Grand Condé: French Museum Showcases Famous Pink Diamonds

L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, Benjamin Chelly

Since 18. In 1926 it was stolen and found shortly thereafter: the historic pink diamond »Grand Condé« will be exhibited at the Condé Museum in the Château de Chantilly from 17 October 2026 to 3 January 2027. The nine-carat gemstone was stolen in October 1926. Only two months later it was discovered: allegedly the thieves hid the diamond in an apple, and a Parisian maid found it when it bit into that fruit unobserved. Does it sound unbelievable? At the time, all newspapers reported that this was not a fictional story, said museum director Mathieu Deldicque, according to France Télévisions.

According to the museum, the oldest record of the diamond dates back to 1740, it can be found in an inventory created after the death of Louis Henri de Bourbon, Prince de Condé. The striking diamond became one of the most important gemstones owned by the family. Henri d’Orléans finally bequeathed the diamond to the Institut de France together with the entire Museum Condé.

Pink diamonds are rare and therefore have always been coveted and expensive collectibles. Read more about precious and expensive diamonds here:

Precious Gems: The Most Expensive Diamonds in the World