Lebanese-Italian jeweler Fawaz Gruosi (b. 1952) founded the Geneva-based de Grisogono in 1993, naming the luxury jewelry company after his mother, who had been the Marquise de Grisogono. He wanted a name that would conjure elegance and rarity. Gruosi would soon have his own aristocratic nickname — “King of Black Diamonds” — for the stones that made his jewelry house famous.
Born in Beirut, Gruosi grew up in Florence and as a teenager got a job with the Florentine jeweler Torrini and went on to work for luxury jewelry houses Harry Winston and Bulgari in the years that followed. When de Grisogono was established, most jewelers favored the simplicity of white diamonds and platinum. Gruosi was more interested in color and diamonds with character. Along with the then-undervalued black diamonds, he designed vibrant pieces that exuberantly mixed stones like emeralds, sapphires, amber, pink opal and jade.
De Grisogono's earrings, bracelets, rings and other audacious pieces bedecked with black diamonds captured the fancy of well-heeled buyers in the 1990s, leading to the brand’s meteoric rise to fame. It entered the world of luxury watches in 2000 with the Instrumento Uno for men, which led to the development of the Crazy Skull in 2015. The playful made-to-order timepiece could be outfitted with up to 45 carats of gems.
Since the early aughts, de Grisogono has become synonymous with A-listers who donned the jeweler’s wares on red carpets; the company was also known for hosting an annual party at the Cannes Film Festival. De Grisogono made headlines in 2017 by partnering with Christie’s to sell a necklace made with a dazzling 163.41-carat emerald-cut diamond for $33.7 million — a record price for a D-color flawless diamond.
In January 2020, the jewelry house filed for bankruptcy. Today, Gruosi continues to sell his intricately designed decadent pieces from his namesake boutique in London.
Find de Grisogono jewelry for sale on 1stDibs, including necklaces, cuff bracelets and other accessories.
Boucheron Bouquet d'Ailes 18K Gold Sapphire Diamond Butterfly Brooch
By Boucheron
Located in Monaco, MC
Boucheron Bouquet d'Ailes butterfly brooch in 18K white gold, set with colored sapphires, diamonds, and a peridot cabochon. From the Bouquet d'Ailes collection introduced in 2012, th...
Diamond, Peridot, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
De Grisogono Frog Ring Amethyst Tsavorite Diamond 18K Rose Gold
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Monaco, MC
De Grisogono Frog Ring in 18K rose gold, set with a cushion-cut amethyst center stone flanked by two sculptural frogs pavé-set with tsavorite garnets and accented with brilliant-cut ...
Amethyst, Diamond, Tsavorite, Rose Gold
Art Deco French Platinum Diamond Sapphire Convertible Clips Pair 1920s
Located in Monaco, MC
This exceptional pair of convertible clips represents the pinnacle of French Art Deco jewelry design, capturing the geometric sophistication, technical innovation, and refined glamou...
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold, Platinum
Boucheron Hopi Hummingbird Ring Pink Sapphire Diamond Tsavorite 18K Gold
By Boucheron
Located in Monaco, MC
Boucheron Hopi Hummingbird ring in 18K white gold, featuring a 1.5-carat oval-cut pink sapphire center stone surrounded by an elaborate floral composition of pink sapphires, diamonds...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage French 18k Gold Diamond Brooch 2.90 Carats
Located in Monaco, MC
This extraordinary vintage brooch represents the pinnacle of French mid-century jewelry craftsmanship, showcasing the sculptural elegance and technical mastery that made French haute...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mahenge Spinel 8.99ct Pinkish Red Pear Cut Trillion Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in Monaco, MC
Mahenge spinel and diamond three-stone ring in platinum, centering an 8.99-carat natural pinkish-red spinel of Tanzanian origin, certified by the American Gemological Laboratories (A...
Diamond, Spinel, Platinum
18k Amethyst Diamond Drop Dangle Earrings Solid Yellow Gold Teardrop Statement
Located in Greer, SC
Stunning dangle earrings featuring vibrant amethyst with a diamond accent, set in 18k yellow gold. Measures .5 inch at its widest points by 1.6 inches in total length. These are for ...
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Amethyst and Diamond 18 Carat White and Yellow Gold Drop Earrings
Located in London, GB
These beautiful Italian drop earrings are designed with a diamond set swirl in white gold fitted with a French clip closure. Below, is a round brilliant cut diamond rub-over set in y...
Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
27.05 Carat Amethyst 0.12 Carat Diamond and 18k Yellow Gold Earrings Circa 1900
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive pair of antique 27.05 carat amethyst, 0.12 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow gold and silver set earrings; part of our amethyst jewelry collection. These fine and impressive antique earrings have been crafted in 18k yellow gold with silver settings. Each earring is ornamented with an articulating feature drop briolette cut amethyst, totalling 27.05cts. The amethysts are held to the upper portion via a panelled bud style setting, each embellished with six impressive pavé set Dutch cut diamonds; these settings create a complimentary contrast to the design, in keeping with the style of the period. The earrings, for pierced ears, secure to the reverse with a French hook. This pair of antique amethyst earrings...
Amethyst, Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver
22.50 Carat Tear Drop Amethyst Diamond Gold Dangle Earrings
Located in Stamford, CT
Tear drop Amethyst and diamond dangle earrings. 2 natural medium purple and translucent tear shaped amethysts with a total weight of 22.50cts. Each gemstone dangles from a 14k white ...
Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Gold
Amethyst and Diamond Earrings
By Paradizia
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Description Large Amethyst faceted drops 44ct, Pave diamond Black Rhodium sterling silver earrings, contrasted with yellow gold. Item # E3067 Materials and Weight Amethyst, 26 x 28 ...
Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold
Amethyst and Diamond Earrings
By Paradizia
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Description Large Amethyst faceted drops 44ct, Pave diamond Black Rhodium sterling silver earrings, contrasted with yellow gold. Item # E3067 Materials and Weight Amethyst, 26 x 28 ...
Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold
