The British jeweler Sir Laurence Graff (b. 1938) became utterly mesmerized by diamonds when he undertook his first apprenticeship at age 15 in London’s Hatton Garden jewelry district. It wasn't long before he established his now-celebrated eponymous brand, which produces engagement rings, necklaces, rings, earrings, stand-alone jewels, watches and more — all entirely in-house.
Graff had enrolled in classes at Central School of Arts and Crafts, and while he initially showed promise and was highly regarded, the shop owner, Mr. Schindler — who had his apprentice scrubbing floors and toilets — soon changed his tune, deeming him subpar. Undeterred, Graff learned to repair rings and designed small jewels at a humble workbench in his bedroom. He opened a 24-hour ring-repair service with a business partner and, in 1960, founded his luxury house. Two retail locations followed in London in 1962. Graff would go on to become one of the finest diamantaires in the world and was appointed an OBE in 2013 by Queen Elizabeth for his services to the jewelry industry.
Graff is known for handling some of the most famous diamonds in the world, including the Windsor Yellows, the Paragon, the Lesotho Promise and the Wittelsbach-Graff. He also purchased the 302.37-carat Graff Lesedi La Rona, which, at the time, was the largest diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America. The GIA certified the diamond — then the second-largest gem-quality rough diamond on record — as being of highest color and highest clarity. Lucara Diamond Corporation workers discovered the 1,109-carat rough diamond in 2015 at the Karowe mine in Botswana, and after Graff purchased the diamond in 2017, his gemologists and craftsmen spent more than 18 months polishing its final facets.
While many jewels, such as the Graff Lesedi La Rona, remain in Graff’s collection, he does sell extremely high-quality stand-alone jewels. Gems in his showrooms can reportedly fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars on average. Although these stones are perhaps slightly out of the budget of a typical Graff jewelry client, the house does work with more reasonably priced, but no less exceptional gems for its collections.
Naturally, diamonds feature prominently in Graff jewelry, which is known for being more avant-garde than traditional, although Graff does create classic engagement rings, too. The jeweler’s ready-to-wear collections integrate naturalistic motifs like butterflies, bows and sunbursts, as well as striking silhouettes like the crisscrossed Kiss, the clustered Threads and the swirling Inspired by Twombly line, which pays homage to the work of American painter and sculptor Cy Twombly. And while diamonds are the main focus for Graff, his jewelry occasionally features other precious and semiprecious stones.
Browse Graff watches, rings, earrings and other accessories on 1stDibs.
Vintage Graff London Black Leather Jewellery Box, Circa 1970s to 1990s
By Graff
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Graff London jewellery box of square form, with a black leather exterior and a black velvet lined interior. The interior has no fitted recess, making it suitable for a broo...
Other
Graff Jewellery Box with Outer Box for Brooches, Pendants & Earrings
By Graff
Located in Braintree, GB
Dimensions - 10 x 10 x 2.5 cm Period: Late 20th century Material: Black synthetic leather exterior with coordinating outer box and plush velvet interior Purpose: Designed to store an...
$1,800
H 0.5 in W 1.88 in L 2.5 in
Antique Gilt American Coin Silver Snuff Box attributed to Benjamin Tappin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique gilt silver snuff box. With engraved decorations to the top & monograms to both the top & bottom. Struck with what appears to be...
Silver, Gilt Metal
Pill box with 4 compartments engraved in 925 sterling silver
Located in Perugia, IT
Pill box with 4 compartments engraved in 925 sterling silver Dimensions: mm 53 x 53 x 14 Weight g 63 Square shape with floral pattern engravings on the front, all the rest of the bo...
Sterling Silver
Cartier Gold Retro Box with Sapphire Clasp
By Cartier
Located in Darnestown, MD
Elegant 14 karat gold minaudiere by Cartier from the 1940's. This Retro piece has a double zig zag design on all surfaces. The clasp is a cabochon sapphire. The box measures 2 7/8 i...
Sapphire, 14k Gold
Vintage Canadian 14 Carat Gold Box, Circa 1935
Located in London, GB
A vintage, 14ct gold box, with four, engine turned sides, alternating with a ribbon and wreath pattern on the cut corners, terminating with reeded bars called "ribbon and reed" patte...
Gold
$7,791Sale Price|20% Off
W 2.17 in D 0.4 in L 2.17 in
18Kt Gold Rare Compact Powder Box with Chain - Made in Italy 1970 circa
Located in Bergamo, BG
To make this collector's item now, with top-notch Italian craftsmanship, would cost about €11,000 This gold powder box embodies sophisticated elegance...
18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
$49Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 2 in W 3.75 in L 4.5 in
White Crushed Velvet Jewelry Pochette Box with Gold Tassel
By Nijma M Fine Jewelry
Located in Toronto, CA
Whether at home, on the go, or traveling, make sure your precious jewels are always safe with this white crushed velvet pochette case with gold tassel detailing. Featuring a multi-purpose insert with two sides. One side of the insert suitable for two pairs of earrings and one necklace or bracelet. The other side suitable for one ring. Insert is also completely removable from pochette box. Dimensions of pochette box: Length: 4.5" Width: 3.75" Thickness: 2" White crushed velvet Gold tassel and cord detailing Jewelry pictured (all available on 1st Dibs, please visit Nijma M Fine Jewelry storefront): - 'Blue Ice' blue topaz triple band ring in 14K yellow gold (available in multiple sizes) - 'Diamond Plaza' square hoop earrings with diamonds in 14K yellow gold - 'The High Life' blue topaz and diamond crawler...
Cartier Paris Vintage Silver Tone Metal Lighter with Box
By Cartier
Located in Fairfax, VA
Vintage Cartier Paris lighter featuring a classic rectangular form with a silver-tone metal finish. The clean and understated design reflects th...
Silver
Unavailable|$28,004
Enamelled Silver Gilt Box by Cartier, Paris, circa 1930
By Cartier
Located in London, GB
Enamelled silver gilt box, Cartier Paris, French, circa 1930. A silver gilt box in black enamel, the top centred with a stylized floral design, the hin...
Unavailable|$5,628
Cartier London Black Enameled and Diamond Set Box, circa 1936
By Cartier
Located in London, GB
Cartier London black enamel and diamond set card case. A silver gilt and black enamel rectangular card case with hinged lid and diamond set latch, latch composed of seven graduating ...
Diamond, Silver
Cartier Vintage Gold Tone Ribbed London Motif Metal Lighter
By Cartier
Located in Fairfax, VA
Vintage Cartier lighter featuring a compact rectangular gold-tone metal body with finely ribbed vertical detailing and London motif styling. The classic textured design creates a ref...
Gold Plate
Vintage Bilston & Battersea Enamel Christmas Box 1979
Located in Wilmslow, GB
The perfect keepsake. A Vintage Bilston & Battersea Enamel 1979 Christmas Box. Crafted in glass enamel and gold plate. In very good vintage condition. Approx. 4cms wide. A wonderful ...
Antique Royal Blue Velvet Rectangular Jewellery Box, Cream Velvet & Silk Lining
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An Antique jewellery box covered with the original vibrant Royal blue velvet material. The box is rectangular in shape, opens on a hinge with a push-button, and flips up from front t...
Large Vintage Burgundy Garrard & Co Jewellery Box, Ivory Satin & Cream Velvet
By Garrard & Co. Ltd.
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
A large vintage jewellery box covered with the original dark red leather, with a plain gilded border. It is square in shape, which by way of a push button, opens on a hinge, and flip...
Vintage Round Silver Pill Box
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This elegant plain round silver pillbox is stamped 800. It is accompanied by an Italian stamp in use since the mid 1930's. The box has been in use and has some very light superficia...
Silver
German 800 Purity Silver Repousse Box With Enamelled Medallion
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This charming box dates to the Turn of The Century and has been crafted from 800 purity silver and decorated with enamels. The piece originates in Germany, is octagonal in shape and has been crafted with ornate repousse detailing. To the centre of the top is a delicately rendered miniature portrait of a lady...
Silver, Enamel