Diamonds such as the Mabel Boll, the Indore Pears, the Blue Heart and the Napoleon Diamond Necklace have all been a part of Winston's personal collection. Three of his most iconic purchases include the legendary Hope Diamond, the unique Portuguese Diamond and the rare Graff pink.

The Hope Diamond

Perhaps the most famous diamond in the world, the Hope Diamond has had a long list of distinguished owners throughout history. Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette both owned the diamond before it ended up in the estate of the American socialite Evalyn Walsh Mclean. The diamond was purchased from the estate by Harry Winston in 1949 and added to his Court of Jewels exhibition, where it traveled to major cities across the United States alongside a unique collection of breathtaking stones.

The Hope Diamond's unique cut shows off the stones brilliance and the presence of boron gives the diamond it's unforgettable blue color. The few people who have held the diamond in their hand describe it as cool and much heavier than it appears. Believed to have begun being formed over a billion years ago, the diamond has a long history that includes royal stories, theft, and rumours of the stone bringing misfortune to it's owners.

In 1958, Harry Winston donated the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. so the world could admire it's beauty. The stone receives over 7 million visitors each year and helped begin the Smithsonian's National Gem Collection. In 2010, Winston's company designed a new setting for the diamond that was called Embracing Hope. This temporary setting featured 340 baguette diamonds and a sleek platinum design that surrounded the diamond until 2012, when it was returned to its original setting.

The Portuguese DIamond

Harry Winston named the Portuguese Diamond when he purchased the stone known for its unusual octagon cut and clarity. The flawless diamond weighs about 127 carrots and is believed to have been part of the Portuguese Crown Jewels. Winston purchased the diamond from Peggy Hopkins Joyce, in 1951 to add to his Court of Jewels exhibition. He later decided to trade the Portuguese Diamond to the Smithsonian Institution in exchange for 2,400 carrots of smaller diamonds.

The Graff Pink

An exceptional rare stone, this pink 24.78 carat diamond spent years tucked away in Harry Winston diamonds' collection. In the 1950's WInston sold the ring to a private collector who put it up for auction in 2010. The diamond set the record for the most expensive jewel ever sold at auction, selling for a staggering $46 million. The unnamed stone was purchased by diamond dealer Laurence Graff who then named it Graff Pink.