Overview
- Three Habsburg descendants disclosed that the gem has sat in a Quebec bank since World War II with related family jewels.
- Independent experts, including Christoph Köchert of AE Köchert, authenticated the stone by matching its historic cut and using electronic testing.
- Family accounts say Empress Zita brought the jewels to Canada in 1940 and imposed a 100-year confidentiality pledge from Emperor Charles I’s 1922 death.
- The collection has been placed in a Canadian trust with the family as beneficiaries, with plans for public exhibition in Canada and no intention to sell.
- Austria’s vice chancellor announced a review to determine whether the diamond is state property and said the government could seek its return if a claim is justified.