De Grisogono
De Grisogono is a Geneva-founded Swiss luxury jewellery house known for high jewellery, black diamonds, and record-setting gemstones.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
De Grisogono is a Swiss luxury jewellery house established in Geneva in 1993 by Fawaz Gruosi, a Lebanese-Italian jeweller and specialist in black diamonds. The house became associated with elaborate high jewellery, large gemstones, ornate watches, and a distinctive use of black diamonds alongside coloured stones and white diamonds. Its Italian name is derived from Grisogono, a form connected to the Latin Chrysogonus and the Greek Chrysogonos, with an etymological association with gold. The company’s identity was closely linked to Gruosi’s creative direction. Rather than competing only through conventional diamond solitaires, De Grisogono developed an aesthetic centred on dramatic scale, intricate settings, strong colour contrasts, and unusual gem combinations. The brand’s creations were positioned within the international high-jewellery market and were sold or presented through luxury retail, private-client channels, and major jewellery auctions. Ownership and corporate control changed substantially during the 2010s. In 2012, Gruosi sold his majority stake to SODIAM, the trading arm of Angola’s state diamond company. The transaction connected De Grisogono with investors associated with the family of José Eduardo dos Santos, then president of Angola, and with an intended Angola-to-Switzerland diamond distribution structure. In 2017, the company entered a partnership with David and Lisa Klein, described in the source material as former Leviev executives. Around the same period, De Grisogono achieved major auction visibility. Its Creation I necklace reportedly sold for nearly Dh125 million at a Christie’s sale, while another necklace incorporating a 163.41-carat D Flawless emerald-cut diamond achieved CHF 33.5 million at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale in Geneva. The stone had been cut from a 404-carat rough diamond, and the result was reported as a record for the largest D Flawless diamond offered at auction at that time. Gruosi was reported to have left the company’s board and his chief-designer role in January 2019, while Céline Assimon was named chief executive officer. De Grisogono subsequently filed for bankruptcy on 29 January 2020. The business was bought by Dubai-based Damac Group in 2022. In August 2024, SODIAM sold its remaining shares in De Grisogono as part of the dismantling of financial interests associated with Isabel dos Santos and the wider dos Santos business network. The brand’s current operating status, management structure, product activity, and official website are not established by the supplied reference material.
History
De Grisogono was founded in Geneva in 1993 by Fawaz Gruosi, a Lebanese-Italian jeweller known for his expertise in black diamonds. From its beginning, the house developed an identity within high jewellery rather than the mass luxury market. Its creations were associated with large and unusual gemstones, black diamonds, elaborate settings, and dramatic statement designs. Gruosi’s creative influence was central to the company’s public image and product language. The brand’s business included high jewellery and luxury watches, with its best-known work appearing in the international market for exceptional jewels. De Grisogono’s approach contrasted with more understated diamond houses by using black diamonds and coloured stones as prominent design elements. The company also gained recognition through high-value auction pieces, where individual creations could function as both jewellery and significant gemstones. A major ownership change occurred in 2012, when Gruosi sold his majority stake to SODIAM, the trading arm of Angola’s state diamond company. The investment was connected to interests centred on Isabel dos Santos, daughter of José Eduardo dos Santos, and was intended to support a vertically integrated diamond structure linking Angola’s diamond sector with Swiss jewellery production and distribution. The transaction later became controversial because of allegations concerning the use of shell companies and the movement of funds and bonuses connected to the dos Santos family. The supplied reference material states that SODIAM invested $120 million in De Grisogono and that Victoria Holding Limited, an intermediary incorporated through offshore structures, was connected with ownership of the company. These matters were reported in the wider Luanda Leaks investigation. In 2017, De Grisogono formed a new partnership with David and Lisa Klein, who were described as former Leviev executives. That year was also important for the brand’s auction profile. The Creation I necklace reportedly sold for nearly Dh125 million at a Christie’s sale. At Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale in Geneva, De Grisogono set a record with a necklace containing a 163.41-carat D Flawless emerald-cut diamond. The diamond had been cut from a 404-carat rough stone, and the necklace sold for CHF 33.5 million. The result was reported as a record for the largest D Flawless diamond offered at auction at that time and exceeded the previous record for a D Flawless diamond by almost CHF 5 million. In January 2019, Gruosi was reported to have departed from the board and from his chief-designer position. Céline Assimon was named chief executive officer. The change marked a separation between the house and the founder most closely associated with its creative identity. On 29 January 2020, De Grisogono filed for bankruptcy. In 2022, Damac Group of Dubai acquired the company. In August 2024, SODIAM disposed of its remaining shares, a move described in the reference material as part of the dismantling of Isabel dos Santos’s financial empire. The supplied sources do not establish the brand’s current management, operating footprint, official website, or whether its commercial activities have resumed at scale.
- 2024
SODIAM exits its remaining shareholding
[1]SODIAM sells its remaining shares in De Grisogono in August.
- 2022
Acquisition by Damac Group
[1]Damac Group of Dubai buys De Grisogono.
- 2020
Bankruptcy filing
[1]De Grisogono files for bankruptcy on 29 January.
- 2019
Founder leaves board and design leadership
[1]Fawaz Gruosi is reported to have left the board and his chief-designer role; Céline Assimon becomes CEO.
- 2017
New partnership with David and Lisa Klein
[1]De Grisogono enters a partnership with David and Lisa Klein, described as former Leviev executives.
- 2017
Record-setting Christie’s diamond necklace sale
[1]A De Grisogono necklace containing a 163.41-carat D Flawless emerald-cut diamond sells for CHF 33.5 million at Christie’s in Geneva.
- 2012
SODIAM acquires a majority stake
[1]Gruosi sells his majority stake to SODIAM, Angola’s state diamond company trading arm, linking the brand to investors associated with the dos Santos family.
- 1993
De Grisogono is founded in Geneva
[1]Fawaz Gruosi establishes the Swiss luxury jewellery house in Geneva.
Products and positioning
De Grisogono occupies the haute joaillerie and ultra-luxury jewellery segment. Its positioning is built around spectacular gemstones, black diamonds, elaborate craftsmanship, bold proportions, and highly individual statement pieces rather than restrained everyday jewellery.
Fine jewellery · 1993
High jewellery
De Grisogono’s core offer is high jewellery built around exceptional gemstones, elaborate metalwork, and highly individual designs. The house became particularly associated with large-scale statement pieces, strong contrasts between black and white diamonds, and the use of coloured stones. Individual creations are often presented as unique or limited works rather than standardized collection jewellery.
Diamond jewellery · 1993
Black diamond jewellery
Black diamonds are central to the brand’s historic identity and to the expertise associated with founder Fawaz Gruosi. De Grisogono used them in rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and other high-jewellery forms, frequently pairing their dark appearance with white diamonds, coloured gems, and ornate settings.
Luxury watches
Luxury watches
The house also produced luxury watches as part of its broader jewellery business. The supplied sources identify watchmaking as part of the brand’s scope but do not provide enough detail to document specific collections, calibres, launch dates, or current availability.
High-jewellery necklace · 2017
Creation I
Creation I is a De Grisogono necklace reported to have sold for nearly Dh125 million at a Christie’s sale in 2017. The supplied reference material identifies it as one of the house’s most notable auction-associated creations but does not provide a full specification of its gemstones or setting.
High-jewellery necklace · 2017
163.41-carat D Flawless diamond necklace
This necklace was designed by Fawaz Gruosi around a 163.41-carat D Flawless emerald-cut diamond cut from a 404-carat rough stone. It sold for CHF 33.5 million at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale in Geneva in 2017 and was reported as a record-setting auction diamond.
Controversies
2020
Luanda Leaks and dos Santos-linked ownership controversy
The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists’ Luanda Leaks investigation identified De Grisogono as part of the business network associated with Isabel dos Santos. The reporting examined the company’s connection to SODIAM, the reported $120 million investment, offshore ownership structures, and allegations that payments connected to the dos Santos family moved through shell companies in jurisdictions including Malta and the British Virgin Islands.
Brand decisions
2024
SODIAM sells remaining sharesM&ABackground
The transaction occurred during the dismantling of financial interests associated with Isabel dos Santos.
Action taken
SODIAM sold its remaining shares in De Grisogono in August 2024.
Aftermath
The sale reduced SODIAM’s remaining ownership connection to the brand.
2022
Acquisition by Damac GroupM&ABackground
De Grisogono was acquired after its 2020 bankruptcy filing.
Action taken
Damac Group of Dubai bought De Grisogono.
Aftermath
The supplied material does not establish the brand’s current operating model or commercial scale after the acquisition.
2020
Bankruptcy filingOtherBackground
Following ownership controversy and leadership changes, De Grisogono entered formal bankruptcy proceedings.
Action taken
The company filed for bankruptcy on 29 January 2020.
Aftermath
Damac Group acquired the business in 2022.
2019
Change in creative and executive leadershipStrategyBackground
The house underwent a leadership transition after years of close association with founder Fawaz Gruosi.
Action taken
Gruosi reportedly left the board and chief-designer position, and Céline Assimon was appointed CEO.
Aftermath
The company filed for bankruptcy the following year.
2017
Partnership with former Leviev executivesStrategyBackground
De Grisogono sought a new partnership during a period of ownership and management transition.
Action taken
The company entered a partnership with David and Lisa Klein, described as former Leviev executives.
2012
Sale of majority stake to SODIAMM&ABackground
Fawaz Gruosi sold his majority stake as the company became connected to SODIAM, Angola’s state diamond company trading arm, and investors associated with the dos Santos family.
Action taken
SODIAM acquired the majority shareholding, supporting an intended vertical diamond structure linking Angolan diamond supply with Swiss jewellery activities.
Aftermath
The ownership structure later became a focus of the Luanda Leaks investigation and subsequent efforts to dismantle dos Santos-linked assets.
Reported SODIAM investment. $120 million (2012)
Recent events
Sources3 sources
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