DMCC and de GRISOGONO announce the acquisition of the rights to one of the world's largest and rarest diamonds

Dubai, UAE, May 8, 2016:  Executive Chairman of DMCC and Chair of the Kimberley Process, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, together with Founder and Executive Board Member of de GRISOGONO, Fawaz Gruosi, hosted a press conference to announce de GRISOGONO’s acquisition of the rights from NEMESIS INTERNATIONAL to one of the world’s largest and rarest rough diamonds ever discovered.

DMCC’s Almas Tower, purpose built for the diamond industry and one of the most influential diamond trading centers in the world, provides a leading platform for such a significant acquisition to be facilitated for de GRISOGONO.

The astonishing rough diamond is characterized not only by its sheer size, an impressive 404 carats, but uniquely by its colorlessness and flawless clarity, making it the perfect diamond in de GRISOGONO’s pursuit for the most unique and precious stones.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, DMCC and Kimberley Process Chair, said: “Dubai and DMCC have become the global epicenter for the diamond trade and we are delighted to have been part of facilitating the access to one of the world’s largest and rarest diamonds by de GRISOGONO here at Almas - the world’s tallest diamond tower. Not only does this further cement Dubai’s role as a leading diamond trading hub globally, it also highlights how DMCC
connects the industry and the producing and consuming countries along the Silk Road”

The press conference marks a historical moment for de GRISOGONO’s development and its journey to becoming the world’s leading high jewelry and watch brand. To gain access to the most precious diamonds, de GRISOGONO has partnered with NEMESIS INTERNATIONAL, a leading rough diamond trading company based at the DMCC, which works on a day to day basis with the best diamond mines in world to identify, select and acquire the most precious
diamonds in existence.

Through this unique partnership between a leading jeweler and a leading rough diamond trader, de GRISOGONO gains direct access to the best diamond sources in the world, while NEMESIS INTERNATIONAL is guaranteed that its best stones will be incorporated into the world’s most beautiful jewelry.

To announce this unique partnership, de GRISOGONO has brought in today a truly unique finding: one of the 30 largest top quality rough diamonds ever found, and the largest ever found in Angola, weighing 404 carats and characterized by an exceptional quality and clarity.

The exceptional size and clarity of this stone will allow de GRISOGONO a unique opportunity in its cutting and polishing process. Working side by side with the best cutters, Fawaz Gruosi will now decide how best to cut this stone to give life to one of the most beautiful jewelry pieces ever created. Contrary to the traditional process, where jewelers are restricted to the polished stones that already exist in the market, with this partnership, de GRISOGONO will have the
opportunity to bring a jeweler’s perspective into the cutting process, maximizing the beauty of the final jewelry pieces.

Founded in 1993, in Geneva, de GRISOGONO rapidly conquered an enviable position in the world of luxury jewelry and watches. The brand’s immediate success has come from its particular approach to luxury, which brings together the daring creativity, uncompromising craftsmanship, and glamorous personality that makes de GRISOGONO what it is today. With this acquisition, de GRISOGONO will be taking a major step forward, by complementing its approach, with the direct access to the rarest and best quality stones in existence.

“This diamond marks one of the most important milestones in my career both as a jeweler and a designer. Words cannot express how grateful my team and I are to DMCC and NEMESIS INTERNATIONAL for such a unique collaboration”, said Fawaz Gruosi, Founder and Executive Board Member of de GRISOGONO.

As the finest craftsmen around the world search for the rarest, purest and most noble material, Fawaz Gruosi too has dedicated his life looking for the most unique stones to create exceptional pieces of art. With this acquisition, de GRISOGONO marks another key milestone in this continuous search.