STORY of Kazanjian RED DIAMOND

This stone belongs to an extremely small – and select - group of diamonds. It is one of only three red diamonds known to exist in the world today weighing in at 5carats or more 

The Kazanjian Red is a 5.05 ct. short emerald cut, originally discovered in the 1920s in Litchenburg, South Africa . The rough weighed 35 cts. At the time, a diamond dealer paid 280 British pounds (eight pounds per carat) for it, and shipped the rock to Amsterdam to be cut and polished by the Goudiv brothers. the stone had a wild ride for years . Many mistook the stone for a ruby because of its blood-red color 

It was this challenge the Goudvis Brothers faced when they tried sending the red stone to New York to be sold. The reaction to this magnificent red diamond was at best indifferent and it was recalled to Amsterdam. Later, when Tiffany & Co. in New York expressed an interest the stone was sent out again. An offer of $100,000 was made but the brothers wanted $150,000 and they recalled the stone once again.

During World War II  , the Nazis took all the valuables from the country , including Goudvis Brothers’ jewels were confiscated . The red diamond - along with countless other gems – was sent to the Nazi stronghold at Berchtesgaden, Germany to be stored with other seized war booty. It would remain there for the duration of the war, awaiting liberation by Allied forces. With the conclusion of the conflict, the Goudvis Brothers’ red diamond was returned to them 

Unfortunately, the war left Goudvis Brothers’ estate was in bad financial straits . To pay off its debts, the estate sold the red diamond  to broker George Prins. Prins then in turn sold it to Sir Ernest Oppenheimer. From Oppenheimer it went to the Royal Asscher Diamond Company, Ltd. They sold it to a private collector in 1970, reportedly in New York.Since then the stone went MIA  ( missing in action ) for nearly 37 years …and finally purchased by Los Angeles-based Kazanjians Bros. , diamond jewellers. They renamed it the “Kazanjian Red Diamond,” and is on display at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City 

 Wow, another incredible adventurous of rare diamond background