Among the rare historical diamonds of the world, few are as elusive—or as debated—as the Florentine Diamond. With a history that stretches back centuries, this remarkable gem has been referenced in drawings, manuscripts, and the occasional blurred photograph. Yet, despite its fame, the exact details of its shape, cut, and final fate remain an enigma—cementing its place among the most famous diamonds in history.

Also known as one of the legendary diamonds of Europe, The Florentine was widely believed to have originated in the 15th or 16th century. One of the earliest documented references comes from the famous gem merchant Tavernier in the 1600s. Over the next two centuries, figures such as Cletscher and Bauer attempted to capture its form through detailed line drawings. Each source portrayed a slightly different version of the stone—with similar facet patterns but differing outlines, leading to ongoing debate about its true appearance.

A particularly intriguing piece of evidence is a low-resolution photograph taken around 1900 of a large gemstone set into a hatpin—believed by some experts to be the Florentine itself. If authentic, it closely resembles several of the historical drawings, and offers key insight into the gem’s design: a Double Dutch Rose cut, characterized by triangular facets that mirror across the top and bottom. This symmetrical style is confirmed by every reliable sketch and description of the diamond.

By the close of World War I, The Florentine had vanished—disappearing from historical records entirely. Its absence has only deepened its allure among collectors, historians, and gemmologists searching for diamonds with fascinating pasts.