International News
GIA temporarily expands scope of laboratory services in Dubai and Hong Kong
In response to logistics challenges related to recently announced US tariffs affecting global shipments of gemstones, Gemological Institute of America (GIA) will temporarily expand services offered by the GIA Laboratory DMCC and the GIA Hong Kong laboratory.
D-to-Z diamonds, rough or polished, up to 9.99 carats may be submitted to the GIA laboratories in Dubai and Hong Kong.
D-to-Z diamonds, rough or polished, 10 carats and above and fancy colour diamonds may be submitted to the GIA laboratory in Hong Kong until further notice.
D-to-Z diamonds, rough or polished, up to 3.99 carats may continue to be submitted to the GIA laboratories in Bangkok, Dubai, Gaborone, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Mumbai, Surat and Tokyo.
Rough diamond submissions are subject to the Kimberley Process Certification rules in each country; rough diamonds cannot be shipped to the GIA laboratory in Dubai, it noted.
The GIA laboratories in the United States (Carlsbad and New York) will continue to accept diamonds, coloured stones and pearls of any size from clients in the United States or with a United States country of origin.
The GIA laboratories in Bangkok, Hong Kong and Tokyo will continue to provide services for coloured stones and pearls, and the GIA laboratory in Mumbai will continue to provide pearl services.
DiamondBuzz
Lost Florentine Diamond Resurfaces in Canada After a Century, Tracing Its Glittering Origins to India’s Golconda Mines
Once a royal treasure of the Medici and Habsburg dynasties, the 137.27-carat gemstone reemerges in a Montreal vault, reaffirming India’s Golconda as the cradle of the world’s most storied diamonds.
The legendary Florentine Diamond — a 137.27-carat light yellow gemstone believed to have originated from India’s famed Golconda mines — has been rediscovered in a Canadian bank vault, ending over a hundred years of intrigue surrounding its disappearance.
According to recent reports, the diamond—once among Europe’s most celebrated royal jewels—was located in a vault in Montreal, safeguarded for decades by descendants of the Austrian imperial Habsburg family. The gemstone vanished after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, following Emperor Charles I’s exile, sparking decades of speculation over its fate — whether it was stolen, lost, or secretly sold.
Historians now confirm that Empress Zita, widow of Charles I, discreetly transferred the diamond to Canada during World War II for safekeeping. Its authenticity was recently verified by a European jewellery house that historically served the Habsburg court, confirming the gem’s provenance and preservation.
Renowned for its pale yellow hue and unique double-rose cut with 126 facets, the Florentine Diamond boasts a storied history — from its origins in India’s Golconda mines, to the Medici treasury in Florence, and later as part of the Austrian Crown Jewels in Vienna.
Its rediscovery has reignited global fascination with India’s gem legacy, which gave birth to other iconic diamonds like the Koh-i-Noor, Hope, and Nassak. Experts say the find underscores the importance of provenance and gem heritage in an increasingly globalised jewellery market.
The Habsburg family has announced plans to publicly exhibit the diamond in Canada next year, with potential displays in Europe to follow.
After more than a century of obscurity, the reemergence of the Florentine Diamond not only restores a lost royal masterpiece but also revives India’s enduring connection to the world’s most illustrious jewels.
Lost Florentine Diamond Resurfaces in Canada After a Century, Tracing Its Glittering Origins to India’s Golconda Mines
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