not the dazzling moment I expected… the room was distinctly cautious.”

Even so, Christie’s hailed the sale as a triumph of connoisseurship. “It was another notable moment for Christie’s Luxury,” said Rahul Kadakia, the auction house’s chairman of global luxury. “The Mellon Blue remains one of the most exquisite and storied gems ever to appear at auction.”

Credits: Images courtesy of Christie’s.

Sotheby’s is making history this December with its first-ever auction in Abu Dhabi, highlighted by the debut of an extraordinarily rare 31.68-carat Fancy Vivid Orangey-Pink diamond known as “The Desert Rose.” Estimated at $5 million to $7 million, the pear-shaped gem is the largest of its kind ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).



Described by experts as having a “sunset-like” fusion of pink and orange, The Desert Rose is accompanied by a GIA report confirming its natural color, VVS1 clarity, and record-breaking status. The GIA noted that its radiant hue, remarkable size and near-flawless quality make it “singular — an exceptional gem like none other.”

The Desert Rose headlines a single-owner, $20 million collection of fine jewelry and watches, which includes signed pieces by renowned jewelers, vintage treasures and a rare Rolex “Oyster Albino” Daytona estimated at up to $1 million.

The sale will take place during Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week (Dec. 2–5) at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, a new Sotheby’s initiative hosted in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO). The event will feature masterclasses, exhibitions and auctions spanning high jewelry, rare timepieces, collector cars and luxury real estate — all set against the vibrant backdrop of one of Abu Dhabi’s most dynamic cultural weeks.

Coinciding with the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit, Abu Dhabi Finance Week and Bitcoin MENA, Collectors’ Week underscores Abu Dhabi’s growing stature as a global luxury hub. Home to cultural landmarks such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the forthcoming Guggenheim and Zayed National Museums, Saadiyat Island is fast becoming a destination for art, affluence and high-value collectibles.

Credit: Image courtesy of Sotheby's.

The jewelry world is abuzz with the dramatic announcement that the legendary "Florentine Diamond" has finally emerged from obscurity after nearly a century of mystery. Once a part of the Austrian Crown Jewels and long considered lost, this extraordinary gemstone had been safely stored in a Canadian bank vault — its existence concealed for generations.



During its early history, the Florentine Diamond had been touted as one of the world's largest diamonds. The pale yellow stone with faint green overtones, demonstrated an unusual nine-sided double rosette shape bearing 126 facets and weighing exactly 137.27 carats. In a historical record dating back to 1865, the color of the Florentine Diamond was described as "wine mixed tenfold with water."

Believed to have been unearthed at the famous Golconda mines of India, the diamond’s documented journey begins in the early 1600s with the mighty Medici dynasty in Florence. It was acquired by the Grand Duke of Tuscany and eventually, under Grand Duke Cosimo II, was cut into the double rosette shape by Venetian craftsman Pompeo Studentoli. The final piece was delivered in October 1615.



From the Medici it passed into Habsburg hands in 1737 via the marriage of Francis Stephen of Lorraine and Empress Maria Theresa, becoming part of the Austrian Crown Jewels.

With the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918 and the exile of Emperor Charles I, the Florentine vanished from public view. In reality, it was carried by Empress Zita (wife of Charles I) and her eight children, fleeing the Nazi threat during World War II, across the Atlantic to North America.

Reports say she packed her jewels, including the Florentine, in a modest cardboard suitcase when she arrived in the United States in 1940, then continued onward to Canada.

Upon settling in Quebec, the gems were placed in a Canadian bank vault — where the Florentine remained untouched for decades.

Zita instructed her sons, Robert and Rodolphe, to keep the diamond’s location secret for 100 years after Emperor Charles’s death in 1922.

Only a handful of family members knew the truth. Earlier this month, grandsons Karl, Lorenz and Simeon von Habsburg-Lothringen revealed the story publicly, confirming the diamond’s authenticity and Canadian location.

The Habsburg heirs have stated they do not plan to sell the stone, but rather hope to display it — and select accompanying jewels — in Canada as a gesture of thanks to the country that sheltered their family. The province of Quebec is working with the family and the Quebec National Museum of Fine Arts to explore a public exhibition.

Meanwhile, Austria has launched an inquiry, with government officials stating that if the Florentine is legally Austrian property they will seek its return.

In the end, the Florentine Diamond is a sparkling intersection of geology, craftsmanship and history. Its rediscovery reminds us that the most valuable jewels are not just about size or brilliance, but the fascinating human narratives they carry through time.

Credits: Photo of the reproduction of the Florentine Diamond by Manuelarosi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Historical technical drawing by Ahnode, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.