Simply Abu Dhabi XI

1 1 7 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I K nown in jewellery circles as ‘The King of Diamonds’, Laurence Graff, the charismatic founder of Graff Diamonds, maintains a fascination for gemstones that remains undimmed despitemore than 50 years in the business. “When I came across my first diamond I was struck, mesmerised,” he says. “I felt that I could see right inside the stone and could tell you what it contained. It was an inherent feeling that turned into a lifetime passion. The hunt for diamonds goes on. We search on a daily basis for stones in the rough or polished. The best stones are rarer than anyone could ever imagine.” This quest for perfection prompted Graff to found Graff Diamonds in 1960. Today globally renowned for its exceptional quality, style and workmanship, Graff continues to operate as a family business:Mr. Graff’s son Francois Graff is the company’s Chief Executive Officer, his brother Raymond Graff oversees the jewellery workshop, and nephew Elliott Graff manages the design, merchandising and production of the jewellery. As one of the world’s preeminent jewellery brands, Graff stores have opened in Shanghai, San Francisco, Gstaad, Tokyo’s luxurious Isetan shopping district, and Hangzhou and Macau in the past three years alone, though it’s the brand’sMiddle East clients that are due to benefit from its latest expansion. Joining Graff’s prestigious roll-call of locations is a new store that will open in Abu Dhabi at The Galleria in Sowwah Square during Autumn 2013, alongside a newly renovated Dubai Mall store. Each store will feature a rich colour palette of ebony furniture, intricate bronze detailing and highly decorative Bohemia crystal chandeliers, providing the perfect environment for displaying the most fabulous jewels in the world. A further opening is planned in Riyadh for 2014. “We have an extremely loyal client base across the Middle East and growth throughout the region continues to be strong,” says Francois Graff, Chief Executive Officer at Graff Diamonds.