Brief
Grand Condé pink diamond returns to public view in France
The rare gem will be exhibited at the Château de Chantilly with new research and archival material.
By Felo News Desk · Published
A nine‑carat pear‑shaped pink diamond known as the Grand Condé is on display at the Condé Museum in the Château de Chantilly, France, until 3 January, a century after it was stolen in an overnight raid on the château in October 1926.
What happened
The diamond was taken during a raid and hidden inside a hollowed‑out apple. A hotel maid later bit the apple, discovering the stone and prompting its recovery a few weeks later.
What the report adds
The museum’s director, Mathieu Deldicque, said the apple story was widely reported at the time and noted that recent academic analysis makes the gem uniquely identifiable. He declined to reveal the insurance value but said the exhibition also includes previously unseen archival material about the diamond’s history.
What was said
Deldicque told BBC that while the story sounds far‑fetched, it was covered by newspapers then, and he has faced questions about whether the show might tempt fate given recent European museum heists.
Key facts
- The Grand Condé pink diamond is on display at the Condé Museum until 3 January. (bbc.co.uk)
- The nine‑carat, pear‑shaped gem was stolen from Château de Chantilly in October 1926. (bbc.co.uk)
- It was hidden in a hollowed‑out apple and recovered after a maid bit the fruit. (bbc.co.uk)
- Museum director Mathieu Deldicque said the exhibition includes new academic analysis and archival material. (bbc.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] bbc.co.uk — originally reported as “Rare pink diamond goes on display in France 100 years after amateur heist”
