The Florentine diamond, a legendary 137.27-carat light yellow gemstone believed to have originated from India’s historic Golconda mines, has been rediscovered in a Canadian bank vault, ending over a century of mystery about its fate.

Famous for its delicate pale-yellow hue and unique double-rose cut featuring 126 facets, the Florentine diamond’s rich history includes royal dynasties, from the Medici treasury in Florence to the Austrian Crown Jewels in Vienna.

For decades, it was safeguarded by the descendants of the former Austrian imperial family, the Habsburgs. The gem had gone missing after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, following Emperor Charles I’s exile. This led to years of speculation regarding whether it had been stolen, sold, or lost forever.

Historians now confirm that Empress Zita, the widow of Charles I, secretly stored a diamond in Canada during World War II. Its identity was verified by a European jewellery house that once served the Habsburg court, confirming that the gem remains intact.

The Habsburg family has announced plans to publicly display the Florentine diamond in Canada next year, and discussions are ongoing about future exhibitions in Europe.