The Government of Quebec has announced its intention to secure the Florentine Diamond, one of the world's most legendary gems, for permanent public display. The diamond, along with other jewels, was secretly deposited in a Quebec bank vault over a century ago by the last Empress of Austria and has remained there, unknown to the public, until recently.
A Unique Historical Connection
Quebec's Minister of Culture, Mathieu Lacombe, has characterized the story as a profound historical link. "This is a truly unique story that connects Quebec to the Habsburg family," Lacombe stated. His office confirmed that discussions are already underway with the Quebec National Museum of Fine Arts to find a way to make the jewels accessible to the public. Catherine Boucher, a press attaché in Lacombe's office, noted that while the province is eager to host the collection, it is still too early to provide specific details about the potential exhibition.
Gratitude and a Secret Wartime Escape
The revelation of the diamond's location came to light through an interview with descendants of the Habsburg family in The New York Times. The family expressed deep gratitude towards Quebec for providing them refuge. When Empress Zita of Austria fled the Nazi advance during the Second World War, she escaped with her eight children, carrying the priceless jewels in a simple cardboard suitcase. They found safety in Quebec, a gesture the family has not forgotten. A spokesperson for the family confirmed that while "the family has committed to public display of the collection in Canada," no final decision on the specific location has been made, and plans are still in their earliest stages.
The Storied Past of the Florentine Diamond
The Florentine Diamond itself carries an immense historical weight. This 137.27-carat, pale yellow diamond was once one of Europe's largest gems, with a history tracing back to the powerful Medici family. It later became a central part of the Austrian Crown Jewels. After the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, the diamond vanished from public knowledge, with many believing it was lost after the Second World War. The recent account from the Habsburg descendants finally solves this century-old mystery, confirming the gem has been securely stored in Canada all along.
The Quebec government's initiative highlights a remarkable piece of hidden history, aiming to transform a secret held in a bank vault into a public treasure that celebrates a unique chapter in Quebec's and Canada's international heritage.
