Gabriel Tolkowsky

Sir Gabriel Tolkowsky
Born	1939
Title	Chevalier de L'Ordre du Roi Leopold II

Gabriel S. "Gabi" Tolkowsky (born 1939) is one of the world's most renowned diamond cutters, the sixth generation of the Tolkowsky family to make his name in the trade. He is the great nephew of Marcel Tolkowsky, the father of the modern round brilliant diamond cut.

In the 1800s Abraham Tolkowsky worked with precious stones. In the 1840s the Tolkowsky family moved to Antwerp. Abraham Tolkowsky’s son Maurice established a good reputation in the business.

Isadore and Sam now worked closely alongside their brother Maurice, and their father Abraham. Maurice invented the first diamond bruiting machine, which is fundamental to creating a perfectly round diamond. His brother Sam was elected the first chairman of the Antwerp Diamond Exchange.

He was trained by Marcel and his father Jean, beginning in 1956, before becoming Managing Director and Chairman of Diatrada, N.V., a division of De Beers in the 1970s. He invented the "flower cuts" in 1985–86, and since 1995, he has been a worldwide consultant to the De Beers group.

In 1988, he was commissioned by them to act as master cutter for the 273.85 carats (54.770 g) Centenary Diamond, a task which took three years. This monumental diamond remained untouched for over a year while the correct tools and technical conditions were created by Gabi and his team. The gem was kerfed (hand cleaved) in order to avoid heat- or vibration-related damage from saws or lasers. Finally in 1991 the Tolkowsky’s De Beers Centenary Diamond was finished weighing 273.85 carats (54.770 g) presents 247 facets and is acknowledged as the largest, most colour-perfect and flawless modern diamond cut in the world.

During this time, Gabi Tolkowsky was again selected by the De Beers group in order to design and cut the Golden Jubilee Diamond. The Golden Jubilee is the largest faceted diamond in the world, weighing 545.67 carats (109.134 g), more than the Cullinan I. The diamond was a 755.50-carat (151.100 g) rough stone. World-famous, it presents 148 facets, weighs 545.65 carats (109.130 g), has a yellow-brown colour intensified by the brilliant cushion cut. The Golden Jubilee was chosen as a gift to the King of Thailand to celebrate his 50 years on the throne.

Drawing from techniques learned during the polishing of the Centenary and the Golden Jubilee diamonds, and from his experience with the "Flower Cuts", Gabi created the Gabrielle Diamonds, the world's first triple brilliant cut diamond.

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