King of Diamonds

Laurence Graff has made a life and a business buying and selling some of the world's most fabled and flawless stones

“I myself am happy to pay higher and higher prices for rare stones, and so are my clients.” —Laurence Graff

SITTING IN HIS CORNER office overlooking New York City's West 47th St., Laurence Graff is the picture of Continental chic. Dressed in the finest bespoke suit, he speaks softly, highlighting words with a twinkle in his eye that seems perfectly coordinated with the newly certified diamonds laid out on the table before him.

“Every time I open one of these—and, you see, I open them in a very special way—and I look at what's inside, I get excited,” he says, his...

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